FALKEN TIRE CORPORATION
98
TIRE REPAIRS
In the event that you get a flat tire while driving, it is best to find a
ne
arby, safe place to stop and install your spare tire or call a tow truck.
The less distance that you drive on your low or flat tire, the better
chances your tire has of being repairable. Once you are able to get to
your local servicing tire dealer, have them dismount the tire from the
rim and thoroughly inspect the inside of the tire. It is important to
know the difference between a proper tire repair and an improper one
because it can be critical to you and your vehicle’s safety. An improper
repair could pose a safety threat to you and your family and could also
affect your tire’s manufacturer warranty. Here are some tips in
determining if your damaged tire can be properly repaired or not:
• A lways have the tire removed from the wheel and inspected before
a
ny repair is performed.
• Tires with less than 1.6
mm (2/32 of an inch) of tread should NOT
be
repaired.
• Never repair a tire with a puncture larger than 6
mm (1/4 of an
in
ch).
• Repairs should be limited to the tread area only.
•
Repairs cannot overlap one another.
•
A plug and patch or plug/patch combo should be used to effectively
r
epair a tire puncture.
• If anything seems questionable at any time during the repair
p
rocess, ask your service advisor for more details and/or call the
tire manufacturer to make sure the tire’s warranty is not being
voided.
TIRE MIX USAGE
WARNING!
Never mix tires of different size or construction and/or type on
an
y axle. (Except for temporary use as a spare tire.) Always refer to
the vehicle’s owner manual for proper tire fitments.
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99
TIRE SPEED RATINGS
Falken recommends replacing your tire(s) with the same speed rating
as
the original tires equipped on your vehicle.
It is okay to use a lower speed rated tire when using Winter tires.
Ho
wever, speeds should be reduced to match the tires new
“maximum” speed capability.
Any tire that is repaired, damaged, abused, altered from its original
st
ate or retreaded voids the speed rating on that particular tire and
should be considered a non-speed rated tire.
HIGH PERFORMANCE, LOW ASPECT RATIO TIRES
Various new vehicles come equipped with high performance and/or
lo
w aspect ratio tires from the factory. These tires generally provide
increased vehicle handling characteristics, but may also have
engineering performance trade-offs related with their designs. Low
aspect ratio tires have reduced sidewall heights and may be more
vulnerable to damage from road hazards, potholes, and other objects,
like curbs. Your vehicle’s wheels are susceptible to these same dangers
as well. Some vehicles may be originally equipped with high
performance tires that are designed for warmer weather use reducing
traction in colder, winter weather conditions. High performance tires
also pose the possibility of wearing more quickly, giving a stiffer ride,
and producing louder noise than standard all-season tires during
operation. Refer to your vehicle Owner’s Manual, tire information
placard, or qualified tire service professional for more information
about these kinds of tires.
WINTER TIRES
Falken recommends all four tires be replaced when replacing your
o r
iginal equipment tires and installing winter tires for the winter months.
WARNING!
Falken does not recommend the use of mixing different speed
ra
tings on a vehicle. This can cause poor handling and
unpredictable steering.
WARNING!
Never use just two winter tires. It could lead to adverse handling,
lo
ss of control, which could cause serious injury or death.
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100
STORING YOUR TIRES
When storing your tires for any extended period of time, be sure to
th
oroughly clean your tires with a tire brush, soap, and water to
remove any dirt, salt, and brake dust from the tires. If you are storing
your tires still mounted on the wheels, use a wheel brush and
approved wheel cleaner to clean your wheels. Then dry the wheels
and tires with a towel and allow them to fully dry. DO NOT apply any
tire dressings while storing your tires. Tire compounds are made to
resist weather cracking and ozone damage. Place each clean and dry
tire in an airtight plastic bag and seal the bag with tape to help reduce
oil evaporation. Store your tires out of direct sunlight and somewhere
that is well shielded from the elements, like a climate-controlled room
or dry basement. Storing the tires in a garage or shed usually exposes
the tires to a wide range of temperatures as well as precipitation and
humidity. Keep the tires away from sources that emit ozone like
electric motors that use contact brushes, furnaces, sump pumps, etc.
Although tires will still age regardless of how they are stored, these
precautions will help slow the aging process and reduce the damage
to your tires.
SPEED LIMITS
TIRE SPINNING
WARNING!
Operating your vehicle in excess of the posted speed limit or the
ma
ximum speed allotted by driving conditions has the potential
to be dangerous. Higher driving speeds create excessive heat
buildup in a tire, leading to a possible tire failure.
WARNING!
Spinning a tire to get a stuck vehicle out of mud, ice, snow, sand,
or
wet grass can be potentially dangerous. A spinning tire at a
speedometer reading above 55 km/h (35 mph) can be capable of
di
sintegrating a tire with explosive force. In some circumstances,
a tire may be spinning at twice the speed displayed on the
speedometer. This can cause serious injury or death to you, a
passenger, or bystander. Never spin a tire above 55 km/h
(3
5 mph).
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102
2. WHAT IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY
• Tires that becomes unserviceable due to road hazard damages
(
cuts, snags, punctures, bruises, impact breaks, etc.) improper
repair technique or materials, improper inflation, overload,
irregular wear, wheel imbalance, defective mechanical vehicle
components (brakes, suspension, wheels, etc.) improper suspen -
sion alignment, accident, fire, chemical damage, damage from
ch
ain use, racing, off-road use, run flat, improper installation,
vandalism, or abuse.
• Tires branded “NA” or a tire in which the DOT numbering has
b
een removed.
• Tires presented for a warranty claim by someone other than by
t
he original purchaser, or tires that were transferred to another
vehicle from the vehicle in which the tires were originally
installed.
• Tires having a failure or failures caused by a previous damages
o
r repairs.
• The cost of tire repair or retreading is not covered by this
w
arranty and will be the sole responsibility of the tire owner.
Possible NON Covered Reasons/Conditions due to:
Chipping/Chunking/Tearing Puncture
Corrosion/Wreck Racing or any Competition
Fire Repair Failure
Impact Break or Concussions Road Hazards
Improper Inflation Pressure Sidewall Cut or Damage
Improper Mounting/Dismount Theft or Vandalism
Mechanical Defects of the Vehicle Tread Cuts
Misalignment Wheel Imbalance
Misapplication Willful Abuse
Overloading
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107
TEMPERATURE
The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B, and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions or on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce in tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds
to a level of performance which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The traction grades assigned to this tire is based on straight ahead
br
aking traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
WARNING!
The temperature grade for each tie is established for a tire that is
pr
operly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
under-inflation, or excessive loading either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
GENERAL TIRE
115
• Repairs: If a tire is returned under complaint and the reason for the
tire’s disablement is in any way associated with a repair, or with the
situation that led to the repair, the manufacturer’s warranty is inval -
idated.
• Mileage: T
read wear out up to a predetermined mileage is not
covered under this policy.
• Improper operation or maintenance: T
his includes, but is not
limited to, effects caused by:
• Improper tire inflation and/or improper load/speed practices: T
hese practices can cause excessive operational temperatures
and stresses that exceed the tire’s capabilities.
• Improper or insufficient tire rotation
•
Improper vehicle alignment
•
Damage due to:
–
Rim irregularities or rim damage
–
Snow chains
–
Vehicle mechanical problems, including brake problems, and
v
ehicle wheel alignment
– Extreme temperature exposure
–
Negligent and abusive driving such as tire spinning, or racing
–
Improper tire storage
–
Automotive accident
–
Chemical corrosion or fire
–
Use contrary to the vehicle manufacturer’s tire recommenda -
t
ions
– Misuse or misapplication
•
Improper Mounting or Demounting
•
Alteration: s
uch as, but not limited to, adding a white inlay on black
wall, tread regrooving, tire truing or siping, or adding sealant mate -
rials to the tire.
• Weather checking/cracking: N
ot covered after 48 months from the
da
te of purchase.
• Failure to observe safety and maintenance precautions set forth in
t
he Safety Warning Section.
GOODYEAR® DUNLOP® TIRES
122
replacement, the difference in price will be at an additional charge to
you. Any replacement tire provided pursuant to this warranty will be
covered by the warranty in effect at the time of replacement.
ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
A tire has delivered its full original tread life and the coverage of this
li
mited warranty ends when the tread wear indicators become visible
(worn to 2/32") or six years from the date of new tire purchase,
whichever occurs first. Without proof of purchase the date of
manufacture will be used to determine eligibility.
LIMITATIONS
This limited warranty is applicable only in the United States and
Ca
nada.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED BY THIS WARRANTY?
This limited warranty does not cover the following:
• Tires submitted for ride disturbance complaints that are worn
b
eyond the first 2/32 nds of an inch (2/32") tread depth or tires
submitted for ride disturbance due to damaged wheels or any
vehicle condition.
• Goodyear® does not warrant or give credit in any adjustment trans- a
ction for any kind of material added to a tire (e.g., tire fillers, seal -
ants, balancing substances) after the tire leaves a factory producing
Go
odyear® or Dunlop® tires, nor will it adjust any tire that has
failed as a result of adding such material.
• Irregular wear or damage due to mechanical condition of the
v
ehicle, improper inflation, overloading, high speed spin-up,
misapplication, misuse, negligence, racing, use of tire chains,
improper mounting or demounting, improper repair, wreck, colli -
sion or fire.
• Road hazards (includes, but is not limited to, punctures, cuts, snags,
i
mpact breaks, etc.).
• Any tire that, after leaving a factory producing Goodyear® or
D
unlop® tires, has been intentionally altered to change its appear -
ance (e.g., white inlay on a black tire or regrooved).
• Tires with weather-cracking that were purchased more than four
y
ears prior to presentation for adjustment or, if purchase date
cannot be verified, manufactured more than four years prior to
presentation for adjustment.
GOODYEAR® DUNLOP® TIRES
125
•TIRE SPINNING. On slippery surfaces such as snow, mud, ice, etc.,
do not spin tires in excess of 35 mph (55 km/h), as indicated on the
sp
eedometer.
• EXCESSIVE WHEEL SPINNING.
This can also result in tire disin-
tegration or axle failure.
TIRE CARE AND MAINTENANCE GUIDE
The easiest way to help ensure satisfactory mileage and performance
f r
om your Goodyear® or Dunlop® tires is to give them a simple but
frequent (at least monthly) inspection for proper inflation, even tread
wear and the presence of any damage.
DO MAINTAIN PROPER INFLATION PRESSURE IN YOUR TIRES
Proper inflation pressure is necessary for optimum tire performance,
sa
fety and fuel economy. Check inflation pressures at least once a
month and before long trips. Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
Always check pressures when the tires are cold (when the vehicle has
been driven less than one mile). If you must check inflation when the
tires are hot, add 4 psi (27 kPa) to the recommended cold inflation
pressure. It is difficult to tell just by looking at radial tires whether
they are underinflated.*
WARNING!
Vehicle handling, traction, ride comfort and other performance
pa
rameters may be significantly affected by a change in tire size
or type. Before replacing tires, always consult and follow the
vehicle owner’s manual because some vehicle manufacturers
prohibit changing tire size. When selecting tires that are different
from the original equipment size make certain:
1. The tires have adequate load-carrying capacity based on the
v
ehicle placard,
2. The tires have sufficient inflation pressure to carry the load and
3
. There is proper clearance with no interference points between
t
he tire and vehicle.
The consumer must be aware to always drive safely and obey all
tr
affic laws. Avoid sudden, sharp turns or aggressive lane
changes. Failure to follow any of these warnings may result in
loss of control of the vehicle, leading to an accident and serious
injury or death.