BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
53
flat operation is pressure at or below 10 psi (70 kPa); however, some
vehicle manufacturers may have established a different pressure
limit. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual for the details of your
TPMS. Once the TPMS has indicated that a tire has reduced inflation
pressure, the run-flat mode of operation has commenced. During this
phase of operation, please follow these instructions:•
Reduce speed as much as safely and reasonably possible; do
not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h). The greater the speed, the less
distance the tire can travel.
•
Avoid abrupt or aggressive acceleration, braking, or cornering
maneuvers as much as safely and reasonably possible. Pot
holes and other road hazards should be avoided. Careful driving
limits potential damage to the tire, wheel, and vehicle.
•
Proceed to a safe and convenient location for tire service
as soon as possible. Take note of your mileage; your operation
distance is limited. See “Distance—How Far You Can Drive,” the
next section in this manual.
•
If an unusual vibration or vehicle handling difficulty arises,
stop driving as soon as safely and reasonably possible. The
tire may be about to suddenly fail. Release the accelerator and
gradually reduce speed. The tire will need to be replaced before
proceeding.
•
If towing a trailer, stop driving as soon as safely and
reasonably possible. In this condition, it is potentially dangerous
to operate a vehicle/trailer combination. If possible, disconnect the
trailer and proceed as noted above. Do not continue to tow any
trailer until proper tire service or replacement has been performed.
•
Do not touch a tire recently run-low or run-flat (it may be very
hot). Allow the tire to cool before handling.
Distance—How Far You Can Drive
Factors affecting run-flat or low tire pressure operating distance include
vehicle speed, load, and maneuvering; the amount of inflation pressure
loss; the extent of any tire damage; and ambient temperature.
The tire may be marked on the sidewall with run-flat or low tire
pressure operating speed and/or distance limitations, which vary by tire\
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
58
Maximum Load and Inflation: The maximum load and maximum
inflation pressure is marked on each sidewall in metric and English
units. For example:
MAX LOAD 685 kg (1510 lbs) AT 240 kPa (35 psi) MAX PRESS
Note: The load and inflation values marked on the tire sidewall are
maximum permissible values for the tire only. Never assume that these
values are the actual maximum load capacity or recommended tire
pressure values for your vehicle. See “Tire Inflation Pressure,” “Tips
for Safe Tire Inflation,” and “Tips for Safe Loading” in this manual.
Ply Composition and Materials : The actual number of plies in
the sidewall and tread area and the generic name(s) of their cord
material(s) are marked on at least one sidewall. For example:
TREAD 2 PLY POLYESTER + 2 STEEL SIDEWALL 2 PLY POLYESTER
Radial: Radial ply tires will have the word “radial” on at least one
sidewall. An “R” in the tire size designation also indicates radial ply
construction.
Tubeless or Tube Type: Tires are marked as either “tubeless” or “tube
type,” whichever is applicable, on at least one sidewall.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (“UTQG”) standards are intended to
assist you in making an informed choice in your purchase of passenger
car tires by providing information indicating relative performance of
these tires in the areas of tread wear, wet braking traction (straight-
ahead), and temperature resistance. All passenger car tires must
conform to federal safety requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate
of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a
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.
BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
63
purpose and any liability for incidental and consequential damages,
loss of time, loss of vehicle use, or inconvenience. Some states do
not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential
damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
This Limited Warranty applies only to consumers actually using the tire
in the United States and Canada. For warranty conditions
outside the United States and Canada, see your local Bridgestone
Firestone distributor.
Obligations under this policy may not be enlarged or altered
by anyone.
In accordance with Federal Law, this Limited Warranty has been
designated as a “Limited Warranty.” Nothing in this Limited Warranty
is intended to be a representation that tire failures cannot occur. This
Limited Warranty is given in the United States by Bridgestone Americas
Tire Operations, LLC, 200 4th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37201 and
in Canada by Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc., 5770 Hurontario St.,
Suite 400, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5R 3G5.
Owner’s Obligations
In order to keep this Limited Warranty valid, we require you to have
your tires regularly inspected and rotated per the recommendations
outlined in the sections of this manual entitled “Tire Damage,
Inspection and Service Life” and “Radial Tire Rotation” and to furnish
proof of same in order to receive an adjustment. Such proof should
show the date, mileage, and servicing location. A sales receipt
containing this information will suffice. In addition, a “Maintenance
Record” is included on the back cover of this manual. It is your
obligation to maintain proper tire inflation pressures as specified
by the vehicle manufacturer and to operate the vehicle within tire/
vehicle load capacity and speed limitations. It is also your obligation \
to maintain proper wheel alignment and tire/wheel assembly balance.
To request an adjustment, you must present the tire to an authorized
Bridgestone Firestone retailer. Complete and sign the customer section
of the Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC Limited Warranty
adjustment form and pay appropriate replacement price, taxes,
disposal fee, and service charges, if any.
CONTINENTAL TIRE
69
TO REPRESENT THROUGH THIS LIMITED WARRANTY AND
ADJUSTMENT POLICY THAT TIRE FAILURES CAN OR
CANNOT HAPPEN.
CTA’S Obligations
Replacement of eligible tires will be made by the dealer where you
purchased your vehicle or by an alternate Authorized Dealer. CTA will
replace the tire pursuant to the terms of this Warranty. Tires that are
replaced under this Waranty become the property of CTA.
Owner’s Obligations
To make an eligible claim under this Warranty, the owner must
present a claim, with the tire to an Authorized Dealer. For the nearest
Authorized Dealer, consult the Continental brand internet address(es),
or the 800 telephone number(s) shown on the back of this Warranty.
Owner must present new vehicle registration form or new vehicle
sales invoice indicating the date of purchase. Owner will be required
to sign the CTA Limited Warranty Claim Form or dealer replacement
sales receipt.
Owner is responsible for paying all applicable taxes charged by the
servicing dealer and is also responsible for paying shipping, local tire-
disposal fees and parts or service regardless of mileage or months of
service. This includes payment for tire rotation, alignment, towing, road
service, valve stems and tire repairs.
Owner is responsible for maintaining proper tire air pressure and for
proper maintenance of the tire.
Safety Warning
Ignoring any of the safety and information contained in this Warranty
may result in tire failure, causing serious injury or death.•
Tire failure due to under inflation /overloading . Follow vehicle
owner’s manual or tire placard in vehicle for proper inflation
and loading.
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.