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AIR PRESSURE —MONTHLY CHECK
For accuracy, check your inflation pressure with a tire gauge when tires
are cold.
Driving heats up tires and makes the reading incorrect.
1. Remove tire valve cap.
2. Place the end of the tire gauge over valve.
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TIRE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING
WARNING!
It is not often that a properly maintained tire will “blow out” while
you are driving. More commonly, if inflation pressure is lost, it will
be gradual. If you do experience a blowout or sudden tire failure,
the following information should be helpful:
•When the failure occurs, you may hear a loud noise, feel a
vibration, and/or the vehicle may pull toward the side of the failed
tire.
• DO NOT abruptly brake or turn.
• Slowly remove your foot from the accelerator, hold the steering
wheel firmly, and steer to maintain your lane position.
• Once the vehicle has slowed, apply the brakes gently.
• Gradually pull over to the shoulder and come to a stop, as far off
the road as possible.
TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE
Tires need proper inflation pressure to operate effectively and perform as
intended. Tires carry the vehicle, passenger, and cargo loads and transmit
the braking, acceleration, and turning forces. The vehicle manufacturer
recommends the inflation pressures for the tires mounted on your
vehicle.
WARNING!
Driving on tires with improper inflation pressure is dangerous.
•Underinflation causes excessive tire heat build-up and internal
structural damage.
• 0 W F S J O G M B U J P O makes it more likely for tires to be cut, punctured,
or broken by sudden impact.
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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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Maximum Pressure Indicated on the Tire Sidewall:This is the maxi-
mum permissible inflation pressure for the tire only. The vehicle manu-
facturer ’s recommended tire pressures may be lower than, or the same as,
the maximum pressure indicated on the tire sidewall. The vehicle
manufacturer ’s specification of tire pressure is limited to your particular
vehicle and takes into account your vehicle’s load, ride, and handling
characteristics, among other criteria. Since there may be several possible
vehicle applications for a given tire size, a vehicle manufacturer may
choose a different inflation pressure specification for that same size tire
on a different vehicle. Therefore, always refer to the inflation pressure
specifications on the vehicle tire information placard and/or in your
vehicle owner ’s manual.
Different Tire Pressures for the Front and Rear Tires:For some vehicles,
the recommended front and rear inflation pressures may be different
(such as in the example shown in Figure 2). Make sure you take this into
account during inflation pressure checks and when rotating tires.
Pressure Loss: Tires can lose 1 psi (7 kPa) per month under normal
conditions and can lose 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 10° F (5.6° C) temperature
drop. A puncture, leaking valve, or other damage could also cause
inflation pressure loss. If a tire loses more than 2 psi (14 kPa) per month,
have it checked by a qualified tire service professional.
Figure 2: EXAMPLE—Tire Information Placard
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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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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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TIRE REPAIRS
WARNING!
Driving on an improperly repaired tire is dangerous. An improper
repair can be unreliable or permit further damage to the tire. The
tire may suddenly fail, causing serious personal injury or death.
A complete inspection and repair of your tire in accordance with Rubber
Manufacturers Association (RMA) procedures should be conducted by a
qualified tire service professional. While the comprehensive procedures
and recommendations for tire repair are beyond the scope of this manual,
a proper tire repair includes the following:
• The tire is demounted from the wheel for a complete inspection,
inside and out. Some damage to the tire may only be evident on the
interior of the tire.
• The puncture injury is 1/4 inch (6 mm) or less and must be within the
tread area as shown in the graphic. This helps ensure long-term tire
and repair durability.
• A patch is applied to the interior of the tire and the puncture hole is
filled with a suitable plug/stem filler. This helps ensure that the
interior of the tire is adequately sealed to prevent inflation pressure
loss and prevents contamination of the steel belts and other plies from
the elements (such as water) in the outside world.
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•Any tire repair done without removing the tire from the wheel is
improper. The tire must be demounted from the wheel and the interior
inspected for damage that may not be evident on the exterior of the
tire.
• Using only a plug/stem, or using only a patch, is not a safe or proper
repair. A patch must be applied to the interior of the tire and the
puncture hole must be filled with a suitable plug/stem filler to prevent
inflation pressure loss and contamination of the steel belts and other
plies.
• NEVER substitute a tube for a proper repair or to remedy an improper
repair.
• Tubes, like tires, should only be repaired by a qualified tire service
professional.
• Some vehicle manufacturers do not recommend using repaired tires.
Consult your vehicle owner ’s manual or contact the vehicle manufac-
turer before operating a repaired tire on your vehicle.
ASK how your tire will be repaired. ALWAYS insist on a proper tire
repair.
Emergency/Temporary Sealant or Filler Repairs: An emergency/
temporary sealant or filler injected into the tire, such as by aerosol can or
injection/squeeze-tube, is not a proper repair and voids the tire Limited
Warranty. A tire injected with such sealant/filler must be replaced by a
qualified tire service professional as soon as possible.
WARNING!
Tell the tire service professional if you have used an aerosol fixer to
inflate/seal the tire. Aerosol fixers could contain a highly volatile
gas. Always remove the valve core outdoors, away from sources of
excessive heat, flame, or sparks and completely deflate the tire
before removing it from the wheel.
Speed Rating: The tire’s speed rating is void if the tire is repaired,
retreaded, damaged, abused, or otherwise altered from its original
condition. Thereafter, it should be treated as a non-speed rated tire. See
“Tire Speed Ratings” in this manual.
Improper repair voids the tire Limited Warranty. See “Limited War-
ranty” in this manual.
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