2019 DODGE CHALLENGER spare tire

can explode during mounting. Also, mismatched tires and rims can result
in dangerous tire failure on the road. If a tire is mounted by error on the
wrong-sized rim, do not remount it on the proper rim - scrap it. It may
have been damaged internally (which is not externally visible) by having
been dangerously stretched and could fail on the highway.
Old valves may leak. When new tubeless tires are mounted, have new
valves of the correct type installed. Tubeless tires must only be
mounted on wheels designed for tubeless tires i.e., wheels which have
safety humps or ledges.
It is recommended that you have your tires and wheels balanced. Tires
and wheels which are not balanced may cause steering difficulties, a
bumpy ride, and irregular tire wear.
Be sure that all your valves have suitable valve caps. The valve cap is
the primary seal against air loss.
SERVICE LIFE FOR PASSENGER CAR AND LIGHT TRUCK
TIRES INCLUDING SPARE TIRES
The following recommendation applies to passenger car and light truck
tires. Tires are composed of various types of material and rubber
compounds, having performance properties essential to the proper
functioning of the tire itself. These component properties evolve over
time. For each tire, this evolution depends upon many factors such as
weather, storage conditions, and conditions of use (load, speed, inflation
pressure, maintenance etc.) to which the tire is subjected throughout its
life. This service-related evolution varies widely so that accurately
predicting the serviceable life of any specific tire in advance is not
possible.
That it is why, in addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure
maintenance by consumers, it is recommended to have passenger car and
light truck tires, including spare tires, inspected regularly by a qualified
tire specialist, such as a tire dealer, who will assess the tire’s suitability for
continued service. Tires which have been in use for 5 years or more
should continue to be inspected by a specialist at least annually.
Consumers are strongly encouraged to be aware not only of their tires’
visual condition and inflation pressure but also of any change in dynamic
performance such as increased air loss, noise or vibration, which could be
an indication that the tires need to be removed from service to prevent
tire failure.
BFGOODRICH TIRES42

It is impossible to predict when tires should be replaced based on their
calendar age alone. However the older a tire the greater the chance that
it will need to be replaced due to the service-related evolution or other
conditions found upon inspection or detected during use.
While most tires will need replacement before they achieve 10 years, it is
recommended that any tires in service 10 years or more from the date of
manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as a simple
precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not
reached the legal wear limit.
For tires that were on an original equipment vehicle (i.e., acquired by the
consumer on a new vehicle), follow the vehicle manufacturer ’s tire replace-
ment recommendations, when specified (but not to exceed 10 years).
The date when a tire was manufactured is located on the sidewall of each
tire. Consumers should locate the Department of Transportation or DOT
code on the tire which begins with DOT and ends with the week and year
of manufacture. For example, a DOT code ending with2204indicates a
tire made in the 22nd week (May) of 2004.
REMEMBER... TO AVOID DAMAGE TO YOUR TIRES AND
POSSIBLE ACCIDENT:
• CHECK TIRE PRESSURE AT LEAST ONCE EACH MONTH WHEN
TIRES ARE COLD AND BEFORE LONG TRIPS;
• DO NOT UNDERINFLATE/OVERINFLATE;
• DO NOT OVERLOAD;
• DRIVE AT MODERATE SPEEDS, OBSERVE LEGAL LIMITS;
• AVOID DRIVING OVER POTHOLES, OBSTACLES, CURBS OR
EDGES OF PAVEMENT;
• AVOID EXCESSIVE WHEEL SPINNING;
• IF YOU SEE ANY DAMAGE TO A TIRE, REPLACE WITH THE
SPARE AND VISIT ANY BFGOODRICH® RETAILER AT ONCE;
• IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. CONTACT YOUR BFGOODRICH®
RETAILER.
FAILURE TO OBSERVE ANY OF THE RECOMMENDED PRECAU-
TIONS CONTAINED IN THIS OWNER’S MANUAL CAN LEAD TO
ERRATIC VEHICLE BEHAVIOR AND/OR TIRE DAMAGE, POSSI-
BLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
BFGOODRICH TIRES
43

BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
TIRE MAINTENANCE, SAFETY and WARRANTY MANUAL ORIGI-
NAL EQUIPMENT PASSENGER and LIGHT TRUCK TIRES Includ-
ing RFT Tires with Run-Flat Technology
Congratulations!
Your new vehicle comes equipped with quality BRIDGESTONE or
FIRESTONE brand tires.
To ensure optimum tire performance and reduce the risk of a tire failure,
Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC strongly recommends
you read and follow all maintenance and safety information contained in
this manual. In addition, we recommend periodic inspection and main-
tenance, if necessary, by a qualified tire service professional.
Inflate.
Check your tire pressure monthly.
Rotate.
Rotate your tires as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer or every
5,000 miles.
Evaluate.
Routinely look for signs of tread wear or damage.
TIRE CARE BASICS
Quick Reference Guide to Maintenance for All Tires, Including the
Spare.
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45

These situations can cause a tire failure, even at a later date, which could
lead to serious personal injury or death. Consult the vehicle tire infor-
mation placard and/or owner ’s manual for the recommended inflation
pressures. In addition to tire damage, improper inflation pressure may
also:
•Adversely affect vehicle ride and handling.
• Reduce tire tread wear.
• Affect fuel economy.
Therefore, follow these important recommendations for tire and vehicle
safety, mileage, and economy:
• Always keep the vehicle manufacturer ’s recommended inflation
pressure in all your tires, including the spare.
• Check their pressure monthly and before long trips or carrying extra
weight.
Your vehicle’s tire information placard and/or owner ’s manual will tell
you the recommended cold inflation pressure for all your tires, including
the spare. Examples of placards are shown in Figures 1 and 2. Your
placard may look differently and have different tire and loading infor-
mation than that shown in either of the figures. You must check the
driver ’s-side door edge or door jamb area for the actual placard that
applies to your vehicle. For questions about locating or understanding
the tire information placard, consult your vehicle owner ’s manual or ask
a qualified tire service professional.
Figure 1: EXAMPLE—Tire And Loading Information Placard
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54

TIPS FOR SAFE TIRE INFLATION
WARNING!
Inflating an unsecured tire is dangerous. If it bursts, it could be
hurled into the air with explosive force resulting in serious personal
injury or death. Never inflate a tire unless it is secured to the vehicle
or a tire mounting machine.
• Check your tire pressures, including your spare tire, monthly and
before long trips or carrying extra weight. Be sure to use an accurate
pressure gauge.
• Check inflation pressure when the tires are “cold.” Tires are considered
“cold” when the vehicle has been parked for three hours or more, or if
the vehicle has been driven less than a mile at moderate speed.
• Never release pressure from a hot tire in order to reach the recom-
mended cold tire pressure. Normal driving causes tires to run hotter
and inflation pressure to increase. If you reduce inflation pressure
when your tires are hot, you may dangerously underinflate your tires.
• If it is necessary to adjust inflation pressure when your tires are “hot,”
set their pressure to 4 psi (28 kPa) above the recommended cold
inflation pressure. Recheck the inflation pressure when the tires are
cold.
• If your tires lose more than 2 psi (14 kPa) per month, the tire, the valve,
or wheel may be damaged. Consult a qualified tire service professional
for an inspection.
• Use valve caps to keep the valves clear of debris and to help guard
against inflation pressure loss.
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56

TIPS FOR SAFE LOADING
WARNING!
Driving your vehicle in an overloaded condition is dangerous.
Overloading causes excessive tire heat build-up and internal
structural damage. This can cause a tire failure, even at a later date,
which could lead to serious personal injury or death. Consult the
vehicle tire information placard, certification label, and owner ’s
manual for the recommended vehicle load limits and loading
recommendations.
• Always keep the vehicle manufacturer ’s recommended inflation pres-
sure in all your tires, including the spare. Check their pressure monthly
and before long trips or carrying extra weight.
• Never exceed the maximum load rating stamped on the sidewall of
your tire.
• Never exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or front/rear
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR) of your vehicle.
• Consult your vehicle owner ’s manual for load recommendations and
special instructions (such as for trailer/towing and snow plow
installations).
TIRE DAMAGE, INSPECTION AND SERVICE LIFE
Evaluation and maintenance of your tires is important to their perfor-
mance and the service they provide to you. Over time and/or through
use, the condition of a tire can change from exposure to everyday road
conditions, the environment, damaging events such as punctures, and
other external factors.
WARNING!
Driving on damaged tires is dangerous. A damaged tire can
suddenly fail causing serious personal injury or death. Have your
tires regularly inspected by a qualified tire service professional.
You should visually inspect your tires on a regular basis throughout their
life, and you should have your tires periodically evaluated by a qualified
tire service professional when your vehicle is serviced such as routine
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
57

maintenance intervals, oil changes, and tire rotations. In particular, note
the following tips for spotting tire damage:
•After striking anything unusual in the roadway, have a qualified tire
service professional demount the tire and inspect it for damage. A tire
may not have visible signs of damage on the tire surface. Yet, the tire
may suddenly fail without warning, a day, a week, or even months
later.
• Inspect your tires for cuts, cracks, splits or bruises in the tread and
sidewall areas. Bumps or bulges may indicate a separation within the
tire body. Have your tire inspected by a qualified tire service profes-
sional. It may be necessary to have it removed from the wheel for a
complete inspection.
• Inspect your tires for adequate tread depth. When the tire is worn to
the built-in indicators at 2/32 inch (1.6 mm) or less tread groove depth,
or the tire cord or fabric is exposed, the tire is dangerously worn and
must be replaced immediately.
• Inspect your tires for uneven wear. Wear on one side of the tread or flat
spots in the tread may indicate a problem with the tire or vehicle.
Consult a qualified tire service professional.
• Inspect your wheels also. If you have a bent or cracked wheel, it must
be replaced.
• Don’t forget to check the spare tire.
Make sure your tires, including the spare tire, continue to be regularly
inspected after 5 years of service to determine if they can continue in
service. Even when your tires appear to be usable from their external
appearance or the tread depth may have not reached the minimum wear
out depth, it is recommended that all tires (including spare tires and
“temporary use” spares) more than 10 years old be replaced with new
tires.
The 10 year period after the date of production is not an indicator of
actual service life for any individual tire. Some tires will need to be
replaced before 10 years due to conditions such as punctures, impact
damage, improper inflation, overloading, tread wear or other conditions
involving use or misuse of the tire. If a tire is worn out or otherwise
unserviceable from damage or conditions of use, it should be replaced
regardless of when it was produced or placed in service.
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58

TIRE SPINNING
WARNING!
Spinning a tire to remove a vehicle stuck in mud, ice, snow, or wet
grass can be dangerous. A tire spinning at a speedometer reading
above 35 mph (55 km/h) can in a matter of seconds reach a speed
capable of disintegrating a tire with explosive force. Under some
conditions, a tire may be spinning at a speed twice that shown on
the speedometer. This could cause serious personal injury or death
to a bystander or passenger. Never spin a tire above a speedometer
reading of 35 mph (55 km/h).
RADIAL TIRE ROTATION
The purpose of tire rotation is to minimize irregular or uneven wear
caused by maintaining a tire in one rotation direction and one position
over an extended period. Rotate tires as recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer or every 5,000 miles. Individual tire pressures must be
checked after rotation and adjusted to the vehicle manufacturer ’s recom-
mendation for the tire’s new location on the vehicle. Vehicle alignment
should be checked if irregular wear is evident.
For vehicles with a “temporary use” spare tire, follow the vehicle
manufacturer ’s recommended pattern for rotation, or, if not provided, the
following may be used:
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