
12
BFGOODRICH TIRE
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 inflation 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/h) 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. 

14
BFGOODRICH TIRE
Always consult the tire manufacturer for the maximum speed of 
Unlimited Z or (Y) tires. Speed rating is identified as a part of the tire’s 
sizing or service description. Exceeding the lawful speed limit is neith\
er 
recommended nor endorsed.
In the latest attempt to standardize tire designations, all ratings exce\
pt 
Unlimited Z incorporate the speed symbol and load index as the tire’ s 
service description.
For Example:
“Z” Rated Tires
When “Z” appears in the size description with the service descript\
ion, 
the maximum speed is indicated by the service description.
Examples:
For tires having a maximum speed capability above 240 km/hr  
(149 mph), a “Z” may appear in the size designation.
For tires having a maximum speed capability above 300 km/hr  
(186 mph), a “Z” must appear in the size designation and the service 
description must include Y in parenthesis. Example: 275/40ZR18 
(99Y). Consult the tire manufacturer for maximum speed when there   
is no service description. 

18
BFGOODRICH TIRE
Trailer Towing
If you anticipate towing a trailer, you should visit your BFGoodrich 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.
Wheel Alignment and Balancing Are Important for 
Safety and Maximum Mileage from Your Tires.
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 

20
BFGOODRICH TIRE
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 vehicl\
e 
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 size mounted on 
the front versus the rear axles, and these different tires have rotation 
restrictions. Always check the vehicle owner’s manual for the proper 
rotation recommendations.
Full-Size Spare
Full-size spare tires (not temporary spares) of the same size and 
construction should be used in a five-tire rotation and should be 
inspected by a tire professional during routine tire inspection. Always 
have spare tires inspected before installation. Tires are composed 
of various types of rubber compounds and other materials having 
performance properties essential to the proper functioning of the tire. \
These component properties change over time. Always check the 
inflation pressure of the full-size spare and look for any indication of 
cracking or other damage immediately before incorporating the spare 
into rotation. If you see any damage, or if the tire is underinflated, do 
not resume driving with that tire unless you have no other option, in 
which case you should drive only as slowly as is safely possible in the \
traffic conditions until you can both get the spare tire properly inflated 
and have it checked by a tire professional to ensure that it is safe 
to use. Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pattern for 
rotation. If such a recommendation is unavailable, see a qualified  
tire professional.
  

21
BFGOODRICH TIRE
Replacement of Two Tires
All four tires should be replaced at the same time. However, if only 
two tires are replaced, the new ones should be put on the rear. 
Deeper tread tires on the rear axle provide better handling, wet grip 
and evacuate water, thereby helping to avoid oversteer and loss of 
vehicle stability on wet surfaces. Deeper tread tires on the front axle \
can improve wet straight line braking and stopping distance. If only two\
 
tires are being replaced, BFGoodrich generally recommends they be 
installed on the rear axle in the absence of a tire service professional’s 
recommendation or consumer’s preference to the contrary.
Customization of Tires, Wheels, or Suspension on 
SUVs and Light Trucks
Due to their size, weight and higher center of gravity, vehicles such as 
SUVs and light trucks do not have the same handling characteristics 
as automobiles. Because of these different characteristics, failure to 
operate your SUV or truck in a proper and safe manner can increase 
the likelihood of vehicle rollover. Modifications to your SUV or truck 
tire size, tire type, wheels or suspension can change your vehicle’ s 
handling characteristics and further increase the likelihood of vehicle \
rollover. Whether your SUV or truck has the original equipment 
configuration for tires, wheels and suspension or whether any of these 
items have been modified, always drive safely, avoid sudden, sharp 
turns or lane changes and obey all traffic laws. Failure to do so may 
result in loss of vehicle control leading to an accident and serious injury 
or death.
Tire Alterations
Do not make or allow to be made any alterations on your tires. 
Alterations may prevent proper performance, leading to tire damage 
that can result in an accident. Tires that become unserviceable due 
to alterations such as truing, whitewall inlays, addition of balancing  

23
BFGOODRICH TIRE
Storage
Tires contain materials to protect their outer surfaces from ozone 
and weather checking. As the tire rolls and flexes, those materials 
continually migrate to the surface, replenishing this protection 
throughout the normal use of the tire. Consequently, when tires sit 
outdoors, unused for long periods of time (a month or more), their 
surfaces become dry and more susceptible to ozone and weather 
checking, and the casing becomes susceptible to flat spotting. For 
this reason, tires should always be stored in a cool, dry, clean, indoor 
environment. If storage is for one month or more, eliminate the weight 
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 
U.S. Tire  Manufacturers Association.
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.  

24
BFGOODRICH TIRE
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 
have safety humps or ledges. Always utilize valve caps capable of 
containing the tire’s inflation, should the valve core leak. The valve 
cap is the primary seal against air loss. Each tire and wheel assembly 
should be balanced to ensure proper tire and vehicle performance and 
to maintain tire warranty coverage. Tires and wheel assemblies that 
are not balanced may cause steering difficulties, a bumpy ride, and 
irregular tire wear.
Temporary Type Spare Tires
When using any temporary type spare tire, be sure to follow the vehicle \
manufacturer’s instructions.
Reading the Dot
DOT XXXX XXXX XXX (prior to August 2000)
DOT XXXX XXXX XXXX (after July 2000)
The Dot
The “DOT” symbol certifies tire manufacturer’s compliance with 
U.S. Department of Transportation tire safety standards. Next to 
the symbol is the tire identification or “serial number.” The first two 
characters identify the plant where the tire was manufactured. The 
next two characters reflect the tire size. The following one to four 
digits may be used at the tire manufacturer’s option as a descriptive 
code. The last three characters are numbers identifying the week and 
year of manufacture. (Example: “O25” means second week of the  

BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
35
check the driver’s-side door edge or door jamb area for the actual 
placard that applies to your vehicle. For questions about locating 
or understanding the tire information placard, consult your vehicle 
owner’s manual or ask a qualified tire service professional.
Figure 1: EXAMPLE —Tire and Loading Information Placard
Figure 2: EXAMPLE—Tire Information Placard
Maximum Pressure Indicated on the Tire Sidewall : This is the 
maximum permissible inflation pressure for  the tire only. The vehicle 
manufacturer’s recommended tire pressures may be lower than, or 
the same as, the maximum pressure indicated on the tire sidewall. 
The vehicle manufacturer’s specification of tire pressure is limited to 
your particular vehicle and takes into account your vehicle’s load, ride, 
and handling characteristics, among other criteria. Since there may 
be several possible vehicle applications for a given tire size, a vehicl\
e 
manufacturer may choose a different inflation pressure specification for 
that same size tire on a different vehicle. Therefore, always refer to the 
inflation pressure specifications on the vehicle tire information placard 
and/or in your vehicle owner’s manual.