FALKEN
74
Original Equipment Limited Warranty and Tire
Care Guide
Tire Care and Recommendations
Proper Inflation and Fuel Economy
Ensure maximum performance and a long life from your tires by
checking the air pressures at least once a month and set them to
the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure(s) listed on the
vehicle’s tire placard or in your owner’s manual. Always check and
adjust your air pressure when your tires are cold, preferably first thing
in the morning before driving. Never release air pressure from tires
when they are hot. Wait until the tires cool down and recheck, adding
air or releasing as required. Falken endorses the use of nitrogen in
your tires because it helps your tires maintain optimal pressure for
longer periods of time and reduces the amount of moisture inside of
the tire and wheel assembly.
*Some plus size applications may require different air pressure(s)
than what is listed on your vehicle’s placard or owner’s manual. In this
case, please consult your tire dealer or Falken Tires for proper inflation
pressure(s).
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.
KENDA
106
must be inspected by any tire dealer at once. Use of a damaged tire
could result in sudden tire destruction.
All tires will wear out faster when subjected to high speeds as well as
hard cornering, rapid starts, sudden stops, frequent driving on roads
which are in poor condition, and off road use. Roads with holes and
rocks or other objects can damage tires and cause misalignment of
your vehicle. When you drive on such roads, drive on them carefully
and slowly, and before driving at normal or highway speeds, examine
your tires for any damage, such as cuts or penetrations.
Worn Out Tires Are Dangerous
Tires contain ‘Wear-Bars” in the grooves of the tire tread which show
up when only 2/32nds of an inch (1.6mm) tread is remaining. At this
stage, your tires must be replaced. Tires worn beyond this stage
are dangerous.
Do Not Overload
Driving On Any Overloaded Tire Is Dangerous
The maximum load rating of your tires is marked on the tire sidewall.
Do not exceed these ratings. Follow the loading instructions of the
manufacturer of your vehicle and this will insure that your tires are no\
t
overloaded. Tires which are loaded beyond their maximum allowable
loads for the particular application will build up excessive heat that m\
ay
result in sudden tire destruction.
Do not exceed the gross axle weight ratings for any axle on your
vehicle. TRAILER TOWING
If you anticipate towing a trailer, you should see any tire dealer for
advice concerning the correct size of 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 of
tire load rating be exceeded. Check the tire placard and the owner’s
manual supplied by the manufacturer of your vehicle for further
recommendations on trailer towing.
MICHELIN
134
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.
Trailer Towing
If you anticipate towing a trailer, you should visit your Michelin 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.
Self-Supporting Zero Pressure (ZP) Tires and Trailer Towing
Operation of ZP tires at low or zero air pressure with a trailer in tow
is dangerous and should be avoided. 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
properly repaired and re-inflated to the proper inflation. If the tire
cannot be properly repaired, it must be replaced with a new full-size,
matching ZP tire, and inflated to the proper inflation, before the trailer
can be safely towed again.
Wheel Alignment and Balancing Are Important for
Safety and Maximum Mileage from Your Tires.
MICHELIN
138
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 different characteristics, failure to
operate your SUV or truck in a proper and safe manner can increase
the likelihood of vehicle rollover. Modifications to your SUV or truck
tire size, tire type, wheels or suspension can change your vehicle’s
handling characteristics and further increase the likelihood of vehicle \
rollover. Whether your SUV or truck has the original equipment
configuration for tires, wheels and suspension or whether any of these
items have been modified, always drive safely, avoid sudden, sharp
turns or lane changes and obey all traffic laws. Failure to do so may
result in loss of vehicle control leading to an accident and serious injury
or death.
Tire Alterations
Do not make or allow to be made any alterations on your tires.
Alterations may prevent proper performance, leading to tire damage
that can result in an accident. Tires that become unserviceable due
to alterations such as truing, whitewall inlays, addition of balancing
or sealant liquids, or the use of tire dressing containing petroleum
distillates, are excluded from warranty coverage.
Tire Repairs
MICHELIN
139
Whenever a Repair Is Needed, Immediately See
Your Michelin
® Tire Retailer or, If One Is Not Readily
Available, Another Qualified Tire Professional
If any MICHELIN® tire sustains a puncture, have the tire demounted
and thoroughly inspected by a qualified tire professional for possible
damage that may have occurred. A tread area puncture in any
MICHELIN
® passenger or light truck tire can be repaired if the
puncture hole is not more than 1/4” in diameter, not more than one
radial cable per casing ply is damaged, and the tire has not been
damaged further by the puncturing object or by running underinflated.
Tire punctures consistent with these guidelines can be repaired
by following the US Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA)
recommended repair procedures.
Repairs of all tires must be of the combined-plug-and-inside-patch
type. Your MICHELIN tires must be removed from the wheel for
inspection prior to repair. Plug-type repairs made on a tire that remains
mounted on a wheel are improper and can result in an accident. A tire
should be removed from the rim and inspected prior to repair. Any tire
repair done without removing the tire from the rim is improper and can
result in an accident. An improperly repaired tire may cause further
damage to the tire by either leaking air or allowing air, moisture, and
contaminants to enter the structure of the tire. An improperly repaired
tire can fail suddenly at a later date and result in an accident. Never \
repair a tire with less than 2/32nds of an inch of tread remaining. At this
tread depth, the tire is worn out and must be replaced.
Storage
Tires contain materials to protect their outer surfaces from ozone
and weather checking. As the tire rolls and flexes, those materials
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
checking, 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
NITTO TIRE
156
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.
Underinflation 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.
TOYO TIRE
215
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.
Underinflation 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.