Firestone sets up tire recall help line

August 12, 2000

Firestone sets up tire recall help line

By SCOTT BUTKI / Staff Writer

Tri-State residents who own some of the 6.5 million Bridgestone/Firestone tires being voluntarily recalled, can start making plans to have them replaced, a Firestone spokeswoman said.

The recall covers 3.8 million size P235/75R15 Firestone radial ATX and radial ATX tires and 2.7 million Wilderness AT (all-terrain) tires.

Drivers who have the Wilderness tires should make sure they have the code VD because only that type is being recalled, said a company spokeswoman who did not want to be named.

If you own the tires being recalled, call the customer service number at 1-800-465-1904, the spokeswoman said. That number will provide phone numbers for the closest companies replacing the tires, she said.

Call and make an appointment before going to the business, she said.

If comparable tires are available, they will be replaced for free, she said.

If the stock of comparable tires is low or out and the retailer determines driving on the tires may be a risk, your tire may be replaced with more expensive tires at no cost, she said.

About 70 percent of the tires being recalled are on Ford Motor Co. sports utility vehicles and light pickups, including the popular Ford Explorer.

Meanwhile, drivers with the tires being recalled are encouraged to keep them inflated at 30 pounds per square inch, the spokeswoman said. Ford has told some drivers that 26 to 30 pounds per square inch is good, but 30 is what Firestone is suggesting, she said.

"Please, please, please check your tire pressure," she said.

Information on the recall is also available on the Internet at www.firestone.com.

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