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®
70
The spare tire in your vehicle is intended to be used as a spare when
needed. The spare tire carrier is not intended to be used for long term
storage, except for “temporary use” tires. For more information, see
“Your Spare Tire” and “Radial Tire Rotation” in this manual.
TIRE SERVICE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
Normal tire maintenance and Limited Warranty services are available
at
locations across the US and Canada. For more information, visit us
on the internet at
www.bridgestonetire.com
, or please call the
Technical Service Department:
US: 800-356-4644 or Canada: 800-267-1318
A
dditional information on the care and service of automobile and
li
ght truck tires is available from the following organizations:
U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association 1400 K Street, N.W. Washington,
DC
20005-2403
https://www.ustires.org
Rubber Association of Canada 2000 Argentia Road, Plaza 4, Suite 250
Mi
ssissauga, Ontario L5N 1W1
https://www.tracanada.ca
TIRE REGISTRATION
Registration of your tires is an important safety precaution since it
en
ables the manufacturer to notify you in the event of a recall. When
you purchase replacement tires, the retailer will provide a registration
card on which the tire identification numbers have been recorded; fill
in your name and address on the card and mail it promptly. Some
retailers may submit the registration for you. You do not need to
register tires which come as original equipment on new vehicles—the
vehicle and tire manufacturers handle that for you.
WARNING!
Improper storage can damage your tires in ways that may not be
vi
sible and can lead to a failure resulting in serious personal
injury or death.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
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.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
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.
CONTINENTAL TIRE
86
CONTINENTAL TIRE
LIMITED WARRANTY AND ADJUSTMENT POLICY FOR
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PASSENGER CAR & LIGHT TRUCK
TIRES (Including TEMPORARY SPARE Tires)
This booklet also includes important safety warnings.
1. ELIGIBILITY
T
his Limited Warranty and Adjustment Policy applies to the orig -
inal owner of new Continental brand passenger and light truck
(L
T) tires that are the new vehicle original equipment tires bearing
the Continental brand name and DOT Tire Identification Number,
operated in normal service, and used on the same vehicle on which
they were originally installed according to the vehicle manufactur -
er’s recommendations.
Tire(s) on any vehicle registered and normally operated outside the
Un
ited States and Canada are excluded from eligibility under this
Limited Warranty and Adjustment Policy.
2. WHAT IS THE ADJUSTMENT POLICY AND HOW LONG IS
I
T APPLICABLE? BASIC COVERAGE:
Eligible Tires are covered by this Warranty for a maximum of
72
months from the date of purchase, determined by the new vehi -
cle registration date or new vehicle sales invoice showing date of
pu
rchase.
Where to Go for Warranty Replacement: C
ontact the dealer from
where you purchased the vehicle or an alternate authorized Conti -
nental brand tire dealer (Authorized Dealer) to determine the eligi -
ble warranty coverage for your tires and how to proceed from
th
ere.
Free Replacement Period: PASS & LT I
f an eligible Continental
brand PASS or LT tire becomes unserviceable from a warrantable
condition, other than those listed under Section 3, during the first
12 months or first 2/32nds of an inch (1.6 mm) of tread wear
(w
hichever comes first), it will be replaced with a **comparable
new Continental brand tire FREE OF CHARGE, including mount -
ing and balancing (excluding on line orders). Owner pays all appli -
cable taxes.
CONTINENTAL TIRE
87
TEMPORARY SPARE: If a temporary spare tire becomes unser -
viceable from a condition other than those listed in Section 3,
du
ring the first 1/32nd (0.8 mm) of tread wear, then it will be re -
placed with a **comparable new Continental brand TS tire FREE
OF
CHARGE, including mounting and balancing. The owner pays
all applicable taxes. After this "Free Replacement Period" for your
temporary spare tire expires, no warranty claim will be accepted.
After the Free Replacement Period: T
he tire (except temporary
spare tire) may still be eligible for a pro rata replacement up to
72 months from date of original purchase until the tread is worn
do
wn to the tread wear indicators (2/32nds of an inch or 1.6 mm of
tr
ead remaining.) If an eligible tire becomes unserviceable under
the stipulations of this Limited Warranty and Adjustment policy it
will be replaced with a **comparable new Continental brand tire,
charging the owner a pro-rated amount. Owner pays all applicable
taxes (including F.E.T.), mounting and balancing charges.
The replacement tire price will be determined by multiplying the
pe
rcentage of the usable tread worn by the Dealers Selling Price
(excluding all applicable taxes) at the time of the adjustment. The
usable tread is the original tread down to the tread wear indicators
(2/32nds of an inch or 1.6 mm of tread remaining.)
** A "comparable" new Continental brand tire may be of either the
sa
me tire line or the same basic construction but with a different
sidewall or tread configuration. If a higher priced tire is selected,
the consumer will pay the difference in price.
3. WHAT IS NOT COVERED BY THIS WARRANTY
T
HE FOLLOWING ARE NOT COVERED:
• Road Hazard:
Any tire with road hazard damage, which
includes,but is not limited to: cuts, snags, punctures, bruises, and
impact breaks.
• Ride/Vibration:
Any ride/vibration complaint after the first 2/32nds
(1.6 mm) of an inch of treadwear or 12 months of service, which -
ever comes first.
• Repairs:
If a tire is returned under complaint and the reason for
the tire’s disablement is in any way associated with a repair, or
with the situation that led to the repair, the manufacturer’s
warranty is invalidated.
• Mileage: Mileage is not covered under this policy.
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
FALKEN TIRE CORPORATION
95
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: