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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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72
The vehicle or TPMS manufacturer may advise checking the TPMS
regularly to confirm it is in working order. In addition, a new pressure
sensor, certain components, or reprogramming may be necessary
when a tire is serviced. Consult your vehicle Owner’s Manual, vehicle
manufacturer, or a Bridgestone® Firestone® Run-Flat Certified
Retailer for questions regarding TPMS operation and service.
RUN-FLAT OR LOW TIRE PRESSURE OPERATION
General Instructions
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) required in your vehicle
m a
y have different methods of alerting you when your tire has lost
inflation pressure. The international standard for the definition of
run-flat operation is pressure at or below 10 psi (70 kPa); however,
some vehicle manufacturers may have established a different pressure
limit. Consult your vehicle Owner’s Manual for the details of your
TPMS. Once the TPMS has indicated that a tire has reduced inflation
pressure, the run-flat mode of operation has commenced. During this
phase of operation, please follow these instructions:
• Reduce speed as much as safely and reasonably possible; do not
e
xceed 50 mph (80 km/h).The greater the speed, the less distance
t
he tire can travel.
• Avoid abrupt or aggressive acceleration, braking, or cornering
m
aneuvers as much as safely and reasonably possible. Pot holes
and other road hazards should be avoided. Careful driving limits
potential damage to the tire, wheel, and vehicle.
• Proceed to a safe and convenient location for tire service as soon
a
s possible. Take note of your mileage; your operation distance is
limited. See "Distance — How Far You Can Drive,” the next section
in this manual.
WARNING!
Serious personal injury or death may result from a tire failure or
ac
cident due to improper run-flat or low tire pressure operation.
Read and follow the instructions below, and the other
maintenance and safety recommendations elsewhere 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.
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80
LIMITED WARRANTY
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT
PASSENGER AND LIGHT TRUCK TIRES
Including Tires with Run-Flat Technology
ELIGIBILITY
This Limited Warranty covers Bridgestone® and Firestone® brand
p a
ssenger and light truck tires, including RFT and temporary spare
tires, originally installed by the vehicle manufacturer on a new
vehicle. You are covered under the terms of this Limited Warranty if
the tire was produced after July 4, 2004 (DOT serial 2704 or later) and
has been used only on the vehicle on which it was originally installed
in non-commercial service.
WHAT IS WARRANTED AND FOR HOW LONG
Before wearing down to 2/32 inch (1.6 mm) remaining original tread
de
pth (i.e. worn down to the top of the built-in indicators in the tread
grooves) and within 6 years from the date of purchase (proof of purchase
date required; without proof of purchase date, then within 6 years from
the date of tire manufacture), for any reason other than those excluded in
the section entitled “What This Limited Warranty Does Not Cover,” any
eligible tire that becomes unusable for any reason within the
manufacturer’s control will be replaced with an equivalent new tire on the
basis set forth in this Limited Warranty.
WHAT THIS LIMITED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER
This Limited Warranty does not cover the following:
1. Tire damage or irregular wear due to:
•Road hazards,
including, without limitation: Puncture, cut,
impact break, stone drill, bruise, bulge, snag, etc.
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81
•Improper use or operation, including, without limitation:
Improper inflation pressure, overloading, tire/wheel spinning,
use of an improper wheel, tire chain damage, misuse, misappli -
cation, negligence, tire alteration, or for racing or competition
pu
rposes.
• Insufficient or improper maintenance,
including, without
limitation: Failure to rotate tires as recommended in this manual,
wheel misalignment, worn suspension components, improper
tire mounting or demounting, tire/wheel assembly imbalance,
or other vehicle conditions, defects, or characteristics.
• Contamination or degradation
by petroleum products or other
chemicals, fire or other externally generated heat, or water or
other material trapped inside the tire during mounting or infla -
tion.
• Improper repair.
Improper repair voids this Limited Warranty
• For RFT tires only, improper run-flat or low tire pressure oper -
a
tion, including, without limitation: Exceeding speed, distance,
o
r other run-flat/lowpressure operation limitations.
2. Rapid tread wear or wear-out. Original equipment tires have no
m
ileage warranty.
3. Weather/ozone cracking after 4 years from date of tire manufac -
t
ure.
4. Ride disturbance or vibration after 1/32 inch (0.8mm) of tread
we
ar use.
5. Tires with sealant, balance, or other filler material that was not
o
riginally applied or inserted by the tire manufacturer.
6. Tires used in commercial service.
7
. Tires purchased and normally used outside the United States and
C
anada.
8. The cost of applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
9
. Failure to follow any of the safety and maintenance recommenda -
t
ions or warnings contained in this manual.
This Limited Warranty is in addition to and/or may be limited by any
ot
her applicable written warranty you may have received concerning
special tires or situations.
CONTINENTAL TIRE
91
damage and/or serious injury or death. Never exceed 35 mph
(5
5km/h) as indicated on your speedometer when your vehicle
is stuck in snow, mud, or sand and your tire(s) is/are spinning.
Use a gentle backward and forward rocking motion to free your
vehicle for continued driving. Never stand or permit anyone else
to stand near or behind a tire spinning while attempting to push
a vehicle that is stuck.
SELF SUPPORTING RUNFLAT (SSR) TIRE OWNERS
Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (CTA) does not recommend any
re
pair to or reuse of punctured Continental SSR tires.
Even a trained tire specialist may be unable to recognize internal
st
ructural damage to a Self Supporting Run-flat (SSR) tire resulting
from having been driven in an under inflated or zero inflation
pressure condition. Such damage may not be visible on the surface of
the inner liner or sidewall making it impossible to determine the tire
suitability for repair or reuse. CTA does not recommend any repair to
or reuse of Continental SSR tires. You may visit
www.continentaltire.com
or
www.continentaltire.ca
and select
Customer Care FAQs to obtain additional SSR information.
TEMPORARY SPARE TIRE OWNERS
CTA does not recommend any repair to or reuse of punctured
T e
mporary Spare Tires.
CONTISEAL™ TIRE OWNERS A ContiSeal™ tire differs from a
non-ContiSeal™ tire in that it has
a
sticky, viscous layer from
shoulder to shoulder along the
inner liner. This layer is an integral part of the ContiSeal™ tires. It is
not designed or intended to act as a permanent puncture repair (See
information below). If an object up to 3/16ths (5 mm) diameter
pe
netrates the tread of the ContiSeal™ tire, this sticky, viscous layer is
designed to surround and adhere to the puncturing object and prevent
air loss from the tire by providing a near instantaneous seal. If the
puncturing object becomes dislodged from the tire, the material is
designed to seal most holes made by objects up to 3/16” (5 mm)
di
ameter. While ContiSeal™ tires significanty reduce the incidence of
flats they are not designed to be driven under inflated or in a flat
condition. In all other aspects, ContiSeal™ tires perform exactly like