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
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.
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.
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.
GOODYEAR® DUNLOP® TIRES
101
TIRE SERVICE LIFE
Tires are designed and built to provide many thousands of miles/kilometers of excellent
service. For maximum benefit, tires must be maintained properly to avoid tire damage
that may result in removal from service before the tread is worn down to minimum depth.
It is not practical to accurately predict the service life of any specific tire in chronological
t i
me since service conditions vary widely. The serviceability of a tire over time is a
function of the storage and service conditions (inflation pressure, load, speed, road
hazard injury, etc.) to which a tire is subjected. Consumers should not rely solely on the
appearance of the tire, but should be aware of any change in dynamic performance such
as increased air loss, noise or vibration, which could be a sign to remove the tire.
Therefore, it is essential to have tires, including spares, inspected regularly (at least
monthly) for proper inflation pressure, damage and treadwear.
Check your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual (or your vehicle) to determine if it is equipped with
r u
n-flat (extended mobility) tires. If your vehicle is equipped with run-flat tires, the
following applies:
RUN-FLAT TECHNOLOGY EXTENDED MOBILITY TECHNOLOGY (EMT™), RUNONFLAT®
( R
OF) AND DUNLOP® SELF-SUPPORTING TECHNOLOGY (DSST®) ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT
TIRES
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
OPERATIONAL MONITORING
The information contained in this Limited Warranty Brochure applies only to the Original
E q
uipment tires supplied with your vehicle. In order for Goodyear® Run-Flat (Extended
Mobility Technology [EMT], RunOnFlat [ROF]) or Dunlop® Run-Flat (Dunlop® Self-
Supporting Technology [DSST]) tires to obtain the performance criteria stated within this
Limited Warranty, Goodyear® or Dunlop® Run-Flat tires must use specific parts, such as
a low tire pressure monitoring system authorized by the Original Equipment vehicle
manufacturer.
RUN-FLAT TIRE FEATURE:
The Goodyear® or Dunlop® Run-Flat tire is a high-performance tire with a remarkable
f e
ature: It can operate for limited distances with very low or even no inflation pressure
(refer to your Vehicle Owner’s Manual for these limitations). This is an important benefit,
especially if inflation loss occurs at a location where immediately stopping your vehicle
could be hazardous.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ALERT:
Refer to your vehicle Owner’s Manual for more information on what to do if the tire
p r
essure warning system activates.
MICHELIN®
123
CONDITIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
This limited warranty does not provide compensation for loss of time, loss of use of
vehicle, inconvenience or incidental or consequential damages. Tires presented for
claim remain the property of the consumer and Michelin® accepts no responsibility for
loss or damage to tires which are in the custody or control of a Michelin® tire retailer for
the purpose of inspection for warranty adjustment.
In the event of a disputed claim, the consumer must make the tire available for further
in
spection.
Tires accepted for claim become the property of Michelin® North America, Inc.
No Michelin® representative, employee or retailer has the authority to make or imply any
re
presentation, promise or agreement, which in any way varies from the terms of this
warranty.
This warranty applies only in the United States and Canada.
SAFETY MAINTENANCE INFORMATION
Read your Tire Owner’s Manual, the information on the sidewall of your tires, your vehicle
Owner’s Manual and vehicle tire information placard for essential safety and
maintenance information. When service is required:
1. C ontact a participating Michelin® tire retailer listed in your local yellow pages.
2
. I f additional assistance in locating a participating Michelin® tire retailer is required,
p
lease call the phone number listed in this book for the Consumer Care Department
in your area.
ARBITRATION CLAUSE
RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES
ALL CLAIMS ARISING FROM THIS LIMITED WARRANTY OR THE MARKETING, SALE OR
P E
RFORMANCE OF THE PURCHASED PRODUCT AGAINST MICHELIN® NORTH AMERICA,
INC. AND ITS AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, DEALERS, AFFILIATES, PARENT OR SISTER
CORPORATIONS, RELATED CORPORATE ENTITIES, PREDECESSORS, SUCCESSORS OR
ASSIGNS (HEREINAFTER COLLECTIVELY “MICHELIN®”) SHALL BE SUBJECT TO BINDING
ARBITRATION. You and Michelin® acknowledge your and its right to litigate claims,
disputes and controversies arising out of or in connection with this limited warranty or
the marketing, sale or performance of the purchased product in court, but prefer to
resolve any such claims, disputes and controversies through arbitration and hereby
waive the right to litigate such claims, disputes and controversies in court upon election
of arbitration by either party. Therefore, you and Michelin® agree that all claims,
disputes, and controversies between you and Michelin® arising out of or in connection
WARNING!
DISREGARDING ANY OF THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED
IN THIS MANUAL MAY RESULT IN TIRE FAILURE OR EXPLOSION CAUSING SERIOUS
PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
MICHELIN®
124
with this limited warranty, or any other warranties, express or implied, including a failure
of warranty, or any claims arising out of or in connection with the marketing, sale or
performance of the purchased product, including but not limited to claims for consumer
fraud or brought under any consumer protection statute, but excluding claims for
personal injury or property damage, shall be finally resolved solely by arbitration, upon
election by either party, according to the formal dispute resolution procedures then in
effect of the National Arbitration Forum, or if the National Arbitration Forum is no longer
conducting such arbitrations, a successor organization thereto or such other private
arbitration service as you and Michelin® North America, Inc. shall mutually agree (the
actual authority involved, the “Arbitral Body”). The Arbitral Body shall decide the issues
submitted in accordance herewith, provided that all substantive questions of law will be
determined under the laws of the State in which you purchased the product at issue. You
agree that no claim subject to arbitration shall be arbitrated as a class action, or on a
class-wide or representative basis, or on behalf of the general public, or on behalf of
other persons that may be similarly situated. You agree that you do not have the right to
act as a private attorney general, a class representative, or to participate as a member
of a class of claimants with any claim subject to arbitration. You further agree that no
claim subject to arbitration shall be heard by a jury and that any judgment or award of
the Arbitral Body will be final and not subject to judicial review. All arbitrations will be
conducted as document hearings. Each party shall bear its own costs arising from and
associated with the document hearing with MICHELIN® the exception of the arbitrator’s
fee which will be borne by all parties in equal shares. If either party requests any
procedures beyond a document hearing, the requesting party will be responsible for all
fees, including filing and administrative fees, above and beyond the fees required for
document hearings. Any award of the arbitrator(s) may be entered as a judgment and
shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The arbitrators will have no
authority to award punitive or other damages not measured by the prevailing party’s
actual damages, except as may be required by statute. Information about arbitration may
be obtained and claims may be filed at any office of the National Arbitration Forum or at
P.O. Box 50191, Minneapolis, MN 55405.
TIRE DISABLEMENT
SAFETY WARNING
Any tire may fail as a result of an improperly repaired puncture, impact damage, improper
in
flation, overloading or other conditions resulting from use or misuse. Tire failures, such
as a rapid air loss or a tread and belt detachment, may increase risk of injury or death
and/or property damage. To reduce the risk of a tire failure, Michelin® recommends you
thoroughly read and follow the recommendations in the Michelin® Owner’s Manual,
vehicle Owner’s Manual, tire placard information, and tire sidewall information regarding
safety warnings, proper tire use and maintenance.
CONTROLLABILITY
Controlling a vehicle when a tire failure occurs
If a tire failure occurs, you may hear a loud noise, feel a vibration, and/or the vehicle may
p u
ll toward the side of the failed tire. If possible, step on the accelerator momentarily to
maintain forward momentum and ensure vehicle control. It is most important that you