TIRES AND WHEELS 3E-3 
METRIC WHEEL NUTS AND  STUDS 
Some  models  use metric  wheel nuts  and  wheel 
studs.  The nut will  have  the word  "metric"  stamped on 
its  face  and the stud  will have  the letter 
"M" stamped 
into  the threaded  end.  The word  "metric"  is stamped 
on  its  head. 
The  thread  size  of  the  metric  wheel nuts and 
wheel  studs are 
"MI2 x 1.5". These  stand for: 
M = Metric 
12 
= Diameter  in millimeters 
1.5 
= Millimeters  per thread 
If  a  broken  stud is found,  see  Section  3C (Front 
Suspension)  or Section  3D  (Rear  Suspension)  for 
replacement  procedure. 
INFLATION OF TIRES 
The pressure  recommended  for  any model is 
carefully  calculated  to give  a  satisfactory  ride, 
handling,  tread life and  load  carrying  capacity. 
Tire  pressure, with tires cold, (after  car has set for 
three  hours  or more,  or driven  less than  one mile) 
should  be checked  monthly  or before  any extended  trip 
and  set  to  the specifications  on the  tire  placard  located 
on  rear  face of driver's  door. Tire  inflation  pressure is 
also  given  in  Section  OB. 
Valve  caps or extensions  should be  on the valves 
to  keep  dust and water  out. 
1. For sustained driving  at speeds  up  to 85 
mph (140 km/h), in countries  where such 
speeds  are allowed  by law,  your tires  should be set 
at  the  pressures  recommended  on your  tire 
placard. 
Sustained  driving  at speeds 
faster  than 
85 mph (140 km/h), where 
permitted 
by law,  is not  advised unless 
your  car  has  special  high  speed  tires  available 
from  many  tire  dealers. 
2. Tire pressures  may  increase  as much  as 6 psi 
when  hot. 
3.  Higher 
than recommended  pressure  can  cause: 
o Hard  ride 
o Tire bruising  or carcass  damage 
Rapid  tread  wear at center  of  tire 
4.  Lower 
than 
recommended pressure  can cause: 
@ Tire  squeal  on turns 
@ Hard  steering 
o Rapid  and uneven  wear on the  edges of  the 
tread 
Tire  rim  bruises  and rupture 
e Tire  cord  breakage 
o High  tire temperatures 
o Reduced  handling 
High  fuel consumption 
5. Unequal  pressure on same  axle can cause: 
Uneven  braking 
o Steering  lead 
o Reduced  handling 
e Swerve on acceleration 
TlRE ROTATION 
Fig. 5 
To equalize  wear, rotate  tire and  wheel assemblies 
at  intervals  specified  in  Section OB. In addition  to 
scheduled  rotation,  the  tire  and wheel  assemblies 
should  also be rotated  whenever  uneven  tire wear  is 
noticed. 
Due  to their  design,  radial  tires  tend to wear 
faster  in the  shoulder  area  particularly  in front 
positions.  Radial 
tires in non-drive 
iocations may 
develop  an irregular  wear  pattern that can increase  tire 
noise  if not  rotated.  This makes  regular  rotation 
especially  necessary. 
After  rotation,  be sure  to check  wheel nuts for 
specified  torque. 
On 
F Carline with P245/50VR16 tires  and 16" 
wheels,  special  rotation provisions  must be followed. 
Since  the tires  are directional,  and  the front and rear 
wheels  have  different  offsets, the tires  must  be 
dismounted from  the wheels  for rotation.  Remove the 
tires  from  the wheels,  and  mount  on the  appropriate 
wheel,  as shown  in the  rotation  diagram.  Be sure the 
arrows  on the  tires point  in the  direction  the tire turns. 
Rebalance  the 
tire/wheel assemblies  using 
nylon-coated  weights. Adjust 
F/R tire pressures,  and 
torque  wheel nuts to specifications. 
ACCEPTABLE  ROTATION PATTERN 
FOR  REAR  WHEEL 
DRIVE GARS 
DO NOT  INCLUDE  "TEMPORARY  USE ONLY" SPARE TlRE IN ROTATION 
Fig. 5 Tire Rotation - Rear-Wheel  Drive