Vehicle operating cost is a major consideration for drivers each and every day. Yokohama would like to provide you with special tips to help you save money, optimize tire energy efficiency, and maximize tire service life.
If you had the talent and skill to achieve a “Triple Play” in baseball, every time you played the game, you would be famous and maybe even wealthy.
The “Triple Play” in the game of tire performance is “Tire Inflation”.
You can lower your gasoline bills, get thousands of additional miles out of your tires and improve air quality all by maintaining correct tire inflation pressure.
Fact 1: For a typical car today, $13-$20 dollars of every $100 of gasoline you purchase actually moves the car forward
Fact 2: For the typical tire today, $4-$7 dollars of every $100 of gasoline you purchase is used by the tires in some way.
Fact 3: Tire under inflation by eight psi can lower your miles per gallon by up to 2%, reduce tread life by up to 15%, increase carbon dioxide emissions and increase tire fatigue which can reduce tire service life.
Correct tire pressure can be found on your vehicle placard or in your vehicle owners manual. Check your tire pressure while the tire is cold each month and adjust to the correct setting. If you need assistance learning how to perform an air pressure check, need a gage or air line, or have changed tire size from the original equipment size, please visit a tire service professional.
Passenger tires in the United States are available in two size designations: ‘P-Metric’ and ‘European Metric’. The difference is easily identifiable in that P-Metric sizes begin with the letter ‘P’ whereas European Metric sizes have no alpha designation. This bulletin gives guidance on replacing P-Metric OE fitments with European Metric tires of the same nominal size (section width, aspect ratio and rim diameter).P-Metric tire load carrying capacities at various cold inflation pressures are defined by the Tire and Rim Association (TRA). European Metric tire load carrying capacities at various cold inflation pressures are defined by the European Tyre and Rim Organization (ETRTO). Because there may be some difference between these two standards, Yokohama designs and manufactures its tires to meet or exceed all applicable regulatory requirements incorporating both the TRA and ETRTO standards. Yokohama passenger car tires are provided with either ‘P-Metric’ or ‘European Metric’ size designations.
When considering tire replacement, Yokohama recommends using the following guidelines:
Due to recent global harmonization efforts, some TRA and ETRTO sizes have harmonized load equations. In these cases, the maximum load for the P-Metric and European Metric tire will be the same, and the replacement tire should be inflated to the placard pressure. If there is any doubt about whether a tire size is a harmonized size, please contact Yokohama Consumer Affairs at the number listed below
In the case of non-harmonized sizes, it is generally true that European Metric tires have higher maximum loads but carry lower loads at common vehicle placard pressures and may require additional pressure when replacing p-metric tires. The installing dealer is responsible for inflating replacement tires to a level that carries the placard load and for educating the end-user about the increased pressure requirement.
P-Metric tire size installed as original equipment is now being replaced with a European Metric tire size:
Method 1: Inflate to minimum pressure necessary to carry placard load2008 Toyota Camry LE
Original Equipment | Replacement | |
---|---|---|
Size | P215/60R16 94V | 215/60R16 95V |
Maximum Tire Load Capacity | 1477 lb | 1521 lb |
Recommended Tire Inflation | 32 PSI (Carries 1412 lb) | 34 PSI (Carries 1453 lb) |
Method 2: Inflate to minimum pressure corresponding to maximum load as stamped on tire sidewall. This may not be the pressure level that is stamped on the tire sidewall.
Exception: Do not exceed the maximum pressure stamped on the tire sidewall. Both methods accomplish the important goal of carrying the load of the OE tire at placard pressure.
Yokohama ZPS (Zero Pressure System) runflat tires include special technology to allow the tire to operate at reduced speeds and distances with zero inflation pressure. They are to be used only on vehicles with correctly functioning “low tire pressure warning systems.”This system should alert the driver that a tire has lost air pressure, which makes operating possible, at least within the next 50 miles.
Yokohama recommend the slowest safe speed below 50 miles per hour, and the shortest distance to a service facility due to the fact that runflat tire survival time is dependent on operating conditions such as speed, load, temperature, distance traveled, etc. Vehicle handling with runflat tires at zero pressure is different than at full pressure and aggressive handling actions should be avoided as well as any unusual service conditions such as trailer towing, hauling heavy loads, competition driving, etc.
Yokohama ZPS runflat tires are not to be repaired following a puncture or other tire disablement.
ZPS runflat tires are covered by the Yokohama standard limited warranty that provides for tire replacement under specified conditions. Your ZPS tire will be replaced on a prorated basis based on remaining tread depth when the tire has been damaged dueto a tread area puncture within the repairable area and limits defined by the Rubber Manufacturers Association. Never mix runflat tires with tires that do not have runflat technology.
Never mix runflat tires of different brands or technology.
Runflat tire and wheel assemblies have unique features that require extra care duringmounting and demounting. ZPS runflat tires have extra sidewall thickness to support the rated load without air pressure. Sensors are used in the wheel assembly as part of the low-pressure warning system. ZPS tires do not require specialized wheels as they are designed to work with wheels that meet Tire and Rim Association standards. Consult your vehicle manufacturer for any requirements when replacing original equipment runflat tires.
Yokohama ZPS runflat tires can be identified by the name on the sidewalls as shown:
To help customers understand appropriate care for their tires and important considerations for tire replacement, Yokohama has prepared the below guidelines. As such, we have adopted the recommendationsof the Japan Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (JATMA) based on the passenger and light truck tire guidelines:
Yokohama recommends the following for a tire in use (a tire that has been mounted on a rim and installed on a vehicle):
Recommendations of a particular vehicle manufacturer for tire replacement may be found in the following: owner’s manual for the particular vehicle; on the vehicle tire information placard; or on the vehicle information placard for the particular vehicle. These recommendations may differ from those of Yokohama, but the owner should follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations for tire replacement.
In the absence of recommendation from a particular vehicle manufacturer, Yokohama recommends the replacement and disposal of all passenger and light truck tires whose DOT production date is 10 or more years old. To locate the DOT number, refer to the tire sidewall where the DOT number will appear. DOT numbers are coded; the illustration below explains the significance of the code.