24. WINTER TIRES
Winter driving presents special challenges for vehicle mobility. Use of winter tires, studs and chains, while improving traction performance in snow and ice, require special care with regard to braking, cornering and speed. It is important to drive with care not only on snow and ice, but on dry and wet roads as well.
• Traction is considerably reduced as tires approach 50% wear, consideration for replacement as a traction device should be made.
• Tire speed rating: When lower speed rated winter tires replace higher speed rated touring and high performance all-season radial tires, speed should be reduced accordingly. Follow recommendations in vehicle owner's manual for winter tires, studs and chains.
• Consult your authorized Toyo tire dealer for recommendations on studded usage and seasonal restrictions.
25. WEATHER CONDITIONS
• Driving in rain or snow considerably reduces the traction between your tires and the road surface. You must always reduce your speed to allow additional stopping distance between you and the vehicles ahead of you.
• Hydroplaning and wet weather driving: Hydroplaning occurs on wet roads and refers to the loss of tire contact with the road due to the build-up of water between the tire contact patch and the road surface. There are three main factors which affect hydroplaning, and consequently your tire traction on wet roads.
1. Vehicle Speed. As speed increases, wet traction is considerably reduced.
2. Water Depth. The deeper the water, the sooner your tires will lose traction. Even thin water layers can cause sufficient lubrication to cause traction loss at low speeds, depending on road conditions.
3. Tire Tread Depth. As your tires wear down, their decreased ability to resist hydroplaning can result in complete loss of traction and vehicle control. You should always reduce speed with consideration to the traffic around you.
• Driving on ice and snow: Your all-season tires were designed to provide higher levels of snow traction compared to non all season tires. You have all-season tires if you find the letters "M&S" are molded into the sidewall near the bead. These letters mean "Mud and Snow." Tires designed for use in severe snow conditions generally have tread patterns, structure and materials to give superior performance. These tires are marked with the "M&S" designation plus a mountain/snowflake symbol.
Even the best all-season tires, will not provide acceptable levels of traction if you drive too fast in snow or ice conditions, and if you do not allow for up to 12 times more stopping distance on icy roads compared to dry road surfaces. As is the case with hydroplaning, your ability to safely maneuver your car in snow or ice conditions is considerably reduced if:
1. You are driving too fast for the road conditions.
2. You do not allow sufficient stopping distance between your car and traffic in front of you.
3. Your tires are too worn to provide adequate road grip.
26. TIRE STORAGE
Tires should be stored indoors in a cool dry place where water cannot collect inside the tires. The tires should be placed away from electric generators and motors and sources of heat such as hot pipes. Storage surfaces should be clean and free of grease, gasoline or other substances, which can deteriorate the rubber. Improper storage can damage your tires in ways that may not be visible and can lead to serious personal injury or death.
A full size spare tire in your vehicle is intended for use as a spare when needed. The spare tire carrier is not intended for long-term storage. Please see the section under "Tire Rotation" for the proper procedures to include the same size and type road tire (for LT tires same size, type and Load Rating) in the rotation pattern. (Do not rotate a temporary spare tire)
27. TEMPORARY SPARE TIRE INSTRUCTIONS FOR SAFETY
• The temporary spare tire is designed for temporary use only and must not be used as a standard tire continuously. The temporary spare tire should be returned to the trunk as soon as it is convenient to have your standard tire repaired or replaced. Mountain/snowflake symbol
• It should not be used for speeds exceeding 50 miles per hour.
• Never use chains on temporary spare tires because it could cause damage to your vehicle.
• When you replace the temporary spare tire replace it only with the same type of tire.
• Maintain inflation pressure at 35 PSI for the temporary full size spare, and 60 PSI for the "T" type, high pressure, temporary spare tires.
• The temporary spare tire was specifically designed for your car and should not be used on any other vehicle.
• The "T" type high pressure temporary spare tire should not be used with any other wheel nor should standard tires, snow tires, wheel covers or trim rings be used on the high pressure spare tire wheel.
28. SPECIAL ADVICE FOR LIGHT TRUCK
• Tires designated as "LT" It is not recommended that any light truck be operated at speeds in excess of legal limits. However, if it is anticipated that sustained driving at speeds in excess of 65 miles per hour may be required, then the following adjustments or recommendations should be followed:
1. At speeds from 66 mph through 75 mph, cold inflation pressure must be increased 10 psi above the recommended pressures for the load being carried.
2. Do not exceed the maximum inflation pressure of the wheel (all wheels have maximum allowable inflation pressures).
3. Non-speed rated "LT" designated tires should not be operated at speeds in excess of 85 miles per hour.
• Tires designated as "P-Metric" The maximum load capacity stamped on the sidewall of Pmetric tires is reduced by 10% when used on a light truck, sport utility vehicle, or trailer unless the vehicle tire information placard shows P-metric as an option.
29. UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING (UTQG)
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading ("UTQG") standards are intended to assist you in making an informed choice in your purchase of passenger car tires by providing information indicating relative performance in the areas of tread wear, wet stopping traction, and temperature resistance. All passenger car tires must conform to federal safety requirements in addition to these grades.
• Treadwear The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to variation in driving habits, service practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.
• Traction The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B and C, and they represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
WARNING: The traction grade assigned to tires is based on braking (straight ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering (turning) traction.
• Temperature The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the materials of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance, which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
WARNING: The temperature grade is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed under-inflation, or excessive loading either separately or in combination can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
NOTE: Other factors affecting relative tire performance from one vehicle to another are: horsepower; automatic vs. manual transmission; gear ratios; etc.
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