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AIR PRESSURE — MONTHLY CHECK
For accuracy, check your inflation pressure with a tire gauge when
ti
res are cold.
Driving heats up tires and makes the reading incorrect.
1. Remove tire valve cap.
2
. P lace the end of the tire gauge over valve.
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3. Press the tire gauge straight and firmly until the scale extends.
4. If needed, increase pressure and recheck with the tire gauge.
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5. Replace valve cap.
TIRE ROTATION
For maximum mileage, rotate your tires according to the vehicle
m a
nufacturer’s recommendations (consult your vehicle Owner’s
Manual), or if not provided, rotate every 5,000 miles using a rotation
pa
ttern such as below (see “Radial Tire Rotation” in this manual).
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TIRE WEAR—VISUAL CHECK
Check for obvious signs of wear.
Place a penny in the tire tread grooves as
shown. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s
h
ead, the tire is worn out and needs to be
replaced.
TIRE MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY
IN
FORMATION
Any tire, no matter how well constructed,
ma
y fail in use as a result of punctures,
impact damage, improper inflation,
overloading, or other conditions resulting
from use or misuse. Tire failure may create a risk of property damage,
serious personal injury or death.
To reduce the risk of tire failure, Bridgestone® Firestone® North
A m
erican Tire, LLC strongly recommends you read and follow all
safety information contained in this manual. In addition, we
recommend periodic inspection and maintenance, if necessary, by a
qualified tire service professional.
WARNING!
Serious personal injury or death may result from a tire failure.
Ma
ny tire failures are preceded by vibration, bumps, bulges or
irregular wear. If a vibration occurs while driving your vehicle or
you notice a bump, bulge or irregular wear, have your tires and
vehicle evaluated by a qualified tire service professional.
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TIRE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING
TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE
Tires need proper inflation pressure to operate effectively and
p e
rform as intended. Tires carry the vehicle, passenger, and cargo
loads and transmit the braking, acceleration, and turning forces. The
vehicle manufacturer recommends the inflation pressures for the tires
mounted on your vehicle.
WARNING!
It is not often that a properly maintained tire will “blow out”
wh
ile you are driving. More commonly, if inflation pressure is
lost, it will be gradual. If you do experience a blowout or sudden
tire failure, the following information should be helpful:
• When the failure occurs, you may hear a loud noise, feel a vibra -
t
ion, and/or the vehicle may pull toward the side of the failed
ti
re.
• DO NOT abruptly brake or turn.
•
Slowly remove your foot from the accelerator, hold the steering
w
heel firmly, and steer to maintain your lane position.
• Once the vehicle has slowed, apply the brakes gently.
•
Gradually pull over to the shoulder and come to a stop, as far off
t
he road as possible.
WARNING!
Driving on tires with improper inflation pressure is dangerous.
• Under-inflation causes excessive tire heat build-up and internal
s
tructural damage.
• Over-inflation makes it more likely for tires to be cut, punctured,
o
r broken by sudden impact.
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These situations can cause a tire failure, even at a later date, which
could lead to serious personal injury or death. Consult the vehicle tire
information placard and/or Owner’s Manual for the recommended
inflation pressures. In addition to tire damage, improper inflation
pressure may also:
• Adversely affect vehicle ride and handling.
•
Reduce tire tread wear.
•
Affect fuel economy.
T
herefore, follow these important recommendations for tire and
ve
hicle safety, mileage, and economy:
• Always keep the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended inflation p
ressure in all your tires, including the spare.
• Check their pressure monthly and before long trips or carrying e
xtra weight.
Your vehicle’s tire information placard and/or Owner’s Manual will
te
ll you the recommended cold inflation pressure for all your tires,
including the spare. Examples of placards are shown in Figures 1 and
2. Your placard may look different and have different tire and loading
information than that shown in either of the figures. You must check
the driver side door edge or door jamb area for the actual placard
that applies to your vehicle. For questions about locating or
understanding the tire information placard, consult your vehicle
Owner’s Manual or ask a qualified tire service professional.
Figure 1: EXAMPLE—Tire And Loading Information Placard
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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.
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TIPS FOR SAFE TIRE INFLATION
• Check your tire pressures, including your spare tire, monthly and
b
efore long trips or carrying extra weight. Be sure to use an accurate
pressure gauge.
• Check inflation pressure when the tires are “cold.” Tires are consid -
e
red “cold” when the vehicle has been parked for three hours or
mo
re, or if the vehicle has been driven less than a mile at moderate
speed.
• Never release pressure from a hot tire in order to reach the recom -
m
ended cold tire pressure. Normal driving causes tires to run hotter
an
d inflation pressure to increase. If you reduce inflation pressure
when your tires are hot, you may dangerously underinflate your
tires.
• If it is necessary to adjust inflation pressure when your tires are
“
hot”, set their pressure to 4 psi (28 kPa) above the recommended
cold inflation pressure. Recheck the inflation pressure when the tires
are cold.
• If your tires lose more than 2 psi (14 kPa) per month, the tire, the
v
alve, or wheel may be damaged. Consult a qualified tire service
professional for an inspection.
• Use valve caps to keep the valves clear of debris and to help guard
a
gainst inflation pressure loss.
WARNING!
Inflating an unsecured tire is dangerous. If it bursts, it could be
hu
rled into the air with explosive force resulting in serious
personal injury or death. Never inflate a tire unless it is secured to
the vehicle or a tire mounting machine.