winter tires TOYOTA RAV4 2020 Warranties & Maintenance Guides (in English)

15
BFGOODRICH TIRE
Consult your BFGoodrich tire retailer for maximum speed capabilities.
Although a tire may be speed-rated, no vehicle should be operated in
an unsafe or unlawful manner. Speed ratings are based on laboratory
tests that relate to performance on the road, but are not applicable
if tires are underinflated, overloaded, worn out, damaged, altered,
improperly repaired, or retreaded. Furthermore, a tire’s speed rating
does 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.
BFGoodrich highway passenger tires that do not have a speed symbol
on the sidewall have a maximum speed rating of 105 mph (170 kph).
Light truck highway tires that do not have a speed symbol on the
sidewall of the tire have a maximum speed rating of 87 mph (140
kph). BFGoodrich winter tires that do not have a speed symbol on
the sidewall or tires with Q symbols have a speed rating of 100 mph
(160 km/hr). Winter tires with a speed symbol have a maximum speed
rating in accordance with the symbol. The speed and other ratings of
retreaded tires are assigned by the retreader and replace the original
manufacturer’s ratings. IMPORTANT: The replacement tire speed
rating should be equal to or higher than the OEM tire speed rating. If a\

lower speed rated tire is selected, then the vehicle top speed becomes
limited to that of the lower speed rating selected. The customer must
be informed of the new speed restriction and that the vehicle’s handling
may be adversely impacted. REMEMBER…High speed driving can
be dangerous and may damage your tires. AND…When driving at
highway speeds, correct inflation pressure is especially important.
Inspect Your Tires, and Do Not Drive on a Damaged
Tire or Wheel
Road hazards and objects in the road, such as potholes, curbs, glass,
metal, rocks, wood, and debris, can damage a tire and should be
safely avoided. If your vehicle hits any such hazard or object, however,

BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
43
• Never put flammable substances in tire/wheel assemblies at
any time. Never put any flammable substance into a tire/wheel
assembly and attempt to ignite to seat the beads.
•
Always stand well away from the work area when tires are being
spin balanced either on or off the vehicle.
High Performance, Low Aspect Ratio Tires
Many new vehicles come equipped from the factory with high
performance and/or low aspect ratio tires. Generally, these tires
provide increased vehicle handling capability, but may also have
numerous engineering performance trade-offs associated with
their designs. •
Low aspect ratio tires, with reduced sidewall height, may be
more susceptible to damage from potholes, road hazards, and
other objects such as curbs. This is true for the wheels as well.
Therefore, as with all other tires, it is important to drive with care
and maintain proper inflation pressure and load conditions. See
“Tire Inflation Pressure” and “Tire Damage, Inspection and Service
Life” in this manual.
•
Some sports cars and other handling performance enhanced
vehicles, including sedans and light trucks/SUVs, may be originally
equipped with high performance tires that are more optimized
for warmer weather use. Colder, winter weather traction may be
reduced for these types of tires. Winter tires may be recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer for colder weather application. See
“Winter Tires,” the next section in this manual.
•
High performance tires may also wear more quickly, ride more
firmly, and produce more noise during operation.
Consult your vehicle owner’s manual and tire information placard, or
a qualified tire service professional, for more information and specifics
regarding these types of tires.

BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
44
Winter Tires
SAFETY WARNING
Winter driving presents special challenges for vehicle mobility. The use
of winter tires (including studs and chains)—while improving traction
performance in snow and ice—requires special care with regard to
acceleration, braking, cornering, and speed. It is important to drive wi\
th
care, not only on snow and ice, but on dry and wet roads as well.
In winter driving conditions, vehicle control and safe operation under
braking and cornering is especially dependent upon the rear tires. For
this reason, winter tires are best applied to all wheel positions. Some \
vehicles have specific recommendations regarding winter tire use;
consult your vehicle owner’s manual and tire information placard.
•
If winter tires are to be applied to the front axle of any vehicle,
they must also be applied to the rear axle for safe operation. This
applies to all passenger cars and light trucks, including front wheel
drive, 4x4, and all-wheel-drive vehicles.
•
If winter tires are to be applied to the rear axle of any vehicle, it is\

recommended that they also be installed on the front axle.
•
It is generally acceptable to apply a tire with a lower speed rating
than your original tires for use in winter weather conditions;
however, speed should be reduced accordingly. All winter tires
should be the same speed rating. See “Tire Speed Ratings” in
this manual.
•
Winter tires used in warmer, summer weather conditions may wear
more rapidly.
•
Studded winter tires follow the same recommendations as
above; consult a qualified tire service professional for information
regarding any seasonal restrictions.
Tire Mixing

SAFETY WARNING
Driving your vehicle with an improper mix of tires is dangerous. Your
vehicle’s handling characteristics can be seriously affected. You could

BRIDGESTONE / FIRESTONE
46
Thereafter, it should be treated as a non-speed rated tire.
•
Non-speed rated tires are usually for ordinary passenger car or
light truck service and not for high speed driving.
•
For winter tires used in cold weather conditions, it is generally
acceptable to apply a tire with a lower speed rating than your
original tires; however, speed should be reduced accordingly. All
winter tires should be the same speed rating. Some vehicles have
specific recommendations regarding winter tire use; consult your
vehicle owner’s manual and tire information placard. See “Winter
Tires” in this manual.
These speed ratings are based on standardized laboratory tests
under specific, controlled conditions. While these tests may relate to
performance on the road, real-world driving is rarely identical to any
test conditions. Your tire’s actual speed capability may be less than its
rated speed since it is affected by factors such as inflation pressure,
load, tire condition (including damage), wear, vehicle condition
(including alignment), driving conditions, and duration at which the
speed is sustained. Use the following chart to compare the speed
ratings of tires.
Speed Speed Category*
Symbol mph km/h
M81130
Q 99160
R 106170
S 112180
T 118190
U 124200
H 130210
V 149240
Z** >149 >240
W 168270
Y 186300
(Y)*** >186 >300

FALKEN
78
• A plug and patch or plug/patch combo should be used to effectively
repair a tire puncture.
•
If anything seems questionable at any time during the repair
process, ask your service advisor for more details and/or call the
tire manufacturer to make sure the tire’s warranty isn’t
being voided.
Tire Mix Usage
SAFETY WARNING
Never mix tires of different size or construction and/or type on any axle.
(Except for temporary use as a spare tire.) Always refer to the vehicle’s
owner manual for proper tire fitments.
Tire Speed Ratings
Falken recommends replacing your tire(s) with the same speed rating
as the original tires equipped on your vehicle.
It is okay to use a lower speed rated tire when using winter tires.
However, speeds should be reduced to match the tires new “maximum”
speed capability.
Any tire that is repaired, damaged, abused, altered from its original
state or retreaded voids the speed rating on that particular tire and
should be considered a non-speed rated tire.
SAFETY WARNING
Falken does not recommend the use of mixing different speed ratings
on a vehicle. This can cause poor handling and unpredictable steering.
High Performance, Low Aspect Ratio Tires
Various new vehicles come equipped with high performance and/or
low aspect ratio tires from the factory. These tires generally provide
increased vehicle handling characteristics, but may also have
engineering performance trade-offs related with their designs. Low
aspect ratio tires have reduced sidewall heights and may be more
vulnerable to damage from road hazards, potholes, and other objects,

FALKEN
79
like curbs. Your vehicle’s wheels are susceptible to these same
dangers as well. Some vehicles may be originally equipped with high
performance tires that are designed for warmer weather use reducing
traction in colder, winter weather conditions. High performance tires
also pose the possibility of wearing more quickly, giving a stiffer ride,
and producing louder noise than standard all-season tires during
operation. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual, tire information
placard, or qualified tire service professional for more information about
these kinds of tires.
Winter Tires
Falken recommends all four tires be replaced when replacing your
original equipment tires and installing winter tires for the winter mont\
hs.
SAFETY WARNING
Never use just two winter tires. It could lead to adverse handling, loss
of control, which could cause serious injury or death.
Storing Your Tires
When storing your tires for any extended period of time, be sure to
thoroughly clean your tires with a tire brush, soap, and water to remove\

any dirt, salt, and brake dust from the tires. If you are storing your
tires still mounted on the wheels, use a wheel brush and approved
wheel cleaner to clean your wheels. Then dry the wheels and tires
with a towel and allow them to fully dry. DO NOT apply any tire
dressings while storing your tires. Tire compounds are made to resist
weather cracking and ozone damage. Place each clean and dry tire
in an airtight plastic bag and seal the bag with tape to help reduce oil\

evaporation. Store your tires out of direct sunlight and somewhere that \
is well shielded from the elements, like a climate-controlled room or
dry basement. Storing the tires in a garage or shed usually exposes
the tires to a wide range of temperatures as well as precipitation and
humidity. Keep the tires away from sources that emit ozone like electric
motors that use contact brushes, furnaces, sump pumps, etc. Although
tires will still age regardless of how they are stored, these precaution\
s
will help slow the aging process and reduce the damage to your tires.

MICHELIN
131
Consult your Michelin tire retailer for maximum speed capabilities.
Although a tire may be speed-rated, no vehicle should be operated in
an unsafe or unlawful manner. Speed ratings are based on laboratory
tests that relate to performance on the road, but are not applicable
if tires are underinflated, overloaded, worn out, damaged, altered,
improperly repaired, or retreaded. Furthermore, a tire’s speed rating
does 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.
Michelin highway passenger tires that do not have a speed symbol on
the sidewall have a maximum speed rating of 105 mph (170 kph). Light
truck highway tires that do not have a speed symbol on the sidewall of
the tire have a maximum speed rating of 87 mph (140 kph). Michelin
winter tires that do not have a speed symbol on the sidewall or tires
with Q symbols have a speed rating of 100 mph (160 km/hr). Winter
tires with a speed symbol have a maximum speed rating in accordance
with the symbol. The speed and other ratings of retreaded tires are
assigned by the retreader and replace the original manufacturer’s
ratings. IMPORTANT: The replacement tire speed rating should be
equal to or higher than the OEM tire speed rating. If a lower speed
rated tire is selected, then the vehicle top speed becomes limited
to that of the lower speed rating selected. The customer must be
informed of the new speed restriction and that the vehicle’s handling
may be adversely impacted. REMEMBER…High speed driving can
be dangerous and may damage your tires. AND…When driving at
highway speeds, correct inflation pressure is especially important.
Inspect Your Tires, And Do Not Drive On A Damaged
Tire Or Wheel
Road hazards and objects in the road, such as potholes, curbs, glass,
metal, rocks, wood, and debris, can damage a tire and should be
safely avoided. If your vehicle hits any such hazard or object, however,
you should promptly inspect your tires. If you see any damage to any

MICHELIN
135
Check How Your Tires Are Wearing at Least
Once Each Month
If your tires are wearing unevenly, such as the inside shoulder of the
tire wearing faster than the rest of the tread, or if you detect excessi\
ve
vibration, your vehicle may be out of alignment or balance. These
conditions not only shorten the life of your tires but adversely affect the
handling characteristics of your vehicle, which could be dangerous. If
you detect irregular wear or vibration, have your alignment and balance
checked immediately. Tires which have been run underinflated will
show more wear on the shoulders than in the center of the tread. Read
and follow the instructions on tire rotation and replacement below.
Tire Mixing
MICHELIN® tires are radial tires. For best, safe performance, the same
size and type of tire should be used on all four wheel positions, and th\
e
full size spare should be the same size and type. Before mixing tires
of different types in any configuration on any vehicle, be sure to check
the vehicle manufacturer’s owner‘s manual for its recommendations.
It is especially important to check the vehicle manufacturer’s owner’s
manual when mixing, matching, or replacing tires on 4-wheel drive
vehicles, as this may require special precautions.
SELF-SUPPORTING ZERO PRESSURE™ (ZP) TIRES SHOULD NOT
BE MIXED WITH NON-ZP TIRES OTHER THAN THE TEMPORARY
USE OF THE PROPERLY INFLATED SPARE IF THE VEHICLE IS
SO EQUIPPED.
Winter Driving
Tires that meet the US Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA)
definition of snow tires are marked M/S, M+S, or M&S. On such tires,
normally referred to as “All-Season” tires, the “M+S” designation

MICHELIN
136
is molded into the sidewall. Tires without this notation are not
recommended for winter driving in regions that experience
winter conditions.
Although All-Season tires are designed to provide reliable performance
in some winter conditions, the use of four winter tires is recommended
for optimal performance. Tires designated for use in severe winter
conditions are marked on at least one sidewall with the letters
“M” and “S” plus a pictograph of a mountain with a snowflake
on it. If such a tire needs to be temporarily replaced with a
tire not so marked, you should immediately drive at a safe
speed to a Michelin dealer to have the spare returned to the
trunk and replaced on your vehicle by another tire with the letters
“M” and “S” and the related pictograph.
Tire Rotation and Replacement
To obtain maximum tread life, you must rotate your tires. You should
rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles (10,000 to 12,000 km)
or as specified by your vehicle manufacturer, whichever occurs
more frequently. Check your vehicle owner’s manual for any
recommendations by your vehicle manufacturer. Monthly inspection
for tire wear is recommended. Your tires should be rotated at the first
sign of irregular wear, even if it occurs before 6,000 miles (10,000
km). This is true for all vehicles. When rotating tires with a directional
tread pattern, observe the arrows molded on the sidewall that show the
direction in which the tire should rotate.
Care must be taken to maintain the proper rotation direction. Some Tire
Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) may not recognize that a tire
has been moved to a different position on your vehicle. Make certain
that your TPMS system is reset, if necessary, so as to correctly identify
the location of each tire on your vehicle.
Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual or your vehicle dealer for this
information. Determine whether rotated tires require tire inflation
adjustment, because front and rear position tire pressure may vary
according to the vehicle manufacturer’s specification due to the actual
load on that wheel position. Some vehicles may have tires of different

NITTO TIRE
166
on a vehicle equipped with dual rear tires, the radial tires may be
used on either axle.
SPEED-RATED TIRES •
If the vehicle Tire Information Placard and/or the vehicle
Owner’s Manual specifies speed-rated tires, the replacement tires
must have the same or higher speed rating to maintain vehicle
speed capability.
•
If a replacement tire has a lower speed capability than that
specified by the vehicle manufacturer, the vehicle’s speed must
be restricted to that of the replacement tire. Vehicle handling
could also be affected. Consult the vehicle Owner’s Manual or tire
manufacturer for recommendations.
•
If tires with different speed ratings are used, it is recommended
that the lower-speed-rated tires always be placed on the front axle.
This is to prevent a potential oversteer condition.
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: •
Do not mix tire sizes. All four tires must be marked with the same
tire size, unless otherwise specified by the vehicle manufacturer .
This also applies to winter/snow tires.
•
Do not mix tread pattern types such as all-terrain and all-season.
STUDLESS WINTER/SNOW TIRES •
It is always preferable to apply winter/snow tires to all wheel
positions, including dual tires, 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-wheeldrive,
4WD, and AWD vehicles.
•
If winter/snow tires are installed on the rear axle of any vehicle, it is
recommended (but not required) that they also be installed on the
front axle.