FAQ Car, SUV and Van Tyres | Get your Answers

Can I mount my own tyre on the wheel?

Never try to mount your own tyres. Tyre mounting is a job for people who have the proper equipment and experience. If you try to do it yourself, you run the risk of serious injury to yourself as well as possible damage to the tyre and rim.

Can I use tyre dressings?

We recommend using a soft brush and mild soap to clean tyres. Tyre dressings that contain petroleum products or alcohol can accelerate the ageing process and contribute to cracking.

Michelin does not endorse the use of after-market conditioners. The effects of such products are unknown as it would be impossible to test all of the products on the market today.

Do my driving habits affect the life of my tyres?

Yes. Here are several tips to help increase the life of your tyres:

Don’t speed. High speeds can generate excessive heat, which can increase the rate of tyre wear. Drive at the safe, legal speed limit.
Avoid fast turns on curves and around corners.
Avoid fast starts and panic stops.
Don’t ride on the edge of the road or drive over kerbs, potholes or other obstructions.

Do my new tyres require special treatment?

Special treatment is not required for your new tyres. However, drive carefully while you get accustomed to them. You may feel a difference when accelerating, braking, cornering or possibly driving in wet conditions.

Do you recommend the use of after-market balancing/sealant products?

We cannot test all products being marketed today, and do not certify or endorse any of these after-market products for efficiency or compatibility.

Because some of these products may degrade the inner liner of tyres, caution should be taken. The long-term effect of these products is unknown (chemical reaction when exposed to pressure, temperature and time).

Because some of these products may be flammable, we strongly urge you to advise a tyre dealer of the use of these products before having the tyre and wheel serviced. Failure to do so could lead to serious injury or death.

Please refer to the warnings and instructions provided by the manufacturers of these products regarding their use.

We neither approve nor disapprove the use of these products.

How and when should I rotate my tyres?

How do I know how old my tyres are?

Each tyre has a required Department of Transportation (DOT) number imprinted on at least one of its sidewalls. That number begins with the letters "DOT" and may contain up to 12 additional numbers and letters.

The first and last digits are the most important:

The first two letters or numbers identify the tyre’s manufacturer and plant code.
Prior to the year 2000, the last 3 digits of a DOT number represented the week (2 digits) and the year (1 digit) of production. So if the last three digits are 439, the tyre was produced in the 43rd week of 1999.
Tyres produced after 1 January 2000, have a 4-digit date code at the end of the DOT number. The first 2 digits represent the week of production and the last 2 digits represent the last 2 digits of the year of production. So, 3500 indicates that the tyre was produced in the 35th week of the year 2000.

How do I remove the Bar-code label from the sidewall?

Although bar-code label removal is not necessary for the safe and efficient use of the tyre, it may be necessary to remove the label for aesthetic reasons. The 16 mm by 40 mm bar-code label on the lower sidewall may be difficult to remove from some tyres. Please advise your tyre dealer that label removal may be facilitated by applying with a cotton swab a small amount of paint thinner (mineral spirits) to the label on a MOUNTED, INFLATED tyre. Then, carefully pry under the centre of the label with a flat-bladed screwdriver to remove it. Your dealer will do this slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the tyre. After the label has been removed by this procedure, the tyre should be carefully inspected.

We are currently perfecting a more readily removable bar-code label. In the meantime, the above procedure provides an effective method of removing the occasional "stubborn" bar-code label from the tyres when necessary.

How do I take care of my new tyres?

Properly maintained tyres can help to give you a more comfortable ride and a longer tread life. So:

Check your tyre pressure monthly with a tyre-pressure gauge (and make sure that the tyres are cold – at least 3 hours after driving).
Check your tyres frequently for any cuts, snags, punctures, any other injury, or irregular tyre wear.
At the first sign of irregular tread-wear, have your alignment checked.
Make sure that the tyres are balanced when they are mounted on the wheels.
Rotate your tyres following the schedule in your vehicle owners manual or as required by the tyre manufacturer’s warranty.

How long should my original equipment tyres last?

We do not offer a written mileage warranty on any tyres supplied as original equipment. Due to the variety of styles, construction features, tread compounds, vehicle applications, geographical conditions and driving habits, it is difficult to provide a specific mileage expectancy.

However, any tyre-wear concern should always be presented to your local authorised dealers for further evaluation.

Many of our authorised retailers offer specific mileage warranties on several lines of tyres sold as replacement tyres, including some tyres that are used as original equipment. These mileage warranties are administered based on the retail outlet's verification of proper tyre maintenance having been performed.

How many miles will I get out of my tyres?

Many factors can affect the tread life of your tyres, such as:

Tread compounds
Construction features
Vehicle application
Tyre maintenance
Geographic conditions
Atmospheric conditions
Driving habits
And more

That’s why exact mileage is impossible to predict. Take special care when braking, accelerating and cornering, etc., to help increase the life of the tyre. (Owning tyres with Michelin’s technology doesn’t hurt either.) If you have concerns about the rate of wear on your tyres, consult your local authorised Michelin retailer.

How should I care for tyres that I have in storage?

Tyres should be stored in a cool place away from direct sunlight, sources of heat and ozone such as hot pipes and electric generators. Exposure to these elements during prolonged periods of time will exhaust the tyre's oxidation and weathering agents within the rubber compounds and result in cracking. Be sure that the surfaces on which the tyres are stored are clean and free from grease, fuel or other substances that could deteriorate the rubber.

For mounted tyres inflate at, but no higher than, the recommended air pressure. Store vehicles on blocks to remove the load from the tyres.

Is it safe to repair a flat tyre?

If a tyre loses all or most of its air pressure, it must be removed from the wheel for a complete internal inspection to be sure that it's not damaged. Tyres that are run for even short distances while flat are often damaged beyond repair. Most punctures, nail holes, or cuts of up to 0.6 cm (1/4 inch) - – confined to the tread - – may be satisfactorily repaired by trained personnel using industry-approved methods. Don't repair tyres with tread punctures of larger than 0.6 cm (1/4 inch), or any sidewall puncture. Also, never repair tyres which are worn below 1/16 inch tread depth. Your best bet is to make sure that your spare tyre is always ready to do the job. Check it regularly for proper air pressure and be sure that it is in good shape. If your car is equipped with one of the several types of temporary spares, be sure to check the spare tyre's sidewall for the correct inflation pressure, speed and mileage limitations. See your dealer for expert tyre repair.

Is there a time period on breaking in my new tyres?

New tyres have to be driven for a few hundred miles on dry roads to rid the tread of the parting agents and antioxidants applied during production. Not until the tread has been slightly roughened will the tyre be able to make its true gripping power felt.

Is there a way to tell when I need new tyres?

Tread-wear indicators ("wear bars") are located at the base of the main grooves and are equally spaced around the tyre. The tread-wear indicators, which look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread, will appear on the tyre when that point of wear is reached. When you see these wear bars, the tyre is worn out and it's time to replace the tyre. Always remove tyres from service when they reach a remaining tread depth of two thirty-seconds of an inch (2/32"). Another easy way to check is to do the 20 pence test. Take a 20 pence piece and place it in the tread groove. If you can see some of the out edge of the coin, then it is time to replace your tyres.

Must I replace my present tyres with the same size tyres?

Never choose a smaller size than those that came with the car. Tyres should always be replaced with the same size designation - – or approved options – as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer or authorised dealer

Should my tyres be balanced?

Proper balancing is critical for optimal vehicle performance, especially at today's higher motorway speeds. When tyre and wheel assemblies are unbalanced, a vibration can result from wheel and assembly shimmy (shaking from side to side) or wheel assembly tramp (tyre and wheel hopping up and down). Therefore, it is important that these assemblies are in both static and dynamic balance

What air pressure do you recommend when using an Optional tyre size?

When installing a different size than the original equipment tyre, all vehicle manufacturer specifications must be maintained. The replacement tyre should be inflated to provide the same load capability of the original tyre size at the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.

Please contact one of our Consumer Care agents to determine the correct pressure for the optional tyre size that you are installing or visit your local tyre retailer for assistance.

What is proper alignment?

A vehicle is said to be properly aligned when all suspension and steering components are sound and when the tyre and wheel assemblies are running straight and true. Proper alignment is necessary for even tread wear and precise steering. Uneven front or rear tyre wear, or changes in your vehicle's handling or steering response (i.e. pulling to one side) can indicate misalignment. Many vehicles today are equipped with rear suspensions that can be adjusted for alignment. Your vehicle many need a "front-end" alignment or a "four-wheel" alignment, depending on the symptoms you are experiencing. The moderate cost of having your vehicle aligned can more than pay for itself in tyre mileage, performance and comfort.

What is the correct air pressure for my tyres?

The vehicle manufacturer selects the size and type of tyres for their vehicles. They perform the necessary testing to establish the vehicles’ optimised operating tyre inflation pressures which can be found on the vehicle placard (located on the inside of the driver's door) and in the vehicle owners’ manual.

If the tyres on your vehicle are the same size as the original equipment tyre, inflate them to the pressures indicated on the placard.

f the size of the tyres is different than the size indicated on the placard, please contact us via phone or e-mail for a pressure recommendation. We will need the following information from the tyre and wheel placard:

– the original equipment tyre size

– the vehicle manufacturer's inflation pressure.

What is the expected service life of tyres?

While most tyres will need replacement before they achieve 10 years, it is recommended that any tyres in service for 10 years or more from the date of manufacture, including spare tyres, be replaced with new tyres as a simple precaution even if such tyres appear serviceable and even if they have not reached the legal wear limit.

What are the lowest Inflation Pressures permitted?

Lower inflation pressures for improved flotation are permitted ONLY if the tyre maintains adequate load-carrying capacity at the lower pressure. 20 psi is the minimum recommended pressure for a passenger or light commercial vehicle tyre. Pressures lower than 20 psi may be used off-road when speeds are less than 15 mph and when the tyre has adequate load-carrying capacity at the lower pressure.

The best recommendation for motorway use is to follow the inflation pressure specified by the vehicle manufacturer which can be found in the owner’s manual or on the sticker on the inside of the driver’s door.

When installing a different size than the original equipment tyre, the replacement tyre should be inflated to provide the same load capability of the original tyre size at the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.

What is your opinion on the use of nitrogen in tyres?

Nitrogen is an inert gas. It is simply dry air with the oxygen removed (air contains nearly 79% Nitrogen). The physical properties of nitrogen reduce the pressure loss due to the natural permeability of the materials of the tyre. Unfortunately, there are other possible sources of leaks (tyre/rim interface, valve, valve/rim interface and the wheel) which prevent the guarantee of pressure maintenance for individuals using air or nitrogen inflation. Tyres manufactured by Michelin are designed to deliver their expected performance when inflated with air or nitrogen, as long as the user respects the pressures recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle's placard or those of the tyre manufacturer. Whether they are inflated with air or nitrogen, regular pressure maintenance remains critical because under-inflated tyres lead to:

- a reduction in road holding

- a reduction in wet traction capability

- an increased sensitivity to road hazards

- a reduction in tread-life

- an increase in fuel consumption

- a reduction in tyre life due to excessive heat from over deflection

What should I look for when inspecting my tyres?

In addition to performing regular maintenance, you must also keep an eye out for potential problems that might affect your tyres. Regular inspections can help you prevent tyre trouble, and keep you rolling safely down the road.
When inspecting your tyres, look for:

Uneven tread wear : This can include more wear on one tread edge than the other, a rippled pattern of high and low wear, or exposed steel wire. Uneven wear can be caused by problems such as under-inflation, misalignment and improper balancing.

Shallow tread : Bald tyres tend to skid and slide on the road, and are more likely to be damaged by potholes and other road hazards. The tread on your tyre should be at least 1.6 mm (1/16 of an inch) deep. If it isn’t, the tyre must be replaced. To help you see tread problems, tyres have built-in “tread-wear indicators”. These are narrow bars of smooth rubber that run across the tread: When the tread is even with the bars, it is worn down to the minimum level and must be replaced immediately.

You can also perform a simple test using a 20 pence piece. Put the edge of the coin into the tread. If you cannot see the rim that’s good. If you can see some of the rim, it’s time to replace the tyre.

Troublemakers. Check for small stones, pieces of glass, bits of metal and other foreign objects that might be wedged into the tread, and carefully pick them out. They can cause serious problems if they are pushed further into your tyre as you drive.

Damaged areas. Cracks, cuts, splits, punctures, holes and bulges in the tread or on the sides of the tyre can indicate serious problems, and the tyre may need to be replaced.
Slow leaks. Tyres lose some air pressure (about 2 psi) over the course of a month or so, but if you find that you have to add air every few days, have the tyre, wheel and valve checked – and if necessary, repair or replace the tyre.

Valve caps. Those little caps on your tyre’s valve stem keep moisture and dirt out, so make sure they are on all your tyres. Also, when you have a tyre replaced, have a new valve stem assembly installed at the same time.

Driving on a damaged tyre can be dangerous. If you see something that you’re not sure about during your inspection, have it examined by your tyre dealer. Any time that you see damage to a tyre, don’t drive on it – use a spare if you need to go somewhere. And finally, pay attention to the “feel” of your tyres as you drive. A rough ride may indicate tyre damage or excessive wear. If you notice vibrations or other disturbances while driving, and/or you suspect possible damage to your tyre or vehicle, immediately reduce speed, drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road and stop, and inspect your tyres. If a tyre is damaged, deflate it and replace it with your spare. If you do not see any tyre damage and cannot identify the source of the vibration, take the vehicle to a tyre dealer for a thorough inspection.

When should I check my air pressure?

Air pressure in tyres, including the spare, should be checked at least monthly and always before extended driving. Tyres should be checked when they are cold (at least three hours after the vehicle has been stopped and before it is driven more than one mile or two kilometres). Do not reduce pressure when tyres are hot; use an accurate air-pressure gauge to check pressure and maintain it at the level recommended on the vehicle tyre vehicle placard or in the vehicle owner’s manual. Under-inflation produces extreme flexing of the tyre and builds up heat to the point that tyre failure may occur. Over- or under-inflation may adversely affect vehicle handling. Cold tyre pressures should never be higher than the limit moulded on the sidewall.

When should I replace my spare tyre?

For tyres that were on an original equipment vehicle (i.e. acquired by the consumer on a new vehicle), follow the vehicle manufacturer’s tyre replacement recommendations, when specified (but not to exceed 10 years).

The date when a tyre was manufactured is located on the sidewall of each tyre. Consumers should locate the Department of Transportation or DOT code on the tyre which begins with DOT and ends with the week and year of manufacture. For example, a DOT code ending with “2204” indicates a tyre made in the 22nd week (May) of 2004.

When should worn tyres be replaced?

Worn tyres should be replaced by trained personnel when 1.6 mm (2/32nds of an inch) of tread depth remains, as indicated by tread-wear indicators moulded into the tread grooves. Use of worn out tyres [less than 2/32nds inch (1.6 mm) remaining of tyre tread depth] increases the probability of tyre failure, and in wet conditions can cause the tyre to lose traction suddenly. In most states, it is illegal to drive with less than 1.6 mm (2/32nds of an inch) of remaining tread depth.

Where should I mount the tyres if I only purchase two?

Michelin recommends replacing all four tyres at the same time, however if replacing only two new tyres, be sure that the new tyres are the same size & tyre type as the current tyres and that the dealer always installs the new tyres on the rear axle of the vehicle.

Why Put the Two New Tyres on the Rear Axle?

The New tyres will provide better wet grip than your half-worn tyres.
It will help to reduce the potential for the vehicle to fish-tail and lose stability in wet conditions

Why is there a maximum Inflation Pressures on the sidewall of my tyre?

The tyre size and tread design that was originally equipped on your vehicle may be used on other vehicles, some of which being heavier than others, therefore requiring higher air pressure for additional load-carrying capacity.

The maximum pressure on the sidewall of the tyre is the maximum pressure for the tyre. The manufacturer of the vehicle has determined the appropriate air pressure for the application based on vehicle weight, to provide the best ride, tread wear, performance, etc. For applications such as towing, pulling and hauling, etc., air pressure should be increased accordingly.

Can I mix different speed-rated tyres on my car?

If tyres of different speed ratings are mounted on a vehicle, the lower speed-rated tyres should be placed on the front axle. This is to prevent a potential over-steer condition. Vehicle handling may be affected, and the vehicle’s speed capacity is now limited to the lowest speed-rated tyre.

Can I mix tyre types on my car?

For the best all-around performance, the same type of tyre should be used on all four wheel positions. Tyres of different size designations, constructions and stages of wear may affect vehicle handling and stability. NOTE: Some vehicles are intentionally fitted with different size tyres on the front and rear.

For four-wheel drive vehicles, if no instructions for tyre mixing appear in the vehicle owner’s manual, adhere to the following guidelines:

Do not mix sizes. All four tyres must be branded with the same tyre size.
Do not mix radial and bias-ply tyres. All four must be either radial or bias-ply.
Ensure that the outside circumference of all four tyres is within 2.5 cm (1”) of each other
Do not mix tread patterns, such as all-terrain and all-season.

Can I replace the tyres on my car with a lower speed-rated tyre?

When replacing speed-rated tyres, you must use replacement tyres with ratings equal to or greater than those of the original equipment tyres, if the speed capability of the vehicle is to be maintained. The handling of a performance vehicle may be different when the replacement tyres are not the same speed rating. Refer to the vehicle owner’s manual to identify any tyre speed-rating restriction that could affect the operation of the vehicle.

Do I have to replace my present tyres with the same size tyres?

Never choose a tyre that is smaller in size or has less load-carrying capacity than the tyre that came with the vehicle. Tyres should always be replaced with the same size designation – or approved options – as recommended by the vehicle or tyre manufacturer. The correct tyre size can be found on the door placard of the vehicle or by consulting your local authorised Michelin retailer. Your current tyre's size can be found by reading the markings on the sidewall.

Where do I install new tyres if I only buy two?

Why Put the Two New Tyres on the Rear Axle?

The New tyres will provide better wet grip than your half-worn tyres.
It will help to reduce the potential for the vehicle to fishtail and lose stability in wet conditions

MICHELIN Passenger Car and Light Truck Tyres, used in normal service and in accordance with the maintenance recommendations and safety warnings of the Michelin Company, are covered by a warranty against defects in design, workmanship and materials subject to the conditions set out below.

What’s Covered and for How Long
a. Tyres sold within three years of the manufacturing date
Where the tyres are sold within three years of the manufacturing date, the warranty shall be for the life of the original usable tread pattern or six years from the date of purchase, whichever comes first.

b. Tyres sold three years after the manufacturing date
Where the tyres are sold three years after the manufacturing date, the warranty shall be for the life of the original usable tread pattern or six years from the date of manufacture, whichever comes first.

At the end of the relevant periods stated in paragraphs a. and b. above, all warranties, express or implied are terminated.

The original usable tread pattern is the original pattern down to the level of the tread pattern wear indicators – 1.6mm of tread pattern remaining.

Date of purchase is documented by new vehicle registration (where the tyres were fitted on a new vehicle) or original tyre sales invoice. If there is no proof of purchase, the warranty will be based on the date of manufacture.

What’s not Covered

Tyres which become unserviceable under the following circumstances are not covered by this warranty:

Road hazard injury (e.g. a cut, snag, bruise, impact damage or puncture, whether repairable or not);

Incorrect mounting of the tyre, tyre/wheel imbalance or improper repair;

Under-inflation, over-inflation, improper maintenance or other abuse;

Mechanical irregularity in the vehicle such as wheel misalignment resulting in uneven or rapid wear;

Tyres fitted to or used with incompatible or improper valves, rims or wheels;

Vehicles which are carrying loads or running at speeds higher than the load and speed index marked on the tyre sidewalls or that recommended for the vehicles;

Tyre purchased second hand, this includes tyres fitted to used cars and imported vehicles, without proof of purchase;

Improper storage;

Tyres which have not been fitted or used in accordance with the technical recommendations of the manufacturer as published from time to time;

Accident, fire, chemical explosion, tyre alteration or vandalism;

Tyre purchased from unauthorised dealers;

And climatic or ozone effects

Conditions and Exclusions
Where the tyre becomes unserviceable due to a condition within the terms of this warranty, MICHELIN may at its option repair the tyre, supply an equivalent tyre as replacement, reimburse the value of the tyre based on the remaining tread depth or offer such other form of compensation according to its prevailing commercial policy.

This warranty does not provide compensation for service charges incurred, charges for mounting and balancing, loss of time, loss of use of vehicle, inconvenience or consequential damage insofar as the law permits.

Tyres presented to an authorised MICHELIN Dealer for compensation remain the property of the consumer and MICHELIN accepts no responsibility for loss of or damage to tyres which are in the custody or control of an authorised MICHELIN Dealer for the purposes of inspection. Tyres accepted by an authorised MICHELIN Dealer for compensation become the property of MICHELIN. In the event of a dispute, the consumer must make the tyre available for further inspection.

No authorised MICHELIN Dealer, representative or employee has the authority to make or imply any representation, promise or agreement that in any way varies the terms of this warranty. Except as expressly provide for in this warranty, all other implied warranty, guarantee, representation, promise or agreement and liability arising from breach of the foregoing are excluded to the extent permitted by law.

What happened to the 'Baby' in your Commercials?

For 17 years the baby campaign was one of the most successful advertising campaigns in the tyre industry and in advertising in general, establishing Michelin's position as a tyre manufacturer dedicated to safety. While Michelin still holds that valued position, the corporation wanted to address other benefits such as performance handling, durability and fuel savings. The Michelin Man was the perfect choice for a spokesperson to communicate that our tyres stop shorter, last longer and save fuel.

What is the name of the Michelin Man's dog?

Additional Michelin Man-like characters are added from time to time to help support an advertising message. These characters are short term and not given specific names.

Where can I obtain pricing information?

Our passenger and light commercial vehicle tyres are sold through our network of retailers. We do not sell direct to the public.

The selling retailer establishes pricing on tyres. For pricing on our tyres please contact your local participating dealer. A listing of dealers can be found by utilising the dealer locator link on michelin.com.hk or in your local Yellow Pages under the category – Tyre Dealers Retail.

Are punctures/cuts covered under the warranty?

Our warranty covers defects in workmanship and material for the life of the tread or six years, whichever comes first. We do not cover tyres that are damaged as a result of road hazards, cuts, punctures and impact, etc.

Some retailers offer extended policies for road hazard injuries in addition to the manufacturer’s warranty. Refer to your original sales receipt to see if such coverage applies.

Can I drive on a flat tyre that does not have run-flat technology?

No. Michelin does not recommend driving on tyres without Run Flat technology. Michelin Run-Flat tyres have reinforced sidewalls designed to support the load of the vehicle in case of a pressure drop and allow continued driving for up to 50 miles (depending on road and driving conditions) at a maximum speed of 50 mph. Standard tyres do not have this technology.

Is a Bubble/Bulge on the sidewall of my tyre covered by your warranty?

A bulge or bubble in the sidewall is sometimes the result of damage from coming into contact with a kerb, pothole or other object. Evidence of this damage can be:

a scuff mark on the sidewall near the bubble
a dent or damage on the wheel above the bulge
a cut or bruise on the inner liner of the tyre in the vicinity of the bulge (the tyre must be demounted in order to inspect the inner liner).

A tyre that sustains any of the above injuries is damaged and is not covered under warranty.

However, your satisfaction is important to us and we request that you take the tyre into a participating dealer for inspection to determine if warranty coverage applies.

What are road hazard injuries?

Road hazard damage is damage that occurs when a tyre fails as a result of a puncture, bruise or break incurred during the course of normal driving on a maintained road. Nails, glass and potholes are the most common examples of road hazards.

Avoid running over objects (e.g. potholes, rocks, kerbs, metal and glass, etc.) which may cause internal tyre damage. Internal damage, not visible without demounting the tyre, may be caused when a tyre runs over an object. Continued use of a tyre that has suffered internal damage (which may not be externally visible) can lead to dangerous tyre failure. Determination of suspected internal damage requires demounting the tyre from its rim and examination by a trained tyre personnel.

What are the causes of centre tread wear?

When the centre tread wears faster than the adjacent tread surfaces, possible causes include over inflation for load carried, rim width too narrow, misapplication, smooth wear after spin-out, improper tyre rotation practices, aggressive acceleration or under-inflation for certain tyre types, such as performance tyres.

If the tread depth is at or below 1.6 mm in any groove or if cord material or under tread is exposed, the tyre must be replaced. If sufficient tread remains, verify the proper rim width and vehicle fitment as well as verifying/adjusting inflation pressures, then rotate the tyres for maximum wear.

What can cause my tyre to show One-Sided Shoulder Wear?

When the shoulder of the tread on one side of a tyre wears faster than the adjacent tread surface, this can result from a variety of conditions, such as front and/or rear misalignment (example, toe or camber), loose or worn suspension components, hard cornering, improper tyre-rotation practices, misapplication, high crown roads or non-uniform mounting.

If the tread depth is at or below 1.6 mm in any groove or if either cord or under tread is exposed, the tyre must be replaced. If sufficient tread remains, verify that the tyre has been properly mounted, then rotate the tyres for maximum wear.

What can cause my tyre to wear in more than one spot around the circumference?

When tread is worn in one or more spots around the tyre circumference, this can indicate brake lock/skid, improper balance, localised underlying separation, loose/worn suspension components, improper bead seating/mounting, progression from initial tread cut/chip/road hazard injury or chemical contamination. Surface texture may have initially shown abrasion marks from the tyre sliding on the road, but the surface may have since worn smooth.

When the tyres with a flat spot are used in a dual application. you may consider rotating one tyre 180 degrees in relation to the flat spot on the other tyre.

If the tread depth is at or below 1.6 mm in any groove or if either cord or under tread is exposed, the tyre must be replaced.

When the cause of the flat spot is not apparent, your tyre dealer should contact our Consumer Care Department.

What can cause my tyre tread face to show one rib higher than the other?

Feathering is a condition when the edge of each tread rib develops a slightly rounded edge on one side and a sharp edge on the other. The most common causes of feathering are incorrect toe-in setting or deteriorated bushings in the front suspension. The toe setting should be as close to 0 as possible for the optimum wear.

The tyres should be inflated to the pressure as indicated on the sticker on the inside of the driver’s door. The vehicle manufacturer has determined this pressure is optimal for load, ride, handling, rolling resistance and tread-wear performance.

What can cause the sidewall of my tyres to start turning a brownish colour?

The brownish colour on the sidewall of your tyres is not a defect. The source of this discolouration can be varied. One possibility is that the tyres contain an anti-ozone agent in their rubber compounds to slow down the ill effects of exposure to ozone in the air. This anti-ozone ingredient will migrate to the surface of the rubber and leave the appearance of a brownish dust. This is completely normal and technically is no cause for concern. In time, depending on usage, it will disappear.

Other possibilities for discolouration can be simply dust that is picked up from normal driving or brake dust which is generated by the abrasion of the brake pads against the brake rotor. This latter condition is more prevalent when the brakes are new or have recently been relined. In all cases, we recommend that you continue to clean your tyres with mild soap and water.

What causes a tyre to wear out?

Tread-wear or life expectancy is determined by many factors:
Driving habits and style of driving, geographical location, type of vehicle, type of tyre, how the vehicle is maintained and how tyres are maintained, etc.

As a result, mileage expectancy is impossible to determine.

Our Limited Warranty covers defects in workmanship and material for the life of the tread or six years from the original date of purchase, whichever occurs first. We offer no mileage warranty on the tyres that were originally equipped on your vehicle.

We suggest that you have the tyres/vehicle inspected by a participating tyre retailer in your area to determine if there is perhaps a mechanical or maintenance issue that could be contributing to a rapid or irregular wear pattern.

Your satisfaction is important to us. Please have the dealer contact us with the tyre inspection as we are willing to offer you assistance with your concern

What causes sidewall Indentations on my tyre?

The condition, sometimes referred to as sidewall undulations, is a common characteristic of radial tyre construction is are purely a visual characteristic and will not affect the performance of the tyre. These indentations are more noticeable in larger/wider radial-ply tyre sizes and become more visible with higher inflation pressures. The joining of the ply material in the sidewall area may cause a slight indentation or wavy appearance on the sidewall surface of the tyre when it is inflated. However, if bulges, rather than indentations appear on the sidewall of the tyre, or if there is any question concerning any sidewall indentations, please contact a tyre dealer for a tyre inspection.

What could be the cause of my tyres making a loud noise?

Noise is most commonly due to an uneven or irregular wear pattern that has developed on the tyres.

We suggest that you have the tyres inspected by a participating tyre retailer in your area. To find the dealers near you, refer to the Yellow Pages of your telephone book or utilise the Dealer Locator on our website.

What could cause my tyre to wear on the Inside and outside shoulders?

The cause of Inside and Outside shoulder wear is normally due to improper inflation pressure, hard cornering, frequent mountain driving, improper tyre rotation practices or a rim width too wide for the tyre. Commercial delivery service vehicle tyres frequently experience this type of wear pattern.

If the tyre's tread depth is at or below 1.6 mm in any groove or if cord material or under tread is exposed, the tyre must be replaced. If sufficient tread remains, verify the proper rim width and vehicle fitment as well as verifying/adjusting inflation pressures, then rotate the tyres for maximum wear.

What could cause my tyre tread to come off?

A separation between the tread rubber and the underlying belt may be the result of cumulative poor inflation maintenance, improper inflation pressure, repair or storage, excessive load, speed or heat, prior impact damage, tread cut or puncture or being run flat.

A tyre exhibiting this condition should be permanently removed from service.

What does it mean if my tyre has shredded into pieces?

The tyre industry refers to tyres in this condition as "run flat" which refers to a tyre that has lost air, whether it is from a slow loss or an immediate loss, and then subsequently driven on. As the tyre continues to operate or "run" with a significant amount of air loss, it reaches the "run-flat" stage, where serious internal damage is caused by the excessive deflection of the casing. If the air loss continues, the inside of the deflected sidewall can actually rub against itself. When the internal abrasion weakens the casing sufficiently a blow out can occur. Additional damage is often done by the relatively sharp rim flange cutting into the fully deflated casing as it is driven after the blow out, even in the short distance it takes to drive the vehicle to the side of the road.

We are not indicating that the tyre was not maintained, but simply that it lost air. Some of the many factors which can cause a tyre to lose its inflated air pressure are penetrations, cuts, snags, impact breaks, valve stem leaks and incorrect mounting, just to name a few. While it may not be possible to pinpoint the cause of initial air loss, we know the outcome is under-inflation damage

What does it mean when my tyres start to show signs of ageing, ozone cracking or weather cracking?

The life of a tyre cannot be measured by miles alone. Tyres are composed of various types of material and rubber compounds, having performance properties essential to the proper functioning of the tyre itself. These component properties evolve over time. For each tyre, this evolution depends upon many factors such as weather, storage conditions and conditions of use (load, speed, inflation pressure and maintenance etc.) to which the tyre is subjected throughout its life. This service-related evolution varies widely so that accurately predicting the serviceable life of any specific tyre in advance is not possible.

It is impossible to predict when tyres should be replaced based on their calendar age alone. However the older a tyre the greater the chance that it will need to be replaced due to the service-related evolution or other conditions found upon inspection or detected during use.

The warranty covers defects in workmanship and material for the life of the tread or six years from the date of purchase, whichever occurs first. With no proof of purchase, the warranty period is for six years from the date of manufacture (this is indicated in the DOT number on the sidewall).

What is Cupping?

Cupping can be attributed to bent or worn suspension parts, wheel misalignment and an imbalance of the tyre/wheel assembly, etc. Once this type of wear pattern has occurred, it is irreversible and the tyres will continue to wear unevenly.

What should I do if I notice a vibration?

Vibration is an indication that your car has a problem that needs attention. The tyres, steering system and suspension system should be checked to help determine the possible cause and correction of the vibration. If left unattended, the vibration could cause excessive tyre and suspension wear. It could even be dangerous. Authorised Dealers offer expert diagnosis and repair

What should I do if my tyres have become worn too fast?

An inspection of your tyres must be performed by a participating Michelin dealer. Once the dealer has had the opportunity to inspect your tyres, inform them that you have been instructed by Michelin to request that they contact us on 2881 7287 to discuss their findings "while you are there"
Factors that can affect rapid tyre life are:

- tyre maintenance (inflation and rotation)

- vehicle maintenance (alignment and suspension)

- driving styles and habits

- materials used in road surfaces

- topography of the area the vehicle is driven in.

What should I do if my vehicle is pulling to one side?

Incorrect alignment settings can adversely affect handling. Tolerable camber, caster and toe settings can be verified by a print-out from your alignment/tyre shop or vehicle dealer.

If the tyres are evenly worn, the alignment is in order and there is still a pull, the front tyres should be criss-crossed (as long as they are not a directional tread design) to see if the pull changes directions.

This should be performed by a participating dealer.

What should I do if the cords on my tyres are visible?

Cord material may become visible at the base of tread grooves or slots due to under-inflation, misalignment, loose/worn suspension components, hard cornering, improper tyre rotation practices, misapplication, high crown road or non-uniform mounting.

If cord material is visible, the tyre must be replaced.

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FAQ for cars

Tyre Care and Maintenance