HANKOOK TIRES
137
of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or
exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific
legal rights, and you may also have the rights which vary from
province to province in Canada, and from state to state in the USA
HANKOOK’S OBLIGATIONS
Replacement qualifying under this warranty will be made by a
pa
rticipating Hankook Dealer or a participating car dealer.
OWNER’S OBLIGATIONS
1. You must present the tire to a participating Hankook Dealer or a
p
articipating car dealer.
2. For free replacement, a proof of purchase date such as car dealer
i
nvoice should be presented.
3. No claim will be recognized unless submitted on a Hankook claim
f
orm completely filled out and signed by the owner or a partici -
pating Hankook Dealer or car dealer.
WARNING FOR YOUR SAFETY
• TIRE DEMOUNTING AND MOUNTING
Improper tire mounting and inflation procedures may cause tire beads
to break with explosive force during installation of the tire on the rim,
causing personal injury and property damage. Follow the Rubber
Manufacturers Association (RMA) installation and safety procedure for
mounting and inflating tires. Tire and rim must match in size. Rim parts
must match by manufacturer’s design. Clean rim. Lubricate rim and
beads. Do not exceed the maximum recommended pressure to seat
beads on rim. Use remote control inflation equipment and inflation
cage.
NOTE:
• Never inflate over 40 psi to seat beads.
• Mount radial ply tires only on rims designated by wheel manufac -
t
urer as suitable for radial tire.
• O nly specially trained persons shall mount tires.
• AIR PRESSURE
Check the pressure in your tires, including your spare, at least
mo
nthly, and always before and during extended driving. Check
tires cold (at least three hours after the vehicle has been stopped and
before it is driven more than 1 mile or 1.6 kilometers). Do not reduce
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157
NOTE:
your vehicle manufacturer may provide additional tire warranty
co
verage over and above what is provided by Michelin. Consult your
vehicle Owner’s Manual for further information.
NOTE:
Some Michelin® Self-Supporting Zero Pressure (ZP) tires can only be
mo
unted on special SH-M (Symmetric Hump - Modified) wheels.
These tires bear the special SH-M designation, molded into the side -
wall of the tire, next to the ZP designation. DO NOT MOUNT A TIRE
WI
TH THE SH-M DESIGNATION ON THE SIDEWALL ON A
STANDARD WHEEL. DOING SO VOIDS THIS LIMITED
WARRANTY AND COULD CAUSE THE TIRE TO BECOME
UNSERVICEABLE AT LOW OR ZERO PRESSURE, RESULTING IN
SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Treadwear – Mileage Warranty Coverage for Michelin® Passenger
an
d Light Truck Tires
Michelin® passenger and light truck tires are covered by a
ma
nufacturer’s limited warranty for treadwear. For the mileage
warranty associated with a specific tire line, please see your
Michelin® tire retailer or visit us at
www.michelinman.com/home
.
Some vehicles come from the vehicle manufacturer with “split
fi
tments” – meaning different size tires on the front and rear axles.
Because these tires cannot be rotated as recommended by Michelin®,
the mileage warranty on each rear tire will cover half the number of
miles as the standard mileage warranty for that particular tire design.
Michelin® Self-Supporting Zero Pressure (ZP) tires have the same
mileage warranty as the standard tire line of which they are a part, up
to but not exceeding 30,000 miles. DOT-approved competition tires
(e
.g., Michelin® Pilot® Sport Cup tires) are excluded from any
mileage warranty. Michelin® Winter tires must be used during winter
months only, defined as a period beginning on or after September 1st
of a given year and ending no later than April 30th of the following
year. Michelin® winter tires require documentation of the timing of
the installation and removal of the tires each winter to maintain
coverage under the limited warranty for treadwear.
An important reminder:
No tire manufacturer can guarantee you a certain number of miles
fr
om a given tire. Driving habits, driving conditions, road conditions,
and vehicle maintenance all play a part in the tread life of a tire. If a
tire does not reach the warranted mileage, and the owner of the tires
MICHELIN®
167
instructions for checking pressures when tires are hot. When tires
have cooled, check air pressure again. If any tire has lost more than
5 PSI from the previous pressure check, have the tire inspected at
once by an authorized PAX® System Retailer for PAX® tires or a
participating Michelin® tire retailer or representative of your
vehicle manufacturer if your vehicle Owner’s Manual so advises.
Failure to do so may cause irreparable damage to the tire and result
in sudden tire destruction and personal injury.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS):
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring
Sy
stem (TPMS) that is designed to monitor the pressure of tires
mounted on your vehicle and sends a signal to the driver if a tire
pressure falls below a predetermined level. A TPMS should not
replace monthly manual pressure checks for all four tires and the
spare. We recommend that you manually monitor and check tire
pressure inflation with a pressure gauge. Your tires should have the
recommended pressure listed by your vehicle’s manufacturer. This
information can be found in the vehicle Owner’s Manual and often on
a placard located in the vehicle’s door jamb, inside the fuel hatch, or
on the glove compartment door. If you have a plus size fitment that
requires a higher inflation pressure, your tire pressure monitoring
system will require re-calibration to new inflation pressure. Refer to
your tire dealer/installer of plus size tires for proper inflation
pressure.
We recommend checking air pressure once each month, and before a
l o
ng trip. Whether you have a full-sized or mini-spare, make sure that
it is properly inflated as well. If the TPMS generates improper
monitoring or signals we recommend that you consult your Owner’s
Manual provided with your vehicle and follow-up with your vehicle’s
manufacturer.
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
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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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173
alignment and balance checked immediately. Tires which have been
ran underinflated will show more wear on the shoulders than in the
center of the tread.
TIRE MIXING
Michelin® tires are radial tires and for best performance it is
re
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.
It is especially important to check the vehicle manufacturer’s Owner’s
Ma
nual when mixing, matching, or replacing tires on 4-wheel drive
vehicles, as this may require special precautions.
MICHELIN® DOES NOT RECOMMEND MIXING PAX® SYSTEM
TI
RES WITH NON-PAX TIRES/SELF-SUPPORTING ZERO
PRESSURE (ZP) TIRES WITH NON-ZP TIRES OTHER THAN THE
TEMPORARY USE OF THE SPARE IF THE VEHICLE IS SO
EQUIPPED.
WINTER DRIVING
Tires which meet the US Tire Manufacturers Association (USMTA)
de
finition of snow tires are marked M/S, or M&S. On such tires, this
designation is molded into the sidewall. Tires without this notation
are not recommended or 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 optimal performance.
Tires designate for use in severe Winter conditions are
marked on at least one sidewall with the letter “M”
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, Michelin®
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.
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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
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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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178
APPLICATIONS, THE TIRES MAY BECOME UNSERVICEABLE AT
LOW OR ZERO PRESSURE, CAUSING SERIOUS PERSONAL
INJURY OR DEATH.
SPECIAL MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR MICHELIN® TRX™
TI
RES
The MICHELIN® TRX™ tire is a tubeless tire that must only be
mo
unted on special wheels (TR or JM type) with millimetric seat
diameter. If TRX tires are mounted on standard wheels, they will not
retain air due to an air escape feature designed into the bead area of
these tires.
Do not try to override this feature by mounting TRX tires with
tu
bes. The MICHELIN® TRX™ tire must be used on all wheel
positions.
TEMPORARY TYPE SPARE TIRES
When using any temporary type spare tire, be sure to follow the
ve
hicle manufacturer’s instructions.
READING THE DOT
DOT XXXX XXXX XXX (prior to August 2000)
DOT XXXX XXXX XXX (1990-1999)
DOT XXXX XXXX XXXX (after July 2000)
THE DOT
The “DOT” symbol certifies tire manufacturer’s compliance with US
De
partment of Transportation tire safety standards. Next to the
symbol is the tire identification or “serial number”. The first two
characters identify the plant where the tire was manufactured. The
next two characters reflect the tire size. The following one to four
digits may be used at the tire manufacturer’s option as a descriptive
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.) For the 1990-1999 decade MICHELIN®
brand tires are marked with a triangle pointing to the last three
numeric characters. Tires produced after July 2000 have an additional
digit to identify a given decade. For example, 2800 means the tire was
pr
oduced during the 28th week of 2000; 0201 during the 2nd week of
2001. If the last digits of your DOT number contains three numeric
characters and is not marked with a triangle, consult a qualified tire
technician to determine the year of manufacture.