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STUDDED WINTER/SNOW TIRES•
Studded winter/snow tires have higher traction qualities under
most winter weather conditions.
•
If studded winter/snow tires are installed on the front axle of any
vehicle, studded winter/snow tires must also be installed on the
rear axle. DO NOT apply studded winter/snow tires only to the
front axle.
•
If studded winter/snow tires are installed on the rear axle of any
vehicle, it is strongly recommended that they should also be
installed on the front axle. Only if studded winter/snow tires are
installed on all wheel positions of a vehicle will optimum handling
characteristics be achieved.
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REPLACING TWO TIRES•
When a pair of replacement tires is selected in the same size and
construction as those on the vehicle, the two newer tires must be
installed on the rear axle and must be of equal or higher speed
rating than the front tires. Generally, new tires with deeper tread
will provide better grip and evacuate water more effectively, which
is important as a driver approaches hydroplaning situations.
Placing greater traction on the rear axle on wet surfaces is
necessary to prevent a possible oversteer condition and loss of
vehicle stability.
•
When two new tires have been installed onto the rear axle
positions, they are to be kept on the rear but rotated from side
to side. This is recommended after installing two new tires to the
rear position, or if you discover significant tread depth differences
between the front and rear positions during rotation intervals.
REPLACING ONE TIRE •
Replacing a single tire on a vehicle can have an adverse effect on
suspension systems, gear ratios, transmission, and tire treadwear.
•
If single tire replacement is unavoidable, it is recommended that
the single new tire be paired with the tire that has the deepest
tread and both be placed on the rear axle. Placing greater traction
on the rear axle on wet surfaces is necessary to prevent a possible
oversteer condition and loss of vehicle stability.
WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND BALANCING •
Proper wheel alignment and balance are very important
considerations for safety and getting the maximum mileage from
your tires. You need to check how your tires are wearing at least
once a month.
•
Your vehicle may be out of alignment if your tires are wearing
unevenly, such as when the inside shoulder of the tire is wearing
faster than the rest of the tread. This condition not only shortens
the life of your tires, it adversely affects the handling characteristics
of your vehicle, which could be dangerous. If your tires show
irregular wear, have your vehicle’s alignment checked immediately.
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TIRE WEAR – VISUAL CHECK
If you experience a blowout or a sudden tire failure, the following
information should be helpful:•
When the tire failure occurs, you may hear a loud noise, or feel a
vibration, and/or the vehicle may pull toward the side of the failed
tire. Do not abruptly brake or turn.
•
Maintain steady pressure on the accelerator pedal.
•
Hold the steering wheel firmly and steer to maintain your
lane position.
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• Find a safe place to pull off the road and allow the vehicle to
gradually decelerate. Apply light braking as required to stop safely.
•
Gradually pull over to the shoulder and come to a stop. Look for a
damaged tire on your vehicle.
•
Seek roadside assistance or change the damaged tire with your
spare tire.
•
Have all of your tires and the vehicle thoroughly inspected by a
tire professional.
TIRE ROTATION
The purpose for rotating tires is to achieve more uniform wear for all
tires on a vehicle. Your tires should be thoroughly examined on a lift by
a tire dealer for any abnormalities. If tires show uneven treadwear, ask
the service person to check and/or correct any vehicle wheel alignment
or other mechanical problem before rotation.
The following rotation patterns are acceptable. Please refer to your
vehicle Owner’s Manual for rotation advice.
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Full-size spare tires (not temporary spares) of the same size,
construction, and speed rating may be used in a five-tire
rotation pattern.
After rotation, check the inflation pressure of all the tires. The front
and rear tire pressures may vary according to the vehicle
manufacturer’s specifications.
Remember to follow your vehicle Owner’s Manual for tire rotation
intervals. Your Limited Warranty recommends Nitto brand tires to be
rotated as follows:
•
Every 3,500 miles or less for high performance (low profile) tires.
•
Every 7,500 miles or less for standard passenger and light
truck tires.
More frequent rotation or a thorough vehicle inspection may be
necessary if, upon inspection, irregular or erratic treadwear is
beginning to appear.
It is important to remember the following: •
These tire rotation recommendations do not take into account
different tire and construction types mixed on the vehicle.
•
Some tires cannot be rotated in the manner described. Such tires
include unidirectional tires. Unidirectional tread patterns must be
rotated front-to-rear only so that the direction of revolution does
not change.
•
Some vehicles are designed with different tire sizes on the front
and rear axles. Normally, such combinations will not allow rotation.
Prior to rotating, consult the vehicle Owner’s Manual.
•
For vehicles with dual rear wheels, see the vehicle Owner’s
Manual for the vehicle manufacturer’s procedures. If your vehicle
Owner’s Manual is not available, please contact the vehicle
manufacturer.
•
Some vehicles are equipped with wheels that limit the choice of
rotation pattern. Consult the vehicle Owner’s Manual.
•
Do not include temporary spare tires in the rotation pattern.
However, if your spare tire is the same size and type as a road tire
(for LT tires of the same size, type, and load rating), it should be
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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.
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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.
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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.