BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
38
4. If needed, increase pressure and recheck with the tire gauge.
5. Replace valve cap.
TIRE ROTATION
For maximum mileage, rotate your tires according to the vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations (consult your vehicle Owner’s Manual), or if not provided, rotate every
5,000
miles using a rotation pattern such as below (see “Radial Tire Rotation” in this
m a
nual).
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
40
TIRE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING
TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE
Tires need proper inflation pressure to operate effectively and perform as intended. Tires
carry the vehicle, passenger, and cargo loads and transmit the braking, acceleration, and
turning forces. The vehicle manufacturer recommends the inflation pressures for the
tires mounted on your vehicle.
These situations can cause a tire failure, even at a later date, which could lead to serious
pe
rsonal injury or death. Consult the vehicle tire information placard and/or Owner’s
Manual for the recommended inflation pressures. In addition to tire damage, improper
inflation pressure may also:
• A dversely affect vehicle ride and handling.
•
Reduce tire tread wear.
•
Affect fuel economy.
T
herefore, follow these important recommendations for tire and vehicle safety, mileage,
a n
d economy:
• Always keep the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressure in all your
t
ires, including the spare.
• Check their pressure monthly and before long trips or carrying extra weight.
WARNING!
It is not often that a properly maintained tire will “blow out” while you are driving. More
commonly, if inflation pressure is lost, it will be gradual. If you do experience a blowout
or sudden tire failure, the following information should be helpful:
• W hen the failure occurs, you may hear a loud noise, feel a vibration, and/or the
v
ehicle may pull toward the side of the failed tire.
• D O NOT abruptly brake or turn.
•
Slowly remove your foot from the accelerator, hold the steering wheel firmly, and
s
teer to maintain your lane position.
• O nce the vehicle has slowed, apply the brakes gently.
•
Gradually pull over to the shoulder and come to a stop, as far off the road as
p
ossible.
WARNING!
Driving on tires with improper inflation pressure is dangerous.
• U nder-inflation causes excessive tire heat build-up and internal structural damage.
•
Over-inflation makes it more likely for tires to be cut, punctured, or broken by sudden
i
mpact.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
55
The vehicle or TPMS manufacturer may advise checking the TPMS regularly to confirm it
is in working order. In addition, a new pressure sensor, certain components, or
reprogramming may be necessary when a tire is serviced. Consult your vehicle Owner’s
Manual, vehicle manufacturer, or a Bridgestone® Firestone® Run-Flat Certified Retailer
for questions regarding TPMS operation and service.
RUN-FLAT OR LOW TIRE PRESSURE OPERATION
General Instructions
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) required in your vehicle may have different
m e
thods of alerting you when your tire has lost inflation pressure. The international
standard for the definition of run-flat operation is pressure at or below 10 psi (70 kPa);
however, some vehicle manufacturers may have established a different pressure limit.
Consult your vehicle Owner’s Manual for the details of your TPMS. Once the TPMS has
indicated that a tire has reduced inflation pressure, the run-flat mode of operation has
commenced. During this phase of operation, please follow these instructions:
• Reduce speed as much as safely and reasonably possible; do not exceed 50 m
ph
(8
0 km/h). The greater the speed, the less distance the tire can travel.
• Avoid abrupt or aggressive acceleration, braking, or cornering maneuvers as much as
s
afely and reasonably possible. Pot holes and other road hazards should be avoided.
Careful driving limits potential damage to the tire, wheel, and vehicle.
• Proceed to a safe and convenient location for tire service as soon as possible.
Take
note of your mileage; your operation distance is limited. See "Distance—How Far You
Can Drive,” the next section in this manual.
• If an unusual vibration or vehicle handling difficulty arises, stop driving as soon as
s
afely and reasonably possible. The tire may be about to suddenly fail. Release the
accelerator and gradually reduce speed. The tire will need to be replaced before
proceeding.
• If towing a trailer, stop driving as soon as safely and reasonably possible. In this condi -
t
ion, it is potentially dangerous to operate a vehicle/trailer combination. I
f possible,
disconnect the trailer and proceed as noted above. Do not continue to tow any trailer
until proper tire service or replacement has been performed.
• Do not touch a tire recently run-low or run-flat (it may be very hot).
Allow the tire to cool
before handling.
WARNING!
Serious personal injury or death may result from a tire failure or accident due to
improper run-flat or low tire pressure operation. Read and follow the instructions
below, and the other maintenance and safety recommendations elsewhere in this
manual.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
56
DISTANCE—HOW FAR YOU CAN DRIVE
Factors affecting run-flat or low tire pressure operating distance include vehicle speed,
load, and maneuvering; the amount of inflation pressure loss; the extent of any tire
damage; and ambient temperature.
The tire may be marked on the sidewall with run-flat or low tire pressure operating speed
an
d/or distance limitations, which vary by tire design and vehicle application (consult
your vehicle owner’s manual). By international standard, RFT tires have a baseline
limitation in run-flat mode of the following:
NOTE:
• M aximum distance values are determined under controlled conditions, which may
v
ary in actual use.
• Y our mileage capability may be less, or more, depending on your specific operating
c
onditions.
• I f in doubt, do not exceed the 50
mile (80 km) limitation.
• S eek tire service as soon as possible to minimize tire damage.
SPECIAL SERVICE AND REPAIR ISSUES
Run-Flat Certified Retailers
Because of the advanced technology and design of Run-Flat tires and the required Tire
Pr
essure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), Bridgestone® Firestone® Run-Flat Certified
Retailers are specially trained to sell and service RFT tires.
Run-Flat Certified Retailers have the necessary equipment and are specially trained to
p r
operly mount and demount RFT tires and to handle TPMS devices. Conventional
mounting equipment may irreparably damage RFT tires and an improper repair is unsafe
and will void the Limited Warranty. Accordingly, it is important to go to a Bridgestone®
Firestone® Run-Flat Certified Retailer for tire maintenance and replacement.
Call toll-free 1-877-BFS-4RFT or, 87
7-237-4738 or visit www.bridgestonetire.com to
locate the nearest Bridgestone® Firestone® Run-Flat Certified Retailer.
Inspection after Run-Flat or Low Pressure Operation
Following run-flat or low tire pressure operation, or in the event of any other tire damage
or
unusual condition, it is very important to obtain a proper and complete tire evaluation
as soon as possible.
Rotation
Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, or rotate every 5,000 miles per the
r e
commendations in this manual (see “Radial Tire Rotation”). In some cases, TPMS
devices require reprogramming with each tire rotation. Maximum Speed:
50 mph (80 km/h)
Maximum Distance: 50 miles (80 km)
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
62
sion components, improper tire mounting or demounting, tire/wheel assembly
imbalance, or other vehicle conditions, defects, or characteristics.
• Contamination or degradation
by petroleum products or other chemicals, fire or
other externally generated heat, or water or other material trapped inside the tire
during mounting or inflation.
• Improper repair.
Improper repair voids this Limited Warranty
• For RFT tires only, improper run-flat or low tire pressure operation,
including,
without limitation: Exceeding speed, distance, or other run-flat/lowpressure oper-
ation limitations.
2. R apid tread wear or wear-out. Original equipment tires have no mileage warranty.
3
. W eather/ozone cracking after 4 years from date of tire manufacture.
4
. R ide disturbance or vibration after 1/32 of an inch (0.8mm) of tread wear use.
5
. T ires with sealant, balance, or other filler material that was not originally applied or
i
nserted by the tire manufacturer.
6. T ires used in commercial service.
7
. T ires purchased and normally used outside the United States and Canada.
8
. T he cost of applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
9
. F ailure to follow any of the safety and maintenance recommendations or warnings
c
ontained in this manual.
This Limited Warranty is in addition to and/or may be limited by any other applicable
w r
itten warranty you may have received concerning special tires or situations.
REPLACEMENT PRICE
Radial passenger and light truck tires adjusted under this Limited Warranty will be
replaced free of charge during the first 25% of tread wear or within 12 months from the
d a
te of purchase (proof of purchase date required; without proof of purchase date, then
within 12 months from the date of tire manufacture), whichever occurs first. During the
f r
ee replacement period, mounting and balancing are included free of charge.
To determine the replacement price after the free tire replacement period, the percent
o f
used tread wear is multiplied by the current selling price for the replacement tire(s).
The appropriate taxes, mounting, balancing, disposal fee, and other service charges may
be added to the adjustment replacement price.
In Canada, the tire will be adjusted at dealerships (subject to dealer discretion) at a
p r
edetermined “Adjustment Price.”
REPLACEMENT WARRANTY
If you receive a replacement tire under this Limited Warranty, it will be covered by the
manufacturer’s warranty, if any, given on that tire at that time.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
63
WHERE TO GO
Tire adjustments under this Limited Warranty will only be made at an authorized
Bridgestone® Firestone® retailer. Consult a phone directory (often listed in the Yellow
Pages under "Tire Dealers") or the internet at www.bridgestonetire.com for the location
nearest you.
CONSUMER RIGHTS
This Limited Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights
which vary in the United States from state to state or in Canada from province to
province.
CONDITIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
To the extent permitted by law, Bridgestone® Firestone® North American Tire, LLC
disclaims all other warranties, including but not limited to the implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose and any liability for incidental and
consequential damages, loss of time, loss of vehicle use, or inconvenience. Some states
do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the
above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
This Limited Warranty applies only to consumers actually using the tire in the United
S t
ates and Canada. For warranty conditions outside the United States and Canada, see
your local Bridgestone® Firestone® distributor.
Obligations under this policy may not be enlarged or altered by anyone.
In accordance with Federal Law, this Limited Warranty has been designated as a "Limited
W a
rranty.” Nothing in this Limited Warranty is intended to be a representation that tire
failures cannot occur. This Limited Warranty is given in the United States by
Bridgestone® Firestone® North American Tire, LLC, 535 Marriott Dr., Nashville, TN
37214 and in Canada by Bridgestone® Firestone® Canada Inc., 5770 Hurontario St.,
Suite 400, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5R 3G5.
OWNER’S OBLIGATIONS
In order to keep this Limited Warranty valid, we require you to have your tires regularly
inspected and rotated per the recommendations outlined in the sections of this manual
entitled "Tire Damage, Inspection and Service Life” and “Radial Tire Rotation” and to
furnish proof of same in order to receive an adjustment. Such proof should show the
date, mileage, and servicing location. A sales receipt containing this information will
suffice. In addition, a “Maintenance Record” is included on the back cover of this
manual. It is your obligation to maintain proper tire inflation pressures as specified by the
vehicle manufacturer and to operate the vehicle within tire/vehicle load capacity and
speed limitations. It is also your obligation to maintain proper wheel alignment and tire/
wheel assembly balance. To request an adjustment, you must present the tire to an
authorized Bridgestone® Firestone® retailer. Complete and sign the customer section
of the Bridgestone® Firestone® North American Tire, LLC Limited Warranty adjustment
form and pay appropriate replacement price, taxes, disposal fee, and service charges, if
any.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
65
MAINTENANCE RECORD
Mileage DateRetailer
Inspection
Rota tion
Bala nce
CONTINENTAL TIRE
67
The replacement tire price will be determined by multiplying the percentage of the usable
tread 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 WARRANTY
THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT COVERED:
• Road Hazard:
Any 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 (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:
1. Improper tire inflation and/or improper load/speed practices: These practices
can cause excessive operational temperatures and stresses that exceed the
tire’s capabilities.
2. Improper or insufficient tire rotation
3
. Improper vehicle alignment
4
. Damage due to:
• Rim irregularities or rim damage
• S now chains
•
Vehicle mechanical problems, including brake problems, and vehicle wheel
a
lignment
• 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
• Improper Mounting or Demounting
• Alteration:
such as, but not limited to, adding a white inlay on black wall, tread
regrooving, tire truing or siping, or adding sealant materials to the tire.
• Weather checking/cracking: Not covered after 48
months from the date of purchase.
• Failure to observe safety and maintenance precautions set forth in the Safety Warning
S
ection.