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62
TIRE MOUNTING AND OTHER SERVICING
This manual is not intended to provide proper training or service
pr
ocedures for tire mounting, demounting, balancing, rotation, or
repair. Please leave these tasks to qualified tire service
professionals. For your safety and that of others:
• Always stand well clear of any tire mounting operation. This is espe -
c
ially important when the service operator inflates the tire. If the tire
ha
s been improperly mounted, it may burst with explosive force
causing serious personal injury or death.
• Tires must match the width and diameter requirements of the
w
heels. For example, 16 inch diameter tires must only be mounted
to
16 inch diameter wheels. Radial tires must only be mounted to
wh
eels approved for radial tires.
• Wheels must be free of cracks, dents, chips, and rust. Tires must be
f
ree of bead damage, cuts, and punctures.
• Never inflate a tire beyond 40 psi (275 kPa) to seat the beads. Be
a
bsolutely certain beads are fully seated before adjusting inflation
pressure to the level recommended for vehicle operation.
• Never put flammable substances in tire/wheel assemblies at any
t
ime. Never put any flammable substance into a tire/wheel
assembly and attempt to ignite to seat the beads.
• Always stand well away from the work area when tires are being
s
pin balanced either on or off the vehicle.
WARNING!
Removing and replacing tires on wheels can be dangerous.
At
tempting to mount tires with improper tools or procedures may
result in a tire explosion causing serious personal injury or death.
This is only a job for a qualified tire service professional. Never
perform tire service procedures without proper training, tools,
and equipment.
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HIGH PERFORMANCE, LOW ASPECT RATIO TIRES
Many new vehicles come equipped from the factory with high
pe
rformance and/or low aspect ratio tires. Generally, these tires
provide increased vehicle handling capability, but may also have
numerous engineering performance trade-offs associated with their
designs.
• Low aspect ratio tires, with reduced sidewall height, may be more
s
usceptible to damage from potholes, road hazards, and other
objects such as curbs. This is true for the wheels as well. Therefore,
as with all other tires, it is important to drive with care and maintain
proper inflation pressure and load conditions. See “Tire Inflation
Pressure” and “Tire Damage, Inspection and Service Life” in this
manual.
• Some sports cars and other handling performance enhanced vehi -
c
les, including sedans and light trucks/SUVs, may be originally
eq
uipped with high performance tires that are more optimized for
warmer weather use. Colder, winter weather traction may be
reduced for these types of tires. Winter tires may be recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer for colder weather application. See
“Winter Tires,” the next section in this manual.
• High performance tires may also wear more quickly, ride more
f
irmly, and produce more noise during operation.
Consult your vehicle Owner’s Manual and tire information placard, or
a
qualified tire service professional, for more information and
specifics regarding these types of tires.
WINTER TIRES
In Winter driving conditions, vehicle control and safe operation under
b r
aking and cornering is especially dependent upon the rear tires. For
this reason, Winter tires are best applied to all wheel positions. Some
WARNING!
Winter driving presents special challenges for vehicle mobility.
Th
e use of winter tires (including studs and chains)—while
improving traction performance in snow and ice—requires special
care with regard to acceleration, braking, cornering, and speed. It
is important to drive with care, not only on snow and ice, but on
dry and wet roads as well.
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65
• High-speed driving should be left to trained professionals operating
under controlled conditions.
• No tire, regardless of its design or speed rating, has unlimited
c
apacity for speed, and a sudden tire failure can occur if its limits are
exceeded. See “Tire Speed Ratings,” the next section in this manual.
Refer to your vehicle Owner’s Manual for any tire pressure
re
commendations for high speed driving.
TIRE SPEED RATINGS
A tire bearing a letter “speed rating” designation indicates the tire’s
sp
eed capability according to standardized laboratory tests. This
speed rating system is intended to permit comparison of the speed
capabilities of different tires. When replacing your tires, consult your
vehicle Owner’s Manual and tire information placard for
recommendations, if any, concerning the use of speed rated tires.
• To avoid reducing the speed capability of the vehicle, replace a
s
peed rated tire only with another tire having at least the same
speed rating. It is the “top speed” of the “slowest” tire on the vehicle
which limits the vehicle’s top speed without tire failure.
• The tire’s speed rating is void if the tire is repaired, retreaded,
d
amaged, abused, or otherwise altered from its original condition.
Thereafter, it should be treated as a non-speed rated tire.
• Non-speed rated tires are usually for ordinary passenger car or light
t
ruck service and not for high speed driving.
• For winter tires used in cold weather conditions, it is generally
a
cceptable to apply a tire with a lower speed rating than your orig -
inal tires; however, speed should be reduced accordingly. All winter
ti
res should be the same speed rating. Some vehicles have specific
recommendations regarding winter tire use; consult your vehicle
Owner’s Manual and tire information placard. See “Winter Tires” in
this manual.
These speed ratings are based on standardized laboratory tests under
sp
ecific, controlled conditions. While these tests may relate to
performance on the road, real-world driving is rarely identical to any
test conditions. Your tire’s actual speed capability may be less than its
rated speed since it is affected by factors such as inflation pressure,
load, tire condition (including damage), wear, vehicle condition
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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)****
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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.
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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)