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
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RFT TIRES WITH RUN-FLAT TECHNOLOGY
If your vehicle is equipped with
Bridgestone or Firestone brand RFT
tires, this chapter presents specific
maintenance and safety issues asso-
ciated with these tires that are in addition to those covered elsewhere in
this manual.
What is RFT? Run-Flat Technology tires are extraordinary tires that
utilize specially designed components to temporarily support your
vehicle in the event of inflation pressure loss, such as from a puncture.
This gives you the ability to drive to a convenient and safe location to
change your tire (if equipped with a spare) or have it inspected for
possible repair or replacement.
Naturally, certain run-flat and low pressure operating limitations apply,
which varies according to the specific self-supporting tire design. Like all
tires, during normal operation, they must be properly inflated and
maintained. Regardless of the design or quality, no tire is indestructible.
RFT—How to Identify: Bridgestone and Firestone brand tires are
marked on the sidewalls, near the wheel, with the RFT logo (shown
above).
RFT INFLATION PRESSURE
Like other tires, RFT tires need proper inflation pressure maintenance for
safe operation and to achieve the maximum tire life and performance.
Check inflation pressures monthly and before long trips or carrying extra
weight. Use an accurate tire gauge and check pressures when the tires are
cold. Follow the vehicle manufacturer ’s recommendation for inflation
pressure settings as indicated on the vehicle tire information placard
and/or in the vehicle owner ’s manual. Do not forget the spare, if
applicable. See “Tire Inflation Pressure” in this manual.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)
A functioning tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) must be used with
your RFT tires. Because these tires ride so well even without inflation
pressure, the TPMS may be necessary to alert you of an inflation pressure
loss condition. When alerted, follow the instructions in your vehicle
owner ’s manual and see “Run-Flat or Low Tire Pressure Operation,” the
following section in this manual.
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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:
FALKEN TIRE CORPORATION96
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Alert
Refer to your vehicle Owner ’s Manual for more information on what to
do if the tire pressure warning system activates.
THE CONVENIENCE (TEMPORARY) SPARE
The Convenience (Temporary) Spare is designed, built and tested to the
high engineering standards set by North America’s leading car manufac-
turers and to Goodyear ’s own high standards of quality control. It is
designed to take up a minimum of storage space and, at the same time,
fulfill the function of a spare tire when needed. The spare is kept in its
storage space, fully inflated at 60 psi. To be sure it is always ready for use,
the air pressure should be checked on a regular basis.
The Convenience (Temporary) Spare can be used in combination with the
original tires on your vehicle. You can expect a tire tread life of up to 3,000
miles (4,800 kilometers), depending on road conditions and your driving
habits. To conserve tire tread life, return the spare to the storage area as
soon as it is convenient to have the standard tire repaired or replaced.
The Convenience (Temporary) Spare weighs less than a standard tire so
it’s easier to handle. It also helps reduce the total car weight, which
contributes to fuel economy. The wheels used with the Convenience
(Temporary) Spare are specifically designed for use with high pressure
spares and should never be used with any other type tire.
DON’T ATTEMPT TO MOUNT YOUR OWN TIRES
Serious injury or death may result from explosion of tire/rim assembly
due to improper mounting procedures. Follow tire manufacturer ’s
instructions and match tire diameter to rim diameter. Mount light truck
radials on rims approved for radial service. Do not apply bead sealer.
This can inhibit bead seating. Lubricate beads and tire rim (including
tube or flap) contact surfaces. Lock assembly on mounting machine or
place in safety cage. STAND BACK and never exceed 40 psi to seat beads.
Never use a volatile substance or a rubber “donut” (also known as a bead
expander or “O-Ring”) to aid bead seating. Only specially trained
persons should mount tires.
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DO NOT OVERLOAD - DRIVING ON ANY OVERLOADED TIRE IS
DANGEROUS
The maximum load rating of your tires is molded on the tire sidewall. Do
not exceed this rating. Follow the loading instructions of the manufac-
turer of your vehicle and this will ensure that your tires are not
overloaded. Tires which are loaded beyond their maximum allowable
loads for the particular application will build up excessive heat that may
result in sudden tire destruction.
Do not exceed the gross axle weight rating for any axle on your vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
If you anticipate towing a trailer, you should visit any Michelin tire
retailer for advice concerning the correct size tire and pressures. Tire size
and pressures will depend upon the type and size of trailer and hitch
utilized, but in no case must the maximum cold inflation pressure or tire
load rating be exceeded. Check the tire decal and the owner ’s manual
supplied by the manufacturer of your vehicle for further recommenda-
tions on trailer towing.
MICHELIN® PAX® System Tires/Self-Supporting Zero Pressure (ZP)
Tires and Trailer Towing
Operation of Pax or ZP tires at low or zero air pressure with a trailer in
tow, is dangerous and is not recommended. If the low pressure warning
indicator is activated when a trailer is in tow, stop, disconnect the trailer,
and do not continue to tow the trailer until the tire has been repaired and
re-inflated to the proper air pressure. If the tire cannot be repaired, it must
be replaced with a new full size, PAX/ZP tire, and inflated to the proper
air pressure, before the trailer can be safely towed again.
WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND BALANCING ARE IMPORTANT FOR
SAFETY AND MAXIMUM MILEAGE FROM YOUR TIRES.
CHECK HOW YOUR TIRES ARE WEARING AT LEAST ONCE EACH
MONTH
If your tires are wearing unevenly, such as the inside shoulder of the tire
wearing faster than the rest of the tread, or if you detect excessive
vibration, your vehicle may be out of alignment or balance. These
conditions not only shorten the life of your tires but adversely affect the
handling characteristics of your vehicle, which could be dangerous. If
you detect irregular wear or vibration, have your alignment and balance
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When rotating tires with a directional tread pattern, observe the arrows
molded on the sidewall which show the direction the tire should turn.
Care must be taken to maintain the proper turning direction.
Some Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) may not recognize
that a tire has been moved to a different position on your vehicle. Make
certain that your TPMS system is reset, if necessary, so as to correctly
identify the location of each tire on your vehicle. Refer to your vehicle
owner ’s manual or your vehicle dealer.
Determine whether rotated tires require tire inflation adjustment as front
and rear position tire pressure may vary according to the vehicle
manufacturer ’s specification due to the actual load on that wheel
position. Some vehicles may have different sized tires mounted on the
front and rear axles, and these different sized tires have rotation
restrictions. Always check the vehicle owner ’s manual for the proper
rotation recommendations.
Full-size Spare
Full-size spare tires (not temporary spares) of the same size and construc-
tion should be used in a five (5) tire rotation. Always check the inflation
pressure of the full-size spare immediately before incorporating it into
rotation. Follow the vehicle manufacturer ’s recommended pattern for
rotation, or if not available, see a qualified tire technician.
Replacement of Two (2) Tires
It is recommended that all four (4) tires are replaced at the same time.
However, when only two tires are replaced, the new tires should be put
on the rear. The new tires, with deeper tread, may provide better grip and
water evacuation in wet driving conditions.
CUSTOMIZATION OF TIRES, WHEELS, OR SUSPENSION ON
SUVS AND LIGHT TRUCKS
Due to their size, weight and higher center of gravity, vehicles such as
SUVs and light trucks do not have the same handling characteristics as
automobiles. Because of these differing characteristics, failure to operate
your SUV/truck in a proper and safe manner can increase the likelihood
of vehicle rollover. Modifications to your SUV/truck tire size, tire type,
wheels or suspension can change its handling characteristics and further
increase the likelihood of vehicle rollover. Whether your SUV/truck has
the original equipment configuration for tires, wheels and suspension or
whether any of these items have been modified, always drive safely,
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STORAGE
Tires contain waxes and emollients to protect their outer surfaces from
ozone and weather checking. As the tire rolls and flexes, the waxes and
emollients continually migrate to the surface, replenishing this protection
throughout the normal use of the tire. Consequently, when tires sit
outdoors, unused for long periods of time (a month or more) their
surfaces become dry and more susceptible to ozone and weather check-
ing and the casing becomes susceptible to flat spotting.For this reason,
tires should always be stored in a cool, dry, clean, indoor environment.
If storage is for one month or more, eliminate the weight from the tires
by raising the vehicle or by removing the tires from the vehicle. Failure
to store tires in accordance with these instructions could result in
damage to your tires or premature aging of the tires and sudden tire
failure.
When tires are stored, be sure they are placed away from sources of heat
and ozone such as hot pipes and electric generators. Be sure that surfaces
on which tires are stored are clean and free from grease, gasoline or other
substances which could deteriorate the rubber. (Tires exposed to these
materials during storage or driving could be subject to sudden failure.)
FOLLOW THESE MOUNTING RECOMMENDATIONS
Tire changing can be dangerous and must be done by professionally
trained persons using proper tools and procedures as specified by the
Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA). PAX® System tires must be
mounted and dismounted only by specially trained, authorized PAX
System retailers, utilizing PAX System authorized equipment.
Your tires should be mounted on wheels of correct size and type and
which are in good, clean condition. Wheels that are bent, chipped, rusted
(steel wheels) or corroded (alloy wheels) may cause tire damage. The
inside of the tire must be free from foreign material. Have your retailer
check the wheels before mounting new tires. Mismatched tires and rims
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
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It is important to check your tires using an accurate tire pressure gauge,
which can be purchased at your tire dealer or auto supply store.
Under inflation can overload tires. Check the inflation pressure every
month, including for the spare tire, to make sure it’s up to specification.
Check it again before long trips or when carrying extra weight.
Look for the manufacturer ’s recommended inflation pressure listed on
the Tire Information Placard usually located on your vehicle’s door edge,
door post, glove box, or inside the trunk lid.
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