FALKEN TIRE CORPORATION
75
• A plug and patch or plug/patch combo should be used to effectively repair a tire punc -
ture.
• I f anything seems questionable at any time during the repair process, ask your service
a
dvisor for more details and/or call the tire manufacturer to make sure the tire’s
warranty is not being voided.
TIRE MIX USAGE
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. However, speeds should
b e
reduced to match the tires new “maximum” speed capability.
Any tire that is repaired, damaged, abused, altered from its original state or retreaded
v o
ids 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 low 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.
WARNING!
Never mix tires of different size or construction and/or type on any axle. (Except for
temporary use as a spare tire.) Always refer to the vehicle’s owner manual for proper
tire fitments.
WARNING!
Falken does not recommend the use of mixing different speed ratings on a vehicle.
This can cause poor handling and unpredictable steering.
FALKEN TIRE CORPORATION
77
B) LIMITED WARRANTY
This limited warranty applies to Falken brand original equipment passenger car,
temporary spare, and light truck steel belted radial tires bearing the complete
description and serial number required by the Department of Transportation (DOT). This
warranty is effective only to tires for which claims are made within five years of the date
of production, based on the tire DOT serial number.
1. WHAT IS COVERED AND FOR HOW LONG
Falken tires that are originally equipped on this vehicle are warranted against
any defects in the materials and workmanship for the usable life of the original
tread. The limited warranty terminates at the flush appearance of the tread wear
indicators at 1.6 mm (2/32 of an inch) remaining tread depth.
• Free Replacement - If a tire becomes unserviceable due to such defect within the
first 1.6 mm (2/32 of an inch) of tread wear, the tire will be replaced free of charge
w i
th the same or comparable Falken tire.
• P rorated Replacement - After the first 1.6
mm (2/32 of an inch) of wear, a prorated
ad
justment credit will be given based on the percentage of remaining usable tread
depth, down to the remaining 1.6 mm (2/32 of an inch) tread wear bar indicator.
N o
credit is given if the tire is worn beyond the flush appearance of the tread wear
bar indicator (less than 1.6 mm (2/32 of an inch) tread depth remaining).
• O ut-of-Round/Out-of-Balance Replacement- Tires that are deemed to be
o
ut-of-round or out-of-balance will be accepted for adjustment during the first
0.8 mm (1/32 of an inch) of the original tread depth and will be replaced free of
c h
arge with the same or similar Falken tires (no labor costs will be covered). A set
of four (4) tires from the same vehicle will not be accepted for out-of-round or
out-of-balance claims.
2. W HAT IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY
•
Tires that become unserviceable due to road hazard damages (cuts, snags, punc -
t
ures, bruises, impact breaks, etc.) improper repair technique or materials,
i m
proper inflation, overload, irregular wear, wheel imbalance, defective mechan -
ical vehicle components (brakes, suspension, wheels, etc.) improper suspension
a l
ignment, accident, fire, chemical damage, damage from chain use, racing,
off-road use, run flat, improper installation, vandalism, or abuse.
• T ires branded “NA” or a tire in which the DOT numbering has been removed.
•
Tires presented for a warranty claim by someone other than by someone other
t
han the original purchaser, or tires that were transferred to another vehicle from
the vehicle on which the tires were originally installed.
• T ires having a failure or failures caused by previous damages or repairs.
•
The cost of tire repair or retreading is not covered by this warranty and will be the
s
ole responsibility of the tire owner.
FALKEN TIRE CORPORATION 78
Possible non-Covered Reasons/Conditions:
3. OWNER’S OBLIGATIONS
At least monthly, the vehicle owner(s) should check the tires’ air pressure with a
gauge and inflate to the recommended cold air pressure level listed on the driver
door placard. Do not rely on car servicers to perform the checks. The tires should
be rotated at least every 8,000 km (5,000 miles) or earlier if uneven wear is oc -
curring, and proof of maintenance records should be kept. The owner(s) should
h a
ve the tires rebalanced if vibration is experienced, and the vehicle’s alignment
should be checked if uneven or rapid wear is occurring, or when suggested by
the vehicle’s manufacturer.
All warranty claims must be presented to an authorized Falken dealer or partici -
pating car dealership. The owner(s) must present any supporting maintenance
r e
cords and documentation necessary to help determine if the tire(s) in question
are deemed covered by the limited warranty or not.
4. LEGAL RIGHTS
All implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for a
particular purpose shall be limited in duration to the above period. To the extent
permitted by law, Falken Tire Corporation shall not be responsible for incidental
or consequential damages, such as loss of use of the tire or the vehicle on which
it is used, inconvenience, or commercial loss, some states do not allow limita -
tions on how long an implied warranty lasts, or the exclusion or limitation of inci -
dental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not
a p
ply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have
other rights, which vary from state to state. This is the only express warranty ap -
plicable to Falken brand tires and supersedes the terms of any previous warran -
ty. Falken neither assumes nor authorizes anyone to make or assume for it any
o t
her warranty.
Chipping/Chunking/Tearing Puncture
Corrosion/Wreck Racing or any Competition
Fire Repair Failure
Impact Break or Concussions Road Hazards
Improper Inflation Pressure Sidewall Cut or Damage
Improper Mounting/Dismount Theft or Vandalism
Mechanical Defects of the Vehicle Tread Cuts
Misalignment Wheel Imbalance
Misapplication Willful Abuse
Overloading
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79
C) UNDERSTANDING YOUR TIRES
TIRE SPEED SYMBOLS
Tires that are speed-rated are identified by the following letter symbols: Q, S, T, U, H, V,
W ,
Y, (Y), or (ZR). The Speed Rating’s Symbol can be found as a part of the tire size
designation (ex: 215/65HR16) or after the load index immediately following the tire size
designation (ex: 215/65R16 97H). The Speed Rating’s Symbol indicates the maximum
speed that a tire can handle when properly inflated and loaded.
**For tires with speed symbols W and Y, ZR may or may not also appear within the size designation. For
tires with a maximum speed above 186 mph a ZR must appear in the size designation.
DATE OF TIRE MANUFACTURE
The date that a tire was manufactured can be determined by examining the last four
digits of the 12-digit Department of Transportation (DOT) serial code, which is found on
at least one sidewall of a tire. For tires that were produced after the year 2000, the last
four digits of the serial code will identify the week and the year that the tire was
manufactured. If the last four digits in the DOT serial code were to read “3013” it would
mean that the tire was manufactured the 30th week of 2013. If you are uncertain, check
with a qualified tire service professional to be sure.Speed Symbol
Maximum Speed (KMH) Maximum Speed (MPH)
Q 160 99
S 180 112
T 190 118
U 200 124
H 210 130
V 240 149
W 270 168
Y 300 186
(Y) Above 300 Above 186
ZR** Above 240 Above 149
FALKEN TIRE CORPORATION
81
RADIAL MARKING
A radial ply tire will have the word “radial” marked on at least one sidewall. An “R” found
i n
the tire size marking also refers to the tire being a radial ply tire.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING (UTQG) SYSTEM
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) Standards were created to help you make an
informed decision when purchasing passenger car tires by providing relative information
about a tire’s treadwear, traction, and temperature characteristics. Here is a breakdown
of the different categories that the UTQG grades:
TREAD WEAR
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when
te
sted under controlled conditions on a specified government test course. For example,
a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1½) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices, and differences in road characteristics and
climate.
TRACTION
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA
, A, B and C. Those grades represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specific government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
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 braking 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 properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive loading either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
87
GENERAL TIRE
LIMITED WARRANTY FOR ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PASSENGER CAR AND LIGHT TRUCK
TIRES (Including SPECIAL SPARE Tires)
This booklet also includes important safety warnings.
ELIGIBILITY
This Limited Warranty and Adjustment Policy applies to the original owner of new General
brand passenger and light truck (LT) tires that are the new vehicle original equipment
tires bearing the General brand name and Department of Transportation (DOT) Tire
Identification, operated in normal service, and used on the same vehicle on which they
were originally installed according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.
Tire(s) on any vehicle registered and normally operated outside the United States and
Can
ada are excluded from eligibility under this Limited Warranty and Adjustment Policy.
WHAT IS THE ADJUSTMENT POLICY AND HOW LONG IS IT APPLICABLE?
BASIC COVERAGE:
Eligible Tires are covered by this Limited Warranty and Adjustment Policy for a maximum
of
72 months from the date of purchase, determined by the new vehicle registration date
or
new vehicle sales invoice showing date of purchase.
Where To Go For Warranty Replacement: Co
ntact the vehicle dealer from where you
purchased the vehicle to determine the eligible warranty coverage for your tires and
where to proceed from there.
Free Replacement Period: If
an eligible General brand passenger or light truck tire
becomes unserviceable from a condition other than those listed under Section 3 during
the first 12 months or first 2/32 of an inch (1.6 mm) of tread wear (whichever comes
fi r
st) it will be replaced with a comparable new General brand tire FREE OF CHARGE,
including mounting and balancing. Owner pays all applicable taxes.
Temporary Spare Tires: Th
is Policy also extends to the original owner of the General
brand Temporary Spare Tire that was originally equipped by the vehicle manufacturer as
a temporary spare tire bearing a General Department of Transportation (DOT) serial
number. An eligible Temporary Spare Tire under this Policy must have been operated in
normal service, used on the same vehicle on which they were originally installed
according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations,
This Policy is for a maximum period of 72 months from date of purchase, determined by
th e
new vehicle registration date or new vehicle sales invoice showing date purchased.
If a Temporary Spare Tire becomes unserviceable from a condition other than those
li s
ted in Section 3, during the first 1/32 of an inch (0.8 mm) of tread wear, then it will be
re p
laced with a comparable new General brand Temporary Spare Tire FREE OF CHARGE,
including mounting and balancing. The owner pays all applicable taxes.
After this “Free Replacement Policy” for your Temporary Spare Tire expires, no
ad j
ustment will be made.
GENERAL TIRE
88
After The Free Replacement Period:
The tire (except temporary spare tire) may still be eligible for a pro rated replacement for
72
months from date of original purchase until the tread is worn down to the tread wear
i n
dicators (2/32 of an inch or 1.6 mm of tread remaining.) If an eligible tire becomes
u n
serviceable under the stipulations of this Limited Warranty and Adjustment policy it
will be replaced charging the owner a prorated amount. Owner pays all applicable taxes
including Federal Excise Tax (FET), mounting and balancing charges.
The replacement tire price will be determined by multiplying the percentage of the usable
t r
ead worn by the Dealers Selling Price excluding all applicable taxes) at the time of the
adjustment. The usable tread is the original tread down to the tread wear indicators
(2/32 of an inch or 1.6 mm of tread remaining.
WHAT IS NOT COVERED BY THIS LIMITED WARRANTY
THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT COVERED:
•Road Hazard:
Any General tire with road hazard damage. This includes, but is not
limited to: cuts, snags, punctures, bruises, and impact breaks.
• Ride/Vibration:
Any ride/vibration complaint after the first 2/32 of an inch (1.6 mm)
of
an inch of tread wear or 12 months of service, whichever comes first.
• Repairs:
If a tire is returned under complaint and the reason for the tire’s disablement
is in any way associated with a repair, or with the situation that led to the repair, the
manufacturer’s warranty is invalidated.
• Mileage:
Tread wear out up to a predetermined mileage is not covered under this policy.
•Improper operation or maintenance:
This includes, but is not limited to, effects caused
by:
• Improper tire inflation and/or improper load/speed practices:
These practices can
cause excessive operational temperatures and stresses that exceed the tire’s
capabilities.
• I mproper or insufficient tire rotation
•
Improper vehicle alignment
•
Damage due to:
•
Rim irregularities or rim damage
•
Snow chains
•
Vehicle mechanical problems, including brake problems, and vehicle wheel align -
m
ent
• Extreme temperature exposure
•
Negligent and abusive driving such as tire spinning, or racing
•
Improper tire storage
•
Automotive accident
•
Chemical corrosion or fire
•
Use contrary to the vehicle manufacturer’s tire recommendations
•
Misuse or misapplication
GENERAL TIRE
90
(“Authorized Dealer”). CTNA will replace the tire pursuant to the terms of this Limited
Warranty and Adjustment Policy. Tires that are replaced under an adjustment basis
under this Limited Warranty and Adjustment Policy become the property of CTNA.
OWNER’S OBLIGATIONS
To make an eligible claim under this Limited Warranty and Adjustment Policy, the owner
must present a claim with the tire to an authorized dealer. For the nearest authorized
dealer, consult the Yellow Pages, the General brand internet address, or the 800 telephone
numbers shown on the back of this Limited Warranty and Adjustment Policy. Owner must
present new vehicle registration form or new vehicle sales invoice indicating the date of
purchase. Owner will be required to sign the CTNA Limited Warranty Claim Form or dealer
replacement sales receipt.
Owner is responsible for paying all applicable taxes set forth under this Limited Warranty
and
Adjustment Policy. Owner is also responsible for paying local tire disposal fees and any
parts or service 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 of the tire.
SAFETY WARNING:
Ignoring any of the safety and information contained in this limited warranty and
Adjustment Policy may result in tire failure, 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 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 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, 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 damage and/or serious injury or death. Never exceed 35 mph
( 5
5 km/h) as indicated on your speedometer when your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud,
o r
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.