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8. Tire Replacement
The tires fitted to your vehicle as original equipment were tested and approved by the
vehicle manufacturer and the tire manufacturer and take into account all aspects of the
vehicle’s operation. Changes in the tire size, type or construction should not be made
without seeking advice from the vehicle or tire manufacturer or an authorized Pirelli
dealer since unapproved tires on your vehicle could adversely affect steering, handling,
braking and traction. The tire information (tire size, load index and speed symbol) as
found on the vehicle placard or in the owner’s manual should always be followed when
replacing tires.
It is strongly recommended that Pirelli tires be mounted in sets of four with the same
t r
ead type. Pirelli tires should not be mixed with other tire brands. It is necessary to follow
this procedure because different tire constructions have different handling
characteristics. Tires on the same axle must be the same manufacturer, brand, tire size,
load index, speed rating and Pirelli part number.
When changing only two tires on a vehicle which is homogeneously fitted (four tires of the
sa
me tire size), fit the new tires on the rear axle. This applies to all vehicles regardless of
their drive axle. (Front or Rear Drive).
On all wheel drive or four wheel drive vehicles the tires must always be replaced in sets
o f
four.
When replacing tires on light truck vehicles, you should always follow the vehicle
m a
nufacturer’s recommendations. Passenger and light truck tires are not
interchangeable, due to differences in their pressures and load carrying capacity.
P-Metric and Euro-metric Interchangeability: Euro-metric (Example: 225/45R17) tires
h a
ve a load index which is equal to or greater than that of the same size P-metric
(Example: P225/45R17) tire. Therefore, they have the same or higher load carrying
capacity at the maximum rated inflation pressure. Always check with your tire dealer or
Pirelli Tire Consumer Affairs to be sure of the exact interchangeability to maintain proper
vehicle dynamics.
Please be aware that it is important that, before fitting the suggested tires, the fitment is
a l
lowed by the technical specifications of the vehicle, the vehicle manufacturer and the
relevant homologations. Pirelli Tire does not express any view as to the compatibility of
the wheel/tire combination with the technical specifications for the chassis and vehicle.
TO MAINTAIN PROPER VEHICLE DYNAMICS AND LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY,
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PLACEMENT TIRES MUST ALWAYS HAVE A LOAD INDEX AND SPEED SYMBOL EQUAL
TO OR GREATER THAN THOSE FITTED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT.
When making plus size fitments, you should consult with the dealer regarding any
s u
spension or braking system modifications which may be recommended for the vehicle.
9. Tire Inspection
As a minimum, tires (including the spare tire) should be examined and air pressure
checked monthly and always prior to long trips. They should also be examined if you
strike any unusual object on the road. Tires showing bulges, cracks, cuts, penetrations
or uneven wear must be dismounted and examined by an authorized Pirelli tire dealer
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The maximum speed of a vehicle is limited by the lowest-speed- rated tire on the car.
PROPER SELECTION OF TIRES
When tires need to be replaced, do not guess what tire is right for your vehicle. First look
at the vehicle Owner’s Manual or the Tire Information Placard. They tell you the size of
the tires that were on the vehicle as original equipment.
Replacement tires for any vehicle must be of a size, load range, and load capacity (by
in
flation) that is capable of supporting the same load as the vehicle’s Original Equipment
(OE) installed tires. Avoid installing used tires on a vehicle. There is no way to determine
what road hazards or abuse a previously owned tire may have incurred.
The following procedures concerning replacement tires must be followed:
• C onfirm that the load-carrying capacity is greater than or equal to the loadcarying
c
apacity of the OE tire size at the pressure indicated on the vehicle Tire Information
Placard.
• C arefully note any differences between recommendations for front and rear axle posi -
t
ions regarding the tire size and/or inflation pressure.
• T he speed rating must be equal to or greater than what is specified by the vehicle
m
anufacturer if the speed capability of the vehicle is to be maintained.
• T ires should be mounted on approved wheel widths. If changing tire sizes, check to
m
ake sure the wheel has adequate load and inflation pressure capacity.
• B ody and chassis clearance must be checked on the vehicle’s front and rear axles.
CAUTION!
A tire’s speed rating is void if the tire has been retreaded, damaged, abused, or
otherwise altered from its original condition. Thereafter, it should be treated as a
non-speed-rated tire. In addition, retreaded passenger and light truck tires are not
warranted by Toyo Tires® for any reason. Toyo Tires® speed ratings are voided for
retreaded tires.
WARNING!
• Failure to install tires with adequate load capacity will result in tire fatigue and
sudden tire failure. This could lead to loss of vehicle control, possibly resulting in
personal injury or death.
• C ertain vehicle performance parameters, including ride comfort and handling, may
b
e affected by substitute tire sizes. In some cases, particularly for SUVs and light
trucks, a failure to follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations for tire
replacement could adversely affect the safe handling of the vehicle, possibly
resulting in a loss of vehicle control leading to personal injury or death.
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Toyo Tires® does not endorse the operation of any vehicle in an unsafe or unlawful
manner. Obey all local speed limits.
Tire speed ratings do not imply that a vehicle can be safely driven at the speed for which
th
e tire is rated. Speed ratings are based on laboratory tests and relate to performance
on the road, but are not applicable if tires are underinflated, overloaded, worn out,
damaged, or altered.
EXPLANATION OF TIRE SPEED SYMBOLS
A speed rating is designated by a letter that indicates the maximum speed capability of
a tire. The speed rating of a tire is based on standards for reaching and sustaining a
specified speed, and is determined via laboratory tests that simulate road performance
at various speeds.
Tires may be marked with one of these speed symbols: M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, U, H, V, W, Y,
o r
(Y) to identify the particular tire’s speed rating. Additionally, the letter Z may appear in
the size designation.
When purchasing or replacing speed-rated tires, make sure to:
• U se the ranking in the following chart to compare the speed symbols of all the tires.
•
Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, if any, concerning the use of
s
peed-rated tires.
To avoid reducing the speed capability of the vehicle, replace a speed-rated tire only with
a n
other tire having at least the same or higher speed rating. Remember, the “top speed”
of the “lowest rated” tire on the car cannot be exceeded without risk of tire failure.
WARNING!
No tire, regardless of its design or speed rating, has an unlimited capacity for speed.
Exceeding the tire’s speed capability could cause overheating and sudden tire failure,
possibly leading to loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury or death.
WARNING!
High-speed driving with underinflated or overloaded tires may result in immediate tire
failure, possibly leading to loss of vehicle control, which could cause an accident,
including serious personal injury or death.
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REPLACEMENT TIRES FOR LIGHT TRUCKS – P-METRIC VS . LT-TRUCK
Tire installers should exercise extreme caution when replacing tires on light trucks.
The maximum load capacity stamped on the sidewall of a P-metric tire is reduced by a
fa
ctor of 1.1 when used on a light truck, a sport utility vehicle, or a trailer.
When a P-metric or metric tire is installed on a light truck (SUV, pickup, minivan), the load
r a
ting is reduced by dividing by 1.1. (This load reduction factor is prescribed by Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and is based on the expectation that
passenger-type tires may experience more severe loading and usage conditions when
applied to light trucks.) For example, 305/50R20 has a maximum load capacity of
3,086 lb. If this tire is fitted to a light truck, the actual allowable load for the tire is
2,805 lb (3,086 lb divided by 1.1).
Consult the load and inflation charts that can be found at www.toyotires.com. Contact
Toyo Tires® Technical Service with any tire replacement questions: 1 -
800-442-8696
(Pacific Time) or 1-888-444-8696 (Eastern Time).
WARNING!
• P-metric and LT-metric tires are not necessarily interchangeable. P-metric and LT-metric tires follow completely different Load/ Inflation tables and are designed to
carry different loads at different pressures.
• LT -metric tires carry their load at higher inflation pressures and do not always have
a
dequate load capacity to replace P-metric tires of the same size.
• A fter reducing a P-metric tire’s load rating by dividing by 1.1 for fitment on a Light
T
ruck, the P-metric tire may not offer sufficient load capacity to replace an LT-metric
tire of the same size.
• C ontact your Toyo Tires® dealer or Toyo Tires® Technical Service for help deter -
m
ining how to choose a proper replacement size.
• D riving with underinflated or overloaded tires may result in immediate tire failure,
w
hich can cause an accident and could lead to serious personal injury or death.