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MICHELIN
143
that passenger car and light truck tires, including spare tires be
inspected regularly by a qualified tire specialist, such as a Michelin
tire retailer, who will assess the tire’s suitability for continued service.
Tires which have been in use for 5 years or more should continue to
be inspected by a specialist at least annually. Consumers are strongly
encouraged to be aware not only of their tires’ visual condition and
inflation pressure but also of any change in dynamic performance such
as increased air loss, noise or vibration, which could be an indication \
that the tires need to be removed from service to prevent tire failure. \
It
is impossible to predict when tires should be replaced based on their
calendar age alone. However, the older a tire, the greater the chance
that it will need to be replaced due to the service-related evolution or
other conditions found upon inspection or detected during use. While
most tires will need replacement before they achieve 10 years, it is
recommended that any tires in service 10 years or more from the date
of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as
a precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they
have not reached the legal wear limit. For tires that were on an origina\
l
equipment vehicle (i.e., acquired by the consumer on a new vehicle),
follow the vehicle manufacturer’s tire replacement recommendations,
when specified (but not to exceed 10 years). The date when a tire
was manufactured is located on the sidewall of each tire. Consumers
should locate the Department of Transportation or “DOT” code on the
tire. The code begins with “DOT” and ends with the week and year of
manufacture. For example, a DOT code ending with “2214” indicates a
tire made in the 22nd week of 2014.
Remember . . . to Avoid Damage to Your Tires and a
Possible Accident
• INSPECT TIRES AT LEAST MONTHLY, AND IMMEDIATELY
AFTER STRIKING ANY ROAD HAZARD.
•
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE AT LEAST ONCE EACH MONTH
WHEN TIRES ARE COLD AND BEFORE EVERY LONG TRIP.
•
NEVER UNDERINFLATE OR OVERINFLATE A TIRE.
•
NEVER OVERLOAD YOUR VEHICLE AND TIRES.
•
ALWAYS OBEY LEGAL SPEED LIMITS AND DRIVE AT A
Page 149 of 260

NITTO TIRE
147
WHAT IS NOT COVERED?
This Limited Warranty does not cover the following categories
of claims:
Rapid Treadwear: Original equipment tires are not guaranteed to last a
specified number of miles.
Damage from road hazards (not limited to cuts, snags, bruises, impact
breaks, bulges, punctures, stone drills, chips, and scales), fire, theft,
or collision.
Conditions arising from improper tire/vehicle maintenance or use, not
limited to:
•
Irregular or excessive treadwear due to: Incorrect inflation;
overloading; vehicle misalignment; failure to rotate tires; and poor
or defective mechanical condition of brakes, shocks, and wheels;
or other factors attributable to the vehicle or wheel.
•
Any tire which has been run with low air pressure or while flat.
•
Damage due to abuse; vandalism; tire alteration; tire spinning;
racing; or other competitive activities.
•
Damage, corrosion, or deterioration from using oil-based
chemicals, water-based sealers, balancing substances, or
flammable gases.
•
Damage from improper use of tire chains.
Tires with the DOT identification number removed or rendered illegible.
Improper mounting, balancing or repair, not limited to: •
Improper tire mounting, or tire/wheel assembly imbalance.
•
Damage from incorrect mounting or dismounting of the tire,
incorrect wheel size, water or other material trapped inside the tire
during mounting, or failure to keep the tires balanced.
•
Damage resulting from improper repair materials or procedures.
Page 155 of 260
NITTO TIRE
153
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
This manual is not intended to provide proper training or
service procedures for tire mounting, dismounting, balancing,
rotation, or repair. Please leave these tasks to qualified tire
service professionals.
Important factors in tire care are:•
Proper inflation pressure
•
Proper vehicle loading
•
Proper vehicle maintenance
•
Regular inspection
•
Good driving habits
Refer to your vehicle Owner’s Manual for additional tire safety and
service advice.
Page 156 of 260
NITTO TIRE
154
TIRE PRESSURE BASICS
The combined effect of losing 1 psi per month over several months
along with a 1 psi decrease for every 10°F temperature drop could
add up to a severe “run low” condition; consequently, it is important
to check your tires’ inflation pressure at least once per month. Inflation
pressure enables a tire to support its load; therefore, proper inflation
is critical.
HOW TO DETERMINE PROPER TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE
It is impossible to determine whether tires are properly inflated
just by looking at them.
Page 158 of 260
NITTO TIRE
156
It is important to check your tires using an accurate tire
pressure gauge, which can be purchased at your tire dealer
or auto supply store.
Underinflation can overload tires. Check the inflation pressure every
month, including for the spare tire, to make sure it’s up to specification.
Check it again before long trips or when carrying extra weight.
Look for the manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressure listed
on the Tire Information Placard usually located on your vehicle’s door
edge, door post, glove box, or inside the trunk lid.
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NITTO TIRE
157
USING A TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE
For accuracy, check your inflation pressure with a tire pressure gauge
when tires are cold (for example, after being parked overnight). Driving
heats up tires and causes an inaccurate pressure reading.
To check inflation pressure with a tire pressure gauge:1.
Remove the tire valve cap.
2.
Place the end of the tire pressure gauge over the valve.
3.
Press the tire pressure gauge straight and firmly and take
a reading.
4.
If needed, inflate and recheck the pressure with the tire
pressure gauge.
5.
Replace the valve cap.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SAFE TIRE INFLATION •
If you must inflate your tires when they are hot, add 4 pounds per
square inch (4 psi) (28 kPa) above the recommended inflation
pressure specification. Recheck the inflation pressure when the
tires are cold and adjust to the recommended inflation pressure
shown on the vehicle’s Tire Information Placard.
•
Never release air or nitrogen from a hot tire in order to reach
the recommended cold tire pressure. Normal driving causes
tires to run hotter and inflation pressure to increase. If you
release pressure when your tires are hot, you may dangerously
underinflate your tires. If your tires lose more than 1 pound
per square inch (1 psi) per month, the tire, the valve, or the
wheel may be damaged. Consult your authorized Nitto dealer for
an inspection.
Page 160 of 260
NITTO TIRE
158
• Over-inflation can cause the tire to be more susceptible to
impact damage.
•
Over-inflation or underinflation may adversely affect vehicle
handling.
•
Remember to check your spare tire. Consult your vehicle Owner’s
Manual for the correct inflation pressure and use of a “temporary
use” spare tire. The inflation pressure specified for a spare tire is
typically different from that specified for your regular tires.
•
Use valve caps to keep valve cores clean and clear of debris and
to help guard against air leakage.
VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEMS (TPMS)
Even if your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system, you should check your tire pressure at least once per month
when the tires are cold (for example, after being parked overnight).
Tire pressure warning systems are not a substitute for regular tire
pressure maintenance.
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NITTO TIRE
163
Replacement tires for any vehicle must be of a size, load range, and
load capacity (by inflation) that is capable of supporting the same load
as the vehicle’s originally installed (OE) tires. Avoid installing used tires
on a vehicle. There is no way to determine what road hazards or abuse
a previously owned tire may have incurred.
The following procedures concerning replacement tires must
be followed:•
Confirm that the load-carrying capacity is greater than or equal
to the load-carrying capacity of the OE tire size at the pressure
indicated on the vehicle Tire Information Placard.
•
Carefully note any differences between recommendations for
front and rear axle positions regarding the tire size and/or
inflation pressure.
•
The speed rating must be equal to or greater than what is specified
by the vehicle manufacturer if the speed capability of the vehicle is
to be maintained.
•
Tires should be mounted on approved wheel widths. If changing
tire sizes, check to make sure the wheel has adequate load and
inflation pressure capacity.
•
Body and chassis clearance must be checked on the vehicle’s
front and rear axles.
In addition to the above, light truck tire replacements should take
into consideration the following: