Product Warranty
• Four-wheel drive (4WD) and All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles - If no instructions for tire
mixing appear in the vehicle owner’s manual, follow these guidelines:
o DO NOT mix tire sizes. All four tires must be marked with the same tire size, unless
otherwise specied by the vehicle manufacturer. This also applies to winter/snow tires.
o DO NOT mix radial and non-radial tires. All four must be either radial or non-radial.
o DO NOT mix tread pattern types such as all-terrain and all-season.
• Winter/Snow tires
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- It is always preferable to apply winter/snow tires to all wheel positions,
including duals, to maintain vehicle mobility and control. (See Cooper Service Bulletin #114
“Application of Winter/Snow Tires and Studded Winter/Snow Tires”).
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Also, see RMA Tire Information Service Bulletin Vol. 25 Speed Ratings for Passenger and Light Truck Tires.
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Tire speed ratings do not imply that vehicles can be safely driven at the maximum speed for which the tire is rated, particularly
under adverse road and weather conditions, or if the vehicle has unusual characteristics. Never operate a vehicle in an unsafe
or unlawful manner.
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Also see RMA Tire Information Service Bulletin Vol. 42 Application of Winter/Snow Tires and Studded Winter/Snow Tires.
APPLICATION OF WINTER/SNOW TIRES AND STUDDED WINTER/SNOW TIRES
Visit www.us.coopertire.com and select “Tire Safety” and select “Service Bulletin” and select #114.
The initial movement and acceleration of any vehicle in winter or other adverse driving
conditions are dependent on the traction available from the tires on the driving axle. However,
the handling, cornering and braking of a vehicle after it is in motion, especially in any adverse
weather conditions, are dependent on the traction from both the front and rear tires. The rear
tires of any vehicle must have comparable or higher traction capabilities than the front tires in
order to optimize vehicle mobility and control, especially during sudden maneuvers.
• Winter/Snow tires
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- It is always preferable to apply winter/snow tires to all wheel positions,
including duals, to maintain vehicle mobility and control.
- If winter/snow tires are applied to the front axle of any vehicle, winter/snow tires MUST also
be installed on the rear axle. DO NOT apply winter/snow tires only to the front axle. This
applies to all passenger and light truck vehicles including front-wheel-drive, 4WD, and AWD
vehicles. WARNING! Without winter/snow tires on the rear axle, which have comparable
traction qualities to the tires on the front axle, the vehicle may experience adverse handling
characteristics. This may result in loss of vehicle control, which could cause serious injury
or death.
- If winter/snow tires are installed on the rear axle of any vehicle, it is recommended that they
also be installed on the front axle.
• Studded Winter/Snow tires
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- Studded winter/snow tires have higher traction qualities under
most winter weather conditions.
- If studded winter/snow tires are installed on the front axle of any vehicle, studded winter/
snow tires MUST also be installed on the rear axle. DO NOT apply studded winter/snow
tires only to the front axle. WARNING! Installing only two studded winter/snow tires on the
front axle of any vehicle (including front-wheel-drive vehicles) without studded winter/snow
tires on the rear axle can cause adverse vehicle handling characteristics. This may result in
loss of vehicle control, which could cause serious injury or death.
- If studded winter/snow tires are installed on the rear axle of any vehicle, it is strongly
recommended that they should also be installed on the front axle. Only if studded winter/snow
tires are installed on all wheel positions of a vehicle will optimum handling characteristics be
achieved.
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Also see RMA Tire Information Service Bulletin Vol. 42 Application of Winter/Snow Tires and Studded Winter/Snow Tires.
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See footnote #1.
REPLACING LESS THAN FOUR TIRES:
Visit www.us.coopertire.com and select “Tire Safety” and select “Service Bulletin” and select #113.
When replacing tires on a vehicle, it is recommended and preferred that all four tires be replaced
at the same time for continued optimal vehicle performance. However, for those emergency
cases where this is not feasible, below are some general guidelines to consider when replacing
less than four tires for a light vehicle, whether it is one or two tires. If the vehicle manufacturer
has alternate recommendations, always follow their recommendations.
IMPORTANT: In some cases, the vehicle manufacturer may specically advise against
replacing less than all four tires. Always check and follow the recommendations in the vehicle
owner’s manual. For 4WD and AWD vehicles, even small differences in outside diameter may
cause drive-train damage or mechanical malfunction.
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For more information on safety, visit www.us.coopertire.com and select “Tire Safety.”
Safety Warnings