Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels

IMPORTANT TIRE SAFETY AND FITMENT INFORMATION

  PLEASE READ!

Dick Cepek recommends that all vehicle owners and users (called “users”) understand and adhere to the tire safety and fitment warnings, recommendations, guidelines, and instructions (“tire safety and fitment information”) (i) provided by the original equipment (OE) vehicle manufacturer, and (ii) available within the transportation industry and from the government.  Specifically, before installing any tires on a vehicle, the user should refer to and obtain an understanding of the tire safety and fitment information available (i) in the vehicle’s owners manual and related materials provided with the vehicle, and that can otherwise be obtained from the OE vehicle manufacturer; (ii) the Rubber Manufacturers Association (www.rma.org), and (iii) the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (www.nhtsa.gov).

As more fully explained in the tire safety and fitment information, failure to follow the tire safety and fitment information may adversely affect the vehicle’s and/or tire’s performance capabilities, including but not limited to the vehicle’s handling/stability capabilities, and could result in tire failure (including tread/belt separation or blowout).  The user must explain the intended service for the vehicle to the local installer/dealer, and the local dealer and installer of the vehicle’s tires are responsible for providing the tire safety information to the user, including the potential risks associated with not following the tire safety and fitment information.

Before installing any tires on the vehicle, the user must (i) review, discuss, and obtain an understanding of the tire safety and fitment information with their local installer/dealer, including the potential risks associated with not following the tire safety and fitment information; and (ii) have a local vehicle service professional inspect the vehicle (including any aftermarket modifications) to advise as to any potential risks associated with installing the tires desired by the user on the vehicle.  If, after doing so and considering this information, the user chooses to assume any potential risk and install a non-OE replacement tire on their vehicle (particularly when the user has chosen to install an aftermarket suspension on the vehicle which differs from the OE suspension), the fitment of the tire requires, at a minimum, all of the following special considerations are met:

  • All tire installations must be done by trained service professionals using proper tools and procedures.
  • Reference the speed rating of the vehicle's specified OE tire as listed on the vehicle’s tire placard and/or certification label.  A tire must be selected with a speed rating that is equal to or greater than the speed rating of the vehicle's specified OE tire.
  • If the replacement tire has a maximum inflation pressure (as listed on the tire sidewall) different than the maximum inflation pressure on the OE tire, then the vehicle’s tire placard must be updated by the installer to reflect the proper inflation pressure for replacement tire.  The user may need to make adjustments to inflation pressure, including to prevent overinflation of the tires and/or to provide an adequate load carrying capacity as compared to the OE tire.  For suggested inflation pressure in the Dick Cepek tires used on the vehicle, contact the vehicle manufacturer and consult the current Tire and Rim Association Year Book, or contact the Dick Cepek tech department at (800) 222-9092.  Please have your OE specified tire size and OE cold inflation pressure (located on vehicle’s tire placard), as well as the new tire size available for the tech staff.  By providing the inflation pressure information to the user, Dick Cepek is not in anyway recommending or endorsing the use of a tire that does not fully comply with the tire safety and fitment information referred to above.  The inflation information is simply being provided (to users who have undertaken the steps discussed above as to understanding the tire safety and fitment information and have knowingly chosen to install the non-OE tire), in order to prevent overinflation of the tire and to ensure the replacement tire maintains an adequate level of load carrying capacity as compared to the OE specified tire.

WARNING

Driving on tires with improper inflation pressure is dangerous.

Underinflation causes excessive heat buildup and internal structural damage.

Overinflation makes it more likely for tires to be cut, punctured, or damaged by impact.

Underinflation, overinflation, cuts, punctures and impacts can cause a tire failure, including tread/belt separation or blower (even at a later date), which under certain circumstances could lead to an accident and serious personal injury or death.

Consult the vehicle's tire placard, certification label, or owner's manual for the OE vehicle manufacturer's recommended inflation pressures. As noted above, these inflation pressures may need to be adjusted in certain circumstances.

  • Due to inconsistencies in vehicle manufacturing and unknown production changes, when "upsizing" to a tire with a larger overall diameter, always consult a local professional installer (including for vehicles with unmodified OE suspensions).
  • Different suspension lift manufacturers’ requirements may vary.  For lifted and/or modified vehicles, always check with the vehicle's suspension lift manufacturer to find the suggested wheel and tire combination and additional safety information.
 
  • The vehicle’s braking system (including ABS system), tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), handling characteristics, stability characteristics, speedometer accuracy and transmission shift-points may be affected.  The local installer and dealer are responsible for explaining these differences to the user.

WARNING

Installing tires with a larger outside diameter than the OE tires (or modifying the vehicle's suspension) may create a higher center of gravity fro the vehicle being fitted. This can alter the vehicle's braking, handling and response characteristics.

For example, the user must exercise caution and understand that extra time will be required for braking and accelerating; cornering and maneuvers can not be performed as quickly; and vehicle stability may be adversely affected. Failure to fully understand the vehicle's altered characteristics could lead to a loss of vehicle control, an accident (including rollover), and serious personal injury or death.

The local installer and dealer are responsible for explaining these differences to the user. The user must take time to understand their vehicle's altered characteristics to prevent loss of control, an accident (including rollover), and serious personal injury or death.

We also recommend the following:

  • Always wear your set belt
  • Always obey all speed limits and traffic signs
  • Always check your tire pressure and visually inspect for any signs of damage or abuse at least monthly and before all long trips
  • Always operate your tires at the recommended inflation pressure. As previously discussed, underinflation causes excessive heat buildup and internal structural damage. Underinflation can cause a tire failure, including tread/belt separation or blowout (even at a later date), which in certain circumstances could lead to an accident and serious personal injury or death. If, after considering this information and the tire safety and fitment information, the user chooses to assume any potential and reduce tire pressure for off-road use, the user should be sure to increase th epressure back to recommended levels for highway use. The tires should also be visually inspected by a trainied service professional for any signs of damage from off-road service and/or underinflated operation, and immediately removed from service if any signs of damage are present.
  • Accelerated wear of various OE components on the vehicle may result.
 
  • Only mount tires on wheels with approved rim widths.  For proper rim width ranges, refer to www.dickcepek.com, the Dick Cepek product catalog, or contact the Dick Cepek tech department at (800)222-9092.

Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels 4600 Prosper Drive Stow, OH 44224

Website: dickcepek.com E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 330.928.9092