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Tyres
Tyres
Tyre and wheel safety
The tyres are the only contact between the vehicle and the road, so it is essential
to keep them in good condition.
You must make sure that your tyres con- form to local road traffic regulations.
Maintaining the tyres
The tyres must be in good condition and the treads must have sufficient depth: tyres
approved by our Technical Department have wear warning strips 1 which are indicators moulded into the tread at several points.
When the tyre tread has been worn to the level of the wear indicators these become visible 2: it will then be necessary to replace your tyres as the tread depth will be 1.6 mm
at most, resulting in poor road-holding on wet roads.
An overloaded vehicle, long journeys by motorway, particularly in very hot weather,
or continual driving on poorly surfaced minor roads will lead to more rapid tyre wear
and affect safety.
WARNING
Incidents which occur when driving, such as striking the kerb, may damage the tyres
and wheel rims, and could also lead to misalignment of the front or rear axle geometry.
In this case, have the condition of these checked by an approved dealer.
Tyre pressures
Adhere to the tyre pressures (including the emergency spare wheel). The tyre pressures
should be checked at least once a month and additionally before any long journey (refer
to the label affixed to the edge of the driver's door).
WARNING
Incorrect tyre pressures lead to abnormal tyre wear and unusually hot running. These are factors which may
seriously affect safety and lead to:
- poor road holding;
- the risk of blow-outs or of throwing a tread.
The pressure depends on the load and the speed of use. Adjust the pressure according
to the conditions of use (refer to the label affixed to the edge of the driver's door).
Pressures should be checked when the tyres are cold. Ignore higher pressures which
may be reached in hot weather or after driving at high speed.
If tyre pressures cannot be checked when the tyres are cold, assume an increase of 0.2 to 0.3 bar (or 3 PSI).
Never deflate a hot tyre.
WARNING
Please be aware that a poorly tightened or missing valve cap can make the tyres less
airtight and may lead to pressure loss.
Always use valve caps identical to the originals and screw them down fully.
Vehicle fitted with a tyre pressure loss warning system
In the event of under-inflation (punctures, under-inflation etc.), the warning light appears on the instrument panel TYRE PRESSURE LOSS WARNING.
Emergency spare wheel
Changing wheels around
This practice is not recommended.
Fitting new tyres
WARNING
For your safety and to comply with the law.
When they need to be replaced, only tyres of the same make, size, type and profile
should be used on a single axle.
They must either have a load capacity and speed rating at least equal to those of
the original tyres or conform to those recommended by an authorised dealer.
Failure to heed these instructions could endanger your safety and affect your vehicle's
roadworthiness.
Risk of loss of control of the vehicle.
Use in winter
Chains
For safety reasons, fitting snow chains to the rear axle is strictly forbidden.
Chains cannot be fitted to tyres which are larger than those originally fitted to the vehicle.
One-way tyres
An one-way tyre must only be fitted in one direction. You must observe this direction.
If an one-way tyre must be fitted in the opposite to its direction of rotation following
a puncture, drive with caution, particularly on a wet road, because the tyre specifications
will not be adapted.
WARNING
Chains may only be fitted to tyres of the same size as those originally fitted to
your vehicle.
"Snow" or "Winter" tyres
We would recommend that these be fitted to all four wheels to ensure that your vehicle retains maximum adhesion.
Caution: these tyres sometimes have a specific direction of rotation and a maximum speed
index which may be lower than the maximum speed for your vehicle.
Studded tyres
This type of equipment may only be used for a limited period and as laid down by local
legislation. It is necessary to observe the speed specified by current legislation.
These tyres must, at a minimum, be fitted to the two front wheels.
Tip
In all cases, we would recommend that you contact an approved Dealer who will be able
to advise you on the choice of equipment which is most suitable for your vehicle.