tires SUBARU BRZ 2018 Owner's Manual

379
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
WARNING
■Tire pressure monitoring system operation (if equipped)
The tire pressure monitoring system may not provide warning immedi-
ately if a tire bursts or if sudden air leakage occurs.
■When inspecting or replacing tires
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidents.
Failure to do so may cause damage to parts of the drive train, as well as
dangerous handling characteristics, which may lead to an accident
resulting in death or serious injury.
●Make sure to install 4 tires that are of the specified size, and that all 4
tires are the same for the following items:
•Size
• Circumference
• Speed symbol
• Load index
• Construction
• Manufacturer
• Brand (tread pattern)
• Degrees of wear
You must obey the specification printed on the tire placard. The tire plac-
ard is located on the driver's door pillar.
If all four tires are not the same in items listed above, there is a possibil-
ity that it may lead to serious mechanical damage to the drive train of
your car and affect the following.
•Ride
• Handling
•Braking
• Speedometer/Odometer calibration
• Clearance between the body and the tires
It also may be dangerous and lead to loss of vehicle control as well as an
accident.
●Only use radial tires.
●Do not mix summer, all season and snow tires.
●Do not use tires that have been used on another vehicle.
Do not use tires if you do not know how they were used previously.

380 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
CAUTION
■Repairing or replacing tires, wheels, tire pressure warning valves,
transmitters and tire valve caps (vehicles with a tire pressure moni-
toring system)
●When removing or fitting the wheels, tires or the tire pressure warning
valves and transmitters, contact your SUBARU dealer as the tire pres-
sure warning valves and transmitters may be damaged if not handled
correctly.
●When replacing tire valve caps, do not use tire valve caps other than
those specified. The cap may become stuck.
■Driving on rough roads
Take particular care when driving on roads with loose surfaces or pot
holes.
These conditions may cause losses in tire inflation pressure, reducing
the cushioning ability of the tires. In addition, driving on rough roads may
cause damage to the tires themselves, as well as the vehicle’s wheels
and body.
■Low profile tires and wheels
Low profile tires may cause greater damage than usual to the wheel
when receiving impact from the road surface. Therefore pay attention to
the following:
●Be sure to use proper tire inflation pressure. If tires are under-inflated,
they may be damaged more severely.
●Avoid pot holes, uneven pavement, curbs and other road hazards.
Failure to do so may lead to severe tire and wheel damage.

381
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
CAUTION
■If tire inflation pressures become low while driving
Do not continue driving, or your tires and/or wheels may be ruined.
■
Wheel balance
Although the wheels are correctly balanced when the vehicle is first deliv-
ered, they will become imbalanced as the tires wear. An imbalanced wheel
may cause the steering wheel to vibrate slightly at certain vehicle speeds
and may affect the vehicle’s straight-line stability. If you notice abnormal tire
wear or vibration in the steering wheel, contact your SUBARU dealer.
■ Wheel alignment
Incorrect wheel alignment can result in uneven tire wear reducing the stabil-
ity of the vehicle. If you notice uneven tire wear, contact a SUBARU dealer to
have the wheel alignment inspected.

384 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
■Effects of incorrect tire inflation pressure
Driving with incorrect tire inflation pressure may result in the following:
●Reduced fuel economy
●Reduced driving comfort and poor handling
●Reduced tire life due to wear
●Reduced safety
●Damage to the drive train
If a tire needs frequent refilling, have it checked by your SUBARU dealer.
■Instructions for checking tire inflation pressure
When checking tire inflation pressure, observe the following:
●Check only when the tires are cold.
If your vehicle has been parked for at least 3 hours and has not been
driven for more than 1 mile or 1.5 km, you will get an accurate cold
tire inflation pressure reading.
●Always use a tire pressure gauge.
It is difficult to judge if a tire is properly inflated based only on its
appearance.
●It is normal for the tire inflation pressure to be higher after driving as
heat is generated in the tire. Do not reduce tire inflation pressure after
driving.
●Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight.
Passengers and luggage weight should be placed so that the vehicle
is balanced.

385
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
WARNING
■Proper inflation is critical
to save tire performance
Keep your tires properly inflated.
If the tires are not properly inflated, the following conditions may occur
which could lead to an accident resulting in death or serious injury:
●Excessive wear
●Uneven wear
●Poor handling
●Possibility of blowouts resulting from overheated tires
●Air leaking from between tire and wheel
●Wheel deformation and/or tire damage
●Greater possibility of tire damage while driving (due to road hazards,
expansion joints, sharp edges in the road, etc.)
CAUTION
■When inspecting and adjusting tire inflation pressure
Be sure to reinstall the tire valve caps.
If a valve cap is not installed, dirt or moisture may get into the valve and
cause an air leak, resulting in decreased tire inflation pressure.

386
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
Wheels
If a wheel is bent, cracked or heavily corroded, it should be
replaced. Otherwise, the tire may separate from the wheel or
cause loss of handling control.
■Wheel selection
When replacing wheels, care should be taken to ensure that
they are equivalent to those removed in load capacity, diameter,
rim width, and inset
*.
Replacement wheels are available at your SUBARU dealer.
*: Conventionally referred to as “offset”.
SUBARU does not recommend using:
● Wheels of different sizes or types
● Used wheels
● Bent wheels that have been straightened
■ Alloy wheel precautions
● Use only SUBARU wheel nuts and wrenches designed for
use with your alloy wheels.
● When rotating, repairing or changing your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving 1000 miles (1600 km).
● Be careful not to damage the alloy wheels when using tire
chains.
● Use only SUBARU genuine balance weights or equivalent
and a plastic or rubber hammer when balancing your wheels.

388 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
CAUTION
■Replacing tire inflation pressure warning valves and transmitters
(vehicles with a tire pressure monitoring system)
●Because tire repair or replacement may affect the tire pressure warn-
ing valves and transmitters, make sure to have tires serviced by your
SUBARU dealer or other qualified service shop. In addition, make sure
to purchase your tire pressure warning valves and transmitters at your
SUBARU dealer.
●Ensure that only genuine SUBARU wheels are used on your vehicle.
Tire pressure warning valves and transmitters may not work properly
with non-genuine wheels.

426
5-1. Essential information
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Contact your SUBARU dealer as soon as
possible.
■Visible symptoms
● Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Vehicles with a monochrome multi-information display: The
engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points
higher than normal
● Vehicles with a color multi-information display: The high
engine coolant temperature warning light flashes or illumi-
nates
■ Audible symptoms
● Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
■ Operational symptoms
● Engine missing, stumbling or running rough
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost
touches the floor

436 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
■If the tire pressure monitoring system is inoperative (if equipped)
The tire pressure monitoring system will be disabled in the following con-
ditions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If tires not equipped with tire pressure warning valves and transmit-
ters are used.
●If the ID code on the tire pressure warning valves and transmitters is
not registered in the tire pressure warning computer.
●If the tire inflation pressure is 55 psi (380 kPa, 3.87 kgf/cm2 or bar) or
higher.
The tire pressure monitoring system may be disabled in the following
conditions:
(When the condition becomes normal, the system will work properly.)
●If electronic devices or facilities using similar radio wave frequencies
are nearby.
●If a radio set at similar frequencies is in use in the vehicle.
●If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals is installed.
●If there is a lot of snow or ice on the vehicle, in particular around the
wheels or wheel housings.
●If non-genuine SUBARU wheels are used. (Even if you use SUBARU
wheels, the tire pressure monitoring system may not work properly
with some types of tires.)
●If tire chains are used.
●If a large metallic object which can interfere with signal reception is
put in the trunk.
■If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking
for approximately one minute (if equipped)
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for
approximately one minute when the push-button ignition switch is turned
to “ON” mode (vehicles with a keyless access with push button start sys-
tem) or the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles without
a keyless access with push button start system), have it checked your
SUBARU dealer.

5
When trouble arises
437
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
WARNING
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on (if equipped)
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire
inflation pressure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pres-
sure adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires.
If the tire is flat, change to the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired
by the nearest SUBARU dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate,
you could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur (vehicles with a tire
pressure monitoring system)
The tire pressure monitoring system may not activate immediately.