TIRES
9
Tires — General Information
Tire Pressure
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and satisfactory operation of your
vehicle. Four primary areas are affected by improper tire pressure:
• Safety and Vehicle Stability
• Ec
onomy
• Tr
ead Wear
• Ri
de Comfort
S a
fety
Both underinflation and overinflation affect the stability of the vehicle and can produce
a f
eeling of sluggish response or over responsiveness in the steering.
NOTE:
• U nequal tire pressures from side to side may cause erratic and unpredictable steering
r e
sponse.
• Unequal tire pressure from side to side may cause the vehicle to drift left or right.
F u
el Economy
Underinflated tires will increase tire rolling resistance, resulting in higher fuel
co n
sumption.
WARNING!
• Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can cause collisions.
• Underinflation increases tire flexing and can result in overheating and tire failure.
•Ov
erinflation reduces a tire's ability to cushion shock. Objects on the road and chuck -
h o
les can cause damage that result in tire failure.
• Overinflated or underinflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, re
sulting in loss of vehicle control.
• Unequal tire pressures can cause steering problems. You could lose control of your ve
hicle.
• Unequal tire pressures from one side of the vehicle to the other can cause the ve
hicle to drift to the right or left.
• Always drive with each tire inflated to the recommended cold tire inflation pressure.
TOYO TIRES® – LIMITED WARRANTY
182
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.
