User Guide

attempt to reinflate a tire that has been run severely underinflated.
Progressive air loss may result from punctures, cuts, curbing,
impacts or partial bead unseating. Some fitment causes for air
loss are (1) incomplete bead seating and (2) bead tearing caused
by a machine tool due to insufficient lubrication or improper
adjustment. Leaking valve core or rubber valve components should
be replaced when problems are detected and whenever tires are
replaced.
Always maintain inflation pressure at the level recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer as shown on the vehicle placard,
vehicle certification label or in the vehicle owner’s manual:
Underinflation is the leading cause of tire failure and may result in
severe cracking, component separation or “blowout.” It reduces tire
load capacity, allows excessive sidewall flexing and increases rolling
resistance, resulting in heat and mechanical damage. Maintaining
proper inflation pressure is the single most important thing you
can do to promote tire durability and maximize tread life.
Overinflation increases stiffness, which may deteriorate ride and
generate unwanted vibration. Overinflation also increases the
chances of impact damage.
DON’T OVERLOAD YOUR VEHICLE
Check your vehicle owner’s manual to determine the load limits.
Overloading your vehicle places stress on your tires and other
critical vehicle components. Overloading a vehicle can cause poor
handling or increased fuel consumption and may cause tire failure.
Overloading your tires can result in severe cracking, component
separation or “blowout.”
Never fit your vehicle with new tires that have less load capacity
than shown on the vehicle tire placard and remember that
optimum rim width is important for proper tire load distribution
and function. The maximum load capacity stamped on the
sidewalls of P-Metric & European Metric tires is reduced by 10%
when used on a light truck, utility vehicle or trailer. Never fit
P-Metric or European Metric tires to light trucks that specify LT-type
replacement tires.
DON’T SPIN YOUR TIRES EXCESSIVELY
Avoid excessive tire spinning when your vehicle is stuck in snow,
ice, mud or sand. The centrifugal forces generated by a free-
spinning tire/wheel assembly may cause sudden tire explosion,
resulting in vehicle damage and/or serious personal injury to you
or a bystander. Never exceed 35 mph/55 kph, as indicated on
your speedometer. Use a gentle backward and forward rocking
motion to free your vehicle for continued driving. Never stand
near or behind a tire spinning at high speeds, for example, while
attempting to push a vehicle that is stuck or when an on-the-car
spin balance machine is in use.
DO CHECK YOUR TIRES FOR WEAR
Always remove tires from service when they reach two thirty-
seconds of an inch (2/32") remaining tread depth. All new tires
have treadwear indicators which appear as smooth banks in the
tread grooves when they wear to the two thirty-seconds of an inch
(2/32") level. Many wet weather accidents result from skidding
on bald or nearly bald tires. Excessively worn tires are also more
susceptible to penetrations.
DO CHECK YOUR TIRES FOR DAMAGE
Frequent (at least monthly) inspection of your tires for signs of
54