TIRE TREADWEAR
INDICATORS “WEAR BARS”
Most tires contain wear indicators “Wear
Bar” in the grooves of the tire tread which
show up when only 2/32” (1.6 mm) of
tread is remaining. At this stage, your tires
must be replaced. Tires worn beyond this
stage are extremely dangerous.
WARNING!
Tires degrade over time depending
on many factors such as weather,
storage conditions, and conditions
of use (load, speed, inflation
pressure, etc.) the tires experience
throughout their lives. In general,
tires should be replaced after six
years regardless of tread wear.
However, heat caused by hot
climates or frequent high loading
conditions can accelerate the aging
process and may require tires to be
replaced more frequently.
You should replace your spare tire
when you replace the road tires or
after six years due to aging even if it
has not been used.
DO NOT OVERLOAD: DRIVING
ON ANY OVERLOADED TIRE
IS DANGEROUS
The maximum load rating of your tires is
molded on the tire sidewall. Do not
exceed this rating. Follow the loading
instructions of the manufacturer of your
vehicle and this will ensure that your tires
are not overloaded. Tires which are
loaded beyond their maximum allowable
loads for the particular application willbuild up excessive heat that may result in
sudden tire destruction. Do not exceed
the gross axle weight rating for any axle
on your vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
If you anticipate towing a trailer, you
should visit a tire retailer for advice
concerning the correct size tire and
pressures. Tire size and pressures will
depend upon the type and size of trailer
and hitch utilized, but in no case must the
maximum cold inflation pressure or tire
load rating be exceeded. Check the tire
decal and the owner’s manual supplied by
the manufacturer of your vehicle for
further recommendations on trailer
towing.
WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND
BALANCING ARE IMPORTANT
FOR SAFETY AND MAXIMUM
MILEAGE FROM YOUR TIRES.
CHECK HOW YOUR TIRES ARE
WEARING AT LEAST ONCE
EACH MONTH
If your tires are wearing unevenly, such as
the inside shoulder of the tire wearing
faster than the rest of the tread, or if you
detect excessive vibration, your vehicle
may be out of alignment or balance.
These conditions not only shorten the life
of your tires but adversely affect the
handling characteristics of your vehicle,
which could be dangerous. If you detect
irregular wear or vibration, have your
alignment and balance checked
immediately. Tires which have been run
underinflated will show more wear on the
shoulders than in the center of the tread.
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TIRE MIXING
For best performance it is recommended
that the same size and type of tire be used
on all four wheel positions. Before mixing
tires of different types in any configuration
on any vehicle, be sure to check the vehicle
manufacturer’s Owner’s Manual for its
recommendations.
It is especially important to check the
vehicle manufacturer’s owner’s manual
when mixing, matching, or replacing tires
on 4-wheel drive vehicles, as this may
require special precautions.
NOTE:Tires which meet the U.S. Tire
Manufacturers Association (USTMA)
definition of snow tires are marked M/S,
M+S or M&S. On such tires, this
designation is molded into the sidewall.
Tires without this notation are not
recommended for winter driving.
Tires designated for use in severe winter
conditions are marked on at least one
sidewall with the letters ‘‘M” and ‘‘S” plus
a pictograph of a mountain with a
snowflake on it. It is recommended that
winter tires be applied to all four wheel
positions. Failure to do so may negatively
affect vehicle handling.
TIRE ROTATION
To obtain maximum tire wear, it may be
necessary to rotate your tires. Refer to
your vehicle owner’s manual for
instructions on tire rotation.
NOTE: Your vehicle may be equipped
with a dissimilar spare tire/wheel.
A dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined
as a spare tire and/or wheel that is
different in brand, size or appearance
from the road tires and wheels. If you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel it is
intended for temporary use only and
should not be used in a tire rotation.
NOTE:
After having your tires rotated,
inflation pressure must be checked and
adjusted to the vehicle requirements.
Monthly inspection for tire wear is
recommended. Your tires should be
rotated at the first sign of irregular wear,
even if it occurs before the next
recommended rotation interval for your
vehicle. This is true for all vehicles. When
rotating tires with a directional tread
pattern, observe the arrows molded on
the sidewall which show the direction the
tire should turn. Care must be taken to
maintain the proper turning direction. As a
general rule, whenever only two tires are
replaced, the new ones should be put on
the rear.
CUSTOMIZATION OF TIRES,
WHEELS, OR SUSPENSION
ON SUVS AND LIGHT TRUCKS
Due to their size, weight and higher center
of gravity, vehicles such as SUVs and light
trucks do not have the same handling
characteristics as automobiles. Because
of these differing characteristics, failure to
operate your SUV/truck in a proper and
safe manner can increase the likelihood of
vehicle rollover. Modifications to your
SUV/truck tire size, tire type, wheels or
suspension can change its handling
characteristics and further increase the
likelihood of vehicle rollover. Whether
your SUV/truck has the original
equipment configuration for tires, wheels
and suspension or whether any of these
items have been modified, always drive
safely, avoid sudden, sharp turns or lane
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changes and obey all traffic laws. Failure
to do so may result in loss of vehicle
control leading to an accident and
serious injury or death.
TIRE ALTERATIONS
Do not make or allow to be made any
alterations on your tires. Alterations may
prevent proper performance, leading to
tire damage which can result in an
accident. Tires which become
unserviceable due to alterations such as
truing, whitewall inlays, addition of
balancing or sealant liquids, or the use of
tire dressing containing petroleum
distillates are excluded from warranty
coverage.
REPAIRS - WHEREVER
POSSIBLE, SEE YOUR TIRE
RETAILER AT ONCE
If any tire sustains a puncture, have the
tire demounted and thoroughly
inspected by a tire retailer for possible
damage that may have occurred. A tread
area puncture in any passenger or light
truck tire can be repaired provided that
the puncture hole is not more than 1/4” in
diameter, not more than one radial cable
per casing ply is damaged, and the tire
has not been damaged further by the
puncturing object or by running under
inflated. Tire punctures consistent with
these guidelines should only be repaired
by following the U.S. Tire Manufacturers
Association (USTMA) recommended
repair procedures. Plug-only repairs done
on-the-wheel are considered improper
and therefore, not recommended. Such
repairs are not reliable and may cause
further damage to the tire.
STORAGE
Tires contain waxes and emollients to
protect their outer surfaces from ozone
and weather checking. As the tire rolls and
flexes, the waxes and emollients
continually migrate to the surface,
replenishing this protection throughout
the normal use of the tire. Consequently,
when tires sit unused for long periods of
time (a month or more) their surfaces
become dry and more susceptible to
ozone and weather checking and the
casing becomes susceptible to flat
spotting.For this reason, tires should
always be stored in a cool, dry, clean,
indoor environment. If storage is for
one month or more, eliminate the
weight from the tires by raising the
vehicle or by removing the tires from
the vehicle. Failure to store tires in
accordance with these instructions
could result in damage to your tires or
premature aging of the tires and
sudden tire failure.
When tires are stored, be sure they are
placed away from sources of heat and
ozone such as direct sunlight, hot pipes
and electric generators. Be sure that
surfaces on which tires are stored are
clean and free from grease, gasoline or
other substances, which could deteriorate
the rubber. Failure to store tires in
accordance with these instructions could
result in damage to your tires or
premature aging of the tires and sudden
tire failure.
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