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
48
For vehicles with a “temporary use” spare tire, follow the vehicle\
manufacturer’s recommended pattern for rotation, or, if not provided,
the following may be used:
If your spare is the same size, load rating, and type of tire as your ro\
ad
tires, it should be included in the tire rotation process. For vehicles \
with
a “full-size” spare, the following rotation pat- terns may be used:
FULL SIZE SPAREFULL SIZE SPARE
Note:
•
Never include a “temporary use” spare tire in the rotation.
•
Tires with directional tread patterns must be rotated so the
direction of revolution does not change; this may require
demounting/mounting the tires.
•
Special attention should be given if your vehicle is equipped with
a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Rotation of your tires
may affect the system; consult your vehicle owner’s manual or a
qualified tire service professional.
•
Some vehicles may have different size tires/wheels on front and
rear which would restrict rotation. Always check and follow the
vehicle manufacturer’s rotation recommendation.
BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
49
• 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
51
Tire Registration
Registration of your tires is an important safety precaution since it
enables the manufacturer to notify you in the event of a recall. When
you purchase replacement tires, the retailer will provide a registration\
card on which the tire identification numbers have been recorded;
fill in your name and address on the card and mail it promptly. Some
retailers may submit the registration for you. You do not need to
register tires which come as original equipment on new vehicles—the
vehicle and tire manufacturers handle that for you.
RFT Tires with Run-Flat Technology
If your vehicle is equipped with Bridgestone or Firestone brand RFT
tires, this chapter presents specific maintenance and safety issues
associated with these tires that are in addition to those covered
elsewhere in this manual.
What is RFT? Run-Flat Technology tires are extraordinary tires that
utilize specially designed components to temporarily support your
vehicle in the event of inflation pressure loss, such as from a puncture.
This gives you the ability to drive to a convenient and safe location
to change your tire (if equipped with a spare) or have it inspected for
possible repair or replacement.
Naturally, certain run-flat and low pressure operating limitations
apply, which varies according to the specific self-supporting tire design.
Like all tires, during normal operation, they must be properly inflated
and maintained. Regardless of the design or quality, no tire
is indestructible.
RFT—How to Identify : Bridgestone and Firestone brand tires
are marked on the sidewalls, near the wheel, with the RFT logo
(shown above).
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.
FALKEN
77
Tire Replacement
Falken recommends replacing your tires when the tread wears down
to the wear bars at 1.6mm (2/32 of an inch), which are located across
the tread in several locations around the tire. If only two tires are be\
ing
replaced, the two new tires should always be installed on the rear of
the vehicle to aid in preventing your vehicle from hydroplaning, even
if your car is front wheel drive. It’s always recommended to have your
new tires balanced during installation, and alignment checked if the
previous tires show and irregular wear. Tires that have been in use for
6 (six) years or more should continue to be inspected by a qualified tire
specialist, at least annually. It is recommended that any tires 10 (ten)
years old or older from the date of manufacture, including spare tires, \
be replaced with new tires as a precaution even if such tires appear
serviceable and even if they have not reached the legal worn out limit
at 1.6mm (2/32 of an inch).
Tire Repairs
In the event that you get a flat tire while driving, it is best to find a
nearby, safe place to stop and install your spare tire or call a tow truck.
The less distance that you drive on your low or flat tire, the better
chances your tire has of being repairable. Once you are able to get
to your local servicing tire dealer, have them dismount the tire from
the rim and thoroughly inspect the inside of the tire. It is important t\
o
know the difference between a proper tire repair and an improper one
because it can be critical to you and your vehicle’s safety. An improper
repair could pose a safety threat to you and your family and could
also affect your tire’s manufacturer warranty. Here are some tips in
determining if your damaged tire can be properly repaired or not:•
Always have the tire removed from the wheel and inspected before
any repair is performed.
•
Tires with less than 1.6mm (2/32 of an inch) of tread should NOT
be repaired.
•
Never repair a tire with a puncture larger than 6mm
(1/4 of an inch).
•
Repairs should be limited to the tread area only.
•
Repairs cannot overlap one another.
KENDA
105
Check Tire Inflation Pressures (Including The Spare,
At Least’ Once a Month When Tires Are Cold and
Before Long Trips. All Tires Lose Air Over Time.
Failure to maintain correct inflation may result in improper vehicle
handling, and may cause rapid and irregular tire wear, sudden tire
destruction, loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury or death.
Therefore, inflation pressures should be checked at least once a month
and always prior to long distance trips. Any tire is susceptible to losing
air pressure if not properly maintained.
Pressures should be checked when tires are cold; in other words,
before they have been driven on. Driving, even for a short distance,
causes tires to heat up and air pressure to increase.
High Speed Driving Can Be Dangerous
Correct inflation pressure is especially important. However, at high
speeds, even with the correct inflation pressures, a road hazard, for
example, is more difficult to avoid and if contact is made, has a greater
chance of causing tire damage than at a lower speed. Moreover,
driving at high speed reduces the reaction time available to avoid
accidents and bring your vehicle to a safe stop. Never exceed the legal \
speed limit.
Inspect Your Tires
Do Not Drive on a Damaged Tire or Wheel
Any time you see any damage to your tires or wheels replace with
spare at once and immediately see your tire dealer. When inspecting
your tires, including the spare, check your air pressures. If your
pressure check indicates that one of your tires has lost pressure of two\
pounds or more, look for signs of penetrations, 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 which may be caused
by misalignment or underinflatlon. If any such damage is found, the tire
MAXXIS
11 2
• The Tire has been properly cared for, and reasonable and
necessary maintenance has been performed, in accordance with
the Vehicle Owner’s Manual and/or this Limited Warranty.
•
The Tire has been operated only under normal service conditions.
•
The Tire’s owner resides in the United States or Canada.
What Is Warranted and for How Long
• Failures, defects, and malfunctions due to defective materials
and/or defective workmanship.
•
Ride problems, vibration problems, and/or out-of-round
•
Tires, if the Tire is within the first 1/32nd inch of tread depth
(0.8 mm).
•
Within 60 months from the date of your purchase of the new
Vehicle, or at least 2/32nd inch (1.6 mm) of tread depth remaining
on the Tire, whichever comes first, except if the Tire is a temporary
spare tire, in which case the tire must be within the first 1/32nds
inch (0.8 mm) of tread depth.
What Is Not Covered by this Limited Warranty Policy
• Tire failure, defect, malfunction or damage resulting from
improper operation or maintenance such as, but not limited to,
overloading, excessive speed and inflation practices causing
excessive operational temperatures that exceed specifications,
misapplication, tire/wheel imbalance, vandalism, use of puncture
sealants and/or chemical corrosion.
•
Road hazards, including but not limited to cuts, snags, punctures,
bruises, impact brakes, tire plugs, and/or any other damage
caused by tire repair.
•
Ride problems, vibration problems, and/or out-of-round Tires,
if Maxxis determines the problem is not the result of a defect
covered under this Limited Warranty, regardless of the tread depth
of the Tire.
•
Irregular treadwear resulting from improper wheel alignment, under
or over inflation, tire abuse (such as spinning), improper mounting
or dismounting, vehicle mechanical problems (such as faulty, worn