BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
56
TIPS FOR SAFE LOADING
• Always keep the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended inflation
p
ressure in all your tires, including the spare. Check their pressure
monthly and before long trips or carrying extra weight.
• Never exceed the maximum load rating stamped on the sidewall of
y
our tire.
• Never exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or front/ r
ear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) of your vehicle.
• Consult your vehicle Owner’s Manual for load recommendations
a
nd special instructions such as for trailer/towing and snow plow
installations.
TIRE DAMAGE, INSPECTION AND SERVICE LIFE
Evaluation and maintenance of your tires is important to their
pe
rformance and the service they provide to you. Over time and/or
through use, the condition of a tire can change from exposure to
everyday road conditions, the environment, damaging events such as
punctures, and other external factors.
WARNING!
Driving your vehicle in an overloaded condition is dangerous.
Ov
erloading causes excessive tire heat build-up and internal
structural damage. This can cause a tire failure, even at a later
date, which could lead to serious personal injury or death.
Consult the vehicle tire information placard, certification label,
and owner’s manual for the recommended vehicle load limits and
loading recommendations.
WARNING!
Driving on damaged tires is dangerous. A damaged tire can
su
ddenly fail causing serious personal injury or death. Have your
tires regularly inspected by a qualified tire service professional.
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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.
FALKEN TIRE CORPORATION
95
TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE
Tires need to be properly inflated to effectively operate and perform
as
intended. Tires carry the weight of the vehicle, passengers, and
cargo as well as bear the forces of braking, accelerating, and turning.
The vehicle manufacturer sets the inflation pressures for the original
equipment tires that are on your vehicle.
Driving with improperly inflated tires is dangerous. An under
in
flated tire will generate excessive heat build-up that will cause
damage to the internal structure and inner liner of the tire. Besides tire
damage, improper tire inflation pressures can also affect your
vehicle’s ride and handling, tire tread wear, and fuel economy. It is
recommended to always keep all of your tires, including the spare, at
the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressures and be
sure to check the air pressure monthly and before going on long road
trips or carrying extra weight in your vehicle.
Your vehicle’s tire placard and/or Owner’s Manual will list the cold
in
flation pressure(s) for your vehicle’s original equipment tires,
including the spare. The placard can be found on the driver side door
or door jamb area. If you have questions about understanding your
vehicle’s tire placard, please refer to your Owner’s Manual or ask a
qualified tire service professional.
Example of what your tire placard looks like:
GOODYEAR® DUNLOP® TIRES
128
THE CONVENIENCE (TEMPORARY) SPARE
The Convenience (Temporary) Spare is designed, built and tested to
th
e high engineering standards set by North America’s leading car
manufacturers and to Goodyear’s own high standards of quality
control. It is designed to take up a minimum of storage space and, at
the same time, fulfill the function of a spare tire when needed. The
spare is kept in its storage space, fully inflated at 60 psi. To be sure it
is always ready for use, the air pressure should be checked on a
regular basis.
The Convenience (Temporary) Spare can be used in combination with
th
e original tires on your vehicle. You can expect a tire tread life of up
to 3,000 miles (4,800 kilometers), depending on road conditions and
yo
ur driving habits. To conserve tire tread life, return the spare to the
storage area as soon as it is convenient to have the standard tire
repaired or replaced.
The Convenience (Temporary) Spare weighs less than a standard tire
so
it’s easier to handle. It also helps reduce the total car weight, which
contributes to fuel economy. The wheels used with the Convenience
(Temporary) Spare are specifically designed for use with high
pressure spares and should never be used with any other type tire.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MOUNT YOUR OWN TIRES
Serious injury or death may result from explosion of tire/rim
as
sembly due to improper mounting procedures. Follow tire
manufacturer’s instructions and match tire diameter to rim diameter.
Mount light truck radials on rims approved for radial service. Do not
apply bead sealer. This can inhibit bead seating. Lubricate beads and
tire rim (including tube or flap) contact surfaces. Lock assembly on
mounting machine or place in safety cage. STAND BACK and never
exceed 40 psi to seat beads. Never use a volatile substance or a rubber
“donut” (also known as a bead expander or “O-Ring”) to aid bead
seating. Only specially trained persons should mount tires.
DO NOT MIX TIRES OF DIFFERENT SIZES AND TYPES ON THE
SA
ME AXLE
For optimum handling and control, Goodyear® recommends fitment
of
four tires of the same type and size unless otherwise specified by the
vehicle manufacturer.
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172
DO NOT OVERLOAD - DRIVING ON ANY OVERLOADED TIRE IS
DANGEROUS
The maximum load rating of your tires is molded on the tire sidewall.
Do
not exceed this rating. Follow the loading instructions of FCA US
LLC for your vehicle and this will ensure that your tires are not
overloaded. Tires which are loaded beyond their maximum allowable
loads for the particular application will build up excessive heat that
may result in sudden tire destruction.
Do not exceed the gross axle weight rating for any axle on your
ve
hicle.
TRAILER TOWING
If you anticipate towing a trailer, you should visit any Michelin® tire
re
tailer for advice concerning the correct size tire and pressures. Tire
size and pressures will depend upon 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 decal and the
owner’s manual supplied by FCA US LLC for your vehicle for further
recommendations on trailer towing.
MICHELIN® PAX® System Tires/Self-Supporting Zero Pressure
(Z
P) Tires and Trailer Towing
Operation of Pax® or ZP tires at low or zero air pressure with a trailer
in
tow, is dangerous and is not recommended. If the low pressure
warning indicator is activated when a trailer is in tow, stop, disconnect
the trailer, and do not continue to tow the trailer until the tire has been
repaired and re-inflated to the proper air pressure. If the tire cannot be
repaired, it must be replaced with a new full size, PAX®/ZP tire, and
inflated to the proper air pressure, before the trailer can be safely
towed again.
WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND BALANCING ARE IMPORTANT
FO
R SAFETY AND MAXIMUM MILEAGE FROM YOUR TIRES.
CHECK HOW YOUR TIRES ARE WEARING AT LEAST ONCE
EA
CH MONTH
If your tires are wearing unevenly, such as the inside shoulder of the
ti
re wearing faster than the rest of the tread, or if you detect excessive
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
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174
When rotating tires with a directional tread pattern, observe the
arrows molded on the sidewall which show the direction the tire
should turn. Care must be taken to maintain the proper turning
direction.
Some Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) may not recognize
th
at 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 vehicle owner’s manual or your vehicle dealer.
Determine whether rotated tires require tire inflation adjustment as
fr
ont 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 different sized tires mounted on the
front and rear axles, and these different sized 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
co
nstruction should be used in a five tire rotation. Always check the
inflation pressure of the full-size spare immediately before
incorporating it into rotation. Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s
recommended pattern for rotation, or if not available, see a qualified
tire technician.
Replacement of Two Tires
It is recommended that all four tires are replaced at the same time.
Ho
wever, when only two tires are replaced, the new tires should be
put on the rear. The new tires, with deeper tread, may provide better
grip and water evacuation in wet driving conditions.
CUSTOMIZATION OF TIRES, WHEELS, OR SUSPENSION ON
SU
VS AND LIGHT TRUCKS
Due to their size, weight and higher center of gravity, vehicles such as
SU
Vs and light trucks do not have the same handling characteristics
as automobiles. Because of these differing characteristics, failure to
operate your SUV/truck in a proper and safe manner can increase the
likelihood of vehicle rollover. Modifications to your SUV/truck tire
size, tire type, wheels or suspension can change its handling
characteristics and further increase the likelihood of vehicle rollover.
Whether your SUV/truck has the original equipment configuration
for tires, wheels and suspension or whether any of these items have
MICHELIN®
176
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
he
at 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.
FOLLOW THESE MOUNTING RECOMMENDATIONS
Tire changing can be dangerous and must be done by professionally
tr
ained persons using proper tools and procedures as specified by
the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA). PAX® System tires
must be mounted and dismounted only by specially trained,
authorized PAX System retailers, utilizing PAX® System
authorized equipment.
Your tires should be mounted on wheels of correct size and type and
wh
ich 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.
Have your 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.
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. As with any other tire air valve, the
PAX® System valve stem-pressure sensor combination must be in
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219
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.
Under inflation can overload tires. Check the inflation pressure every
mo
nth, including for the spare tire, to make sure it is up to
specification. Check it again before long trips or when carrying extra
weight.
Look for FCA US LLC’s recommended inflation pressure listed on the
Ti
re Information Placard usually located on your vehicle’s door edge,
door post, glove box, or inside the trunk lid.