Tire Terminology And Definitions
Term Definition
B-PillarThe vehicle B-Pillar is the structural member of
the body located behind the front door.
Cold Tire Inflation PressureCold tire inflation pressure is defined as the tire
pressure after the vehicle has not been driven
for at least three hours, or driven less than 1
mile (1.6 km) after sitting for a minimum of three
hours. Inflation pressure is measured in units of
PSI (pounds per square inch) or kPa
(kilopascals).
Maximum Inflation PressureThe maximum inflation pressure is the
maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure
for this tire. The maximum inflation pressure is
molded into the sidewall.
Recommended Cold Tire
Inflation PressureVehicle manufacturer’s recommended cold tire
inflation pressure as shown on the tire placard.
Tire PlacardA label permanently attached to the vehicle
describing the vehicle’s loading capacity, the
original equipment tire sizes and the
recommended cold tire inflation pressures.TIRES
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Tire And Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about the:
1. Number of people that can be carried in the vehicle.
2. Total weight your vehicle can carry.
3. Tire size designed for your vehicle.
4. Cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed the load carrying
capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You will not exceed the tire’s load
carrying capacity if you adhere to the loading conditions, tire size, and cold
tire inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading Information
placard in “Vehicle Loading” in the “Starting And Operating” section of
your Owner ’s Manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition, gross axle weight
ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear axles must not be exceeded.
For further information on GAWRs, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer
to “Vehicle Loading” in the “Starting And Operating” section of your
Owner ’s Manual.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your vehicle, locate the
statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” on the Tire and Loading Information placard.
Tire And Loading Information Placard
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The combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and trailer tongue
weight (if applicable) should never exceed the weight referenced here.
Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit—
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s
placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For example, if “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs.
and there will be five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400-750
(5x150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.
Metric Example For Load Limit
For example, if “XXX” amount equals 635 kg and there will be five 68 kg
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 295 kg (635-340 (5x68) = 295 kg) as shown in step 4.
NOTE:
•If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. The following table shows examples on
how to calculate total load, cargo/luggage, and towing capacities of
your vehicle with varying seating configurations and number and size
of occupants. This table is for illustration purposes only and may not
be accurate for the seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle.
•For the following example, the combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 865 lbs (392 kg).
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WARNING!
Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and increase
your stopping distance. Use tires of the recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never overload them.
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Example: If garage temperature = 68°F (20°C) and the outside tempera-
ture = 32°F (0°C) then the cold tire inflation pressure should be increased
by 3 psi (21 kPa), which equals 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12°F (7°C) for this
outside temperature condition.
Tire pressure may increase from 2 to 6 psi (13 to 40 kPa) during operation.
DO NOT reduce this normal pressure build up or your tire pressure will
be too low.
Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation
The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speeds and within posted
speed limits. Where speed limits or conditions are such that the vehicle
can be driven at high speeds, maintaining correct tire inflation pressure is
very important. Increased tire pressure and reduced vehicle loading may
be required for high-speed vehicle operation. Refer to an authorized tire
dealer or original equipment vehicle dealer for recommended safe
operating speeds, loading and cold tire inflation pressures.
WARNING!
High speed driving with your vehicle under maximum load is
dangerous. The added strain on your tires could cause them to fail.
You could have a serious collision. Do not drive a vehicle loaded to
the maximum capacity at continuous speeds above 75 mph
(120 km/h).
Radial Ply Tires
WARNING!
Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires on your vehicle
will cause your vehicle to handle poorly. The instability could cause
a collision. Always use radial ply tires in sets of four. Never combine
them with other types of tires.
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Tire Repair
If your tire becomes damaged, it may be repaired if it meets the following
criteria:
•The tire has not been driven on when flat.
•The damage is only on the tread section of your tire (sidewall damage
is not repairable).
•The puncture is no greater than a ¼ of an inch (6 mm).
Consult an authorized tire dealer for tire repairs and additional informa-
tion.
Damaged Run Flat tires, or Run Flat tires that have experienced a loss of
pressure should be replaced immediately with another Run Flat tire of
identical size and service description (Load Index and Speed Symbol).
Run Flat Tires — If Equipped
Run Flat tires allow you the capability to drive 50 miles (80 km) at 50 mph
(80 km/h) after a rapid loss of inflation pressure. This rapid loss of
inflation is referred to as the Run Flat mode. A Run Flat mode occurs
when the tire inflation pressure is of/or below 14 psi (96 kPa). Once a
Run Flat tire reaches the run flat mode it has limited driving capabilities
and needs to be replaced immediately. A Run Flat tire is not repairable.
It is not recommended driving a vehicle loaded at full capacity or to tow
a trailer while a tire is in the run flat mode.
See the tire pressure monitoring section for more information.
Tire Spinning
When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not spin your
vehicle’s wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30 seconds
continuously without stopping.
Refer to “Freeing A Stuck Vehicle” in “In Case Of Emergency” in your
Owner ’s Manual for further information.
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ever replace a wheel, make sure that the wheel’s specifications match
those of the original wheels.
It is recommended you contact an authorized tire dealer or original
equipment dealer with any questions you may have on tire specifications
or capability. Failure to use equivalent replacement tires may adversely
affect the safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle.
WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size, load rating, or speed rating other than
that specified for your vehicle. Some combinations of unapproved
tires and wheels may change suspension dimensions and perfor-
mance characteristics, resulting in changes to steering, handling,
and braking of your vehicle. This can cause unpredictable han-
dling and stress to steering and suspension components. You could
lose control and have a collision resulting in serious injury or
death. Use only the tire and wheel sizes with load ratings approved
for your vehicle.
•Never use a tire with a smaller load index or capacity, other than
what was originally equipped on your vehicle. Using a tire with a
smaller load index could result in tire overloading and failure. You
could lose control and have a collision.
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having adequate speed
capability can result in sudden tire failure and loss of vehicle
control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size may result in
false speedometer and odometer readings.
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SPEED RATINGS
Speed Symbols are shown on the sidewall of some BFGoodrich 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 BFGoodrich® 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 sub-categories of Z).
Consult your BFGoodrich tire retailer for maximum speed capabilities.
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. 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.
BFGoodrich 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).
The speed and other ratings of retreaded tires are assigned by the
retreader and replace the original manufacturer ’s ratings.
NOTE:In order to maintain the speed capability of the vehicle, replace-
ment 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.
BFGOODRICH TIRES
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