BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
49
HIGH SPEED DRIVING
• Regardless of the speed and handling capabilities of your car and its tires, a loss of vehicle control can result from exceeding the maximum speed allowed by law or
warranted by traffic, weather, vehicle, or road conditions.
• H igh-speed driving should be left to trained professionals operating under controlled
c
onditions.
• N o tire, regardless of its design or speed rating, has unlimited capacity 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 recommendations for high
s p
eed driving.
TIRE SPEED RATINGS
A tire bearing a letter “speed rating” designation indicates the tire’s speed 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 speed rated tire only w
ith 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.
• T he tire’s speed rating is void if the tire is repaired, retreaded, damaged, abused, or
o
therwise altered from its original condition. Thereafter, it should be treated as a
non-speed rated tire.
• N on-speed rated tires are usually for ordinary passenger car or light truck service and
n
ot for high speed driving.
• F or winter tires used in cold weather conditions, it is generally acceptable to apply a
t
ire with a lower speed rating than your original tires; however, speed should be
reduced accordingly. All winter tires 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 specific,
co
ntrolled 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
WARNING!
Driving at high speed is dangerous and can cause a vehicle accident, including
serious personal injury or death.
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.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
56
DISTANCE—HOW FAR YOU CAN DRIVE
Factors affecting run-flat or low tire pressure operating distance include 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 pressure operating speed
an
d/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:
• M aximum distance values are determined under controlled conditions, which may
v
ary in actual use.
• Y our mileage capability may be less, or more, depending on your specific operating
c
onditions.
• I f in doubt, do not exceed the 50
mile (80 km) limitation.
• S eek tire service as soon as possible to minimize tire damage.
SPECIAL SERVICE AND REPAIR ISSUES
Run-Flat Certified Retailers
Because of the advanced technology and design of Run-Flat tires and the required Tire
Pr
essure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), Bridgestone® Firestone® Run-Flat Certified
Retailers are specially trained to sell and service RFT tires.
Run-Flat Certified Retailers have the necessary equipment and are specially trained to
p r
operly mount and demount RFT tires and to handle TPMS devices. Conventional
mounting equipment may irreparably damage RFT tires and an improper repair is unsafe
and will void the Limited Warranty. Accordingly, it is important to go to a Bridgestone®
Firestone® Run-Flat Certified Retailer for tire maintenance and replacement.
Call toll-free 1-877-BFS-4RFT or, 87
7-237-4738 or visit www.bridgestonetire.com to
locate the nearest Bridgestone® Firestone® Run-Flat Certified Retailer.
Inspection after Run-Flat or Low Pressure Operation
Following run-flat or low tire pressure operation, or in the event of any other tire damage
or
unusual condition, it is very important to obtain a proper and complete tire evaluation
as soon as possible.
Rotation
Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, or rotate every 5,000 miles per the
r e
commendations in this manual (see “Radial Tire Rotation”). In some cases, TPMS
devices require reprogramming with each tire rotation. Maximum Speed:
50 mph (80 km/h)
Maximum Distance: 50 miles (80 km)
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
57
RFT Tire Replacement
Do not replace or mix RFT tires with conventional tires, unless on an emergency/
t e
mporary basis. Conventional tires do not have run-flat capability and the handling
characteristics of the vehicle with these tires may be different. If a conventional tire is
used on an emergency/temporary basis, verify that its size, load capacity, inflation
pressure, and speed rating specifications meet the requirements of the vehicle. Replace
any conventional tire with the proper RFT tire as soon as possible.
RFT Tire Damage and Repair
No tire, regardless of its design or quality is indestructible. RFT tires can be ultimately
r e
ndered unusable due to a puncture or other road hazard as well as from improper
run-flat or low tire pressure operation. Some punctures may be repaired under certain
restrictions and prescribed procedures.
When driven flat or with low pressure, factors affecting reparability include vehicle speed,
l o
ad, and maneuvering; the amount of inflation pressure loss; and ambient temperature.
In any situation, the extent and location of direct damage from a puncturing object or
other road hazard are also critical factors.
RFT tires are not repairable in any of the following situations:
• I f the tire was operated with inflation pressure less than 15 psi (100 kPa).
•
Abrasion or other damage is present on the exterior tread, sidewall or bead areas.
•
Abrasion, wrinkling, or separation is present on the tire interior.
•
Any condition or damage is present that disqualifies repair of a conventional tire.
R
un-Flat Certified Retailers will fully inspect your tire, inside and out, to determine if the
t i
re can be repaired. Tire damage is not always visible from the outside and the tire must
be removed from the wheel for a complete inspection. For more information, see the
section “Tire Repairs” in this manual.
NOTE:
Some vehicle manufacturers do not recommend using repaired tires. Consult your
v e
hicle Owner’s Manual or contact the vehicle manufacturer before operating a repaired
tire on your vehicle.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
62
sion components, improper tire mounting or demounting, tire/wheel assembly
imbalance, or other vehicle conditions, defects, or characteristics.
• Contamination or degradation
by petroleum products or other chemicals, fire or
other externally generated heat, or water or other material trapped inside the tire
during mounting or inflation.
• Improper repair.
Improper repair voids this Limited Warranty
• For RFT tires only, improper run-flat or low tire pressure operation,
including,
without limitation: Exceeding speed, distance, or other run-flat/lowpressure oper-
ation limitations.
2. R apid tread wear or wear-out. Original equipment tires have no mileage warranty.
3
. W eather/ozone cracking after 4 years from date of tire manufacture.
4
. R ide disturbance or vibration after 1/32 of an inch (0.8mm) of tread wear use.
5
. T ires with sealant, balance, or other filler material that was not originally applied or
i
nserted by the tire manufacturer.
6. T ires used in commercial service.
7
. T ires purchased and normally used outside the United States and Canada.
8
. T he cost of applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
9
. F ailure to follow any of the safety and maintenance recommendations or warnings
c
ontained in this manual.
This Limited Warranty is in addition to and/or may be limited by any other applicable
w r
itten warranty you may have received concerning special tires or situations.
REPLACEMENT PRICE
Radial passenger and light truck tires adjusted under this Limited Warranty will be
replaced free of charge during the first 25% of tread wear or within 12 months from the
d a
te of purchase (proof of purchase date required; without proof of purchase date, then
within 12 months from the date of tire manufacture), whichever occurs first. During the
f r
ee replacement period, mounting and balancing are included free of charge.
To determine the replacement price after the free tire replacement period, the percent
o f
used tread wear is multiplied by the current selling price for the replacement tire(s).
The appropriate taxes, mounting, balancing, disposal fee, and other service charges may
be added to the adjustment replacement price.
In Canada, the tire will be adjusted at dealerships (subject to dealer discretion) at a
p r
edetermined “Adjustment Price.”
REPLACEMENT WARRANTY
If you receive a replacement tire under this Limited Warranty, it will be covered by the
manufacturer’s warranty, if any, given on that tire at that time.
CONTINENTAL TIRE
69
regardless of mileage or months of service. This includes payment for tire rotation,
alignment, towing, road service, valve stems and tire repairs.
Owner is responsible for maintaining proper tire air pressure and for proper maintenance
o f
the tire.
SAFETY WARNING:
Ignoring any of the safety and information contained in this warranty may result in tire
f a
ilure, causing serious injury or death.
• Tire failure due to underinflation/overloading.
Follow vehicle Owner’s Manual or tire
placard in vehicle for proper inflation and loading.
• Explosion of tire/rim assembly due to improper tire mounting.
Tire 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 US Tire
Manufacturers Association (USTMA) wall charts and manuals should be read to obtain
the proper procedures. The failure to follow these procedures may result in faulty posi -
tioning of the tire and/or rim, which may cause the assembly to burst with force suffi -
cient to cause injury or death.
• T
ire failure due to damage.
Inspect your tires frequently for scrapes, bulges, separa -
tions, cuts, snags and other damage from road hazards. Damage from impact can
o c
cur 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.
• T ire failure due to excessive tire spinning. A
void tire spinning. The centrifugal force
generated by a free-spinning tire/rim assembly may cause a sudden tire explosion
resulting in vehicle 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 repair to or reuse of
punctured Continental SSR tires.
Even a trained tire specialist may be unable to recognize internal structural damage to a
S e
lf 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 https://www.continentaltire.com/ or www.continentaltire.ca and select
Customer Care FAQs to obtain additional SSR information.
CONTINENTAL TIRE
70
TEMPORARY SPARE TIRE OWNERS
CTA does not recommend any repair to or reuse of punctured Temporary 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.
T h
is 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 3/16 of an
inch (5 mm) diameter penetrates the tread of the ContiSeal™ tire, this sticky, viscous
l a
yer 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 of an inch (5 mm) diameter. While ContiSeal™ tires significanty reduce the
i n
cidence 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 non-ContiSeal™ tires. As with
any tire, regularly inspect ContiSeal™ tires for evidence of cuts, punctures, and loss of
inflation pressure. At a minimum, ContiSeal™ tires should be inspected once or twice a
month and always before a long trip. Punctures or damage not attended to promptly can
result in loss of inflation pressure and/or damage to the tire. ContiSeal™ tires with cuts
and punctures must be inspected by a trained tire specialist as soon as possible. The
trained specialist, must inspect the tire carefully and, according to industry standards, to
determine whether a permanent repair can be made or whether the tire must be
removed from service and scrapped. A permanent repair will require removal of the tire
from the rim and application of a repair method specifically approved for the ContiSeal™
tires.
ContiSeal™ tires are identified by a symbol on the tire sidewall.
CONTISILENT™ TIRE OWNERS
ContiSilent™ tires are designed to reduce noise generated while
driving. A ContiSilent™ tire is lined with a noise reducing foam
i n
sert. It is not designed or intended to act as a puncture repair.
USING ContiSilent™ Tires
In aspects such as mounting, demounting, inflating and balancing, ContiSilent™ tires do
n o
t differ from non-ContiSilent™ tires. As with any tire, regularly inspect ContiSilent™
tires for evidence of cuts, punctures, and loss of inflation pressure. At a minimum,
ContiSilent™ tires should be inspected once or twice a month and always before a long
trip. Punctures or damage not attended to promptly can result in loss of inflation
pressure and/or damage to the tire. ContiSilent™ tires with cuts and punctures must be
inspected by a trained tire specialist as soon as possible. The trained tire specialist must
inspect the tire carefully and, according to industry standards, determine whether a
permanent repair can be made or whether the tire must be removed from service and
scrapped.
FALKEN TIRE CORPORATION
73
Example of what your tire placard looks like:
CHECKING YOUR TIRE AIR PRESSURE
Checking your air pressure at least once a month is vital to help your tires perform
p r
operly 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
( 1
6°F) drop in temperature. Here are some simple steps on how to check the air
pressures in your tires:
1. R emove the valve stem cap.
2
. P lace the end of the tire gauge firmly against the tire’s valve stem.
3
. R ead the current pressure displayed on the gauge that is currently in the tire.
4
. I ncrease pressure at this time (if needed) and recheck with your tire gauge.
5
. R eplace the valve stem cap.
6
. R epeat until all of your tires have been checked and adjusted accordingly.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)
A Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is a safety system found in most
vehicles manufactured after 2005. There are pressure sensing transmitters
mo
unted inside of each tire that send 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.
ROTATION AND WEAR
Falken recommends rotating your tires at least every 8,000 km (5,000 miles).
Pe
riodically inspecting your tires to make sure they are free of road hazards (such as
nails, screws, large wood splinters, etc.) that might penetrate your tires causing them to
lose air pressure and to ensure they are wearing evenly. Common irregular wear patterns
are: misalignment wear, where the tire shows excessive outer or inner tread wear. Tire
sidewalls should also be inspected for cuts, snags, bruises, and weather cracking. If any