punctures, and loss of inflation pressure. At a minimum, ContiSeal™ tires
should be inspected once or twice a month and always before a long trip.
Punctures or damage not attended to promptly can result in loss of
inflation pressure and/or damage to the tire. ContiSeal™ tires with cuts
and punctures must be inspected by a trained tire specialist as soon as
possible. The trained specialist, must inspect the tire carefully and,
according to industry standards, to determine whether a permanent
repair can be made or whether the tire must be removed from service and
scrapped. A permanent repair will require removal of the tire from the
rim and application of a repair method specifically approved for the
ContiSeal™ tires.
ContiSeal™ tires are identified by a symbol on the tire sidewall.
CONTISILENT™ TIRE OWNERS:
ContiSilent™ tires are designed
to reduce noise generated while
driving. A ContiSilent™ tire is
lined with a noise reducing foam
insert. It is not designed or intended to act as a puncture repair.
USING ContiSilent™ Tires
In aspects such as mounting, demounting, inflating and balancing,
ContiSilent™ tires do not differ from non-ContiSilent™ tires. As with any
tire, regularly inspect ContiSilent™ tires for evidence of cuts, punctures,
and loss of inflation pressure. At a minimum, ContiSilent™ tires should
be inspected once or twice a month and always before a long trip.
Punctures or damage not attended to promptly can result in loss of
inflation pressure and/or damage to the tire. ContiSilent™ tires with cuts
and punctures must be inspected by a trained tire specialist as soon as
possible. The trained tire specialist must inspect the tire carefully and,
according to industry standards, determine whether a permanent repair
can be made or whether the tire must be removed from service and
scrapped.
A permanent repair will require removal of the tire from the rim and
application of a repair method specifically approved for ContiSilent™
Tires. ContiSilent™ tires are identified by a symbol on the tire sidewall.
ContiSilent™ tires and non-ContiSilent™ tires may be mixed on the same
vehicle.
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FALKEN TIRE CORPORATION
FALKEN
MADE BY SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES
Congratulations!
Your new vehicle is fitted with high performance and high quality Falken
tires.
In order to guarantee that you receive the best performance and quality
from your new Falken tires, we recommend that you read and follow all
of the maintenance and safety tips provided in this document. We also
suggest that you have your Falken tires periodically inspected and
maintained by a qualified tire service professional.
A) TIRE CARE AND RECOMMENDATIONS
PROPER INFLATION AND FUEL ECONOMY
Ensure maximum performance and a long life from your tires by
checking the air pressures at least once a month and set them to the
vehicle manufacturer ’s recommended pressure(s) listed on the vehicle’s
tire placard or in your owner ’s manual. Always check and adjust your air
pressure when your tires are cold, preferably first thing in the morning
before driving. Never release air pressure from tires when they are hot.
Wait until the tires cool down and recheck, adding air or releasing as
required. Falken endorses the use of nitrogen in your tires because it
helps your tires maintain optimal pressure for longer periods of time and
reduces the amount of moisture inside of the tire and wheel assembly.
*Some plus size applications may require different air pressure(s) than
what is listed on your vehicle’s placard or owner ’s manual. In this case,
please consult your tire dealer or Falken Tire for proper inflation
pressure(s).
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TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE
Tires need to be properly inflated to effectively operate and perform as
intended. Tires carry the weight of the vehicle, passengers, and cargo as
well as bear the forces of braking, accelerating, and turning. The vehicle
manufacturer sets the inflation pressures for the original equipment tires
that are on your vehicle.
Driving with improperly inflated tires is dangerous. An under inflated
tire will generate excessive heat build-up that will cause damage to the
internal structure and inner liner of the tire. Besides tire damage,
improper tire inflation pressures can also affect your vehicle’s ride and
handling, tire tread wear, and fuel economy. It is recommended to always
keep all of your tires, including the spare, at the vehicle manufacturer ’s
recommended inflation pressures and be sure to check the air pressure
monthly and before going on long road trips or carrying extra weight in
your vehicle.
Your vehicle’s tire placard and/or owner ’s manual will list the cold
inflation pressure(s) for your vehicle’s original equipment tires, including
the spare. The placard can be found on the driver ’s side door or door
jamb area. If you have questions about understanding your vehicle’s tire
placard, please refer to your owner ’s manual or ask a qualified tire
service professional.
Example of what your tire placard looks like:
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CHECKING YOUR TIRE’S AIR PRESSURE
Checking your air pressure at least once a month is vital to help your tires
perform properly and help you get the best gas mileage possible. Tires
can lose up to 7 kPa (1 psi) per month under normal conditions and lose
up to 7 kPa (1 PSI) per every 9°C (16°F) drop in temperature. Here are
some simple steps on how to check the air pressures in your tires:
1. Remove the valve stem cap.
2. Place the end of the tire gauge firmly against the tire’s valve stem.
3. Read the current pressure displayed on the gauge that is currently in
the tire.
4. Increase pressure at this time (if needed) and recheck with your tire
gauge.
5. Replace the valve stem cap.
6. Repeat until all of your tires have been checked and adjusted
accordingly.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)
A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is a safety system
found in most vehicles manufactured after 2005. There are
pressure sensing transmitters mounted inside of each tire that
sends readings to the central computer (ECU) in your vehicle.
The TPMS system will alert you when one or more of your tires
are underinflated by 25% or more by turning on a warning light on your
vehicle’s dashboard or heads up display (HUD) screen. This means that
one or more of your tires may have a low-pressure condition. Follow the
instructions in your owner ’s manual.
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TIRE REPAIRS
In the event that you get a flat tire while driving, it is best to find a nearby,
safe place to stop and install your spare tire or call a tow truck. The less
distance that you drive on your low or flat tire, the better chances your
tire has of being repairable. Once you are able to get to your local
servicing tire dealer, have them dismount the tire from the rim and
thoroughly inspect the inside of the tire. It is important to know the
difference between a proper tire repair and an improper one because it
can be critical to you and your vehicle’s safety. An improper repair could
pose a safety threat to you and your family and could also affect your
tire’s manufacturer warranty. Here are some tips in determining if your
damaged tire can be properly repaired or not:
•Always have the tire removed from the wheel and inspected before
any repair is performed.
•Tires with less than 1.6 mm (2/32 of an inch) of tread should NOT be
repaired.
•Never repair a tire with a puncture larger than 6 mm (1/4 of an inch).
•Repairs should be limited to the tread area only.
•Repairs cannot overlap one another.
•A plug and patch or plug/patch combo should be used to effectively
repair a tire puncture.
•If anything seems questionable at any time during the repair process,
ask your service advisor for more details and/or call the tire manu-
facturer to make sure the tire’s warranty isn’t being voided.
TIRE MIX USAGE
WARNING!
Never mix tires of different size or construction and/or type on any
axle. (Except for temporary use as a spare tire.) Always refer to the
vehicle’s owner manual for proper tire fitments.
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2.WHAT IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY
A. Tires that becomes unserviceable due to road hazard damages
(cuts, snags, punctures, bruises, impact breaks, etc.) improper
repair technique or materials, improper inflation, overload, irregu-
lar wear, wheel imbalance, defective mechanical vehicle compo-
nents (brakes, suspension, wheels, etc.) improper suspension align-
ment, accident, fire, chemical damage, damage from chain use,
racing, off-road use, run flat, improper installation, vandalism, or
abuse.
B. Tires branded “NA” or a tire in which the DOT numbering has
been removed.
C. Tires presented for a warranty claim by someone other than by the
original purchaser, or tires that were transferred to another vehicle
from the vehicle in which the tires were originally installed.
D. Tires having a failure or failures caused by a previous damages or
repairs.
E. The cost of tire repair or retreading is not covered by this warranty
and will be the sole responsibility of the tire owner.
Possible NON Covered Reasons/Conditions due to:
Chipping/Chunking/Tearing Puncture
Corrosion/Wreck Racing or any Competition
Fire Repair Failure
Impact Break or Concussions Road Hazards
Improper Inflation Pressure Sidewall Cut or Damage
Improper Mounting/Dismount Theft or Vandalism
Mechanical Defects of the Vehicle Tread Cuts
Misalignment Wheel Imbalance
Misapplication Willful Abuse
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3.OWNER’S OBLIGATIONS
At least monthly, the vehicle owner(s) should check the tires’ air
pressure with a gauge and inflate to the recommended cold air
pressure level listed on the driver ’s door placard. Do not rely on car
servicers to perform the checks. The tires should be rotated at least
every 8,000km (5,000 miles) or earlier if uneven wear is occurring, and
proof of maintenance records should be kept. The owner(s) should
have the tires rebalanced if vibration is experienced, and the vehicle’s
alignment should be checked if uneven or rapid wear is occurring, or
when suggested by the vehicle’s manufacturer.
All warranty claims must be presented to an authorized Falken dealer
or participating car dealership. The owner(s) must present any sup-
porting maintenance records and documentation necessary to help
determine if the tire(s) in question are deemed covered by the limited
warranty or not.
4.LEGAL RIGHTS
All implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability and
fitness for a particular purpose shall be limited in duration to the above
period. To the extent permitted by law, Falken Tire Corporation shall not
be responsible for incidental or consequential damages, such as loss of
use of the tire or the vehicle on which it is used, inconvenience, or
commercial loss, some states do not allow limitations on how long an
implied warranty lasts, or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not
apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may
also have other rights, which vary from state to state. This is the only
express warranty applicable to Falken brand tires and supersedes the
terms of any previous warranty. Falken neither assumes nor authorizes
anyone to make or assume for it any other warranty.
C) UNDERSTANDING YOUR TIRES
TIRE SPEED SYMBOLS
Tires that are speed-rated are identified by the following letter symbols:
Q, S, T, U, H, V, W, Y, (Y), or (ZR). The Speed Rating’s Symbol can be
found as a part of the tire size designation (ex: 215/65HR16) or after the
load index immediately following the tire size designation (ex: 215/
65R16 97H). The Speed Rating’s Symbol indicates the maximum speed
that a tire can handle when properly inflated and loaded.
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MAX LOAD AND INFLATION
The maximum load and inflation pressure is marked on the tire sidewall
in English and metric units.
PLY COMPOSITION AND MATERIALS
The number of plies and their generic composition of cord materials in
the sidewall and tread areas can be found on at least one sidewall of a
tire.
RADIAL MARKING
A radial ply tire will have the word “radial” marked on at least one
sidewall. An “R” found in the tire size marking also refers to the tire
being a radial ply tire.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING SYSTEM (UTQG)
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards (UTQG) were created to
help you make an informed decision when purchasing passenger car tires
by providing relative information about a tire’s treadwear, traction, and
temperature characteristics. Here is a breakdown of the different catego-
ries that the UTQG grades:
TREAD WEAR
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified govern-
ment test course. For example, a tire graded150would wear one and a
half (1½) times as well on the government course as a tire graded100. The
relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices, and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
TRACTION
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, areAA, A, BandC. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specific government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
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