Technical Bulletins

Tire Ballasting Materials - Safety Warning

Date: MAY, 1991

WARNING: EXPLOSION OR FIRE, CAUSING SERIOUS OR FATAL INJURY, MAY RESULT FROM THE USE OF ANY EXPLOSIVE OR FLAMMABLE MATERIAL (SUCH AS METHANOL, ETHANOL, ALCOHOL, GASOLINE, ETC.) IN OR WITH A TIRE, EVEN IF SUCH MATERIAL IS DILUTED WITH WATER OR OTHER SUBSTANCES.

The practice of using any of these materials in tires for any reason is not allowed. The first consideration in choosing materials for ballast, freeze protection or mounting is that such materials should be safe.

Firestone recommends a mixture of calcium chloride/water and approves a mixture of water and "permanent-type antifreeze" (glycol-base) solutions for optimum ballasting and freeze protection. Where freezing is not encountered, water with a rust inhibitor is permitted. See Firestone Tire Data Book for mixture recommendations, weights and fill procedures.

NOTE: This replaces Firestone Field Engineering Bulletin #84.