BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
61
LIMITED WARRANTY
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT
PASSENGER AND LIGHT TRUCK TIRES
Including Tires with Run-Flat Technology
ELIGIBILITY
This Limited Warranty covers Bridgestone® and Firestone® brand passenger and light
t r
uck tires, including RFT and temporary spare tires, originally installed by the vehicle
manufacturer on a new vehicle. You are covered under the terms of this Limited Warranty
if the tire was produced after July 4, 2004 (DOT serial 2704 or later) and has been used
only on the vehicle on which it was originally installed in non-commercial service.
WHAT IS WARRANTED AND FOR HOW LONG
Before wearing down to 2/32 of an inch (1.6 mm) remaining original tread depth (i.e.
w o
rn down to the top of the built-in indicators in the tread grooves) and within 6 years
from the date of purchase (proof of purchase date required; without proof of purchase
date, then within 6 years from the date of tire manufacture), for any reason other than
those excluded in the section entitled “What This Limited Warranty Does Not Cover,” any
eligible tire that becomes unusable for any reason within the manufacturer’s control will
be replaced with an equivalent new tire on the basis set forth in this Limited Warranty.
WHAT THIS LIMITED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER
This Limited Warranty does not cover the following:
1. T ire damage or irregular wear due to:
• Road hazards,
including, without limitation: Puncture, cut, impact break, stone
drill, bruise, bulge, snag, etc.
• Improper use or operation,
including, without limitation: Improper inflation pres -
sure, overloading, tire/wheel spinning, use of an improper wheel, tire chain
d a
mage, misuse, misapplication, negligence, tire alteration, or for racing or
competition purposes.
• Insufficient or improper maintenance,
including, without limitation: Failure to
rotate tires as recommended in this manual, wheel misalignment, worn suspen -
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.
FALKEN TIRE CORPORATION 74
of these noted conditions are present during inspection, we recommend returning to
your servicing tire dealer to be corrected to ensure long tire life. ***Never include a
temporary spare tire in your rotation pattern***
TIRE REPLACEMENT
Falken recommends replacing your tires when the tread wears down to the wear bars at
1.6 mm (2/32 of an inch), which are located across the tread in several locations around
t h
e tire. If only two tires are being replaced, the two new tires should always be installed
on the rear of the vehicle to aid in preventing your vehicle from hydroplaning, even if your
car is front wheel drive. It is always recommended to have your new tires balanced during
installation, and alignment checked if the previous tires show and irregular wear. Tires
that have been in use for five years or more should continue to be inspected by a
qualified tire specialist, at least annually. It is recommended that any tires 10 years old
or older from the date of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires
as a precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not reached
the legal worn out limit at 1.6 mm (2/32 of an inch).
TIRE REPAIRS
In the event that you get a flat tire while driving, it is best to find a nearby, safe place to
stop and install your spare tire or call a tow truck. The less distance that you drive on your
low or flat tire, the better chances your tire has of being repairable. Once you are able to
get to your local servicing tire dealer, have them dismount the tire from the rim and
thoroughly inspect the inside of the tire. It is important to know the difference between a
proper tire repair and an improper one because it can be critical to you and your vehicle’s
safety. An improper repair could pose a safety threat to you and your family and could
also affect your tire’s manufacturer warranty. Here are some tips in determining if your
damaged tire can be properly repaired or not:
• Always have the tire removed from the wheel and inspected before any repair is
p
erformed.
• T ires with less than 1.6
mm (2/32 of an inch) of tread should NOT be repaired.
• N ever repair a tire with a puncture larger than 6
mm (1/4 of an inch).
• R epairs should be limited to the tread area only.
•
Repairs cannot overlap one another.
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.
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
GOODYEAR® DUNLOP® TIRES
94
WHAT IS NOT COVERED BY THIS WARRANTY?
This limited warranty does not cover the following:
• Tires submitted for ride disturbance complaints that are worn beyond the first 2/32 of
a
n inch tread depth or tires submitted for ride disturbance due to damaged wheels or
any vehicle condition.
• G oodyear® does not warrant or give credit in any adjustment transaction for any kind
o
f material added to a tire (e.g., tire fillers, sealants, balancing substances) after the
tire leaves a factory producing Goodyear® or Dunlop® tires, nor will it adjust any tire
that has failed as a result of adding such material.
• I rregular wear or damage due to mechanical condition of the vehicle, improper infla -
t
ion, overloading, high speed spin-up, misapplication, misuse, negligence, racing, use
o f
tire chains, improper mounting or demounting, improper repair, wreck, collision or
fire.
• R oad hazards (includes, but is not limited to, punctures, cuts, snags, impact breaks,
e
tc.).
• A ny tire that, after leaving a factory producing Goodyear® or Dunlop® tires, has been
i
ntentionally altered to change its appearance (e.g., white inlay on a black tire or
regrooved).
• T ires with weather-cracking that were purchased more than four years prior to presen -
t
ation for adjustment or, if purchase date cannot be verified, manufactured more than
f o
ur years prior to presentation for adjustment.
• T emporary spare tires used on vehicles used in racing and on passenger cars in
s
pecial applications such as police pursuit service.
• G oodyear® Unisteel® Commercial Radial Light Truck Tires.
•
Tires removed from service due to improper repairs.
•
Tires supplied as Original Equipment are not eligible for any tread life warranty consid -
e
ration.
• C osmetic weather checking.
•
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) – refer to vehicle manufacturer’s warranty.
•
Ultra High-Performance Summer tires are not recommended for Winter use, and tread
o
r shoulder cracking on those tires resulting from Winter use will not be covered under
our warranty.
WHAT ARE YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS?
No Representative or dealer has authority to make any representation, promise or
agreement on behalf of Goodyear®, except as stated herein. Any tire, no matter how well
constructed, may fail in service or otherwise become unserviceable due to conditions
beyond the control of the manufacturer. Under no circumstances is this warranty a
representation that a tire failure cannot occur.
DISCLAIMER: THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF, AND GOODYEAR® HEREBY DISCLAIMS,
AN
Y AND ALL OTHER WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
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.