BFGOODRICH® TIRES
31
TIRE SPINNING
Do not spin wheels in excess of 35 mph (55 km/h) as indicated on the
sp
eedometer. Excessive speed in a free-running, unloaded tire can
cause it to “explode” from centrifugal force. The energy released by
such an explosion is sufficient to cause serious physical injury or
death. Never allow anyone to stand near or behind the spinning tire.
When in mud, sand, snow, ice or other slippery conditions, do not
en
gage in excessive wheel spin. Accelerating the motor excessively,
particularly with automatic transmission vehicles, may cause a drive
tire that has lost traction to spin beyond its speed capability. This is
also true when balancing a drive tire/wheel assembly on the vehicle
using the vehicle engine to spin the tire/wheel assembly.
HIGH SPEED DRIVING CAN BE DANGEROUS
Correct inflation pressure is especially important. H
owever, at high
speeds, even with the correct inflation pressure, a road hazard, for
example is more difficult to avoid and if contact is made, has a greater
chance of causing tire damage than at a lower speed. Moreover,
driving at high speed reduces the reaction time available to avoid
accidents and bring your vehicle to a safe stop.
If you see any damage to a tire or wheel, replace it with the spare at
on
ce and visit a participating BFGoodrich® Tire Retailer.
Exceeding the maximum speeds shown on the following page for each
ty
pe of BFGoodrich® tire will cause the tire to build up excessive heat
which can cause tire damage that could result in sudden tire
destruction and rapid air loss. Failure to control a vehicle when one or
more tires experience a sudden air loss can lead to an accident.
In any case, you should not exceed reasonable speeds as indicated
by
the legal limits and driving conditions.
BFGOODRICH® TIRES
33
REMEMBER...High speed driving can be dangerous and may
damage your tires. AND...When driving at highway speeds, correct
inflation pressure is especially important.
INSPECT YOUR TIRES, DO NOT DRIVE ON A DAMAGED TIRE OR
WH
EEL
HAZARDS
Objects in the road, such as potholes, glass, metal, rocks, wood, debris
an
d the like, can damage a tire and should be safely avoided.
Unavoidable contact with such objects should prompt a thorough tire
inspection.
BFGOODRICH® TIRES
34
Anytime you see any damage to your tires or wheels, replace with the
spare at once and immediately visit any BFGoodrich® tire retailer.
IMPACT DAMAGE
A tire impacted by a road hazard (curb, pothole, debris) may be
da
maged but not have visible signs of damage on its surface. A tire
damaged by an impact may sustain a sudden failure a day, week, or
even months later. You may not recall hitting an object that damaged
or injured your tires. Air loss, unusual tire wear, localized wear or
vibrations can also be signs of internal tire damage.
If you suspect any damage to your tire or wheel from an impact with
a
curb, pothole, debris on the road or any other road hazard, or if you
feel or hear any unusual vibration, replace with a properly inflated
spare at once and immediately visit any qualified tire technician.
INSPECTION
When inspecting your tires, including the spare, check the air
pr
essures. If the pressure check indicates that one of your tires has lost
pressure of two pounds or more, look for signs of penetration, valve
leakage or wheel damage that may account for the air loss.
Always look for bulges, cracks, cuts, penetrations and abnormal tire
we
ar, particularly on the edges of the tire tread, which may be
caused by misalignment or underinflation. If any such damage is
found, the tire must be inspected by your BFGoodrich® tire retailer
at once. Use of a damaged tire could result in tire failure and an
accident.
All tires will wear out faster when subjected to high speeds as well as
ha
rd cornering, rapid starts, sudden stops, frequent driving on roads
which are in poor condition, and off road use. Roads with holes and
rocks or other objects can damage tires and cause misalignment of
your vehicle. When driving on such roads, drive carefully and slowly,
and before driving again at normal or highway speeds, examine your
tires for any damage, such as cuts, bulges, penetrations, unusual wear
patterns, etc.
WEAR BARS
BFGoodrich® tires contain “Wear-Bars” in the grooves of the tire tread
wh
ich show up when only 2/32 nds of an inch (1.6 mm) of tread is
re
maining. At this stage, your tires must be replaced. Tires worn
beyond this stage are extremely dangerous.
BFGOODRICH® TIRES
35
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 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 (GAWR) for any axle on
yo
ur vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
If you anticipate towing a trailer, you should visit any BFGoodrich®
ti
re retailer 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 further
recommendations on trailer towing.
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
alignment and balance checked immediately. Tires which have been
run underinflated will show more wear on the shoulders than in the
center of the tread.
TIRE MIXING
BFGoodrich® tires are radial tires and for best performance it is
r e
commended that the same size and type of tire be used on all four
wheel positions. Before mixing tires of different types in any
configuration on any vehicle, be sure to check the vehicle
manufacturer’s Owner‘s Manual for its recommendations.
BFGOODRICH® TIRES
36
It is especially important to check the vehicle manufacturer’s Owner’s
Manual when mixing, matching or replacing tires on 4 Wheel Drive
(4WD) vehicles, as this may require special precautions.
BFGOODRICH® DOES NOT RECOMMEND MIXING SELF
SU
PPORTING STRUCTURE (SSS) TIRES WITH NON-SSS TIRES
OTHER THAN THE TEMPORARY USE OF THE SPARE TIRE.
WINTER DRIVING
Tires which meet the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA)
de
finition of snow tires are marked M/S, M&S. On such tires, this
designation is molded into the sidewall. Tires without this notation
are not recommended for winter driving.
While All-Season tires are designed to provide reliable
performance in some winter conditions, the use of four
wi
nter tires is recommended for optimum perfor -
mance. Tires designated for use in severe winter condi -
tions are marked on at least one sidewall with the letter
“M
” and “S” plus a pictograph of a mountain with a snowflake on it.
TIRE ROTATION AND REPLACEMENT
To obtain maximum tire wear, it may be necessary to rotate your tires.
Re
fer to your vehicle Owner’s Manual for instructions on tire rotation.
If you do not have an Owner‘s Manual for your vehicle, BFGoodrich®
recommends rotating your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles (10,000 to
12
,000 km).
Monthly inspection for tire wear is recommended. Your tires should
be
rotated at the first sign of irregular wear, even if it occurs before
6,000 miles (10,000 km). This is true for all vehicles.
When rotating tires with a directional tread pattern, observe the
ar
rows 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
BFGOODRICH® TIRES
37
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, whenever only two tires are replaced, the new ones 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
been modified, always drive safely, avoid sudden, sharp turns or lane
changes and obey all traffic laws. Failure to do so may result in loss of
vehicle control leading to an accident and serious injury or death.
TIRE ALTERATIONS
Do not make or allow to be made any alterations on your tires.
Al
terations may prevent proper performance, leading to tire damage
which can result in an accident. Tires which become unserviceable due
to alterations such as trueing, whitewall inlays, addition of balancing
or sealant liquids, or the use of tire dressing containing petroleum
distillates are excluded from warranty coverage.
BFGOODRICH® TIRES
40
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.
It is recommended that you have your tires and wheels balanced. Tires
an
d wheels which are not balanced may cause steering difficulties, a
bumpy ride, and irregular tire wear.
Be sure that all your valves have suitable valve caps. The valve cap
is
the primary seal against air loss.
SERVICE LIFE FOR PASSENGER CAR AND LIGHT TRUCK TIRES
IN
CLUDING SPARE TIRES
The following recommendation applies to passenger car and light
tr
uck tires. Tires are composed of various types of material and rubber
compounds, having performance properties essential to the proper
functioning of the tire itself. These component properties evolve over
time. For each tire, this evolution depends upon many factors such as
weather, storage conditions, and conditions of use including load,
speed, inflation pressure, maintenance etc. to which the tire is
subjected throughout its life. This service-related evolution varies
widely so that accurately predicting the serviceable life of any specific
tire in advance is not possible.
In addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance
by
consumers, it is recommended to have passenger car and light
truck tires, including spare tires, inspected regularly by a qualified tire
specialist, such as a tire dealer, who will assess the tire’s suitability for
continued service. Tires which have been in use for five years or more
should continue to be inspected by a specialist at least annually.
Consumers are strongly encouraged to be aware not only of their tires’
vi
sual condition and inflation pressure but also of any change in
dynamic performance such as increased air loss, noise or vibration,
which could be an indication that the tires need to be removed from
service to prevent tire failure.
BFGOODRICH® TIRES
41
It is impossible to predict when tires should be replaced based on their
calendar age alone. However the older a tire the greater the chance
that it will need to be replaced due to the service-related evolution or
other conditions found upon inspection or detected during use.
While most tires will need replacement before they achieve 10 years,
it
is recommended that any tires in service 10 years or more from the
date of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires
as a simple precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even
if they have not reached the legal wear limit.
For tires that were on an original equipment vehicle i.e., acquired by
th
e consumer on a new vehicle, follow the vehicle manufacturer’s
tire replacement recommendations, when specified (but not to
exceed 10 years).
The date when a tire was manufactured is located on the sidewall of
ea
ch tire. Consumers should locate the Department of Transportation
(DOT) code on the tire which begins with DOT and ends with the
week and year of manufacture. For example, a DOT code ending with
"2204" indicates a tire made in the 22nd week (May) of 2004.
REMEMBER TO AVOID DAMAGE TO YOUR TIRES AND
PO
SSIBLE ACCIDENT
• INSPECT TIRES AT LEAST MONTHLY, AND IMMEDIATELY
A
FTER STRIKING ANY ROAD HAZARD.
• CHECK TIRE PRESSURE AT LEAST ONCE EACH MONTH
W
HEN TIRES ARE COLD AND BEFORE EVERY LONG TRIP.
• NEVER UNDERINFLATE OR OVERINFLATE A TIRE.
•
NEVER OVERLOAD YOUR VEHICLE AND TIRES.
•
ALWAYS OBEY LEGAL SPEED LIMITS AND DRIVE AT A SPEED
T
HAT IS REASONABLE UNDER THE ROAD AND WEATHER
CONDITIONS.
• AVOID DRIVING OVER POTHOLES, OBSTACLES, CURBS OR
E
DGES OF PAVEMENT.
• AVOID EXCESSIVE WHEEL SPINNING.
•
IF YOU SEE ANY DAMAGE TO A TIRE, REPLACE THE TIRE
W
ITH A PROPERLY INFLATED SPARE AND VISIT A QUALI -
FIED TIRE PROFESSIONAL AT ONCE.
• KEEP TIRES AND WHEELS PROPERLY ALIGNED, BALANCED,
A
ND ROTATED.