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design and vehicle application (consult your vehicle owner’s manual).
By international standard, RFT tires have a baseline limitation in run-
flat mode of the following:
Maximum Speed: 50 mph (80 km/h)
Maximum Distance: 50 miles (80 km)
Note:•
Maximum distance values are determined under controlled
conditions, which may vary in actual use.
•
Your mileage capability may be less, or more, depending on your
specific operating conditions.
•
If in doubt, do not exceed the 50 mile (80 km) limitation.
•
Seek tire service as soon as possible to minimize tire damage.
Special Service and Repair Issues
Run-Flat Certified Retailers
Because of the advanced technology and design of RFT tires and
the required tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), Bridgestone
Firestone Run-Flat Certified Retailers are specially trained to sell and
service RFT tires.
Run-Flat Certified Retailers have the necessary equipment and are
specially trained to properly mount and demount RFT tires and to
handle TPMS devices. Conventional mounting equipment may
irreparably damage RFT tires and an improper repair is unsafe
and will void the Limited Warranty. Accordingly, it is important to
go to a Bridgestone Firestone Run- Flat Certified Retailer for tire
maintenance and replacement.
Call toll-free 1-877-BFS-4RFT or visit www.bridgestonetire.com to
locate the nearest Bridgestone Firestone Run-Flat Certified Retailer .
Inspection after Run-Flat or Low Pressure Operation
Following run-flat or low tire pressure operation, or in the event of any
other tire damage or unusual condition, it is very important to obtain a\
proper and complete tire evaluation as soon as possible.
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Rotation
Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, or rotate every
5,000 miles per the recommendations in this manual (see “Radial Tire
Rotation”). In some cases, TPMS devices require reprogramming with
each tire rotation.
RFT Tire Replacement
Do not replace or mix RFT tires with conventional tires, unless on an
emergency/temporary basis. Conventional tires do not have run-flat
capability and the handling characteristics of the vehicle with these
tires may be different. If a conventional tire is used on an emergency/
temporary basis, verify that its size, load capacity, inflation pressure,
and speed rating specifications meet the requirements of the vehicle.
Replace any conventional tire with the proper RFT tire as soon as
possible.
RFT Tire Damage and Repair
No tire, regardless of its design or quality is indestructible. RFT tires
can be ultimately rendered unusable due to a puncture or other road
hazard as well as from improper run-flat or low tire pressure operation.
Some punctures may be repaired under certain restrictions and
prescribed procedures.
When driven flat or with low pressure, factors affecting reparability
include vehicle speed, load, and maneuvering; the amount of inflation
pressure loss; and ambient temperature. In any situation, the extent
and location of direct damage from a puncturing object or other road
hazard are also critical factors.
RFT tires are not repairable in any of the following situations:
•
If the tire was operated with inflation pressure less than 15 psi
(100 kPa).
•
Abrasion or other damage is present on the exterior tread, sidewall
or bead areas.
•
Abrasion, wrinkling, or separation is present on the tire interior.
•
Any condition or damage is present that disqualifies repair of a
conventional tire.
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Run-Flat Certified Retailers will fully inspect your tire, inside and out,
to determine if the tire can be repaired. Tire damage is not always
visible from the outside and the tire must be removed from the wheel
for a complete inspection. For more information, see the section “Tire
Repairs” in this manual.
Note: Some vehicle manufacturers do not recommend using repaired
tires. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual or contact the vehicle
manufacturer before operating a repaired tire on your vehicle.
Reference Information
Tire Sidewall Labeling
A lot can be learned by reading the tire’s sidewall. The following figures
show typical information on the sidewall of passenger (Figure 3) and
light truck tires (Figure 4):
Figure 3: Typical
Passenger Tire Markings
Figure 4: Typical Light
Truck Tire Markings
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Maximum Load and Inflation: The maximum load and maximum
inflation pressure is marked on each sidewall in metric and English
units. For example:
MAX LOAD 685 kg (1510 lbs) AT 240 kPa (35 psi) MAX PRESS
Note: The load and inflation values marked on the tire sidewall are
maximum permissible values for the tire only. Never assume that these
values are the actual maximum load capacity or recommended tire
pressure values for your vehicle. See “Tire Inflation Pressure,” “Tips
for Safe Tire Inflation,” and “Tips for Safe Loading” in this manual.
Ply Composition and Materials : The actual number of plies in
the sidewall and tread area and the generic name(s) of their cord
material(s) are marked on at least one sidewall. For example:
TREAD 2 PLY POLYESTER + 2 STEEL SIDEWALL 2 PLY POLYESTER
Radial: Radial ply tires will have the word “radial” on at least one
sidewall. An “R” in the tire size designation also indicates radial ply
construction.
Tubeless or Tube Type: Tires are marked as either “tubeless” or “tube
type,” whichever is applicable, on at least one sidewall.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (“UTQG”) standards are intended to
assist you in making an informed choice in your purchase of passenger
car tires by providing information indicating relative performance of
these tires in the areas of tread wear, wet braking traction (straight-
ahead), and temperature resistance. All passenger car tires must
conform to federal safety requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate
of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a
BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
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tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variation in driving habits, service practices and \
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to a tire is based on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and
does not include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction\
characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing
the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds
to a level of performance which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law. Warning: The temperature
grade is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and a possible
tire failure.
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Limited Warranty
Original Equipment Passenger and Light Truck Tires
Including Tires with Run-Flat Technology
Eligibility
This Limited Warranty covers BRIDGESTONE and FIRESTONE brand
passenger and light truck tires, including RFT and temporary spare
tires, originally installed by the vehicle manufacturer on a new vehicle\
.
You are covered under the terms of this Limited Warranty if the tire was
produced after July 4, 2004 (DOT serial 2704 or later) and has been
used only on the vehicle on which it was originally installed in non-
commercial service. Warranty conditions may be subject to change.
See https://www.bridgestonetire.com/customer-care/tire-warranties/full-
warranty for the most current warranty information.
What Is Warranted and for How Long
Before wearing down to 2/32 inch (1.6 mm) remaining original tread
depth (i.e. worn down to the top of the built-in indicators in the tread
grooves) and within 6 years from the date of purchase (proof of
purchase date required; without proof of purchase date, then within
6 years from the date of tire manufacture), for any reason other than
those excluded in the section entitled “What This Limited Warranty
Does Not Cover,” any eligible tire that becomes unusable for any
reason within the manufacturer’s control will be replaced with an
equivalent new tire on the basis set forth in this Limited Warranty.
What This Limited Warranty Does Not Cover
This Limited Warranty does not cover the following: 1.
Tire damage or irregular wear due to:a.
Road hazards, including, without limitation: Puncture, cut,
impact break, stone drill, bruise, bulge, snag, etc.
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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.
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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.