PRODUCT INFORMATION TB- BFG warranty May/15 Important information regarding the SAFE operation of your BFGoodrich truck tyres! For safety and good performance you must take care of your tyres. Follow the instructions contained in this operator s manual. Correct tyre pressure is very important. Check tyre pressures at least once a week when tyres are cold, especially when the vehicle is used by more than one driver. For further technical information on BFGoodrich truck tyres, consult any authorised BFGoodrich truck tyre dealer. Every BFGoodrich truck tyre bearing the BFGoodrich brand name and complete serial and identification numbers, used in normal service and in accordance with the maintenance recommendations and safety warnings of the BFGoodrich Group is covered against defects in design, workmanship and materials for the life of the original usable tread or 5 years from the date of invoice (or date of manufacture (DOT) if no proof of purchase is presented) whichever is earlier subject to the conditions set in this warranty. The original usable tread is the original tread down to the level of the tread wear indicators (1.6 mm of tread remaining) at which time the tyre is considered to be worn out. Conditions and exclusions BFGoodrich warranty for commercial vehicle tyres Warranty claims can only be processed through an authorised BFGoodrich truck tyre dealer. If an inspection by a BFGoodrich representative shows that the tyre has become unserviceable because of defect in design, workmanship or materials, it will be replaced in accordance with this warranty. No other warranty or guarantee express or implied will continue to apply to the extent permitted by law. The warranties contained in this warranty booklet are in lieu of all other express or implied warranties whether arising from law or contract or otherwise, all of which you agree to waive. 1
The consumer must pay for the new replacement BFGoodrich truck tyre on a pro-rata basis which will be calculated by multiplying the prevailing dealer selling price by the percentage of original usable tread which has worn. The cost of mounting, balancing and any other dealer service charges or applicable taxes is payable by the consumer. The vehicle on which the tyre is used should be made available to a BFGoodrich representative for inspection. This warranty does not provide compensation for loss of time, loss of use of vehicle, inconvenience or consequential damage insofar as the law permits, no BFGoodrich representative, employee or dealer has the authority to make or imply any representation promise or agreement which in any way varies or waives the terms of this warranty. Tyres presented to an authorised BFGoodrich truck tyre dealer for compensation remain the property of the consumer and Michelin Australia Pty. Ltd. accepts no responsibility for loss of or damage to tyres which are in the custody or control of an authorised BFGoodrich truck tyre dealer for the purpose of inspection. Tyres accepted for compensation become the property of Michelin Australia Pty. Ltd. In the event of a dispute the consumer must make the tyre available for further inspection. What is not covered Truck Tyres/casings which are purchased from unauthorised BFGoodrich truck tyre dealers or which become unserviceable due to: - Road Hazard injury (e.g. cut, snag, bruise, impact damage or puncture); - Incorrect mounting of the tyre, tyre/wheel imbalance or improper repair; - Misapplication, improper maintenance, racing, under inflation, over inflation or other abuse resulting in casing damage or fatigue; - Accident, fire, chemical corrosion, contamination, tyre alteration or vandalism. - Flat spotting or other damage caused by improper storage;. - The addition of liquid, solid or gaseous materials other than air, nitrogen or carbon dioxide; - Uneven or rapid wear caused by mechanical irregularity in the vehicle such as wheel misalignment, resulting in damage to the under tread, carcass or steel belts; - Climatic or Ozone effects; - Improper retreading; - Improper storage ; and/or - Vehicles carrying loads or running at speeds higher than the load and speed index recommended. What the consumer must do when making a request for compensation When making a request for compensation under the terms of this warranty, the consumer must present the tyre to an authorised BFGoodrich truck tyre dealer, together with his personal identification, the original tyre sales invoice, the vehicle on which the tyres were used and the vehicle registration particulars as soon as possible after the tyre becomes unserviceable. Driving on any tyre that does not have the correct inflation pressure is dangerous and will cause tyre damage 2
Any under-inflated tyre builds up excessive heat that may result in sudden tyre destruction. The correct inflation pressure for your tyres is a function of many factors including; load, speed, road surface and handling. Consult an authorised BFGoodrich truck tyre dealer for the proper inflation pressure for your application. Check inflation pressures on all your tyres at least once a week, including spares before driving when tyres are cold, especially when the vehicle is used by more than one driver. Failure to maintain correct inflation pressure may result in sudden tyre destruction, improper vehicle handling, and may cause rapid and irregular wear. Therefore, inflation pressure should be checked weekly and always one before long distance trips. Pressure should be checked when tyres are cold, in other words before tyres are driven on. The ideal time to check tyre pressure is early morning. Driving, even for a short distance causes tyres to heat up and air pressure to increase. Bleeding air from hot tyres could result in under-inflation. Use an accurate tyre gauge to check pressures. If your pressure check indicates that one of your tyres has lost 5 PSI or more, look for signs of penetration, valve leakage or wheel damage that may account for the loss. Any tyre suspected of having been run flat or run at very low air pressure (less than 80% of normal pressure) should never be re-inflated without careful inspection of the entire tyre. See any authorised BFGoodrich truck tyre dealer at once. Inspect your tyres daily. Any time you see damage to your tyres or wheels see any BFGoodrich truck tyre dealer at once. Always examine your tyres for bulges, cracks, cuts or penetrations. If any such damage is found the tyre must be inspected by an authorised BFGoodrich truck tyre dealer at once. Use of a damaged tyre could result in tyre destruction, property damage and personal injury. All tyres will wear out faster when subject to high speeds as well as hard cornering, rapid starts, sudden stops and frequent driving on surfaces which are in poor condition. Surfaces with holes and rocks or other objects can damage tyres and cause vehicle mis-alignment. When you drive on such surfaces, drive on them carefully and slowly and before driving at normal or highway speeds examine your tyres for any damage such as cuts or penetrations. WEAR BARS BFGoodrich truck tyres contain Wear Bars in the grooves of the tyre tread which show up when only 1.6 mm or less of tread is remaining. At this stage your tyres must be removed. Tyres worn beyond this stage are dangerous. High speed driving can be dangerous and may be damaging to your tyres When driving at highway speeds, correct inflation is especially important. However, at high speeds even with correct inflation pressures, a road hazard for example is more difficult to 3
avoid and if contact is made has a great chance of causing tyre damage than if you were driving at lower speed. Furthermore, driving at high speed reduces reaction time required to avoid accidents and bring your vehicle to a safe stop. If you see any damage to a tyre or wheel, replace with the spare or see any authorised BFGoodrich truck tyre dealer at once. The maximum speed at which truck tyres can be operated is indicated in the BFGoodrich product brochure. This speed varies for each type of tyre and depends on the type of application. Consult an authorised BFGoodrich truck tyre dealer for assistance in determining the maximum speed for your application. Exceeding this maximum speed will cause the tyre to build up excessive heat which can result in sudden tyre destruction, property damage and personal injury. In any case you should not exceed the legal speed limit taking into account driving conditions. Wheel alignment and balancing are important for safety and maximum mileage from your tyres Check how your tyres are wearing If your tyres show signs of irregular wear your vehicle may be out of alignment. This condition not only shortens the life of your tyres but adversely affects the handling characteristics of your vehicle which could be dangerous. If irregular wear is indicated check the alignment of your wheels and parallelism of your axles. Tyres which have been run under-inflated will show more wear on the shoulders than the centre of the tread. For optimum tyre life and performance, the front end alignment on trucks equipped with BFGoodrich Radial Tyres should be in accordance with the recommendations of the truck manufacturer. Tyres and wheels which are not balanced may cause steering difficulties, a bumpy ride and worn spots on your tyres. It is recommended you have your tyres and wheels dynamically balanced. DO NOT OVERLOAD The maximum load that can be put on a truck tyre is dependent upon the speed at which the tyres will be used. Consult an authorised BFGoodrich truck tyre dealer and the BFGoodrich Truck Tyre product brochure for complete information on the allowable loads for your tyres in your application. Tyres which are loaded beyond their maximum allowable loads for the particular application will build up excessive heat that may result in sudden tyre destruction, property damage and personal injury. Do not exceed the gross axle weight ratings for any axle on your vehicle. Storage All tyres should be stored in a cool dry place indoors so that there is no danger of water collecting inside them. Serious problems occur with tube type tyres when they are mounted with water trapped between the tyre and tube. Due to pressurization the liquid can pass through the inner liner and into the casing plies. (This can result in sudden tyre failure) 4
Tyres contain waxes and emollients to protect their outer surfaces from ozone and climatic effects. As the tyre rolls and flexes the waxes and emollients continually migrate to the surface replenishing this protection throughout the normal use of the tyre. Consequently, when tyres sit outdoors unused for long periods of time (a month or more) their surfaces become dry and more susceptible to ozone and climatic effects. For this reason, tyres should always be stored in a cool, dry & clean indoor environment. Failure to store tyres in accordance with these instructions could result in premature aging of the tyres and sudden tyre failure. When tyres are stored, be sure they are placed away from sources of heat and ozone such as hot pipes and electric generators. Be sure that surfaces on which tyres are stored are clean and free from grease, petroleum products or other substances which could deteriorate the rubber. Tyres exposed to these materials during storage or driving could be subject to sudden failure. Tyre Mixing Follow these mounting recommendations to prevent tyre destruction, Property damage and personal injury The BFGoodrich tyre is a radial tyre and for best performance it is recommended that the same size and type of tyre be used on all positions. If BFGoodrich radials are mounted with non-radials, the radials should be mounted on the rear. If tyres of different types are mixed on a vehicle in any configuration they should not be used for long periods and speeds should be kept to a minimum. Radial and non-radial tyres should not be mixed in dual fitments. Improperly retreaded and/or repaired tyres are dangerous and can cause tyre destruction, property damage and personal injury Retreading and repairing of BFGoodrich truck tyres should only be carried out by qualified personnel with proper equipment. See your authorised BFGoodrich truck tyre dealer. On-the-wheel or plug-only repairs should not be made. A tyre should be considered for repair only after it has been removed from the wheel and inspected by a truck tyre repair specialist. Mounting recommendations Tyres should be mounted on rims and wheels which are in good, clean condition. Bent, chipped or rusted wheels, rims or rim components can cause tyre damage and can also malfunction, causing accident. When changing any tyre, deflate the tyre before loosening any wheel or rim lugs. Always, install new valve cores with new mountings. Tube: Always fit a new butyl tube of the proper size in a new mounting. A tube through normal use will experience growth; therefore if an old tube is re-used there is a probability of a tube creasing with subsequent chafing leading to failure. 5
Flaps: Always install a new flap in a new mounting. A flap through extended use becomes hard and brittle. After a limited time it will take the shape of the tyre and rim in which it is fitted. Therefore, it will not exactly match a new tyre/rim wheel combination. Always use a proper lubricant when mounting tyres. Use only vegetable oil, or other approved rubber lubricant. Never use anti-freeze, silicone or petroleum based lubricants. Do not let excess lubricant run down and collect inside the tyre. Preparation of wheels & rims Prior to fitment, wheel assemblies should be thoroughly inspected for cracks, warpage, deformation of flange, side rings, lock rings etc. Condition of stud holes (on wheel) also should be considered. If any of these conditions are discovered the rim/wheel should be discarded. All burrs, welds, hammer dents etc. that are present on the tyre side of the rim must be made smooth with a file and/or emery cloth. Remove rust with a wire brush and apply a rust inhibiting paint. Always use a safety cage when inflating. Never stand over a tyre or in front of a valve when inflating. Before final inflation, check the assembly carefully for signs of weakness or irregularities. When wheel assemblies are mounted on a vehicle, be sure that the valves do not touch the brake drums or any mechanical parts of the vehicle. It is essential that all valves be fitted with valve caps which are the primary seal of the valve to avoid leaks. After mounting check the assembly for leaks. Tyres mounted in duals must be matched so that the maximum difference between the diameters of the tyres does not exceed 6 mm. Failure to properly match dual tyres will result in the tyre with the larger diameter carrying a disproportionate share of the load which can cause sudden destruction, property damage and personal injury. It is also important that sufficient space is provided between dual tyres to allow air to flow and cool the tyres to prevent the tyres from rubbing against one another. See a BFGoodrich representative or an authorised BFGoodrich truck tyre dealer for information on the minimum space required between dual tyres and for complete mounting instructions. Remember; to avoid damage to your tyres and possible accident: Check tyre pressures at least once a week when tyres are cold. Do not under-inflate/over-inflate Do not overload Drive at moderate speeds and observe legal speed limits. Avoid driving over potholes, obstacles, curbs or edges of pavement. If you see any damage to a tyre, replace with the spare and see any BFGoodrich truck tyre dealer at once. If you have any questions contact your authorised BFGoodrich truck tyre dealer. 6