BFGOODRICH® TIRES
39
code. The last three characters are numbers identifying the week and
year of manufacture. Example: “O25” means second week of the year
of decade, eg.: 1995, 1985, etc. Tires produced after July 2000 have an
additional digit to identify a given decade. For example, 2800 means
th
e tire was produced during the 28th week of 2000; 0201 during the
2nd week of 2001. If the last digits of your DOT number contain three
numeric characters consult a qualified tire technician to determine the
year and decade of manufacture.
STORAGE
Tires contain waxes and emollients to protect their outer surfaces from
oz
one and weather checking. As the tire rolls and flexes, the waxes
and emollients continually migrate to the surface, replenishing this
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,
in
door 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).
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
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
43
Correct tire pressure is very important. Proper inflation pressures may
be found in the vehicle Owner’s Manual or on the vehicle tire
information placard. Check cold tire pressures at least once each
month. For further technical information on BFGoodrich® tires,
consult a participating BFGoodrich® tire retailer.
Your Vehicle:
Year Make/Model
Your Tire Size:
Tire Purchase Date:
Recommended
P r
essures: Front
Rear
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
54
Figure 2: EXAMPLE—Tire Information Placard
Maximum Pressure Indicated on the Tire Sidewall: This is the
maximum permissible inflation pressure for the tire only. The vehicle
manufacturer’s recommended tire pressures may be lower than, or the
same as, the maximum pressure indicated on the tire sidewall. The
vehicle manufacturer’s specification of tire pressure is limited to your
particular vehicle and takes into account your vehicle’s load, ride, and
handling characteristics, among other criteria. Since there may be
several possible vehicle applications for a given tire size, a vehicle
manufacturer may choose a different inflation pressure specification
for that same size tire on a different vehicle. Therefore, always refer to
the inflation pressure specifications on the vehicle tire information
placard and/or in your vehicle Owner’s Manual.
Different Tire Pressures for the Front and Rear Tires: F
or some
vehicles, the recommended front and rear inflation pressures may be
different (such as in the example shown in Figure 2). Make sure you
take this into account during inflation pressure checks and when
rotating tires.
Pressure Loss: T
ires can lose 1 psi (7 kPa) per month under normal
conditions and can lose 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 10° F (5.6° C)
temperature drop. A puncture, leaking valve, or other damage could
also cause inflation pressure loss. If a tire loses more than 2 psi (14 kPa)
per month, have it checked by a qualified tire service professional.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
66
(including alignment), driving conditions, and duration at which the
speed is sustained. Use the following chart to compare the speed
ratings of tires.
The tire’s speed rating designation appears on the tire sidewall with
t h
e tire size. Examples:
* In standardized laboratory tests that relate to highway speeds.
Ac
tual tire speed and performance capability depend on factors such
as inflation pressure, load, tire condition, wear, and driving
conditions.
** Any tire having a maximum speed capability above 149 mph
(2
40 km/h) may, at the tire manufacturer’s discretion, include a “Z” in
th
e size designation (i.e. P275/40ZR17).
*** For tires having a maximum speed capability above 186 mph
(3
00 km/h), a “Z” must appear in the size designation and a “Y”
ma
rked in brackets (as shown) in the service description.
**** Consult the tire manufacturer for maximum speed capability.
Speed
Symbol Speed Category*
mph km/h
M 81130
Q 99160
R 106 170
S 112 180
T 118 190
U 124 200
H 130 210
V 149 240
Z** >149 >240
W 168 270
Y 186 300
(Y)** >186
P275/40ZR17 max > 149 mph (240 km/h)****
P275/40R17 93Wmax = 168 mph (270 km/h)
P275/40ZR17 93Wmax = 168 mph (270 km/h)
P275/40ZR17 93Ymax = 186 mph (300 km/h)
P275/40ZR17 93(Y)max > 186 mph (300 km/h)****
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
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.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
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.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
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.