
BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
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 - With a puncture larger than 1/4 inch (6 mm).
 -With a puncture or other damage outside the repairable tread 
area (as shown in the graphic).
 - With a pre-existing, improper repair.
•
 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 
manufacturer 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.
 SAFETY 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. 

BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
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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 
Warranty” in this manual.
RFT (Run-Flat Technology) Tires: In addition to the above, there are 
recommendations specific to the repair of RFT tires; see “RFT Tires 
with Run-Flat Technology” in this manual.
Tire Mounting and Other Servicing 
 SAFETY WARNING
Removing and replacing tires on wheels can be dangerous. Attempting 
to mount tires with improper tools or procedures may result in a tire 
explosion causing serious personal injury or death. This is only a job 
for a qualified tire service professional. Never perform tire service 
procedures without proper training, tools, and equipment.
This manual is not intended to provide proper training or service 
procedures for tire mounting, demounting, balancing, rotation, 
or repair. Please leave these tasks to qualified tire service 
professionals. For your safety and that of others:
•
 Always stand well clear of any tire mounting operation. This is 
especially important when the service operator inflates the tire. If 
the tire has been improperly mounted, it may burst with explosive 
force causing serious personal injury or death.
•
 Tires must match the width and diameter requirements of the 
wheels. For example, 16 inch diameter tires must only be mounted 
to 16 inch diameter wheels. Radial tires must only be mounted to 
wheels approved for radial tires.
•
 Wheels must be free of cracks, dents, chips, and rust. Tires must 
be free of bead damage, cuts, and punctures.
•
 Never inflate a tire beyond 40 psi (275 kPa) to seat the beads. Be 
absolutely certain beads are fully seated before adjusting inflation 
pressure to the level recommended for vehicle operation. 

BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
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Winter Tires 
 SAFETY WARNING
Winter driving presents special challenges for vehicle mobility. The use 
of winter tires (including studs and chains)—while improving traction 
performance in snow and ice—requires special care with regard to 
acceleration, braking, cornering, and speed. It is important to drive wi\
th 
care, not only on snow and ice, but on dry and wet roads as well.
In winter driving conditions, vehicle control and safe operation under 
braking and cornering is especially dependent upon the rear tires. For 
this reason, winter tires are best applied to all wheel positions. Some \
vehicles have specific recommendations regarding winter tire use; 
consult your vehicle owner’s manual and tire information placard.
•
 If winter tires are to be applied to the front axle of any vehicle, 
they must also be applied to the rear axle for safe operation. This 
applies to all passenger cars and light trucks, including front wheel 
drive, 4x4, and all-wheel-drive vehicles.
•
 If winter tires are to be applied to the rear axle of any vehicle, it is\
 
recommended that they also be installed on the front axle.
•
 It is generally acceptable to apply a tire with a lower speed rating 
than your original tires for use in winter weather conditions; 
however, speed should be reduced accordingly. All winter tires 
should be the same speed rating. See “Tire Speed Ratings” in  
this manual.
•
 Winter tires used in warmer, summer weather conditions may wear 
more rapidly.
•
 Studded winter tires follow the same recommendations as 
above; consult a qualified tire service professional for information 
regarding any seasonal restrictions.
Tire Mixing
 
 SAFETY WARNING
Driving your vehicle with an improper mix of tires is dangerous. Your 
vehicle’s handling characteristics can be seriously affected. You could  

BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
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have an accident resulting in serious personal injury or death. Consult 
your vehicle owner’s manual and a qualified tire service professional 
for proper tire replacement.
High Speed Driving
 
 SAFETY WARNING
Driving at high speed is dangerous and can cause a vehicle accident, 
including serious personal injury or death.
•
 Regardless of the speed and handling capabilities of your car and 
its tires, a loss of vehicle control can result from exceeding the 
maximum speed allowed by law or warranted by traffic, weather, 
vehicle, or road conditions.
•
 High-speed driving should be left to trained professionals operating 
under controlled conditions.
•
 No tire, regardless of its design or speed rating, has unlimited 
capacity for speed, and a sudden tire failure can occur if its limits 
are exceeded. See “Tire Speed Ratings,” the next section in  
this manual.
Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for any tire pressure 
recommendations for high speed driving.
Tire Speed Ratings
A tire bearing a letter “speed rating” designation indicates the 
tire’s speed capability according to standardized laboratory tests. 
This speed rating system is intended to permit comparison of the 
speed capabilities of different tires. When replacing your tires, 
consult your vehicle owner’s manual and tire information placard for 
recommendations, if any, concerning the use of speed rated tires. •
 To avoid reducing the speed capability of the vehicle, replace a 
speed rated tire only with another tire having at least the same 
speed rating. It is the “top speed” of the “slowest” tire on\
 the 
vehicle which limits the vehicle’s top speed without tire failure.
•
 The tire’s speed rating is void if the tire is repaired, retreaded, 
damaged, abused, or otherwise altered from its original condition.  

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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
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• To use a full-size spare in the rotation pattern on vehicles with 
dual rear wheels, consult your vehicle owner’s manual for the 
recommended procedures or consult the vehicle manufacturer.
Your Spare Tire
 
Consult your vehicle owner’s manual for proper application of your 
spare tire. Your car may be equipped with a “temporary use” spare tire; 
this spare may differ in size and construction from the other tires on 
your vehicle.
 SAFETY WARNING
Check inflation pressure before use. Failure to have proper inflation 
pressure when using your spare tire can result in serious personal 
injury or death. See “Tire Inflation Pressure” in this manual.
 SAFETY WARNING
Mounting a “temporary use” tire on a wheel which is not specifically 
designed for it, or placing another type tire on a wheel designated 
for temporary use can be dangerous. Your vehicle’s handling 
characteristics can be seriously affected. You could have an accident 
resulting in serious personal injury or death. Consult your vehicle 
owner’s manual for proper application of your “temporary use”   
spare tire.
The spare tire in your vehicle is intended to be used as a spare when 
needed. The spare tire carrier is not intended to be used for long 
term storage, except for “temporary use” tires. If your spare is t\
he 
same size, load rating, and type of tire as your road tires, it should b\
e 
included in the tire rotation process; see “Radial Tire Rotation” in this 
manual for more information.
The spare should be included in regular tire inspections and inflation 
pressure checks. In addition, it should be replaced 10 years after 
date of manufacture, regardless of condition or tread depth. For more 
information, see the “Tire Damage, Inspection and Service Life” in  
this manual. 

BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
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Tire Storage
Tires should be stored indoors in a cool, dry place where water 
cannot collect inside them. Tires should be placed away from electric 
generators/motors and sources of heat such as hot pipes. Storage 
surfaces should be clean and free of grease, gasoline or other 
substances which can deteriorate the rubber.
 SAFETY WARNING
Improper storage can damage your tires in ways that may not be 
visible and can lead to a failure resulting in serious personal injury   
or death.
The spare tire in your vehicle is intended to be used as a spare when 
needed. The spare tire carrier is not intended to be used for long term 
storage, except for “temporary use” tires. For more information, s\
ee 
“Your Spare Tire” and “Radial Tire Rotation” in this manual.
Tire Service Customer Satisfaction
Normal tire maintenance and Limited Warranty services are available 
at locations across the U.S.A. and Canada. For more information, 
visit us on the internet at www.bridgestonetire.com, or please call the 
Technical Service Department:
U.S.A.: (1-800-356-4644) or Canada: (1-800-267-1318).
Additional information on the care and service of automobile and light 
truck tires is available from the following organizations:
U.S. Tire  Manufacturers Association
1400 K Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005-2403
www.ustires.org
Tires and Rubber Association of Canada
A19–260 Holiday Inn Drive
Cambridge, ON, N3C 4E8
www.rubberassociation.ca 

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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 pres- sure 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.
The vehicle or TPMS manufacturer may advise checking the TPMS 
regularly to confirm it is in working order. In addition, a new pressure 
sensor, certain components, or reprogramming may be necessary 
when a tire is serviced. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual, vehicle 
manufacturer, or a Bridgestone Firestone Run-Flat Certified Retailer for 
questions regarding TPMS operation and service.
Run-Flat or Low Tire Pressure Operation
 SAFETY WARNING
Serious personal injury or death may result from a tire failure or 
accident due to improper run-flat or low tire pressure operation. Read 
and follow the instructions below, and the other maintenance and 
safety recommendations elsewhere in this manual.
General Instructions
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) required in your vehicle 
may have different methods of alerting you when your tire has lost 
inflation pressure. The international standard for the definition of run-