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
88
•Improper operation or maintenance: This includes, but is not
limited to, effects caused by:
1. Improper tire inflation and/or improper load/speed prac -
t
ices: These practices can cause excessive operational
t
emperatures and stresses that exceed the tire’s capabilities.
2. Improper or insufficient tire rotation
3
. Improper vehicle alignment
4
. D amage due to:
–
Rim irregularities or rim damage
–
Snow chains
–
Vehicle mechanical problems, including brake problems,
a
nd vehicle wheel alignment
– Extreme temperature exposure
–
Negligent and abusive driving such as tire spinning, or
r
acing
– Improper tire storage
–
Automotive accident
–
Chemical corrosion or fire
–
Use contrary to the vehicle manufacturer’s tire recommen -
d
ations
– Misuse or misapplication
•
Improper Mounting or Demounting
•Alteration: such as, but not limited to, adding a white inlay on
black wall, tread regrooving, tire truing or siping, or adding
sealant materials to the tire.
•
Weather checking/cracking: Not covered after 48 months from
th
e date of purchase.
• Failure to observe safety and maintenance precautions set forth
i
n the Safety Warning Section.
ATTENTION AUTHORIZED DEALERS: CONTINENTAL TIRE
TH
E AMERICAS, LLC (CTA) RESERVES THE RIGHT TO THE
FINAL INSPECTION DECISION FOR ALL RETURNED TIRES
ON CONDITIONS UNDER SECTION 3.
THIS WARRANTY IS MADE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER
WA
RRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND CTA EXPRESSLY
DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT
CONTINENTAL TIRE
90
Owner must present new vehicle registration form or new vehicle
sales invoice indicating the date of purchase. Owner will be re -
quired to sign the CTA Limited Warranty Claim Form or dealer re -
placement sales receipt.
Owner is responsible for paying all applicable taxes charged by the
se
rvicing dealer and is also responsible for paying shipping, local
tire-disposal fees and parts or service regardless of mileage or
months of service. This includes payment for tire rotation, align -
ment, towing, road service, valve stems and tire repairs.
Owner is responsible for maintaining proper tire air pressure and
fo
r proper maintenance of the tire.
6. SAFETY WARNING:
I
gnoring any of the safety and information contained in this war -
ranty may result in tire failure, causing serious injury or death.
• Tire failure due to under inflation/overloading. Follow vehicle
o
wner’s manual or tire placard in vehicle for proper inflation and
loading.
• Explosion of tire/rim assembly due to improper tire mounting.
T
ire mounting / demounting can be dangerous. It should be
performed only by a trained tire specialist using proper tools and
procedures. Prior to tire mounting/demounting, the Rubber
Manufacturers Association (RMA) wall charts and manuals
should be read to obtain the proper procedures. The failure to
follow these procedures may result in faulty positioning of the
tire and/or rim, which may cause the assembly to burst with
force sufficient to cause injury or death.
• Tire failure due to damage.
Inspect your tires frequently for
scrapes, bulges, separations, cuts, snags and other damage from
road hazards. Damage from impact can occur to the inner
portions of your tire without being visible to the outside. If you
suspect a tire has been damaged from striking anything unusual
in the road, you must have the tire removed from the rim and
inspected both inside and out by a trained tire specialist. Air loss
or unusual tire wear can also be warning signs that a tire may
have internal damage. If you notice these conditions, have your
tire inspected by a trained individual.
• Tire failure due to excessive tire spinning.
Avoid tire spinning.
The centrifugal force generated by a free-spinning tire/rim
assembly may cause a sudden tire explosion resulting in vehicle
FALKEN TIRE CORPORATION
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CHECKING YOUR TIRE’S AIR PRESSURE
Checking your air pressure at least once a month is vital to help your
ti
res perform properly and help you get the best gas mileage possible.
Tires can lose up to 7 kPa (1 psi) per month under normal conditions
and lose up to 7 kPa (1 PSI) per every 9°C (16°F) drop in temperature.
Here are some simple steps on how to check the air pressures in your
tires:
1. Remove the valve stem cap.
2
. Place the end of the tire gauge firmly against the tire’s valve stem.
3
. Read the current pressure displayed on the gauge that is currently
i
n the tire.
4. Increase pressure at this time (if needed) and recheck with your tire
g
auge.
5. Replace the valve stem cap.
6
. Repeat until all of your tires have been checked and adjusted
a
ccordingly.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) A Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is a safety
system found in most vehicles manufactured after 2005.
Th
ere are pressure sensing transmitters mounted inside of
each tire that sends readings to the central computer in your
vehicle. The TPMS system will alert you when one or more
of your tires are underinflated by 25% or more by turning on
a warning light on your vehicle’s dashboard or Heads Up Display
(HUD) screen. This means that one or more of your tires may have a
low-pressure condition. Follow the instructions in your Owner’s
Manual.
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TIRE REPAIRS
In the event that you get a flat tire while driving, it is best to find a
ne
arby, safe place to stop and install your spare tire or call a tow truck.
The less distance that you drive on your low or flat tire, the better
chances your tire has of being repairable. Once you are able to get to
your local servicing tire dealer, have them dismount the tire from the
rim and thoroughly inspect the inside of the tire. It is important to
know the difference between a proper tire repair and an improper one
because it can be critical to you and your vehicle’s safety. An improper
repair could pose a safety threat to you and your family and could also
affect your tire’s manufacturer warranty. Here are some tips in
determining if your damaged tire can be properly repaired or not:
• A lways have the tire removed from the wheel and inspected before
a
ny repair is performed.
• Tires with less than 1.6
mm (2/32 of an inch) of tread should NOT
be
repaired.
• Never repair a tire with a puncture larger than 6
mm (1/4 of an
in
ch).
• Repairs should be limited to the tread area only.
•
Repairs cannot overlap one another.
•
A plug and patch or plug/patch combo should be used to effectively
r
epair a tire puncture.
• If anything seems questionable at any time during the repair
p
rocess, ask your service advisor for more details and/or call the
tire manufacturer to make sure the tire’s warranty is not being
voided.
TIRE MIX USAGE
WARNING!
Never mix tires of different size or construction and/or type on
an
y axle. (Except for temporary use as a spare tire.) Always refer to
the vehicle’s owner manual for proper tire fitments.
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TIRE SPEED RATINGS
Falken recommends replacing your tire(s) with the same speed rating
as
the original tires equipped on your vehicle.
It is okay to use a lower speed rated tire when using Winter tires.
Ho
wever, speeds should be reduced to match the tires new
“maximum” speed capability.
Any tire that is repaired, damaged, abused, altered from its original
st
ate or retreaded voids the speed rating on that particular tire and
should be considered a non-speed rated tire.
HIGH PERFORMANCE, LOW ASPECT RATIO TIRES
Various new vehicles come equipped with high performance and/or
lo
w aspect ratio tires from the factory. These tires generally provide
increased vehicle handling characteristics, but may also have
engineering performance trade-offs related with their designs. Low
aspect ratio tires have reduced sidewall heights and may be more
vulnerable to damage from road hazards, potholes, and other objects,
like curbs. Your vehicle’s wheels are susceptible to these same dangers
as well. Some vehicles may be originally equipped with high
performance tires that are designed for warmer weather use reducing
traction in colder, winter weather conditions. High performance tires
also pose the possibility of wearing more quickly, giving a stiffer ride,
and producing louder noise than standard all-season tires during
operation. Refer to your vehicle Owner’s Manual, tire information
placard, or qualified tire service professional for more information
about these kinds of tires.
WINTER TIRES
Falken recommends all four tires be replaced when replacing your
o r
iginal equipment tires and installing winter tires for the winter months.
WARNING!
Falken does not recommend the use of mixing different speed
ra
tings on a vehicle. This can cause poor handling and
unpredictable steering.
WARNING!
Never use just two winter tires. It could lead to adverse handling,
lo
ss of control, which could cause serious injury or death.
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STORING YOUR TIRES
When storing your tires for any extended period of time, be sure to
th
oroughly clean your tires with a tire brush, soap, and water to
remove any dirt, salt, and brake dust from the tires. If you are storing
your tires still mounted on the wheels, use a wheel brush and
approved wheel cleaner to clean your wheels. Then dry the wheels
and tires with a towel and allow them to fully dry. DO NOT apply any
tire dressings while storing your tires. Tire compounds are made to
resist weather cracking and ozone damage. Place each clean and dry
tire in an airtight plastic bag and seal the bag with tape to help reduce
oil evaporation. Store your tires out of direct sunlight and somewhere
that is well shielded from the elements, like a climate-controlled room
or dry basement. Storing the tires in a garage or shed usually exposes
the tires to a wide range of temperatures as well as precipitation and
humidity. Keep the tires away from sources that emit ozone like
electric motors that use contact brushes, furnaces, sump pumps, etc.
Although tires will still age regardless of how they are stored, these
precautions will help slow the aging process and reduce the damage
to your tires.
SPEED LIMITS
TIRE SPINNING
WARNING!
Operating your vehicle in excess of the posted speed limit or the
ma
ximum speed allotted by driving conditions has the potential
to be dangerous. Higher driving speeds create excessive heat
buildup in a tire, leading to a possible tire failure.
WARNING!
Spinning a tire to get a stuck vehicle out of mud, ice, snow, sand,
or
wet grass can be potentially dangerous. A spinning tire at a
speedometer reading above 55 km/h (35 mph) can be capable of
di
sintegrating a tire with explosive force. In some circumstances,
a tire may be spinning at twice the speed displayed on the
speedometer. This can cause serious injury or death to you, a
passenger, or bystander. Never spin a tire above 55 km/h
(3
5 mph).
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TEMPERATURE
The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B, and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions or on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce in tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds
to a level of performance which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The traction grades assigned to this tire is based on straight ahead
br
aking traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
WARNING!
The temperature grade for each tie is established for a tire that is
pr
operly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
under-inflation, or excessive loading either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.