MAXXIS
11 6
of internal damage will require dismounting of the tire and
examination by trained tire personnel.
•
Improper tire mounting and inflation procedures may cause the tire
beads to break with explosive force during installation of the tire on
the rim. Tire and rim must match in size. Rim parts must match by
manufacturer’s design. Clean rim. Lubricate rim and beads. Do not
exceed the maximum recommended pressure to seat the beads.
Only trained tire personnel should mount tires.
•
Use of worn-out tires (less than 2/32nd inch (1.6 mm) of tread
depth) increases the probability of tire failure.
•
Excessive speeds create heat buildup in a tire, leading to possible
tire failure.
•
Maxxis strongly recommends tire rotation every 5,000 to 7,500
miles (8,000 to 12,000 kilometers).
•
The Maxxis brand temporary spare tire weighs less than a
conventional radial tire. The temporary tire should be used only in
emergencies and returned to the trunk as soon as it is convenient
to have your standard tire repaired or replaced.
Contact Information
Any time you see damage to your Tires or wheels, immediately
contact a Vehicle Manufacturer Dealer or Maxxis Dealer. If
further assistance is required, please contact:
Maxxis International - U.S.A.
1-866-509-7067
Or write:
Maxxis Technology Center
480 Old Peachtree Road
Suwanee, GA 30024
USA
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123
Safety Maintenance Information
Read this Owner’s Manual, the information on the sidewall of your
tires, your vehicle owner’s manual and the tire information placard
that came on your vehicle, for essential safety and maintenance
information.
While you should have complete confidence in your new MICHELIN
®
tires, it’s important to register your tires so we can contact you
about any new safety developments. For online tire registration, visit
tireregistration.com.
Tire Failure – Safety Warning
Any tire may fail as a result of an improperly repaired puncture,
impact damage, improper inflation, overloading, a crack, a bulge or
other distortion, or other conditions resulting from use or misuse. Tire
failures, such as a rapid air loss or a tread and belt detachment, may
increase risk of injury, death, or property damage. To reduce the risk
ofa tire failure, you should thoroughly read and follow the instructions\
in this manual, your vehicle owner’s manual, the tire information
placard on the vehicle (located in the vehicle’s door jamb, inside
the fuel hatch, or on the glove compartment door), and tire sidewall
information regarding safety warnings, proper tire use, and proper
tire maintenance.
Controlling a Vehicle When a Tire Failure Occurs
If a tire failure occurs, you may hear a loud noise, feel a vibration, o\
r
feel the vehicle pull toward the side of the failed tire. If that happen\
s,
DO NOT BRAKE OR ABRUPTLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL.
Instead, slowly remove your foot from the accelerator and hold the
steering wheel firmly while steering to remain in your lane. Once
the vehicle has slowed and is fully in your control, apply the brakes
gently, safely pull over to the shoulder, and come to a stop in the
safest location possible. Inspect all tires. If any tire looks flat or low ,
or shows detachment or any other damage, replace the wheel and
tire with a properly inflated spare after first inspecting the spare for
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of the event causing air loss, the ambient temperature, the speed at
which the tire is operated, and the conditions under which the tire
is operated. In particular, hard braking, cornering, and other sharp
maneuvers will greatly reduce the length of time the tire can perform at\
low or zero inflation. Continuous use of an underinflated tire may lead
to sudden tire failure and an accident. If a tire at low or zero pressur\
e
begins to vibrate or cause difficulty in vehicle handling, replace it
immediately with the temporary spare. If Self-Supporting Zero Pressure
(ZP) tires are supplied as original equipment, refer to the vehicle
owner’s manual for complete details on the low tire pressure warning
system designed to alert you in the event of a low pressure condition.
MICHELIN
® SELF-SUPPORTING ZERO PRESSURE™ (ZP) TIRES
MUST BE USED ONLY WITH AN OPERATIONAL, MICHELIN
APPROVED, LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM. Otherwise,
all provisions of the limited warranty are void. For a list of approved \
systems, see your Michelin tire retailer or call 1-800-847- 3435. NOTE:
Some MICHELIN Self-Supporting Zero Pressure (ZP) tires can only be
mounted on special SH-M (Symmetric Hump - Modified) wheels. These
tires bear the special SH-M designation, molded into the sidewall of
the tire, next to the ZP designation. DO NOT MOUNT A TIRE WITH
THE SH-M DESIGNATION ON THE SIDEWALL ON A STANDARD
WHEEL. DOING SO VOIDS THIS LIMITED WARRANTY AND COULD
CAUSE THE TIRE TO BECOME UNSERVICEABLE AT LOW OR
ZERO PRESSURE, RESULTING IN SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY
OR DEATH. For a list of approved systems, see your participating
Michelin
® tire retailer, or call 1-800-847-3435. For all types of tires,
consult your vehicle owner’s manual or the tire information placard
that came on your vehicle (located in the vehicle’s door jamb, inside
the fuel hatch, or on the glove compartment door) for recommended
operating pressures. Recommended operating pressures will be
provided by a Michelin tire retailer for self-supporting ZP tires. These
inflation pressures must be maintained as a minimum. Never exceed
the Maximum Pressure rating shown on the tire sidewall.
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vehicle owner’s manual and is on a placard located in the vehicle’s
door jamb, inside the fuel hatch, or on the glove compartment door. If
you have plus-size tires that require a higher inflation pressure, your
tire pressure monitoring system will require re-calibration to the new
proper inflation pressure. Refer to your tire dealer/installer of plus-size
tires for proper inflation pressure. You should check air pressure in all
your tires, including the spare, once each month and before every long
trip. Regardless whether your spare is a full-size spare or a mini-spare,
make sure that it is properly inflated. If the TPMS generates improper
monitoring or signals, you should consult your vehicle owner’s manual
and follow up with your vehicle’s manufacturer.
TIRE SPINNING
Do not spin wheels at more than 35 mph (55 km/hr) as indicated
on your vehicle’s speedometer. Excessive speed in a free-running,
unloaded tire can cause it to “explode” from centrifugal force. The
energy released by such an explosion may cause serious physical
injury or death. Never allow anyone to stand near or behind a spinning
tire. When in mud, sand, snow, ice, or another slippery condition,
do not engage in excessive wheel spin. Accelerating the motor
excessively, particularly with automatic transmission vehicles, may
cause a drive tire that has lost traction to spin beyond its speed-
enduring capability. This is also true when balancing a drive tire/wheel
assembly on the vehicle using the vehicle engine to spin the
tire/wheel assembly.
High Speed Driving Is Dangerous
Correct inflation pressure is especially important. However, at high
speeds, even with the correct inflation pressure, a road hazard is more
difficult to avoid, and if tire contact is made with it, there is 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.
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tire or wheel, replace it with a properly inflated spare at once and have
your tires, including the spare, inspected by a tire professional.
A tire that hits a road hazard or object can be damaged but not have
any visible sign of damage on its surface. A tire damaged by an impact
can suddenly fail a day, a week, or even months later. You may not
recall having hit an object or a road hazard and may not see any tire
damage, but such an event may have damaged one or more of your
tires. Air loss, unusual tire wear, localized wear, or vibrations can also
be signs of internal tire damage and, accordingly, should be addressed
as promptly as are instances of visible tire damage.
If you suspect any damage to your tire or wheel from an impact with a
curb, pothole, debris on the road, or any other road hazard or object,
or if you feel or hear any unusual vibration, replace the tire and wheel\
with a properly inflated spare at once and immediately visit a qualified
tire professional.
Inspection
If you see any damage to a tire or wheel, replace it with a properly
inflated spare at once and visit a Michelin tire retailer.
Inspect your tires at least once per month, and immediately after
contacting any road hazard or object, such as a curb, a pothole, or
debris. When inspecting your tires, including the spare, check the
inflation as instructed above. If the pressure check indicates that one
of your tires has lost pressure of two pounds or more, look for signs of\
penetration, valve leakage, or wheel damage that may account for the
air loss.
If you have Michelin SelfSeal tires and observe an object penetrating
the tread surface, have the object removed by a trained tire technician
at an authorized Michelin dealer who can then inspect the tire for
potential damage.
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135
Check How Your Tires Are Wearing at Least
Once Each Month
If your tires are wearing unevenly, such as the inside shoulder of the
tire wearing faster than the rest of the tread, or if you detect excessi\
ve
vibration, your vehicle may be out of alignment or balance. These
conditions not only shorten the life of your tires but adversely affect the
handling characteristics of your vehicle, which could be dangerous. If
you detect irregular wear or vibration, have your alignment and balance
checked immediately. Tires which have been run underinflated will
show more wear on the shoulders than in the center of the tread. Read
and follow the instructions on tire rotation and replacement below.
Tire Mixing
MICHELIN® tires are radial tires. For best, safe performance, the same
size and type of tire should be used on all four wheel positions, and th\
e
full size spare should be the same size and type. Before mixing tires
of different types in any configuration on any vehicle, be sure to check
the vehicle manufacturer’s owner‘s manual for its recommendations.
It is especially important to check the vehicle manufacturer’s owner’s
manual when mixing, matching, or replacing tires on 4-wheel drive
vehicles, as this may require special precautions.
SELF-SUPPORTING ZERO PRESSURE™ (ZP) TIRES SHOULD NOT
BE MIXED WITH NON-ZP TIRES OTHER THAN THE TEMPORARY
USE OF THE PROPERLY INFLATED SPARE IF THE VEHICLE IS
SO EQUIPPED.
Winter Driving
Tires that meet the US Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA)
definition of snow tires are marked M/S, M+S, or M&S. On such tires,
normally referred to as “All-Season” tires, the “M+S” designation
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136
is molded into the sidewall. Tires without this notation are not
recommended for winter driving in regions that experience
winter conditions.
Although All-Season tires are designed to provide reliable performance
in some winter conditions, the use of four winter tires is recommended
for optimal performance. Tires designated for use in severe winter
conditions are marked on at least one sidewall with the letters
“M” and “S” plus a pictograph of a mountain with a snowflake
on it. If such a tire needs to be temporarily replaced with a
tire not so marked, you should immediately drive at a safe
speed to a Michelin dealer to have the spare returned to the
trunk and replaced on your vehicle by another tire with the letters
“M” and “S” and the related pictograph.
Tire Rotation and Replacement
To obtain maximum tread life, you must rotate your tires. You should
rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles (10,000 to 12,000 km)
or as specified by your vehicle manufacturer, whichever occurs
more frequently. Check your vehicle owner’s manual for any
recommendations by your vehicle manufacturer. Monthly inspection
for tire wear is recommended. Your tires should be rotated at the first
sign of irregular wear, even if it occurs before 6,000 miles (10,000
km). This is true for all vehicles. When rotating tires with a directional
tread pattern, observe the arrows molded on the sidewall that show the
direction in which the tire should rotate.
Care must be taken to maintain the proper rotation direction. Some Tire
Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) may not recognize that a tire
has been moved to a different position on your vehicle. Make certain
that your TPMS system is reset, if necessary, so as to correctly identify
the location of each tire on your vehicle.
Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual or your vehicle dealer for this
information. Determine whether rotated tires require tire inflation
adjustment, because front and rear position tire pressure may vary
according to the vehicle manufacturer’s specification due to the actual
load on that wheel position. Some vehicles may have tires of different
MICHELIN
140
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
US Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA).
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.
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