BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
54
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.
BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
55
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.
BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
61
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.
CONTINENTAL TIRE
70
• Explosion of tire/rim assembly due to improper tire mounting.
Tire mounting / demounting can be dangerous. It should be
performed only by a trained tire specialist using proper tools and
procedures. Prior to tire mounting/demounting, the U.S. Tire
Manufacturers Association wall charts and manuals should be
read to obtain the proper procedures. The failure to follow these
procedures may result in faulty positioning of the tire and/or rim,
that may cause the assembly to burst with force sufficient to cause
injury or death.
•
Tire failure due to damage. Inspect your tires frequently for
scrapes, bulges, separations, cuts, snags and other damage from
road hazards. Damage from impact can occur to the inner portions
of your tire without being visible to the outside. If you suspect a tire\
has been damaged from striking anything unusual in the road, you
must have the tire removed from the rim and inspected both inside
and out by a trained tire specialist. Air loss or unusual tire wear
can also be warning signs that a tire may have internal damage. If
you notice these conditions, have your tire inspected by a trained
individual.
•
Tire failure due to excessive tire spinning . Avoid tire spinning.
The centrifugal force generated by a free-spinning tire/rim
assembly may cause a sudden tire explosion resulting in vehicle
damage and/or serious injury or death. Never exceed 35 mph
(55 km/h) as indicated on your speedometer when your vehicle is
stuck in snow, mud or sand and your tire(s) is/ are spinning. Use
a gentle backward and forward rocking motion to free your vehicle
for continued driving. Never stand or permit anyone else to stand
near or behind a tire spinning while attempting to push a vehicle
that is stuck.
Self Supporting Runflat (SSR) Tire Owners
CTA does not recommend any repair to or reuse of punctured
Continental SSR tires.
Even a trained tire specialist may be unable to recognize internal
structural damage to a Self Supporting Runflat (SSR) tire resulting
from having been driven in an under inflated or zero inflation pressure
condition. Such damage may not be visible on the surface of the inner
CONTINENTAL TIRE
71
liner or sidewall making it impossible to determine the tire suitability\
for repair or reuse. CTA does not recommend any repair to or reuse
of Continental SSR tires. You may visit www.continentaltire.com and
select Customer Care FAQ’s to obtain additional SSR information.
Temporary Sparetire Owners
CTA does not recommend any repair to or reuse of punctured
Temporary Spare Tires.
ContiSeal™Tire Owners
A ContiSeal™ tire differs from a non-ContiSeal™ tire in that it has a
sticky, viscous layer from shoulder to shoulder along the inner liner.
This layer is an integral part of the ContiSeal™ tires. It is not des\
igned
or intended to act as a permanent puncture repair (See information
below). If an object up to 3/16ths (5 mm) diameter penetrates the
tread of the ContiSeal™ tire, this sticky, viscous layer is designed to
surround and adhere to the puncturing object and prevent air loss from
the tire by providing a near instantaneous seal. If the puncturing object
becomes dislodged from the tire, the material is designed to seal most
holes made by objects up to 3/16” (5 mm) diameter. While ContiSeal™
tires significantly reduce the incidence of flats, they are not designed
to be driven under inflated or in a flat condition. In all other aspects,
ContiSeal™ tires perform exactly like non-ContiSeal™ tires. As with
any tire, regularly inspect ContiSeal™ tires for evidence of cuts,
punctures, and loss of inflation pressure. At a minimum, ContiSeal™
tires should be inspected once or twice a month and always before
a long trip. Punctures or damage not attended to promptly can result
in loss of inflation pressure and/or damage to the tire. ContiSeal™
as soon as possible. The trained specialist, must inspect the tire
carefully and, according to industry standards, to determine whether
a permanent repair can be made or whether the tire must be removed
from service and scrapped. A permanent repair will require removal
of the tire from the rim and application of a repair method specifically
approved for the ContiSeal™ tires. ContiSeal™ tires are identified by a
symbol on the tire sidewall.
FALKEN
75
Your vehicle’s tire placard and/or owner’s manual will list the cold
inflation pressure(s) for your vehicle’s original equipment tires,
including the spare. The placard can be found on the driver’s side door
or door jamb area. If you have questions about understanding your
vehicle’s tire placard, please refer to your owner’s manual or ask a
qualified tire service professional.
Example of what
your vehicle
placard looks like:
Checking Your Tire’s Air Pressure
Checking your air pressure at least once a month is vital to help your
tires perform properly and help you get the best gas mileage possible.
Tires can lose up to 7 kPa (1 PSI) per month under normal conditions
and lose up to 7 kPa (1 PSI) per every 9°C (16°F) drop in temperature.
Here are some simple steps on how to check the air pressures in
your tires:1.
Remove the valve stem cap.
2.
Place the end of the tire gauge firmly against the tire’s valve stem.
3.
Read the current pressure displayed on the gauge that is
currently in the tire.
4.
Increase pressure at this time (if needed) and recheck with your
tire gauge.
5.
Replace the valve stem cap.
6.
Repeat until all of your tires have been checked and adjusted
accordingly.
FALKEN
76
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
A tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is a safety system found
in most vehicles manufactured after 2005. There are pressure
sensing transmitters mounted inside of each tire that sends readings
to the central computer (ECU) in your vehicle. The TPMS system will
alert you when one or more of your tires are underinflated by 25%
or more by turning on a warning light on your vehicle’s dashboard or
heads up display (HUD) screen. This means that one or more of your
tires may have a low-pressure condition. Follow the instructions in your
owner’s manual.
Rotation and Wear
Falken recommends rotating your tires at least every 8,000km (5,000
miles) and periodically inspecting your tires to make sure they are
free of road hazards (such as nails, screws, large wood splinters, etc.)
that might penetrate your tires causing them to lose air pressure and
to ensure they are wearing evenly. Common irregular wear patterns
are: misalignment wear, where the tire shows excessive outer or inner
tread wear. Tire sidewalls should also be inspected for cuts, snags,
bruises, and weather cracking. If any of these noted conditions are
present during inspection, we recommend returning to your servicing
tire dealer to be corrected to ensure long tire life. ***Never include a
temporary spare tire in your rotation pattern***
Rotation patterns
based on what
type of drive
your vehicle is:
FALKEN
79
like curbs. Your vehicle’s wheels are susceptible to these same
dangers as well. Some vehicles may be originally equipped with high
performance tires that are designed for warmer weather use reducing
traction in colder, winter weather conditions. High performance tires
also pose the possibility of wearing more quickly, giving a stiffer ride,
and producing louder noise than standard all-season tires during
operation. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual, tire information
placard, or qualified tire service professional for more information about
these kinds of tires.
Winter Tires
Falken recommends all four tires be replaced when replacing your
original equipment tires and installing winter tires for the winter mont\
hs.
SAFETY WARNING
Never use just two winter tires. It could lead to adverse handling, loss
of control, which could cause serious injury or death.
Storing Your Tires
When storing your tires for any extended period of time, be sure to
thoroughly clean your tires with a tire brush, soap, and water to remove\
any dirt, salt, and brake dust from the tires. If you are storing your
tires still mounted on the wheels, use a wheel brush and approved
wheel cleaner to clean your wheels. Then dry the wheels and tires
with a towel and allow them to fully dry. DO NOT apply any tire
dressings while storing your tires. Tire compounds are made to resist
weather cracking and ozone damage. Place each clean and dry tire
in an airtight plastic bag and seal the bag with tape to help reduce oil\
evaporation. Store your tires out of direct sunlight and somewhere that \
is well shielded from the elements, like a climate-controlled room or
dry basement. Storing the tires in a garage or shed usually exposes
the tires to a wide range of temperatures as well as precipitation and
humidity. Keep the tires away from sources that emit ozone like electric
motors that use contact brushes, furnaces, sump pumps, etc. Although
tires will still age regardless of how they are stored, these precaution\
s
will help slow the aging process and reduce the damage to your tires.