WARNING!(Continued)
•Check the cold inflation pressure in all of your tires, including the
spare tire, at least once every week and always prior to long
distance trips. Failure to maintain the proper air inflation pressure
may result in improper vehicle handling, and may cause rapid and
irregular tire wear, reduction in tire durability, loss of vehicle
control, or sudden tire failure that may lead to property damage,
serious personal injury or death.
•Use an accurate tire gauge to check tire air pressures. Always
maintain the proper recommended air inflation pressure in all
tires. If there is an indication that one of your tires has lost four or
more pounds of air pressure, immediately look for signs of
penetration through the tire, valve leaks or wheel damage that may
account for the air loss. You should also have your tires inspected
by a tire retailer immediately.
•Air pressure should be checked when tires are cold (before they
have been driven), ideally in the early morning. Driving, regard-
less of distance, causes tires to heat up and simultaneously
increase air pressure.
•Never exceed the maximum inflation pressure for the tire.
•Never bleed air from hot tires as this may result in underinflation.
•→Inspect your tires daily. If you notice any damage to your tires
or wheels, replace them with a spare and immediately visit any tire
retailer for advice. Driving over potholes, curbs, wood debris,
metal, etc., can damage a tire and should be safely avoided. Contact
with such hazards requires an immediate and thorough tire
inspection by your tire retailer.
•Always examine your tires for penetrations, bulges, cracks, cuts,
and abnormal wear – particularly at the tire edges – which may be
caused by, for example, vehicle misalignment or tire underinfla-
tion. Failure to properly control a vehicle when one or more tires
are underinflated may result in an accident. Use of a damaged tire
may result in rapid air loss, including sudden tire failure.
•An explosion of the tire/rim assembly may occur due to improper
mounting. Only specially trained persons should mount tires.
•→Failure to store tires in accordance with the following recom-
mendations may result in damage to your tires, reduction in tire
durability, or sudden tire failure:
(Continued)
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Temporary Spares
MICHELIN® temporary spare tires are covered by this warranty for
6 years from the date of purchase or until the first 2/32 nds of an inch
(1.6 mm) of the original tread is worn off. Date of purchase is docu-
mented by new vehicle registration or tire sales invoice. If no proof of
purchase is available, coverage will be based on date of manufacture. At
that time, all warranties, express or implied, expire.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED
Tires which become unserviceable due to:
•Road hazard injury (e.g., a cut, snag, bruise, impact damage or
puncture);
•Incorrect mounting of the tire, tire/wheel imbalance or improper
repair;
•Misapplication, improper maintenance, racing, underinflation, overin-
flation or other abuse;
•Uneven or rapid wear which is caused by mechanical irregularity in
the vehicle such as wheel misalignment, (a measured tread difference
of 2/32 nds of an inch (1.6 mm) or more across the tread on the same
tire);
•Accident, fire, chemical corrosion, tire alteration, or vandalism;
•Use in commercial applications for tread wear; by this warranty for
6 years;
•Flat spotting caused by improper storage or brake lock;
•The addition of liquid, solid or gaseous materials other than air,
nitrogen or carbon dioxide (for example, waterbase sealers or balanc-
ing substances);
•Cosmetic ozone or weather cracking;
•Use of MICHELIN Self-Supporting Zero Pressure (AP) tires without a
properly operating low air pressure warning system.
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CONTROLLABILITY
Controlling a vehicle when a tire failure occurs
If a tire failure occurs, you may hear a loud noise, feel a vibration, and/or
the vehicle may pull toward the side of the failed tire. If possible, step on
the accelerator momentarily to maintain forward momentum and ensure
vehicle control. It is most important that you DO NOT BRAKE OR
ABRUPTLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. Slowly remove your foot
from the accelerator and hold the steering wheel firmly while steering to
remain in your lane. Once the vehicle has slowed and is fully under
control, apply the brakes gently; safely pull over to the shoulder and
come to a stop. Inspect the tires. If one or more looks flat or low, shows
detachment or other damage, remove tire assembly and replace it with a
properly inflated spare. Bumps or bulges may indicate detachment
within the tire body and require inspection by a qualified tire technician.
DRIVING ON ANY TIRE THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE CORRECT
INFLATION PRESSURE IS DANGEROUS
Any underinflated tire builds up excessive heat that may result in sudden
tire destruction. If tires are supplied as original equipment, refer to the
tire decal on the vehicle (check vehicle and/or vehicle owner ’s manual
for decal location) for the recommended operating pressures. For replace-
ment tires, the correct inflation pressure will be provided by your tire
retailer; if not, refer to the vehicle decal.
These inflation pressures must be maintained as a minimum. However,
do not exceed the maximum pressure rating indicated on the tire
sidewall.
SELF-SUPPORTING TIRES. ZERO PRESSURE (ZP) TIRES, AND PAX
SYSTEM TIRES, AT LOW OR ZERO AIR PRESSURE
The handling characteristics of a vehicle with a deflated PAX System tire
or Self- Supporting Zero Pressure (ZP) tire (whether front or rear) are not
the same as those of a vehicle with normally inflated tires. Avoid high
speeds and hard cornering whenever a low pressure warning is acti-
vated.
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For all types of tires, consult your vehicle tire placard or owner ’s manual
for recommended operating pressures. If the tires are purchased as
replacement tires, operating instructions for the low pressure warning
system will be provided by the manufacturer of that system. Recom-
mended operating pressures will be provided by a participating Michelin
tire retailer for self supporting ZP tires. Recommended operating pres-
sure for PAX System Tires will be provided by a PAX System retailer.
These inflation pressures must be maintained as a minimum. However,
do not exceed the maximum pressure rating indicated on the tire
sidewall.
CHECK THE COLD INFLATION PRESSURES IN ALL YOUR TIRES,
INCLUDING THE SPARE, AT LEAST ONCE EACH MONTH
Failure to maintain correct inflation may result in improper vehicle
handling and may cause rapid and irregular tire wear, sudden tire
destruction, loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury. Therefore,
inflation pressures should be checked at least once each month and
always prior to long distance trips. This applies to all tires, including
sealant types, and Self-Supporting Zero Pressure (ZP) tires which are as
susceptible to losing air pressure as any other type of tire if not properly
maintained.
UNDERINFLATION
It is impossible to determine whether tires are properly inflated by
simply looking at them. It is almost impossible to “feel or hear” when a
tire is being run underinflated or nearly flat. Tires must be checked
monthly with a tire pressure gauge.
Pressures should be checked when tires are cold, in other words, before
they have been driven on. Driving, even for a short distance, causes tires
to heat up and air pressure to increase.
Checking pressure when tires are hot:
If pressures are checked after tires have been driven for more than three
minutes or more than one mile, (2 km) the tires become hot and the
pressures will increase by approximately 4 psi. Therefore when the tire
pressure is adjusted under these conditions, it should be increased to a
gauge reading of 4 psi greater than the recommended cold inflation
pressure.
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For Example Only:
Gauge reading of hot tire:......................................... 32 psi(220 kPa)
If recommended cold inflation pressure is:................. 30 psi(205 kPa)
Desired gauge reading of hot tire 30+4psi=...34 psi (205 + 30 = 235 kPa)
Therefore: add 2 psi...................................................................... (15 kPa)
Check cold pressure as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours.
“Bleeding” air from hot tires could result in underinflation. Use an
accurate tire gauge to check pressures. Never allow children to inflate
or deflate tires.
FOR MICHELIN® PAX® SYSTEM TIRES/SELF-SUPPORTING ZERO
PRESSURE (ZP) TIRES CHECK INFLATION PRESSURES AS SOON
AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING A LOW PRESSURE WARNING
The PAX® System requires a functioning, correctly calibrated on-board
vehicle tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to monitor the air
pressure and alert the driver when a low pressure event occurs. Be
certain to ensure that your vehicle’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) is functioning and is correctly calibrated. Refer to your vehicle
owner ’s manual or your vehicle dealer.
Low pressure warning systems are designed to alert the driver to a low
air pressure situation in at least one tire on the vehicle. While your ZP
tires are designed to provide continued mobility in the event of an air
loss, the sooner you respond to a warning and take corrective action, the
greater the likelihood that the tire can be returned to service.
Always visually inspect your MICHELIN® PAX® System tire and
self-supporting tires and use a pressure gauge to check the air pressure
in all 4 tires following any low pressure warning. (Unless advised to do
otherwise by the manufacturer of your low pressure warning system.)
If the tire pressure is at or below 18 PSI, proceed to the nearest
Authorized PAX System Retailer for PAX tires or a participating Michelin
tire retailer for ZP tires (or a representative of your vehicle manufacturer
if advised to do so in your vehicle owner ’s manual) and have the tire
demounted and thoroughly inspected for possible internal damage.
If you are unable to see any damage to the tire, and the tire pressure is
more than 18 PSI, reinflate your tire to the proper air pressure. (See
instructions for checking pressures when tires are hot.) When tires
have cooled, check air pressure again. If any tire has lost more than
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5 PSI from the previous pressure check, have the tire inspected at once
by an authorized PAX System Retailer for PAX tires or a participating
Michelin tire retailer (or representative of your vehicle manufacturer if
your vehicle owner ’s manual so advises.) Failure to do so may cause
irreparable damage to the tire and result in sudden tire destruction and
personal injury.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS):
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that is designed to monitor the pressure of tires mounted on your
vehicle and sends a signal to the driver if a tire pressure falls below a
predetermined level. A TPMS should not replace monthly manual
pressure checks for all four (4) tires and the spare. We recommend that
you manually monitor and check tire pressure inflation with a pressure
gauge. Your tires should have the recommended pressure listed by your
vehicle’s manufacturer. This information can be found in the vehicle
owner ’s manual and often on a placard located in the vehicle’s door
jamb, inside the fuel hatch, or on the glove compartment door. If you
have a plus size fitment that requires a higher inflation pressure, your tire
pressure monitoring system will require re-calibration to new inflation
pressure. Refer to your tire dealer/installer of plus size tires for proper
inflation pressure.
We recommend checking air pressure once each month, and before a long
trip. Whether you have a full-sized or mini-spare, make sure that it is
properly inflated as well. If the TPMS generates improper monitoring or
signals we recommend that you consult your owner ’s manual provided
with your vehicle and follow-up with your vehicle’s manufacturer.
TIRE SPINNING
Do not spin wheels in excess of 35 mph (55 km/h) as indicated on the
speedometer. Excessive speed in a free-running, unloaded tire can cause
it to “explode” from centrifugal force. The energy released by such an
explosion is sufficient to cause serious physical injury or death. Never
allow anyone to stand near or behind the spinning tire.
When in mud, sand, snow, ice or other slippery conditions, do not engage
in excessive wheel spin. Accelerating the motor excessively, particularly
with automatic transmission vehicles, may cause a drive tire that has lost
traction to spin beyond its speed capability. This is also true when
balancing a drive tire/wheel assembly on the vehicle using the vehicle
engine to spin the tire/wheel assembly.
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HIGH SPEED DRIVING CAN BE DANGEROUS
Correct inflation pressure is especially important.However, at high
speeds, even with the correct inflation pressure, a road hazard, for
example is more difficult to avoid and if contact is made, has a greater
chance of causing tire damage than at a lower speed. Moreover, driving
at high speed reduces the reaction time available to avoid accidents and
bring your vehicle to a safe stop.If you see any damage to a tire or
wheel, replace it with the spare at once and visit a participating
Michelin Tire Retailer.
Exceeding the maximum speeds shown on the following page for each
type of MICHELIN® tire will cause the tire to build up excessive heat
which can cause tire damage that could result in sudden tire destruction
and rapid air loss. Failure to control a vehicle when one or more tires
experience a sudden air loss can lead to an accident.
In any case, you should not exceed reasonable speeds as indicated by
the legal limits and driving conditions.
SPEED RATINGS
Speed Symbols are shown on the sidewall of some MICHELIN® tires.
The following table shows the maximum speed corresponding to the
symbol.
*Some V (or VR) rated tires may have a speed capacity greater than
149 mph (240 km/h). Consult your participating Michelin® tire retailer
for maximum speed rating if your vehicle capability exceeds this speed.
**Z (or ZR) rated tires are designed to use on cars with maximum speed
capabilities in excess of 149 mph (240 km/h).
(W and Y speed ratings are subcategories of Z).
Consult your Michelin tire retailer for maximum speed capabilities. For
PAX® System Tires consult an authorized PAX System Tire Retailer.
Although a tire may be speed-rated, we do not endorse the operation of
any vehicle in an unsafe or unlawful manner. Speed ratings are based on
laboratory tests which relate to performance on the road, but are not
applicable if tires are underinflated, overloaded, worn out, damaged,
altered, improperly repaired or retreaded.
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Furthermore, a tire’s speed rating does not imply that vehicles can be
safely driven at the maximum speed for which the tire is rated,
particularly under adverse road and weather conditions or if the vehicle
has unusual characteristics.
Michelin® highway passenger tires that do not have a speed symbol on
the sidewall have a maximum speed rating of 105 mph (170 kph). Light
truck highway tires that do not have a speed symbol on the sidewall of
the tire have a maximum speed rating of 87 mph (140 kph).
MICHELIN® Winter tires that do not have a speed symbol on the
sidewall or tires with Q symbols have a speed rating of 100 mph
(160 km/h). Winter tires with a speed symbol have a maximum speed
rating in accordance with the symbol.
The speed and other ratings of retreaded tires are assigned by the
retreader and replace the original manufacturer ’s ratings.
IMPORTANT: In order to maintain the speed capability of the vehicle,
replacement tires must have speed ratings equal to or higher than those
fitted as original equipment (as indicated on the vehicle tire placard or
owner ’s manual). If tires with lower speed ratings are fitted, the vehicle’s
handling may be affected and the speed capability of the vehicle will be
lowered to the maximum speed capability of the replacement tires as
indicated in the following table.
REMEMBER...High speed driving can be dangerous and may damage
your tires.
AND...When driving at highway speeds, correct inflation pressure is
especially important.
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