16
BFGOODRICH TIRE
you should promptly inspect your tires. If you see any damage to any
tire or wheel, replace it with a properly inflated spare at once and have
your tires, including the spare, inspected by a tire professional.
A tire that hits a road hazard or object can be damaged but not have
any visible sign of damage on its surface. A tire damaged by an impact
can suddenly fail a day, a week, or even months later. You may not
recall having hit an object or a road hazard and may not see any tire
damage, but such an event may have damaged one or more of your
tires. Air loss, unusual tire wear, localized wear, or vibrations can also
be signs of internal tire damage and, accordingly, should be addressed
as promptly as are instances of visible tire damage.
If you suspect any damage to your tire or wheel from an impact with a
curb, pothole, debris on the road, or any other road hazard or object,
or if you feel or hear any unusual vibration, replace the tire and wheel\
with a properly inflated spare at once and immediately visit a qualified
tire professional.
Inspection
If you see any damage to a tire or wheel, replace it with a properly
inflated spare at once and visit a BFGoodrich Tire Retailer.
Inspect your tires at least once per month, and immediately after
contacting any road hazard or object, such as a curb, a pothole, or
debris. When inspecting your tires, including the spare, check the
inflation as instructed above. If the pressure check indicates that one
of your tires has lost pressure of two pounds or more, look for signs of\
penetration, valve leakage, or wheel damage that may account for the
air loss.
Always look for bulges, cracks, cuts, penetrations, and abnormal tire
wear, particularly on the edges of the tire tread. Any of these may
be caused by misalignment, contact with road hazards or objects,
or improper inflation. If any such damage is found, the tire must be
17
BFGOODRICH TIRE
inspected by your BFGoodrich tire retailer at once. Use of a damaged
tire could result in tire failure and an accident.
All tires will wear out faster when subjected to high speeds, hard
cornering, rapid starts, sudden stops, frequent driving on roads that
are in poor condition, or offroad use. Roads with holes, rocks, or other
objects can damage tires and cause misalignment of your vehicle.
When driving on such roads, drive carefully and slowly, and before
driving again at normal or highway speeds, examine your tires for any
damage, such as cuts, bumps, bulges, penetrations, or unusual
wear patterns.
Tread Wear Bars Indicate the Limit of Tread Life
BFGOODRICH® tires contain “Wear-Bars” in the tire tread grooves
at 2/32nds of an inch (1.6mm). When the tread remaining matches
the height of the Wear Bars, your tires must be replaced to ensure
tire safety. Tires worn beyond this stage are extremely dangerous.
For more information on checking tread depth, visit the “Tires 101”
at bfgoodrichtires.com and read the illustrated how-to information
on tire inspection.
Loading
The maximum load rating of your tires is molded on the tire
sidewall. Do not exceed this rating. Follow the loading instructions
of the manufacturer of your vehicle to ensure that your tires are
not overloaded.
Tires loaded beyond their maximum allowable loads for the particular
application will build up excessive heat that may result in sudden tire \
failure and an accident. Do not exceed the gross axle weight rating for \
any axle on your vehicle.
18
BFGOODRICH TIRE
Trailer Towing
If you anticipate towing a trailer, you should visit your BFGoodrich tire
retailer for advice about the correct tire size and pressures. Tire size
and pressures will depend on 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 information placard
that came on your vehicle, (located in the vehicle’s door jamb, inside
the fuel hatch, or on the glove compartment door) and the owner’s
manual supplied by the manufacturer of your vehicle for further
recommendations on trailer towing.
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 excessi\
ve
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
checked immediately. Tires which have been run underinflated will
show more wear on the shoulders than in the center of the tread. Read
and follow the instructions on tire rotation and replacement below.
Tire Mixing
BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
46
Thereafter, it should be treated as a non-speed rated tire.
•
Non-speed rated tires are usually for ordinary passenger car or
light truck service and not for high speed driving.
•
For winter tires used in cold weather conditions, it is generally
acceptable to apply a tire with a lower speed rating than your
original tires; however, speed should be reduced accordingly. All
winter tires should be the same speed rating. Some vehicles have
specific recommendations regarding winter tire use; consult your
vehicle owner’s manual and tire information placard. See “Winter
Tires” in this manual.
These speed ratings are based on standardized laboratory tests
under specific, controlled conditions. While these tests may relate to
performance on the road, real-world driving is rarely identical to any
test conditions. Your tire’s actual speed capability may be less than its
rated speed since it is affected by factors such as inflation pressure,
load, tire condition (including damage), wear, vehicle condition
(including alignment), driving conditions, and duration at which the
speed is sustained. Use the following chart to compare the speed
ratings of tires.
Speed Speed Category*
Symbol mph km/h
M81130
Q 99160
R 106170
S 112180
T 118190
U 124200
H 130210
V 149240
Z** >149 >240
W 168270
Y 186300
(Y)*** >186 >300
BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
47
The tire’s speed rating designation appears on the tire sidewall with the
tire size. Examples:
P275/40ZR17
max > 149 mph (240 km/h)****
P275/40R17
93W max = 168 mph (270 km/h)
P275/40ZR17
93W max = 168 mph (270 km/h)
P275/40ZR17
93Y max = 186 mph (300 km/h)
P275/40ZR17
93(Y) max > 186 mph (300 km/h) ****
*In standardized laboratory tests that relate to highway speeds. Actual tire speed and
performance capability depend on factors such as inflation pressure, load, tire condition,
wear, and driving conditions.
** Any tire having a maximum speed capability above 149 mph (240 km/h) may, at the
tire manufacturer’s discretion, include a “Z” in the size designation (i.e. P275/40ZR17).
*** For tires having a maximum speed capability above 186 mph (300 km/h), a “Z”
must appear in the size designation and a “Y” marked in brackets (as shown) in the
service description.
**** Consult the tire manufacturer for maximum speed capability.
Tire Spinning
SAFETY 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
recommendation for the tire’s new location on the vehicle. Vehicle
alignment should be checked if irregular wear is evident.
BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
61
b. Improper use or operation, including, without limitation:
Improper inflation pressure, overloading, tire/wheel spinning,
use of an improper wheel, tire chain damage, misuse,
misapplication, negligence, tire alteration, or for racing or
competition purposes.
c.
Insufficient or improper maintenance , including, without
limitation: Failure to rotate tires as recommended in this
manual, wheel misalignment, worn suspension components,
improper tire mounting or demounting, tire/wheel assembly
imbalance, or other vehicle conditions, defects, or
characteristics.
d.
Contamination or degradation by petroleum products or
other chemicals, fire or other externally generated heat,
or water or other material trapped inside the tire during
mounting or inflation.
e.
Improper repair. Improper repair voids this Limited
Warranty.
f.
For RFT tires only, improper run-flat or low tire pressure
operation, including, without limitation: Exceeding speed,
distance, or other run-flat/low-pressure operation limitations.
2.
Rapid tread wear or wear-out. Original equipment tires have no
mileage warranty.
3.
Weather/ozone cracking after 4 years from date of tire
manufacture.
4.
Ride disturbance or vibration after 1/32 inch (0.8mm) of tread
wear use.
5.
Tires with sealant, balance, or other filler material that was not
originally applied or inserted by the tire manufacturer.
6.
Tires used in commercial service.
7.
Tires purchased and normally used outside the United States
and Canada.
8.
The cost of applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
9.
Failure to follow any of the safety and maintenance
recommendations or warnings contained in this manual.
This Limited Warranty is in addition to and/or may be limited by any
other applicable written warranty you may have received concerning
special tires or situations.
BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
63
purpose and any liability for incidental and consequential damages,
loss of time, loss of vehicle use, or inconvenience. Some states do
not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential
damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
This Limited Warranty applies only to consumers actually using the tire
in the United States and Canada. For warranty conditions
outside the United States and Canada, see your local Bridgestone
Firestone distributor.
Obligations under this policy may not be enlarged or altered
by anyone.
In accordance with Federal Law, this Limited Warranty has been
designated as a “Limited Warranty.” Nothing in this Limited Warranty
is intended to be a representation that tire failures cannot occur. This
Limited Warranty is given in the United States by Bridgestone Americas
Tire Operations, LLC, 200 4th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37201 and
in Canada by Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc., 5770 Hurontario St.,
Suite 400, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5R 3G5.
Owner’s Obligations
In order to keep this Limited Warranty valid, we require you to have
your tires regularly inspected and rotated per the recommendations
outlined in the sections of this manual entitled “Tire Damage,
Inspection and Service Life” and “Radial Tire Rotation” and to furnish
proof of same in order to receive an adjustment. Such proof should
show the date, mileage, and servicing location. A sales receipt
containing this information will suffice. In addition, a “Maintenance
Record” is included on the back cover of this manual. It is your
obligation to maintain proper tire inflation pressures as specified
by the vehicle manufacturer and to operate the vehicle within tire/
vehicle load capacity and speed limitations. It is also your obligation \
to maintain proper wheel alignment and tire/wheel assembly balance.
To request an adjustment, you must present the tire to an authorized
Bridgestone Firestone retailer. Complete and sign the customer section
of the Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC Limited Warranty
adjustment form and pay appropriate replacement price, taxes,
disposal fee, and service charges, if any.
CONTINENTAL TIRE
67
• Ride/Vibration: Any ride/vibration complaint after the first 2/32nd
(1.6 mm) of an inch of treadwear or 12 months of service,
whichever comes first.
•
Repairs: If a tire is returned under complaint and the reason for
the tire’s disablement is in any way associated with a repair, or with
the situation that led to the repair, the manufacturer’s warranty is
invalidated.
•
Mileage: Mileage is not covered under this policy.
•
Improper operation or maintenance : This includes, but is not
limited to, effects caused by:
i.
Improper tire inflation and/or improper load/speed
practices : These practices can cause excessive operational
temperatures and stresses that exceed the tire’s capabilities.
ii.
Improper or insufficient tire rotation
iii.
Improper vehicle alignment
iv.
Damage due to:
- Rim irregularities or rim damage
-Snow chains
-Vehicle mechanical problems, including brake problems,
and vehicle wheel alignment
-Extreme temperature exposure
-Negligent and abusive driving such as tire spinning or
racing
-Improper tire storage
-Automotive accident
- Chemical corrosion or fire
- Use contrary to the vehicle manufacturer’s tire
recommendations.
-Misuse or misapplication
•
Improper Mounting or Demounting
•
Alteration: such as, but not limited to, adding a white inlay on
blackwall, tread regrooving, tire truing or siping, or adding sealant
materials to the tire.
•
Weather checking/cracking: Not covered after 48 months from
the date of purchase.