2021 Hankook Tire - Tire Service Guide(For Original Equipment)

2021 Hankook Tire

Tire Service Guide

(For Original Equipment)

For North America

Passenger Car, Light Trucks Tires

For your safety and protection against serious injury or death,

the following safety precaution and maintenance instruction must be

observed at all times.

IMPORTANT SAFETY

CHECK LISTS:

• Check tire air pressure periodically.

• Inspect tire for uneven treadwear, cracks, bulges or any sign of foreign material or trauma.

• Remember to check your tire load carrying capacity and speed ratings.

• Check your tire life. Tires must be replaced when tread is worn down to 2/32nds”.

• Never overload your vehicle, check tire load carrying capacity or vehicle owner’s manual for

the maximum recommended load.

UNDER INFLATION

Under inflation (or tire over loading) lead to tire failures, which often result in serious personal injury

or death. Among the modes of tire failures are tread/belt separations, sidewall flex breaks and crack

formation, among others. Tires run hotter when under inflated which can lead or contribute to tire

failure. Under Inflation also adversely affect fuel economy, tire wear and vehicle handling.

CHECK TIRE INFLATION

PRESSURE REGULARLY

Tire inflation pressure must be checked at least once a month and before each and every long trip. The

tire air pressure must be checked when the tires are cold, in the morning, before doing any driving. At

all times visually check tires for nails or other objects embedded in the tread which can cause air leak.

Also never bleed or reduce inflation pressure when tires are hot. Over inflation must also be avoided as

it can cause uneven wear at the center of tire tread and make the tire more susceptible to road hazards.

Warning

TIRE INFLATION

Under inflated and/or overloaded tires pose a safety risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration (NHTSA) estimates that under inflated tires contribute to more than 600 fatalities

and 33,000 injuries each year. A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and not appear to be

flat! Do you know your tires are more likely than not under-inflated? Results of a tire pressure

survey conducted by U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association show:

• 9% of vehicles had all 4 tires properly inflated.

• 50% of vehicles had at least 1 tire under inflated.

• 19% of vehicles had at least 1 tire under inflated by 8 PSI.

• 26% of vehicles had at least 1 tire under inflated by 6 PSI.

• 38% of vehicles had at least 1 tire under inflated by 4 PSI.

Tire

Service Guide

(For Original Equipment)

PROPER INFLATION

Proper tire inflation is essential for optimum performance and longevity of the tire. A U.S. Department

of Energy study shows that “properly inflated tires can improve fuel efficiency by 3.3%.” So, what is

the proper inflation for my tires and where can I find it? For original equipment tires or replacement

tires with the same size and load rating, proper inflation is specified by the vehicle manufacturer

shown on a placard that can be found on the door edge, door post, glove compartment door or gas

tank door. It can also be found in the owner’s manual. For plus sized replacement tires consult your local

dealer or tire manufacturer. Proper inflation information is NOT stamped on the sidewall of the tire.

The inflation pressure shown on the sidewall of the tire is the maximum inflation pressure for that tire.

TIRE PRESSURE

MONITORING SYSTEM

(TPMS)

All new passenger, SUV, and light truck vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2007 are

required to be equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system. This system will warn drivers when

a tire is 25% (8 PSI if the recommended inflation pressure is 32 PSI) under inflated. This warning may

be too late to prevent tire damage caused by under inflation. TPMS units are NOT a replacement for

monthly tire pressure checks with a tire gauge.

It is recommended that the replacement tire speed rating be equal to or greater 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 & the vehicle’s

handling may be adversely impacted. When replacing tires, consult the placard or the owner’s manual for

correct size and speed rating. The speed rating of the replacement tires must be equal to or greater than

the speed rating of the tire being replaced to maintain the speed capability of the vehicle. Speed ratings do

not imply that the vehicle can be safely driven at the maximum speeds for which the tire is rated.

Serious injury or death may take place if you drive your vehicle in an unsafe or unlawful manner. Hankook’s

speed symbol designations are verified and comply with regulatory indoor test in accordance with ECE-

R30, 54 test (Economic Council for Europe : Procedure load / Speed performance test for tires). These

symbols are not applicable to repaired tires.

Speed symbol can be shown from the tire size for example:

P205/60R15 90 H

Warning

SPEED RATING

Category Maximum Speed

G 90 km/h 55 mph

J 100 km/h 62 mph

K 110 km/h 68 mph

L 120 km/h 74 mph

M 130 km/h 80 mph

N 140 km/h 87 mph

P 150 km/h 93 mph

Q 160 km/h 99 mph

Category Maximum Speed

R 170 km/h 105 mph

S 180 km/h 112 mph

T 190 km/h 118 mph

U 200 km/h 124 mph

H 210 km/h 130 mph

V 240 km/h 149 mph

W 270 km/h 168 mph

Y 300 km/h 186 mph

CHECK TIRE LIFE

Tires have six built-in treadwear indicators that warn you when it is time to replace your tires. These

indicators are raised ribs 2/32nds inches height sections spaced intermittently in the bottom of the

tread grooves. When they appear even with the outside of the tread, it is time to replace your tires

immediately.

TIRE DAMAGE

Inspect your tires frequently for uneven wear, scrapes, bulges, separations, cuts, snags and other

damage from road hazards. Damage from impact can occur to the inner part of your tire without

being visible to the outside. If you have any doubt that your tire has been damaged from hitting

a pothole, curb or debris on the road, tires must be removed from the wheel and inspected for

damage by a qualified person such as Hankook authorized dealer. Uneven wear can lead to internal

damage or separation.

TIRE LOAD

The load carrying capacity of the replacement tire must always equal or exceed the load carrying

capacity of the original equipment tire. Tires that are loaded in excess of allowable maximum can

build up heat to cause sudden air loss.

TIRE REPAIR

Tire repairs should only be completed by a qualified trained tire service professional. Improper

repairs are dangerous and may cause a tire to suddenly fail. Tire repairs should be done following

the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association established guidelines. Hankook warranty does not cover

any repair or inspection. Tire must be removed from wheel assembly for inspection and repair.

Warning

PUNCTURE

REPAIR AREA

Repairs should only be made in the tread area (puncture

repair area). None of the repair should extend into shoulder

area. Puncture must be ¼ inch (6mm) or smaller in diameter.

Plug/stem and patch combination is only proper repair

method. Repairs cannot overlap. Never repair an existing

improper repair or tire worn down to 2/32

nds

of an inch.

Contact Hankook Tire Technical Services for any repair on

non- conventional tires (eg. Runflat, foam-lined)

The combined weight of the occupants and cargo should never exceed 611kg or 1348Ibs.

Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure

See owner’s

Manual for

additional

information

Front P245/70R17 108S 240 kPa, 35PSI

Rear P245/70R17 108S 240 kPa, 35PSI

Spare P245/70R17 108S 240 kPa, 35PSI

Tire and loading information

SEATING CAPACITY | Total 6 | Front 3 | Rear 3

MOUNTING

RECOMMENDATION

Tire mounting and inflation can be dangerous and shall be done only by specially trained persons

using proper tools and procedures. Always refer to the U.S.Tire Manufacturers Association

mounting procedure. Serious physical injury or death may result from explosion of tire/rim

assembly due to improper mounting. A tire bead diameter must always match the diameter of

the rim on which it is being mounted. When inflating/dismounting RV tires, approved OSHA

safety cages must be used. Never stand, lean or reach over the assembly while inflating tires.

MOUNTING PRECAUTION

There is extreme danger in attempting to install a tire of one rim diameter on a rim of a different

rim diameter. Always replace a tire on a rim with another tire of exactly the same diameter tire

designation and suffix letters. For example, a 16” tire goes with a 16” rim. Never mount a 16”

size diameter tire on a 16.5” rim. While it is possible to pass a 16” diameter tire over the lip or

flange of a 16.5” size diameter rim, it cannot be inflated enough to position itself against the

rim flange. If an attempt is made to seat the tire bead by inflating, the tire bead may break with

explosive force and could cause serious bodily injury or death. Rims of different diameters and

tapers cannot be interchanged.

Death or serious injury may result from:

Tire failure due to under–inflation/over loading.

follow owner’s manual or tire placard in vehicle.

explosion of tire/rim assembly may result from

improper mounting. Do not exceed 40 psi to

seat beads.

Only Specially Trained Persons Should Mount Tires.

TIRE MOUNTING

PRECATIONS, TO AVOID

INJURY

1. Clean rim. lubricate rim and beads.

2. Be sure beads are centered.

3. Do not stand over tire while inflating.

4. After beads seat, adjust to recommended

inflation.

Warning Warning

Moisture trapped inside tires can cause damage.

1. Store tires in dry area.

2. Dry interior before mounting.

3. Inflate with cold dry air.

SERVICE LIFE OF A TIRE

There is no hard and fast rule to measure service life of a tire. Tires are made with various types of raw

materials and a variety of rubber compounds all having varying performance properties. Once a tire is

designed and manufactured to achieve given performance property and put into use, it is still subjected

to varying conditions such as weather, storage, and still further varying use conditions such as load, speed,

inflation pressure, maintenance and road condition. Since all these factors affect the service life of a tire, it

just is not possible to predict with accuracy or scientific validity service life of a tire.

Tires unquestionably degrade over time, whether in use or not in use. Some tire and vehicle manufactur-

ers published warnings to consumers of their products to the effect that tires should be replaced after six

years of manufacture. Certain industry organizations issued statements concurring with six year service life

for tires. Depending on severity of adverse use conditions or non-use, many tires degrade fast enough to

require replacement before 6 years of service life. Others in perfectly favorable use conditions may enjoy

service life of more than six years.

SUV / LIGHT TRUCK /

TRUCK ROLLOVER

HAZARD

Due to their size, weight and higher center of gravity, vehicles such as SUVs and light trucks do not

have the same handling characteristics as automobiles. Because of these different characteristics,

failure to operate your SUV/truck in a proper and safe manner can increase the likelihood of vehicle

rollover. Modifications to your SUV/truck tire size, tire type, wheels or suspension can change your

vehicle’s handling characteristics and further increase the likelihood of vehicle rollover. Whether your

SUV/truck has the original equipment configuration for tires, wheels and suspension or whether any

of these items have been modified, always drive safely, avoid sudden sharp turns or lane changes

and obey traffic laws. Failure to do so may result in loss of vehicle control leading to an accident and

serious injury or death.

TIRE MIXING

Driving your vehicle with an improper mix of tires is dangerous. Your vehicle’s handling characteristics may be

seriously affected. You could have an accident resulting in serious personal injury or death. Consult your vehicle

owner’s manual, tire information placard, and a qualified tire service professional for proper tire replacement.

Unless otherwise specified by the vehicle manufacturer, it is recommended that all road tires be the same

size, type, and speed rating. Never mix different size tires on an axle, except for temporary use of a spare.

When it is necessary to replace one or more tires, consider that applying new tires in pairs on an axle, or to

all wheel positions, helps to optimize vehicle performance and avoid malfunction of mechanical or electronic

vehicle systems (i.e. drive-train transmission, anti-lock brakes, traction control).

Replace Fewer than Four Tires: Whether your vehicle is front-, rear-, or all-wheel drive, if your rear tires lose

traction because of hydroplaning on a wet road, an oversteer skidding condition may result and lead to

loss of control, particularly in a turn. Generally, new tires provide increased resistance to hydroplaning due

to their full tread depth. With the new tires on the rear, oversteer skidding condition may be more easily

avoided. Therefore, if replacing only one or two tires at a time:

• Two new tires should be placed on the rear axle.

• One new tire should be paired with another tire from the vehicle with the deepest tread depth,

and then both should be placed on the rear axle.

• Additional or alternate recommendations may apply for some vehicles. Always refer to and follow

the vehicle manufacturer’s tire replacement and tire application recommendations; consult your vehicle

owner’s manual and tire information placard.

Warning

GENERAL

RECOMMENDATIONS

The following recommendations are intended to give consumers some idea concerning service life

of a tire. Hankook always insists and mandates that consumers properly maintain and periodically

inspect their tires. Even if a consumer properly maintains and periodically inspects the tire, most tires

will require replacement before 10 years of manufacture regardless of tread-wear. It is recommended

that tires in service 10 years or more from the date of manufacture must be replaced even if it was

never used. Date of manufacture can be determined by reading the Department of Transportation

(DOT) code on the sidewall. The entire code will be printed on outbound side of the tire. The DOT code

will end with the week and year of manufacture. For example, a tire with DOT code reading 1GFN

AVN 1408, was manufactured during the 14th week of 2008. Consumers must regularly have tires

inspected by qualified tire dealers throughout its life. Furthermore, tires that are over five years of age

should be inspected at least twice a year and more frequently if the use is heavy.

Consumers must always be vigilant of their tires performance, condition, inflation pressure, and any

other issues that could affect the life of a tire. Consumers must properly maintain, including proper

inflation pressures, and periodically inspect your tires. Failure to do so might result in separation or

performance loss resulting in vehicle damage, injury or even death.

For original equipment tires, acquired when purchasing a new vehicle, consumers should follow all of

the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.

TIRE ROTATION

For safety and maximizing tire life, rotate your tires at least every 7,500 miles or at the vehicle

manufacturer’s recommended mileage, if sooner. Each tire pressure must be checked after rotation

and adjusted to the vehicle recommendation for the tire’s new location on the vehicle. If irregular wear

is evident, vehicle alignment or other mechanical problem should be checked.

All vehiclesRear and Four wheel

drive vehicles

All vehicles & direc-

tional tires

Front wheel drive

vehicles

* Tire Rotation variation patterns; refer to proper pattern for asymmetrical, directional tires

Front Front Front Front

The geometric and vehicle center lines are

one in the same in a properly aligned vehicle

- shown in

Geometric CL

If the rear axle or wheels are toed to one side,

the thrust line will not match up with the

center line and the vehicle will pull—in this

case—to the left.

Geometric and vehicle CL

Rear-axle Thrust-line

Thrust-angle

If the rear axle is offset to one side

the

geometric and vehicle center lines will be

at an angle.

Geometric CL

Vehicle CL

Off-set

The vehicle center line of the chassis/body is found by measuring in equal distance from both sides of the

vehicle. The geometric center line is something a little different. It is determined by the midpoint between

the front wheels and rear wheels. If the wheels or axles are not offset to one side, the geometric center line

and vehicle center line will be identical. Should the front wheels or rear axle be slightly off center, however,

the geometric center line will be at an angle to the vehicle center line. When the two lines do not coincide,

tracking problems result. The rear wheels will not follow the front wheels because one set of wheels is

offset from true center.

The third line we must deal with is the thrust line. This imaginary line also runs the length of the vehicle,

and is determined by the total toe of the rear wheels. The thrust line divides the total toe in half. If toe for

both rear wheels is zero (which is where it should be), the thrust line would be 90 degrees to the rear axle

right up the center of the car.

Out-of-alignment conditions occur when the suspension and steering systems are not operating at their

desired angles. Out-of- alignment conditions are most often caused by spring sag or suspension wear (ball

joints, bushing, etc.) on an older vehicle. They can also be the result of an impact with a pothole or curb

or a change in vehicle ride height (lowered or raised) on any vehicle regardless of age. Incorrect alignment

settings will usually result in more rapid tire wear.

WHEEL ALIGNMENT

CONTROLLING

A VEHICLE WHEN TIRE

FAILURE OCCURS

If a tire failure occurs, you may hear a loud noise, feel a vibration, and/or the vehicle may pull toward

the side of the failed tire. It is most important that you. DO NOT BRAKE OR ABRUPTLY TURN THE

STEERING WHEEL. Slowly remove your foot from the accelerator and hold the steering wheel firmly

while steering to remain in your lane. Once the vehicle has slowed and is fully under control, apply the

brakes gently; safely pull over to the shoulder and come to a stop. Inspect the tires. If one or more

looks flat or low, shows detachment or other damage, remove tire assembly and replace it with a

properly inflated spare. Bumps or bulges may indicate detachment within the tire body and require

inspection by a qualified tire technician.

TIRE SPINNING

Spinning a tire to extract a vehicle stuck in mud, ice, snow, or wet grass can be dangerous. A tire spinning

at a speedometer reading above 35 mph (55 km/h) can in a matter of seconds, reach a rotation speed

capable of disintegrating a tie with explosive force. Under some conditions, a tire may be spinning at

a speed twice that shown on the speedometer. This could cause serious personal injury or death to a

bystander or passenger. Never spin a tire above a speedometer reading of 35 mph (55 km/h).

WINTER DRIVING

Tire which meet the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association definition of snow tires are marked M/S,

M+S, or M&S. On such tires, this designation is molded into the sidewall. Tires without this notation

are not recommended for winter driving. While All-Season tires are designed to provide reliable

performance in some winter conditions, the use of 4 winter tires is recommended for optimal

performance. Tires designated for use in severe winter conditions are marked on at least one sidewall

with the letter “M” and “S” plus a pictograph of a mountain with a snowflake on it.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION • CUSTOMER SERVICE

If you have any questions or concerns regarding product warranty,

please first contact your nearest Hankook Tire Dealer.

For dealer information, or if your question has not been handled to your satisfaction,

contact the Hankook Tire Technical Department.

HANKOOK TIRE AMERICA CORPORATION

Technical Department 1-800-Hankook 333 Commerce Street,

Suite 600 Nashville, TN 37201.

For additional warranty information, please visit: hankooktire.com