BFGOODRICH® TIRES
40
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.
Old valves may leak. When new tubeless tires are mounted, have
ne
w valves of the correct type installed. Tubeless tires must only be
mounted on wheels designed for tubeless tires i.e., wheels which
have safety humps or ledges.
It is recommended that you have your tires and wheels balanced. Tires
an
d wheels which are not balanced may cause steering difficulties, a
bumpy ride, and irregular tire wear.
Be sure that all your valves have suitable valve caps. The valve cap
is
the primary seal against air loss.
SERVICE LIFE FOR PASSENGER CAR AND LIGHT TRUCK TIRES
IN
CLUDING SPARE TIRES
The following recommendation applies to passenger car and light
tr
uck tires. Tires are composed of various types of material and rubber
compounds, having performance properties essential to the proper
functioning of the tire itself. These component properties evolve over
time. For each tire, this evolution depends upon many factors such as
weather, storage conditions, and conditions of use including load,
speed, inflation pressure, maintenance etc. to which the tire is
subjected throughout its life. This service-related evolution varies
widely so that accurately predicting the serviceable life of any specific
tire in advance is not possible.
In addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance
by
consumers, it is recommended to have passenger car and light
truck tires, including spare tires, inspected regularly by a qualified tire
specialist, such as a tire dealer, who will assess the tire’s suitability for
continued service. Tires which have been in use for five 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’
vi
sual 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.
BFGOODRICH® TIRES
41
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 simple precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even
if they have not reached the legal wear limit.
For tires that were on an original equipment vehicle i.e., acquired by
th
e 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
ea
ch tire. Consumers should locate the Department of Transportation
(DOT) code on the tire which begins with DOT and ends with the
week and year of manufacture. For example, a DOT code ending with
"2204" indicates a tire made in the 22nd week (May) of 2004.
REMEMBER TO AVOID DAMAGE TO YOUR TIRES AND
PO
SSIBLE ACCIDENT
• INSPECT TIRES AT LEAST MONTHLY, AND IMMEDIATELY
A
FTER STRIKING ANY ROAD HAZARD.
• CHECK TIRE PRESSURE AT LEAST ONCE EACH MONTH
W
HEN 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 SPEED
T
HAT IS REASONABLE UNDER THE ROAD AND WEATHER
CONDITIONS.
• AVOID DRIVING OVER POTHOLES, OBSTACLES, CURBS OR
E
DGES OF PAVEMENT.
• AVOID EXCESSIVE WHEEL SPINNING.
•
IF YOU SEE ANY DAMAGE TO A TIRE, REPLACE THE TIRE
W
ITH A PROPERLY INFLATED SPARE AND VISIT A QUALI -
FIED TIRE PROFESSIONAL AT ONCE.
• KEEP TIRES AND WHEELS PROPERLY ALIGNED, BALANCED,
A
ND ROTATED.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
55
TIPS FOR SAFE TIRE INFLATION
• Check your tire pressures, including your spare tire, monthly and
b
efore long trips or carrying extra weight. Be sure to use an accurate
pressure gauge.
• Check inflation pressure when the tires are “cold.” Tires are consid -
e
red “cold” when the vehicle has been parked for three hours or
mo
re, or if the vehicle has been driven less than a mile at moderate
speed.
• Never release pressure from a hot tire in order to reach the recom -
m
ended cold tire pressure. Normal driving causes tires to run hotter
an
d inflation pressure to increase. If you reduce inflation pressure
when your tires are hot, you may dangerously underinflate your
tires.
• If it is necessary to adjust inflation pressure when your tires are
“
hot”, set their pressure to 4 psi (28 kPa) above the recommended
cold inflation pressure. Recheck the inflation pressure when the tires
are cold.
• If your tires lose more than 2 psi (14 kPa) per month, the tire, the
v
alve, or wheel may be damaged. Consult a qualified tire service
professional for an inspection.
• Use valve caps to keep the valves clear of debris and to help guard
a
gainst inflation pressure loss.
WARNING!
Inflating an unsecured tire is dangerous. If it bursts, it could be
hu
rled into the air with explosive force resulting in serious
personal injury or death. Never inflate a tire unless it is secured to
the vehicle or a tire mounting machine.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
57
You should visually inspect your tires on a regular basis throughout
their life, and you should have your tires periodically evaluated by a
qualified tire service professional when your vehicle is serviced such
as routine maintenance intervals, oil changes, and tire rotations. In
particular, note the following tips for spotting tire damage:
• After striking anything unusual in the roadway, have a qualified tire
s
ervice professional demount the tire and inspect it for damage. A
tire may not have visible signs of damage on the tire surface. Yet, the
tire may suddenly fail without warning, a day, a week, or even
months later.
• Inspect your tires for cuts, cracks, splits or bruises in the tread and
s
idewall areas. Bumps or bulges may indicate a separation within
the tire body. Have your tire inspected by a qualified tire service
professional. It may be necessary to have it removed from the wheel
for a complete inspection.
• Inspect your tires for adequate tread depth. When the tire is worn to
t
he built-in indicators at 2/32 inch (1.6 mm) or less tread groove
de
pth, or the tire cord or fabric is exposed, the tire is dangerously
worn and must be replaced immediately.
• Inspect your tires for uneven wear. Wear on one side of the tread or
f
lat spots in the tread may indicate a problem with the tire or vehicle.
Consult a qualified tire service professional.
• Inspect your wheels also. If you have a bent or cracked wheel, it
m
ust be replaced.
• Don’t forget to check the spare tire.
M
ake sure your tires, including the spare tire, continue to be regularly
in
spected after 5 years of service to determine if they can continue in
service. Even when your tires appear to be usable from their external
appearance or the tread depth may have not reached the minimum
wear out depth, it is recommended that all tires (including spare tires
and “temporary use” spares) more than 10 years old be replaced with
new tires.
The 10 year period after the date of production is not an indicator of
ac
tual service life for any individual tire. Some tires will need to be
replaced before 10 years due to conditions such as punctures, impact
damage, improper inflation, overloading, tread wear or other
conditions involving use or misuse of the tire. If a tire is worn out or
otherwise unserviceable from damage or conditions of use, it should
be replaced regardless of when it was produced or placed in service.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
68
If your spare is the same size, load rating, and type of tire as your road
tires, it should be included in the tire rotation process. For vehicles
with a “full-size” spare, the following rotation patterns may be used:
NOTE:
• Never include a “temporary use” spare tire in the rotation.
• Tires with directional tread patterns must be rotated so the direction
o
f revolution does not change; this may require demounting/
mounting the tires.
• Special attention should be given if your vehicle is equipped with a
T
ire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Rotation of your tires
may affect the system; consult your vehicle Owner’s Manual or a
qualified tire service professional.
• Some vehicles may have different size tires/wheels on front and
r
ear which would restrict rotation. Always check and follow the
vehicle manufacturer’s rotation recommendation.
• To use a full-size spare in the rotation pattern on vehicles with dual
r
ear wheels, consult your vehicle Owner’s Manual for the recom -
mended procedures or consult the vehicle manufacturer.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
69
YOUR SPARE TIRE
Consult your vehicle Owner’s Manual for proper application of your
sp
are tire. Your car may be equipped with a “temporary use” spare
tire; this spare may differ in size and construction from the other tires
on your vehicle.
The spare tire in your vehicle is intended to be used as a spare when
n e
eded. The spare tire carrier is not intended to be used for long term
storage, except for “temporary use” tires. If your spare is the same
size, load rating, and type of tire as your road tires, it should be
included in the tire rotation process; see “Radial Tire Rotation” in this
manual for more information.
The spare should be included in regular tire inspections and inflation
pr
essure checks. In addition, it should be replaced 10 years after date
of manufacture, regardless of condition or tread depth. For more
information, see the “Tire Damage, Inspection and Service Life” in this
manual.
TIRE STORAGE
Tires should be stored indoors in a cool, dry place where water cannot
co
llect inside them. Tires should be placed away from electric
generators/motors and sources of heat such as hot pipes. Storage
surfaces should be clean and free of grease, gasoline or other
substances which can deteriorate the rubber.
WARNING!
Check inflation pressure before use. Failure to have proper
in
flation pressure when using your spare tire can result in serious
personal injury or death. See Tire Inflation Pressure in this
manual.
WARNING!
Mounting a “temporary use” tire on a wheel which is not
sp
ecifically designed for it, or placing another type tire on a wheel
designated for temporary use can be dangerous. Your vehicle’s
handling characteristics can be seriously affected. You could have
an accident resulting in serious personal injury or death. Consult
your vehicle owner’s manual for proper application of your
“temporary use” spare tire.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
71
RFT TIRES WITH RUN-FLAT TECHNOLOGY
If your vehicle is equipped with
Bridgestone® or Firestone® brand
RF
T tires, this chapter presents
specific maintenance and safety issues
associated with these tires that are in addition to those covered
elsewhere in this manual.
What is RFT? Run-Flat Technology tires are extraordinary tires that
ut
ilize specially designed components to temporarily support your
vehicle in the event of inflation pressure loss, such as from a
puncture. This gives you the ability to drive to a convenient and safe
location to change your tire (if equipped with a spare) or have it
inspected for possible repair or replacement.
Naturally, certain run-flat and low pressure operating limitations
ap
ply, which varies according to the specific self-supporting tire
design. Like all tires, during normal operation, they must be properly
inflated and maintained. Regardless of the design or quality, no tire is
indestructible.
RFT — How to Identify: B
ridgestone® and Firestone® brand tires are
marked on the sidewalls, near the wheel, with the RFT logo (shown
above).
RFT INFLATION PRESSURE
Like other tires, RFT tires need proper inflation pressure maintenance
fo
r safe operation and to achieve the maximum tire life and
performance. Check inflation pressures monthly and before long trips
or carrying extra weight. Use an accurate tire gauge and check
pressures when the tires are cold. Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendation for inflation pressure settings as indicated on the
vehicle tire information placard and/or in the vehicle Owner’s
Manual. Do not forget the spare, if applicable. See “Tire Inflation
Pressure” in this manual.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)
A functioning Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) must be used
wi
th your Run Flat tires. These tires ride so well even without inflation
pressure, the TPMS may be necessary to alert you of an inflation
pressure loss condition. When alerted, follow the instructions in your
vehicle Owner’s Manual and see “Run-Flat or Low Tire Pressure
Operation,” the following section in this manual.
FALKEN TIRE CORPORATION
97
ROTATION AND WEAR
Falken recommends rotating your tires at least every 8,000 km
(5,000 miles) and periodically inspecting your tires to make sure they
ar
e free of road hazards (such as nails, screws, large wood splinters,
etc.) that might penetrate your tires causing them to lose air pressure
and to ensure they are wearing evenly. Common irregular wear
patterns are: misalignment wear, where the tire shows excessive outer
or inner tread wear. Tire sidewalls should also be inspected for cuts,
snags, bruises, and weather cracking. If any of these noted conditions
are present during inspection, we recommend returning to your
servicing tire dealer to be corrected to ensure long tire life. ***Never
include a temporary spare tire in your rotation pattern***
TIRE REPLACEMENT
Falken recommends replacing your tires when the tread wears down
t o
the wear bars at 1.6 mm (2/32 of an inch), which are located across
th
e tread in several locations around the tire. If only two tires are being
replaced, the two new tires should always be installed on the rear of
the vehicle to aid in preventing your vehicle from hydroplaning, even
if your car is front wheel drive. It is always recommended to have your
new tires balanced during installation, and alignment checked if the
previous tires show and irregular wear. Tires that have been in use for
five years or more should continue to be inspected by a qualified tire
specialist, at least annually. It is recommended that any tires 10 years
old or older 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 worn out limit
at 1.6 mm (2/32 of an inch).