23
BFGOODRICH TIRE
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
from the tires by raising the vehicle or by removing the tires from the \
vehicle. Failure to store tires in accordance with these instructions
could result in damage to your tires or premature aging of the tires
and sudden tire failure. When tires are stored, be sure they are placed \
away from sources of heat and ozone such as hot pipes and electric
generators. Be sure that surfaces on which tires are stored are clean
and free from grease, gasoline or other substances which could
deteriorate the rubber. Tires exposed to these materials during storage
or driving could be subject to sudden failure.
One reason why your spare tire should be included in the tire rotation
schedule is that temperatures in a vehicle’s closed trunk, especially
in sunny geographical areas, can become high enough so that, over
a sustained period, they can cause small cracks or other changes to
the properties of a tire stored in the trunk. An accumulation of such
changes can weaken the tire and, especially if the tire is not kept
properly inflated, make it unsafe to use when it is needed.
Proper Tire Mounting
Tire mounting can be dangerous and must be done by professionally
trained persons using proper tools and procedures as specified by the
U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association.
Your tires should be mounted on wheels that are the correct size
and type and are in good, clean condition. Wheels that are bent,
chipped, rusted (steel wheels) or corroded (alloy wheels) may cause
tire damage. The inside of the tire must be free from foreign material.
24
BFGOODRICH TIRE
Have your tire retailer check the wheels before mounting new tires.
Mismatched tires and rims can explode during mounting. Also,
mismatched tires and rims can result in dangerous tire failure on
the road. If a tire is mounted by error on the wrong-sized rim, do not
remount it on the proper rim – scrap it. It may have been damaged
internally (which is not externally visible) by having been dangerously
stretched and could fail on the highway, resulting in an accident.
Old valves may leak. When new tubeless tires are mounted, have
new valves of the correct type installed. Tubeless tires must be
mounted only on wheels designed for tubeless tires, i.e., wheels that
have safety humps or ledges. Always utilize valve caps capable of
containing the tire’s inflation, should the valve core leak. The valve
cap is the primary seal against air loss. Each tire and wheel assembly
should be balanced to ensure proper tire and vehicle performance and
to maintain tire warranty coverage. Tires and wheel assemblies that
are not balanced may cause steering difficulties, a bumpy ride, and
irregular tire wear.
Temporary Type Spare Tires
When using any temporary type spare tire, be sure to follow the vehicle \
manufacturer’s instructions.
Reading the Dot
DOT XXXX XXXX XXX (prior to August 2000)
DOT XXXX XXXX XXXX (after July 2000)
The Dot
The “DOT” symbol certifies tire manufacturer’s compliance with
U.S. Department of Transportation tire safety standards. Next to
the symbol is the tire identification or “serial number.” The first two
characters identify the plant where the tire was manufactured. The
next two characters reflect the tire size. The following one to four
digits may be used at the tire manufacturer’s option as a descriptive
code. The last three characters are numbers identifying the week and
year of manufacture. (Example: “O25” means second week of the
26
BFGOODRICH TIRE
have not reached the legal wear limit. For tires that were on an origina\
l
equipment vehicle (i.e., acquired by the consumer on a new vehicle),
follow the vehicle manufacturer’s tire replacement recommendations,
when specified (but not to exceed 10 years). The date when a tire
was manufactured is located on the sidewall of each tire. Consumers
should locate the Department of Transportation or “DOT” code on the
tire. The code begins with “DOT” and ends with the week and year of
manufacture. For example, a DOT code ending with “2214” indicates
a tire made in the 22nd week of 2014.
Remember . . . to Avoid Damage to Your Tires and
Possible Accident:
• INSPECT TIRES AT LEAST MONTHLY, AND IMMEDIATELY
AFTER STRIKING ANY ROAD HAZARD.
•
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE AT LEAST ONCE EACH MONTH
WHEN TIRES ARE COLD AND BEFORE EVERY LONG TRIP.
•
NEVER UNDERINFLATE OR OVERINFLATE A TIRE.
•
NEVER OVERLOAD YOUR VEHICLE AND TIRES.
•
ALWAYS OBEY LEGAL SPEED LIMITS AND DRIVE AT A SPEED
THAT IS REASONABLE UNDER THE ROAD AND WEATHER
CONDITIONS.
•
AVOID DRIVING OVER POTHOLES, OBSTACLES, CURBS OR
EDGES OF PAVEMENT.
•
AVOID EXCESSIVE WHEEL SPINNING.
•
IF YOU SEE ANY DAMAGE TO A TIRE, REPLACE THE TIRE
WITH A PROPERLY INFLATED SPARE AND VISIT A QUALIFIED
TIRE PROFESSIONAL AT ONCE.
•
KEEP TIRES AND WHEELS PROPERLY ALIGNED, BALANCED,
AND ROTATED.
•
HAVE MOUNTING AND REPAIRS DONE BY A TIRE
PROFESSIONAL.
•
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, CONTACT YOUR
BFGOODRICH TIRE RETAILER.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW ANY OF THE RECOMMENDED
27
BFGOODRICH TIRE
PRECAUTIONS CONTAINED IN THIS OWNER’S MANUAL CAN
LEAD TO ERRATIC VEHICLE BEHAVIOR OR TIRE DAMAGE,
POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
If you see or suspect any damage to your tires or wheels, contact
your local BFGoodrich tire retailer, or visit our web site listed below for
dealer locations. If further assistance is required, contact:
IN THE USA 1-800-847-3435
or write:
Michelin North America, Inc.
Attention: Consumer Care Department
Post Office Box 19001
Greenville, SC 29602-9001
or visit: bfgoodrichtires.com
IN CANADA 1-888-871-4444
or write:
Michelin North America (Canada) Inc.
2500 Daniel Johnson, Suite 500
Laval, Quebec
H7T 2P6
or visit: bfgoodrichtires.ca
BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
33
Tire Maintenance and Safety Information
Any tire, no matter how well constructed, may fail in use as a result of\
punctures, impact damage, improper inflation, overloading, or other
conditions resulting from use or misuse. Tire failure may create a risk
of property damage, serious personal injury or death.SAFETY WARNING
Serious personal injury or death may result from a tire failure. Many tire
failures are preceded by vibration, bumps, bulges or irregular wear. If a
vibration occurs while driving your vehicle or you notice a bump, bulge \
or irregular wear, have your tires and vehicle evaluated by a qualified
tire service professional.
To reduce the risk of tire failure, Bridgestone Americas Tire
Operations, LLC strongly recommends you read and follow
all safety information contained in this manual. In addition, we
recommend periodic inspection and maintenance, if necessary,
by a qualified tire service professional.
Tire Failure While Driving
SAFETY WARNING
It is not often that a properly maintained tire will “blow out” wh\
ile 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.
BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
36
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.
Tips For Safe Tire Inflation
SAFETY 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
recommended 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.
BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
38
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 maintenance intervals, oil changes, and tire rotations. In
particular, note the following tips for spotting tire damage:•
After striking anything unusual in the roadway, have a qualified tire
service professional demount the tire and inspect it for damage. A
tire may not have visible signs of damage on the tire surface. Yet,
the tire may suddenly fail without warning, a day, a week, or even
months later.
•
Inspect your tires for cuts, cracks, splits or bruises in the tread and \
sidewall areas. Bumps or bulges may indicate a separation within
the tire body. Have your tire inspected by a qualified tire service
professional. It may be necessary to have it removed from the
wheel for a complete inspection.
•
Inspect your tires for adequate tread depth. When the tire is worn
to the built-in indicators at 2/32 inch (1.6 mm) or less tread groove
depth, or the tire cord or fabric is exposed, the tire is dangerously
worn and must be replaced immediately.
•
Inspect your tires for uneven wear. Wear on one side of the tread
or flat spots in the tread may indicate a problem with the tire or
vehicle. Consult a qualified tire service professional.
•
Inspect your wheels also. If you have a bent or cracked wheel,
it must be replaced.
•
Don’t forget to check the spare tire.
Make sure your tires, including the spare tire, continue to be regularly\
inspected after 5 years of service to determine if they can continue in \
service. Even when your tires appear to be usable from their external
appearance or the tread depth may have not reached the minimum
wear out depth, it is recommended that all tires (including spare tires
and “temporary use” spares) more than 10 years old be replaced wi\
th
new tires.
The 10 year period after the date of production is not an indicator of
actual service life for any individual tire. Some tires will need to be \
replaced before 10 years due to conditions such as punctures, impact
damage, improper inflation, overloading, tread wear or other conditions
BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
39
involving use or misuse of the tire. If a tire is worn out or otherwise \
unserviceable from damage or conditions of use, it should be replaced
regardless of when it was produced or placed in service.
The vehicle manufacturer may consider vehicle performance
characteristics when making tire replacement recommendations.
Consult your vehicle owner’s manual for any information regarding
tire service life and replacement and follow the rec- ommendations
applicable to your vehicle.
Tire Manufacture Date
The tire manufacture date is determined by examining the DOT tire
identification number, also known as the DOT serial number or code,
which can be found on at least one sidewall near the wheel. It may be
necessary to look on both sides of the tire to find the entire serial code.
For more information on DOT serial codes, see “Tire Sidewall Labeling”
in this manual.
Tires Produced Since 2000: The last four (4) digits of the seri- al code
identify the week and year of production. In the example below, the tire
was produced in the 18th week of 2000. Another example, a tire with
a serial code ending in “2406” would have been produced in the 24t\
h
week of 2006.
Tires Produced Prior to 2000: The last three (3) digits of the serial
code identify the week and year of production. For example, a tire with \
a code ending in “329” would likely have been produced in the 32nd\
week of 1999, but possibly produced in 1989. If in doubt, consult a
qualified tire service professional.
18th WEEK YEAR 2000