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67
TIRE SPINNING
RADIAL TIRE ROTATION
The purpose of tire rotation is to minimize irregular or uneven wear
c a
used by maintaining a tire in one rotation direction and one position
over an extended period. Rotate tires as recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer or every 5,000 miles. Individual tire pressures must be
ch
ecked after rotation and adjusted to the vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendation for the tire’s new location on the vehicle. Vehicle
alignment should be checked if irregular wear is evident.
For vehicles with a “temporary use” spare tire, follow the vehicle
ma
nufacturer’s recommended pattern for rotation, or, if not provided,
the following may be used:
WARNING!
Spinning a tire to remove a vehicle stuck in mud, ice, snow, or wet
gr
ass can be dangerous. A tire spinning at a speedometer reading
above 35 mph (55 km/h) can in a matter of seconds reach a speed
ca
pable of disintegrating a tire with explosive force. Under some
conditions, a tire may be spinning at a speed twice that shown on
the speedometer. This could cause serious personal injury or
death to a bystander or passenger. Never spin a tire above a
speedometer reading of 35 mph (55 km/h).
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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.
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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.
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70
The spare tire in your vehicle is intended to be used as a spare when
needed. The spare tire carrier is not intended to be used for long term
storage, except for “temporary use” tires. For more information, see
“Your Spare Tire” and “Radial Tire Rotation” in this manual.
TIRE SERVICE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
Normal tire maintenance and Limited Warranty services are available
at
locations across the US and Canada. For more information, visit us
on the internet at
www.bridgestonetire.com
, or please call the
Technical Service Department:
US: 800-356-4644 or Canada: 800-267-1318
A
dditional information on the care and service of automobile and
li
ght truck tires is available from the following organizations:
U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association 1400 K Street, N.W. Washington,
DC
20005-2403
https://www.ustires.org
Rubber Association of Canada 2000 Argentia Road, Plaza 4, Suite 250
Mi
ssissauga, Ontario L5N 1W1
https://www.tracanada.ca
TIRE REGISTRATION
Registration of your tires is an important safety precaution since it
en
ables the manufacturer to notify you in the event of a recall. When
you purchase replacement tires, the retailer will provide a registration
card on which the tire identification numbers have been recorded; fill
in your name and address on the card and mail it promptly. Some
retailers may submit the registration for you. You do not need to
register tires which come as original equipment on new vehicles—the
vehicle and tire manufacturers handle that for you.
WARNING!
Improper storage can damage your tires in ways that may not be
vi
sible and can lead to a failure resulting in serious personal
injury or death.
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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.
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73
•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
p
ossible. 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
h
ot). Allow the tire to cool before handling.
DISTANCE — HOW FAR YOU CAN DRIVE
Factors affecting run-flat or low tire pressure operating distance
in
clude 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
pr
essure operating speed and/or distance limitations, which vary by
tire design and vehicle application (consult your vehicle owner’s
manual). By international standard, RFT tires have a baseline
limitation in run-flat mode of the following:
NOTE:
• Maximum distance values are determined under controlled condi -
tions, which may vary in actual use.
• Your mileage capability may be less, or more, depending on your
s
pecific operating conditions.
• If in doubt, do not exceed the 50
mile (80 km) limitation.
• Seek tire service as soon as possible to minimize tire damage.
Maximum Speed: 50 mph (80 km/h)
Maximum Distance: 50 miles (80 km)
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74
SPECIAL SERVICE AND REPAIR ISSUES
Run-Flat Certified Retailers
Because of the advanced technology and design of Run-Flat tires and
th
e required Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), Bridgestone®
Firestone® Run-Flat Certified Retailers are specially trained to sell and
service RFT tires.
Run-Flat Certified Retailers have the necessary equipment and are
sp
ecially trained to properly mount and demount RFT tires and to
handle TPMS devices. Conventional mounting equipment may
irreparably damage RFT tires and an improper repair is unsafe and
will void the Limited Warranty. Accordingly, it is important to go to
a Bridgestone® Firestone® Run-Flat Certified Retailer for tire
maintenance and replacement.
Call toll-free 1-877-BFS-4RFT or, 87
7-237-4738 or visit
www.bridgestonetire.com
to locate the nearest Bridgestone®
Firestone® Run-Flat Certified Retailer.
Inspection after Run-Flat or Low Pressure Operation
Following run-flat or low tire pressure operation, or in the event of
an
y other tire damage or unusual condition, it is very important to
obtain a proper and complete tire evaluation as soon as possible.
Rotation
Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, or rotate every
5,
000 miles per the recommendations in this manual (see “Radial Tire
Ro
tation”). 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
em
ergency/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.
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75
RFT Tire Damage and Repair
No tire, regardless of its design or quality is indestructible. RFT tires
ca
n 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
in
clude 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
o
r bead areas.
• Abrasion, wrinkling, or separation is present on the tire interior.
•
Any condition or damage is present that disqualifies repair of a
c
onventional tire.
Run-Flat Certified Retailers will fully inspect your tire, inside and out,
to
determine if the tire can be repaired. Tire damage is not always
visible from the outside and the tire must be removed from the wheel
for a complete inspection. For more information, see the section “Tire
Repairs” in this manual.
NOTE:
Some vehicle manufacturers do not recommend using repaired tires.
Co
nsult your vehicle Owner’s Manual or contact the vehicle manufac -
turer before operating a repaired tire on your vehicle.