Page 174 of 260

NITTO TIRE
172
included in the tire rotation process. The proper procedure is to use
the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire rotation procedures,
or if not available, to use the appropriate rotation pattern shown,
inserting the spare in the right rear position. Place the tire that
would have gone to the right rear in the spare tire storage position
as the new spare.
•
Important! After rotation, adjust the pressure of the individual tires
to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation or the inflation
pressure recommended by Nitto for an optional fitment according
to the tire’s new location on the vehicle.
•
Do not mix speed-rated tires on the same axle. Higher speed-
rated tires must remain on the rear axle. Consult your authorized
Nitto dealer.
TIRE SPEED RATING
All Nitto passenger and light truck tires have a maximum speed rating
based on size and type. Tires must never be operated in excess
of their rated speed limit! Consult your tire dealer or contact Nitto
Technical Services at (888) 529-8200 Pacific Time if you are not sure
about the maximum speed rating of your tires.
Nitto does not endorse the operation of any vehicle in an unsafe or
unlawful manner. Obey all local speed limits.
Tire speed ratings do not imply that a vehicle can be safely driven
at the speed for which the tire is rated. Speed ratings are based on
laboratory tests and relate to performance on the road, but are not
applicable if tires are underinflated, overloaded, worn out, damaged,
or altered.
Page 175 of 260

NITTO TIRE
173
EXPLANATION OF TIRE SPEED SYMBOLS
A speed rating is designated by a letter that indicates the maximum
speed capability of a tire. The speed rating of a tire is based on
standards for reaching and sustaining a specified speed, and is
determined via laboratory tests that simulate road performance at
various speeds.
Tires may be marked with one of these speed symbols: M, N, P, Q, R,
S, T, U, H, V, W, Y, or (Y) to identify the particular tire’s speed rating.
Additionally, the letter Z may appear in the size designation.
When purchasing or replacing speed-rated tires, make sure to:•
Use the ranking in the following chart to compare the speed
symbols of all the tires.
•
Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s 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 or higher
speed rating. Remember, the “top speed” of the “lowest rated” tire on
the car cannot be exceeded without risk of tire failure.
Page 176 of 260
NITTO TIRE
174
The letter symbols and corresponding design speeds are:
* Any tire with a speed capability above 149 mph (240 km/h) can, at the tire manufacturer’s option, include a “Z” in the size designation (e.g., 245/40ZR18). If
the load index and the speed symbol are not included, the tire manufactu\
rer must
be consulted for the maximum speed capability (P245/40ZR18 speed capability
is greater than 149 mph [240 km/h]). If a service description is included with the
size description, the speed capability is limited by the speed symbol in\
the service
description (i.e., 235/45ZR17 97W = maximum speed 168 mph [270 km/h]).
** Although no upper limit speed is specified, the indicated tires nonetheless have limited rated speed capability. Call (888) 529-8200 Pacific Time for a referral for more
technical information.
Page 177 of 260
NITTO TIRE
175
TIRE SPINNING
TOWING OR USE OF SLIDE-IN TRUCK CAMPERS
If you are towing a trailer or using a slide-in truck camper, refer to your
vehicle Owner’s Manual.
WINTER (SNOW) TIRES
Winter driving presents special challenges for vehicle handling.
The use of winter tires, studs, and chains, while improving traction
performance in snow and ice, requires additional caution and care with
regard to braking, cornering, and speed. It is important to drive with
care not only on snow and ice, but on dry and wet roads as well.
• Traction is considerably reduced as snow tires approach 50%
tread wear, and replacement should be considered in order to
maintain effectiveness in heavy snow conditions.
Page 178 of 260

NITTO TIRE
176
• Tire speed rating – When lower-speed-rated winter tires replace
higher-speed-rated touring and high performance all-season radial
tires, do not exceed the lower-rated speed.
•
Follow recommendations in the vehicle Owner’s Manual for winter
tires, studs, and chains.
•
Consult your tire dealer, the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association
website (www.ustires.org), or your state’s Department of
Transportation (DOT) for information regarding regulatory and
seasonal restrictions for stud usage.
•
Also see the “Tire Mixing” section in this manual for more details.
•
Nitto recommends that snow tires be installed in matched sets
of four.
ADVERSE WEATHER DRIVING
Take special care when driving in adverse weather conditions. •
Rain and snow – Driving in rain or snow considerably reduces the
traction between your tires and the road surface. You must always
reduce your speed to allow additional stopping distance between
you and the vehicles ahead of you.
•
Hydroplaning and wet weather driving – Hydroplaning occurs on
wet roads and refers to the loss of tire contact with the road due to
the build-up of water between the tire contact patch and the road
surface. Three main factors affect hydroplaning and, consequently,
your tire traction on wet roads: 1.
Vehicle Speed – As speed increases, wet traction is
considerably reduced.
2.
Water Depth – The deeper the water, the sooner your tires
will lose traction. Even thin water layers can create sufficient
lubrication to cause traction loss at low speeds, depending on
road conditions.
3.
Tire Tread Depth – As your tires wear down, their decreased
ability to resist hydroplaning can result in a complete loss of
traction and vehicle control. You should always reduce your
speed with consideration for the traffic around you.
•
Driving on ice and snow – Your all-season tires were designed to
provide higher levels of snow traction compared to non-all-season
tires. You have all-season tires if you find the letters “M&S” are
Page 179 of 260

NITTO TIRE
177
molded into the sidewall near the bead. These letters mean “Mud
and Snow.” Tires designed for use in severe snow conditions
generally have tread patterns, structure, and materials for giving
superior performance. These tires are marked with the “M&S”
designation plus a mountain/snowflake symbol
. Even the best
all-season tires will not provide acceptable levels of traction if you
drive too fast in snow or ice conditions and if you do not allow more
stopping distance on icy roads compared to dry road surfaces.
Your ability to safely maneuver your vehicle in snow or ice
conditions is considerably reduced if your tires are too worn to
provide adequate road grip.
Safe Use of Temporary Spare Tires
• The temporary spare tire is designed for temporary use only. It
must not be used continuously as a standard tire. The temporary
spare tire should be returned to the trunk as soon as it is
convenient to have your standard tire repaired or replaced.
•
The temporary spare tire should not be used for speeds exceeding
50 mph.
•
Never use chains on temporary spare tires, because it could cause
damage to your vehicle.
•
When you replace the temporary tire, replace it only with the same
type of tire.
•
A full-size spare tire in your vehicle is intended for use as a spare
when needed. Please see the “Tire Rotation” section for the proper
procedures for including the same size construction and speed-
rated tire (for LT tires of the same size, type, and load rating) in the
rotation pattern. (Do not rotate a temporary spare tire.)
Page 180 of 260
NITTO TIRE
178
TIRE STORAGE
Tires should be stored indoors in a cool dry place where water
cannot collect inside the tires. The tires should be placed away
from harmful ozone-producing electric generators and motors and
sources of heatsuch as hot pipes. Storage surfaces should be
clean and free of grease, gasoline, or other substances, which can
deteriorate the rubber.
Competition Tire Storage
The rubber compounds used in these tires have unique properties that,
when compared to other tires, can cause them to lose some of their
flexibility when used or handled in conditions below 15°F (-9°C). This
Page 181 of 260

NITTO TIRE
179
loss in flexibility can lead to potential cracking and other damage to
the tire. To minimize the chances of this happening, you are advised to
follow these instructions:1.
Do not move or operate the car with these tires in conditions
below 15°F (-9°C).
2.
Avoid moving these tires in conditions below 15°F (-9°C).
3.
Before mounting and dismounting, store these tires for at least
24 hours in a temperature-controlled environment of 68°F (20°C)
or warmer.
4.
Remove these tires from the vehicle and deflate to half the normal
air-pressure during prolonged periods of non-use or storage.
Always inspect tires for signs of cracking and never use tires that
have cracked.
SPECIAL ADVICE FOR LIGHT TRUCKS
Never exceed the speed limit as indicated by the speed symbol on
the tire’s sidewall. See the chart and explanation of speed ratings in
this manual.
If you do not know the speed rating of your Nitto brand tire, contact
your Nitto dealer or Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc. for current information.
Tires Designated As “LT” with No Speed Rating Indicated
on the Sidewall