FALKEN TIRE CORPORATION
94
FALKEN TIRE CORPORATION
FALKEN
MADE BY SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES
Congratulations!
Your new vehicle is fitted with high performance and high quality
Fa
lken tires.
In order to guarantee that you receive the best performance and
qu
ality from your new Falken tires, we recommend that you read and
follow all of the maintenance and safety tips provided in this
document. We also suggest that you have your Falken tires
periodically inspected and maintained by a qualified tire service
professional.
A) TIRE CARE AND RECOMMENDATIONS
PROPER INFLATION AND FUEL ECONOMY
Ensure maximum performance and a long life from your tires by
ch
ecking the air pressures at least once a month and set them to the
vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure(s) listed on the
vehicle’s tire placard or in your Owner’s Manual. Always check and
adjust your air pressure when your tires are cold, preferably first thing
in the morning before driving. Never release air pressure from tires
when they are hot. Wait until the tires cool down and recheck, adding
air or releasing as required. Falken endorses the use of nitrogen in
your tires because it helps your tires maintain optimal pressure for
longer periods of time and reduces the amount of moisture inside of
the tire and wheel assembly.
*Some plus size applications may require different air pressure(s)
t h
an what is listed on your vehicle’s placard or Owner’s Manual. In
this case, please consult your tire dealer or Falken Tire for proper
inflation pressure(s).
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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:
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CHECKING YOUR TIRE’S AIR PRESSURE
Checking your air pressure at least once a month is vital to help your
ti
res perform properly and help you get the best gas mileage possible.
Tires can lose up to 7 kPa (1 psi) per month under normal conditions
and lose up to 7 kPa (1 PSI) per every 9°C (16°F) drop in temperature.
Here are some simple steps on how to check the air pressures in your
tires:
1. Remove the valve stem cap.
2
. Place the end of the tire gauge firmly against the tire’s valve stem.
3
. Read the current pressure displayed on the gauge that is currently
i
n the tire.
4. Increase pressure at this time (if needed) and recheck with your tire
g
auge.
5. Replace the valve stem cap.
6
. Repeat until all of your tires have been checked and adjusted
a
ccordingly.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) A Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is a safety
system found in most vehicles manufactured after 2005.
Th
ere are pressure sensing transmitters mounted inside of
each tire that sends readings to the central computer in your
vehicle. The TPMS system will alert you when one or more
of your tires are underinflated by 25% or more by turning on
a warning light on your vehicle’s dashboard or Heads Up Display
(HUD) screen. This means that one or more of your tires may have a
low-pressure condition. Follow the instructions in your Owner’s
Manual.
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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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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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3. OWNER’S OBLIGATIONS
At least monthly, the vehicle owner(s) should check the tires’ air
pr
essure with a gauge and inflate to the recommended cold air
pressure level listed on the driver door placard. Do not rely on car
servicers to perform the checks. The tires should be rotated at least
every 8,000km (5,000 miles) or earlier if uneven wear is occurring,
an
d proof of maintenance records should be kept. The owner(s)
should have the tires rebalanced if vibration is experienced, and the
vehicle’s alignment should be checked if uneven or rapid wear is
occurring, or when suggested by the vehicle’s manufacturer.
All warranty claims must be presented to an authorized Falken
de
aler or participating car dealership. The owner(s) must present
any supporting maintenance records and documentation neces -
sary to help determine if the tire(s) in question are deemed covered
by
the limited warranty or not.
4. LEGAL RIGHTS A
ll implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability
an
d fitness for a particular purpose shall be limited in duration to
the above period. To the extent permitted by law, Falken Tire Cor -
poration shall not be responsible for incidental or consequential
da
mages, such as loss of use of the tire or the vehicle on which it is
used, inconvenience, or commercial loss, some states do not allow
limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, or the exclusion
or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above
limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives
you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights, which
vary from state to state. This is the only express warranty applica -
ble to Falken brand tires and supersedes the terms of any previous
wa
rranty. Falken neither assumes nor authorizes anyone to make
or assume for it any other warranty.
C) UNDERSTANDING YOUR TIRES
TIRE SPEED SYMBOLS
Tires that are speed-rated are identified by the following letter
sy
mbols: Q, S, T, U, H, V, W, Y, (Y), or (ZR). The Speed Rating’s
Symbol can be found as a part of the tire size designation (ex: 215/
65HR16) or after the load index immediately following the tire size
designation (ex: 215/65R16 97H). The Speed Rating’s Symbol
indicates the maximum speed that a tire can handle when properly
inflated and loaded.
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MAX LOAD AND INFLATION
The maximum load and inflation pressure are marked on the tire
si
dewall in english and metric units.
PLY COMPOSITION AND MATERIALS
The number of plies and their generic composition of cord materials in
th
e sidewall and tread areas can be found on at least one sidewall of a
tire.
RADIAL MARKING
A radial ply tire will have the word “radial” marked on at least one
si
dewall. An “R” found in the tire size marking also refers to the tire
being a radial ply tire.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING SYSTEM (UTQG)
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards (UTQG) were created to
he
lp you make an informed decision when purchasing passenger car
tires by providing relative information about a tire’s treadwear,
traction, and temperature characteristics. Here is a breakdown of the
different categories that the UTQG grades:
TREAD WEAR
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate
of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and a half (1½) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
TRACTION
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA
, A, B and C. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on specific government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
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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.