Some basic precautions should be observed when mounting your Yokohama tires. Always make sure to:
Securely seat the wheel to the hub face.
Properly torque all lugs.
Remove any buildup of dirt between the hub and wheel.
Check for bends or cracks in the wheel.
Securely seat both tire beads on the rim.
Avoid scratching or bending alloy wheels during installation.
Proper balancing begins with proper mounting. Yokohama places red and yellow marks on the sidewalls of its tires to enable the best possible match-mounting of the tire/wheel assembly. There are two methods of match-mounting Yokohama tires to wheel assemblies using these red or yellow marks.
Uniformity Method (Red Mark)
When performing uniformity match-mounting, the red mark on the tire, indicating the point of maximum radial force variation, should be aligned with the wheel assembly's point of minimum radial run-out, which is generally indicated by a colored dot or a notch somewhere on the wheel assembly (consult manufacturer for details).
Radial force variation is the fluctuation in the force that appears in the rotating axis of a tire when a specific load is applied and the tire rotated at a specific speed. It is necessary to minimize radial force variation to ensure trouble-free installation and operation. Not all wheel assemblies indicate the point of minimum radial run-out, rendering uniformity match-mounting sometimes impossible. If the point of minimum radial run-out is not indicated on a wheel assembly, the weight method of match-mounting should be used.
Weight Method (Yellow Mark)
When performing weight match-mounting, the yellow mark on the tire, indicating the point of lightest weight, should be aligned with the valve stem on the wheel assembly, which represents the heaviest weight point of the wheel assembly. After match-mounting by either of the above methods, the tire/wheel assembly can be balanced.
Warning:
Tire changing can be dangerous, and should be done only by trained persons using proper tools and procedures. Failure to comply with proper procedures may result in incorrect positioning of the tire, tube or wheel assembly, causing serious physical injury or death.
Yokohama has prepared these warnings as a general reference that outlines procedures established by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA). Details relating to these procedures can and should be obtained by contacting the USTMA directly at 1-202-682-4800 or ustires.org.
Always read and understand any manufacturer’s warning contained in customer literature or molded on the tire sidewall.
Always wear adequate eye protection at all times while mounting, dismounting or repairing tires.
Never mount or use damaged tires, tubes or wheel assemblies.
Always be certain tires are mounted on the correct size and type of wheel assembly, and that the intended application is correct.
Always replace a tire on a wheel assembly with another tire of exactly the same wheel assembly diameter, designation and suffix letters. Wheel assemblies of different diameters and tapers cannot be interchanged.
Always be certain to mount tires only on approved wheel assembly widths.
Always inflate tires in a safety cage if a mounting machine does not have a positive lock-down device. Use an extension hose with gauge and clip-on chuck so that operator may stand aside during inflation.
Never inflate tires beyond 40 pounds per square inch (psi) to seat beads.
Never stand, reach or lean over a tire/wheel assembly during inflation.
Never install a tube in a tubeless tire.
Always deflate tires completely by removing the valve core before removal of a tire/wheel assembly from a vehicle or disassembly of components. Do not stand, lean or reach over the assembly during deflation.
