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Wheel Alignment and Balancing Are Important for
Safety and Maximum Mileage From Your Tires
Inspect Your Tires Regularly
At least once a month inspect your tires closely for signs of uneven
wear. Uneven wear patterns may be caused by improper inflation
pressures, misalignment, improper balance or suspension neglect.
If not corrected, further tire damage will occur. These conditions not
only shorten the life of your tires, they adversely affect the handling
characteristics of your vehicle which could be dangerous.
If any of these conditions exist, the cause may often be corrected at
your tire dealer’s or other service facility. Your tires will then last longer.
Tire Rotation
If irregular wear becomes apparent or if the rate of wear on the tires
is uneven, the tires should be rotated to alleviate the problem. Check
your vehicle for any mechanical problems and correct if necessary. The
rotation pattern or procedure indicated in your limited warranty and the\
vehicle manufacturers’ owner’s manual should be followed. For tires
on front wheel drive vehicles and/or all season tires on any vehicle, it\
is
recommended that these tires be rotated every 8,000 miles to equalize
the rate of wear.
Tire Mixing Can Be Dangerous
Most passenger tires today are radial tires and for best performance it \
is recommended that the same size and type of tire be used on all four
wheel positions unless different sizes, front and rear, were specified
as original equipment. Check the vehicle placard. If only two radials
are mounted with two non-radials, the radials should be mounted
on the rear. If tires of different types are mixed on a vehicle in any
configuration, they should not be used for long periods and speeds
should be kept to a minimum.
Mixing or matching of tires on 4-wheel drive vehicles may require
special precautions. Always check vehicle manufacturers’ Owner’s
Manual for their recommendations.
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Tire Alterations Are Dangerous
Do not perform any alteration on your tires. Alterations may prevent
proper performance, leading to tire damage, which can result in
sudden tire destruction. Tires which have been altered are excluded
from warranty coverage.
Repairs. See Any Tire Dealer At Once
If any tire has sustained a puncture, have the tire dismounted and
inspected internally by any tire dealer for possible damage that may
have occurred.
Punctures in the tread of passenger tires which do not exceed 1/4-inch
(6mm) in diameter can be repaired by following Rubber Manufacturers’
Association (RMA) recommended repair procedures. Do not use
externally applied plug repairs. Punctures outside the tread area
should not be repaired.
If the tire has a puncture in the tread which exceeds 1/4-inch (6mm) or
if more than one radial cable per casing ply is damaged, the tire must
be replaced.
Storage
Tires should be stored in a cool dry place indoors so that there is no
danger of water collecting inside them. Serious problems occur with
tube type tires when they are mounted with water trapped between the
tire and the tube. Due to pressurization, the liquid can pass through
the inner liner and into the casing plies. This can result in sudden lire
failure. Most of the problems of this nature, encountered with tube type\
tires, have been due to improper storage which permitted water to
enter the casing between the tire and tube prior to mounting.
When tires are stored they should be stored in a cool place away from
sources of heat and ozone such as hot pipes and electric motors. Be
sure that surfaces of which tires are stored are clean and free from
grease, gasoline or other substances which could deteriorate the
rubber. Tires exposed to these materials and/or excessive heat for a
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the replacement tire must have the same or higher speed rating
symbol if the speed capability of the vehicle is to be maintained. IF
THE REPLACEMENT TIRE IS NOT SPEED RATED, THE SPEED
CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE IS LIMITED BY THE SPEED
CAPABILITY OF THE REPLACEMENT TIRE. A Kenda-produced
non-speed rated tire’s maximum speed is 85 m.p.h. (137 kmph).
Tire Mounting Can Be Dangerous
Tire mounting can be dangerous and should be done by trained
persons using proper tools and procedures. Your tires should be
mounted on wheels which are in good, clean condition. Bent, chipped
or rusted wheels may cause tire damage. Have your dealer check the
size and condition of your wheels before mounting new tires. Be sure
rim/Wheel manufacturer’s recommendations are followed. The inside
of the tire must be free of foreign material.
Old valves may leak. When new tubeless tires are mounted, have new
valves of the correct type installed. Be sure that all of your valves ha\
ve
suitable valve caps.
The sidewalls of radial tires flex more than non-radial tires. Because of
this, tube-type radial tires require special tubes. Radial tubes should be
used with radial tube-type tires. The use of other tubes, not designed
for radial tires, will result in tube failure causing sudden tire destru\
ction.
Always use a new tube when mounting a new tube type tire.
Kenda
Designed for Your Journey
7095 Americana Parkway
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
KendaTire.com
MICHELIN
125
Check the Cold Inflation Pressure in All Your Tires,
Including the Spare, at Least Once Each Month
Failure to maintain correct inflation may result in improper vehicle
handling and may cause rapid and irregular tire wear, sudden tire
failure, loss of vehicle control, and an accident. Therefore, inflation
pressures should be checked at least once each month and before
every long-distance trip. This applies to all tires, including sealant
types and self-supporting tires, which are as susceptible to losing air
pressure as any other type of tire if not properly maintained. Pressures\
should be checked before the tires have been driven on or after they
have been allowed to cool down to the ambient air temperature.
Driving for even a short distance causes tires to heat up and their air \
pressure to increase, and recommended tire pressures are for tires
that have not been heated by recent driving on them.
Underinflation and Overinflation Must Be Checked
with a Tire Pressure Gauge
Tires must be checked monthly with a tire pressure gauge. It is
impossible to determine whether tires are properly inflated by simply
looking at them. It is almost impossible to feel or hear when a tire is \
being run underinflated or overinflated. Use an accurate tire pressure
gauge to check tire pressure each month. Small and inexpensive tire
pressure gauges are available. You should keep one in your vehicle’s
glove box or trunk and use it monthly and as otherwise needed.
Self-Supporting Zero Pressure™ (ZP) Tires at Low
or Zero Air Pressure
The handling characteristics of a vehicle with a deflated Self-
Supporting Zero Pressure (ZP) tire (whether front or rear) are not
the same as those of a vehicle with normally inflated tires. Avoid
high speeds and hard cornering whenever a low-pressure warning is
activated. Even a Self-Supporting Zero Pressure (ZP) tire can build
up excessive heat when run underinflated for an extended period of
time. The length of time and distance a Self-Supporting Zero Pressure
(ZP) tire will perform at low or zero inflation will depend on the severity
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126
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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129
Exceeding the maximum speeds shown on the following page for each
type of MICHELIN® tire will cause the tire to build up excessive heat,
which can cause tire damage that could result in sudden tire failure
and rapid air loss. Failure to control a vehicle when one or more tires \
experience a rapid air loss can lead to an accident.
In any case, you should not exceed reasonable speeds as indicated by
the legal limits and driving conditions.
Speed Rating System
The speed rating of a tire indicates the
speed category (or range of v speeds)
at which the tire can carry a load under
specified service conditions. The speed
rating system used today was developed
in Europe in response to the need to
categorize tires into standardized speeds.
A letter from A to Z symbolizes a tire’s
certified speed rating, ranging from 5 km/
hr (3 mph) to above 300 km/ hr (186
mph). This rating system (see chart on
this page) describes the top speed for
which a tire is certified.
When this speed rating system was originally developed, the
Unlimited V category of over 210 km/hr (130 mph) was the top speed
rating a tire could achieve. As manufacturers made more tires that fit
into this category, it was necessary to better regulate performance at
standardized speeds to help ensure safety. The Limited V category of
240 km/hr (149 mph) was then created, and the Z or (Y) speed rating
was added as the top speed rating that a tire could achieve. W and Y
limited speed symbols have been added as higher speed categories.
Always consult the tire manufacturer for the maximum speed of
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134
Tires loaded beyond their maximum allowable loads for the particular
application will build up excessive heat that may result in sudden tire \
failure and an accident. Do not exceed the gross axle weight rating for \
any axle on your vehicle.
Trailer Towing
If you anticipate towing a trailer, you should visit your Michelin tire
retailer for advice about the correct tire size and pressures. Tire size
and pressures will depend on the type and size of trailer and hitch
utilized, but in no case must the maximum cold inflation pressure
or tire load rating be exceeded. Check 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) and the owner’s
manual supplied by the manufacturer of your vehicle for further
recommendations on trailer towing.
Self-Supporting Zero Pressure (ZP) Tires and Trailer Towing
Operation of ZP tires at low or zero air pressure with a trailer in tow
is dangerous and should be avoided. If the low pressure warning
indicator is activated when a trailer is in tow, stop, disconnect the
trailer, and do not continue to tow the trailer until the tire has been
properly repaired and re-inflated to the proper inflation. If the tire
cannot be properly repaired, it must be replaced with a new full-size,
matching ZP tire, and inflated to the proper inflation, before the trailer
can be safely towed again.
Wheel Alignment and Balancing Are Important for
Safety and Maximum Mileage from Your Tires.
MICHELIN
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