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• Tire FAQs

Tire FAQs

• Do my driving habits affect the life of my tires?
• How do I know how old my tires are?
• How do I take care of my new tires?
• How many kilometers will I get on my tires?
• Can I mix speed-rated tires on my car?
• Can I mix tire types on my car?
• Can I replace the tires on my car with a lower speed-rated tire?
• Do I have to replace my present tires with the same size tires?
• Where do I install new tires if I only buy two?
• Is my damaged tire covered by a MICHELIN^® warranty?

Do my driving habits affect the life of my tires?

They certainly can. Here are some tips to increase the life of your tires:

• Don't speed. Excessive heat is generated when driving at high speeds. This heat increases the rate of tire wear and reduces the tire's durability.
• Avoid fast turns on curves and around corners, and avoid fast starts and panic stops.
• Don't ride on the edge of the pavement or drive over curbs, potholes, or other obstructions.

How do I know how old my tires are?

Each tire has a required Department of Transportation number imprinted on at least one of its sidewalls. That number begins with the letters "DOT" and may contain up to 12 additional numbers and letters.

The first and last digits are the most important for the tire owner. The first 2 letters/numbers identify the manufacturer of the tires. Prior to the year 2000, the last 3 digits of a DOT number represented the week (2 digits) and the year (1 digit) of production.

For example, if the last three digits are 439, the tire was produced in the 43rd week of 1999. Tires produced after January 1, 2000 have a 4-digit date code at the end of the DOT number. The first 2 digits represent the week of production and the last 2 digits represent the last 2 digits of the year of production. So, 3500 as the last 4 numbers indicates that the tire was produced in the 35th week of the year 2000.

How do I take care of my new tires?

Properly maintained tires will give you a more comfortable ride and a longer tread life. Here are a few tips on proper maintenance:

• Check the air pressure in your tires monthly.
• Check your tires frequently for any cuts, snags, punctures, or any other injury that could cause the tire to come out of service prematurely.
• Make sure the tires are balanced when they are mounted on the wheels.
• Rotate your tires following the schedule in your vehicle owner's manual or as required by the tire manufacturer's warranty.
• Have your alignment checked at the first sign of irregular treadwear.
• Clean your tires with soap and water and a soft bristle brush or a shop cloth. For stronger cleaning and protection, MICHELIN^® recommends using its Wheel & Tire Care product line. The 3-Step MICHELIN^® Wheel & Tire Care Program features strong yet environmentally responsible formulas that clean, rejuvenate and protect wheels and tires of any brand. The products include MICHELIN^® Wheel and Tire Cleaner, MICHELIN^® 3-in-1 Tire Shine and MICHELIN^® Brake Dust Repellent. The MICHELIN^® Wheel & Tire Care Program is available at leading retailers throughout North America. Click here for a retailer near you.

How many kilometers will I get on my tires?

There are many factors that affect the tread life of your tires, e.g. tread compounds, construction features, vehicle application, tire maintenance, geographic conditions, atmospheric conditions, driving habits, etc., making exact mileage impossible to predict. Take special care when braking, accelerating, cornering, etc. to increase the life of the tire.

If you have concerns about the rate of wear on your tires, consult your local authorized MICHELIN^® dealer.

Can I mix speed-rated tires on my car?

If tires of different speed ratings are mounted on a vehicle, it is recommended that the lower speed-rated tires be placed on the front axle regardless of which axle is driven. This is to prevent a potential oversteer   condition. Vehicle handling may be affected and the vehicle's speed capacity is now limited to the lowest speed-rated tire.

Can I mix tire types on my car?

Tires of different size designations , constructions, and stages of wear may affect vehicle handling and stability. For best all-around performance, the same type and non-radial tires on a vehicle. However, if mixing tires is for some reason unavoidable, NEVER mix radial and non-radial tires on the same axle. If two radial and two non-radial tires are to be installed on a vehicle, the two radials MUST be installed on the rear axle and the two non-radials on the front axle.

For four-wheel drive vehicles, if no instructions for tire mixing appear in the vehicle owner's manual, adhere to the following guidelines:

• Do not mix sizes. All four tires must be branded with the same tire size.
• Do not mix radial and bias-ply tires. All four must be either radial or bias-ply.
• Be sure that the outside circumference of all four tires is within 1-1/2-inch of each other.
• Do not mix tread patterns such as all-terrain and all-season.

Can I replace the tires on my car with a lower speed-rated tire?

When replacing speed-rated tires, you must use replacement tires with ratings equal to or greater than those of the original equipment tires, if the speed capability of the vehicle is to be maintained. The handling of a performance vehicle may be different when the replacement tires are not the same speed rating. Refer to the vehicle owner's manual to identify any tire speed rating restriction that could affect the operation of the vehicle.

Do I have to replace my present tires with the same size tires?

Never choose a tire that is smaller in size or has less load-carrying capacity than the tire that came with the car. Tires should always be replaced with the same size designation or approved options - as recommended by the vehicle or tire manufacturer. The correct tire size can be found on the door placard of the vehicle or by consulting your local authorized MICHELIN^® dealer.

Your current tires' size can be found by reading the markings on the sidewall. Learn how to read a sidewall.

Is my damaged tire covered by a MICHELIN^® warranty?

Take the tire to your local authorized MICHELIN^® dealer and have them properly inspect the tire. Tell the dealer what you are experiencing so they can diagnose the problem.