Tires - Tread Appearance Explaination

REFERENCE:
NTB97-096

CLASSIFICATION:
GI97-001

TITLE:
1996-98 PATHFINDER, BRIDGESTONE TIRE TREAD APPEARANCE

DATE:
January 1, 1998

APPLIED VEHICLE:
All 1996-98 Pathfinder (R50) (with Bridgestone Dueler P235/70R15 or P265/70R15 tires)

SERVICE INFORMATION

Figure 1:

The center tread of these Bridgestone tires have small sipes which are not manufactured to be as deep as those on the adjacent shoulder blocks (two on each side - see Figure 1). Since the center tread sipes are not as deep, they often can no longer be seen after some tire wear has occurred. This may cause the center tread to look smooth, and some customer's to mistakenly believe that their tires have worn prematurely. This bulletin contains an appropriate accurate explanation to provide any customer who states such a concern.


SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. The center tread sipes of these Bridgestone tires are designed to be less deep than the ones on the adjacent shoulders. After some tire wear has occurred, the center tread sipes fade from view. Fading of the center tread sipes is a normal wear pattern for these tires (see Figure 1).

2. This condition has no effect on the safety and handling performance of the vehicle.

3. The tires have built-in tread wear indicators (wear bars - see Figure 1). When the wear bars are solid across the width of the tire tread, the tire should be replaced (refer to the owners manual).

4. Tread wear in the center of the tire is higher on the driving wheels (i.e., rear tires). Remind customers to follow the owner's manual instructions regarding the rotation schedule, in order to obtain the best performance and even wear on all four tires.

5. If customers are not satisfied with the above explanation, refer them to a Bridgestone representative in your local area.