BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
43
• Never exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or front/rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) of your vehicle.
• C onsult your vehicle Owner’s Manual for load recommendations and special instruc -
t
ions such as for trailer/towing and snow plow installations.
TIRE DAMAGE, INSPECTION AND SERVICE LIFE
Evaluation and maintenance of your tires is important to their performance and the
service they provide to you. Over time and/or through use, the condition of a tire can
change from exposure to everyday road conditions, the environment, damaging events
such as punctures, and other external factors.
You should visually inspect your tires on a regular basis throughout their life, and you
sh
ould have your tires periodically evaluated by a qualified tire service professional when
your vehicle is serviced such as routine maintenance intervals, oil changes, and tire
rotations. In particular, note the following tips for spotting tire damage:
• A fter striking anything unusual in the roadway, have a qualified tire service profes -
s
ional demount the tire and inspect it for damage. A tire may not have visible signs of
d a
mage on the tire surface. Yet, the tire may suddenly fail without warning, a day, a
week, or even months later.
• I nspect your tires for cuts, cracks, splits or bruises in the tread and sidewall areas.
B
umps or bulges may indicate a separation within the tire body. Have your tire
inspected by a qualified tire service professional. It may be necessary to have it
removed from the wheel for a complete inspection.
• I nspect your tires for adequate tread depth. When the tire is worn to the built-in indi -
c
ators at 2/32 of an inch (1.6 mm) or less tread groove depth, or the tire cord or fabric
i s
exposed, the tire is dangerously worn and must be replaced immediately.
• I nspect your tires for uneven wear. Wear on one side of the tread or flat spots in the
t
read may indicate a problem with the tire or vehicle. Consult a qualified tire service
professional.
• I nspect your wheels also. If you have a bent or cracked wheel, it must be replaced.
•
Don’t forget to check the spare tire.
M
ake sure your tires, including the spare tire, continue to be regularly inspected after 5
y e
ars of service to determine if they can continue in service. Even when your tires appear
to be usable from their external appearance or the tread depth may have not reached
the minimum wear out depth, it is recommended that all tires (including spare tires and
“temporary use” spares) more than 10 years old be replaced with new tires.
WARNING!
Driving on damaged tires is dangerous. A damaged tire can suddenly fail causing
serious personal injury or death. Have your tires regularly inspected by a qualified tire
service professional.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
54
TIRE REGISTRATION
Registration of your tires is an important safety precaution since it enables 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.
RFT TIRES WITH RUN-FLAT TECHNOLOGY
If your vehicle is equipped with Bridgestone® or Firestone® brand RFT
tires, this chapter presents specific maintenance and safety issues
a s
sociated 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 utilize specially
d e
signed 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 apply, which varies
ac
cording 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 for safe operation
an
d 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 with 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.
72
FALKEN TIRE CORPORATION
FALKEN
MADE BY SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES
Congratulations!
Your new vehicle is fitted with high performance and high quality Falken tires.
In order to guarantee that you receive the best performance and quality from your new
Fal
ken tires, we recommend that you read and follow all of the maintenance and safety
tips provided in this document. We also suggest that you have your Falken tires
periodically inspected and maintained by a qualified tire service professional.
A) TIRE CARE AND RECOMMENDATIONS
PROPER INFLATION AND FUEL ECONOMY
Ensure maximum performance and a long life from your tires by checking the air pressures
at
least once a month and set them to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended
pressure(s) listed on the vehicle’s tire placard or in your Owner’s Manual. Always check and
adjust your air pressure when your tires are cold, preferably first thing in the morning before
driving. Never release air pressure from tires when they are hot. Wait until the tires cool
down and recheck, adding air or releasing as required. Falken endorses the use of nitrogen
in your tires because it helps your tires maintain optimal pressure for longer periods of time
and reduces the amount of moisture inside of the tire and wheel assembly.
Some plus size applications may require different air pressure(s) than what is listed on
yo u
r vehicle’s placard or Owner’s Manual. In this case, please consult your tire dealer or
Falken Tire for proper inflation pressure(s).
TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE
Tires need to be properly inflated to effectively operate and perform as intended. Tires
ca r
ry 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 underinflated tire will generate
ex c
essive 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 inflation pressure(s)
fo r
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.
GOODYEAR® DUNLOP® TIRES
98
DO CHECK YOUR TIRES FOR DAMAGE
Frequent (at least monthly) inspection of your tires for signs of damage and their general
condition is important for safety. If you have any questions, have your tire dealer inspect
them. Impacts, penetrations, cracks, knots, bulges or air loss always require tire removal
and expert inspection. Never perform a temporary repair or use an inner tube as a
substitute for a proper repair. Only qualified persons should repair tires.
PROPER TIRE REPAIR
Goodyear® does not warrant any inspection or repair process. The repair is entirely the
responsibility of the repairer and should be made in accordance with established Rubber
Manufacturers Association (RMA) procedures.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Alert
Refer to your vehicle Owner’s Manual for more information on what to do if the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) alert activates.
THE CONVENIENCE (TEMPORARY) SPARE
The Convenience (Temporary) Spare is designed, built and tested to the high engineering
standards set by North America’s leading car manufacturers and to Goodyear®’s own
high standards of quality control. It is designed to take up minimum storage space and,
at the same time, fulfill the function of a spare tire when needed. The spare is kept in its
storage space, fully inflated at 60 psi. To be sure it is always ready for use, the air
pressure should be checked on a regular basis.
The Convenience (Temporary) Spare can be used in combination with the original tires
on
your vehicle. You can expect a tire tread life of up to 3,000 miles (4,800 kilometers),
d e
pending on road conditions and your driving habits. To conserve tire tread life, return
the spare to the storage area as soon as it is convenient to have the standard tire
repaired or replaced.
The Convenience (Temporary) Spare weighs less than a standard tire so it’s easier to
h a
ndle. It also helps reduce the total car weight, which contributes to fuel economy. The
wheels used with the Convenience (Temporary) Spare are specifically designed for use
with high pressure spares and should never be used with any other type tire.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MOUNT YOUR OWN TIRES
Serious injury or death may result from explosion of tire/rim assembly due to improper
mounting procedures. Follow tire manufacturer’s instructions and match tire diameter to
rim diameter. Mount light truck radials on rims approved for radial service. Do not apply
bead sealer. This can inhibit bead seating. Lubricate beads and tire rim (including tube
or flap) contact surfaces. Lock assembly on mounting machine or place in safety cage.
STAND BACK and never exceed 40 psi to seat beads. Never use a volatile substance or
a rubber “donut” (also known as a bead expander or “O-Ring”) to aid bead seating. Only
specially trained persons should mount tires.
MICHELIN®
131
misalignment of your vehicle. When driving on such roads, drive carefully and slowly, and
before driving again at normal or highway speeds, examine your tires for any damage,
such as cuts, bulges, penetrations, unusual wear patterns, etc.
WEAR-BARS
Michelin® tires contain “Wear-Bars” in the grooves of the tire tread which show up when
o n
ly 2/32 of an inch (1.6 mm) of tread is remaining. At this stage, your tires must be
r e
placed. Tires worn beyond this stage are extremely dangerous.
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 vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
If you anticipate towing a trailer, you should visit any Michelin® tire retailer for advice
c o
ncerning 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 (ZP) Tires and Trailer
T o
wing
Operation of Pax® or ZP tires at low or zero air pressure with a trailer in tow, is dangerous
a n
d 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 FOR SAFETY AND MAXIMUM
M I
LEAGE FROM YOUR TIRES.
CHECK HOW YOUR TIRES ARE WEARING AT LEAST ONCE EACH MONTH
If your tires are wearing unevenly, such as the inside shoulder of the tire wearing faster
th
an 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 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.
MICHELIN®
133
Full-size Spare
Full-size spare tires (not temporary spares) of the same size and construction should be
u s
ed 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. However, when only
t w
o 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 SUVS AND LIGHT
TRUCKS
Due to their size, weight and higher center of gravity, vehicles such as SUVs 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 been modified, always drive safely, avoid sudden, sharp turns or lane changes and
obey all traffic laws. Failure to do so may result in loss of vehicle control leading to an
accident and serious injury or death.
TIRE ALTERATIONS
Do not make or allow to be made any alterations on your tires. Alterations may prevent
proper performance, leading to tire damage which can result in an accident. Tires which
become unserviceable due to alterations such as truing, whitewall inlays, addition of
balancing or sealant liquids, or the use of tire dressing containing petroleum distillates
are excluded from warranty coverage.
REPAIRS WHEREVER POSSIBLE, SEE YOUR MICHELIN® TIRE RETAILER AT ONCE
If any MICHELIN® tire sustains a puncture, have the tire demounted and thoroughly
inspected by any MICHELIN® tire retailer for possible damage that may have occurred.
A tread area puncture in any MICHELIN® passenger or light truck tire can be repaired
provided that the puncture hole is not more than 1/4 inch in diameter, not more than
o n
e radial cable per casing ply is damaged, and the tire has not been damaged further
by the puncturing object or by running underinflated. Tire punctures consistent with
these guidelines can be repaired by following the US Tire Manufacturers Association
(USTMA) recommended repair procedures.
TIRE REPAIRS
Repairs of all tires must be of the combined plug and inside patch type. Your MICHELIN®
PAX® System tires must be removed from the wheel for inspection prior to repair. Plug
only repairs are improper. A tire should be removed from the rim and inspected prior to
MICHELIN®
134
repair. Any tire repair done without removing the tire from the rim is improper. An
improperly repaired tire will cause further damage to the tire by either leaking air or
allowing air, moisture and contaminants to enter the structure of the tire. An improperly
repaired tire can fail suddenly at a later date.
Never repair a tire with less than 2/32nds of an inch tread remaining. At this tread depth,
th
e tire is worn out and must be replaced.
STORAGE
Tires contain waxes and emollients to protect their outer surfaces from ozone and
weather checking. As the tire rolls and flexes, the waxes and emollients continually
migrate to the surface, replenishing this 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 heat and ozone such
a s
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 trained 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 which are in good,
cle
an 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 new valves of the
c o
rrect 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 good
TOYO TIRES® – LIMITED WARRANTY
168
It is important to check your tires using an accurate tire pressure gauge, which can be
purchased at your tire dealer or auto supply store.
Underinflation can overload tires. Check the inflation pressure every month, including for
th
e spare tire, to make sure it is up to specification. Check it again before long trips or
when carrying extra weight.
Look for FCA US LLC’s recommended inflation pressure listed on the Tire Information
P l
acard usually located on your vehicle’s door edge, door post, glove box, or inside the
trunk lid.
It is important to check your tires using an accurate tire pressure gauge, which can be
p u
rchased at your tire dealer or auto supply store.
Underinflation can overload tires. Check the inflation pressure every month, including for
t h
e spare tire, to make sure it’s up to specification. Check it again before long trips or
when carrying extra weight.
Look for FCA US LLC’s recommended inflation pressure listed on the Tire Information
P l
acard usually located on your vehicle’s door edge, door post, glove box, or inside the
trunk lid.