TIRES AND WHEELS
CONTENTS
page page
TIRES.................................. 1WHEELS................................ 9
TIRES
INDEX
page page
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
RADIAL-PLY TIRES....................... 2
REPLACEMENT TIRES.................... 3
SPARE TIRE (TEMPORARY)................ 2
TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES.............. 2
TIRE INFORMATION...................... 1
TIRE PRESSURE FOR HIGH-SPEED DRIVING . . 3
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
LEAD CORRECTION CHART................ 4
PRESSURE GAUGES..................... 3
TIRE NOISE OR VIBRATION................ 4TIRE WEAR PATTERNS.................... 4
TREAD WEAR INDICATORS................ 3
SERVICE PROCEDURES
REPAIRING TIRE LEAKS................... 6
TIRE AND WHEEL MATCH MOUNTING........ 6
TIRE AND WHEEL ROTATION (NON-
DIRECTIONAL THREAD PATTERN).......... 6
CLEANING AND INSPECTION
CLEANING TIRES........................ 7
SPECIFICATIONS
TIRE SPECIFICATIONS.................... 8
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
TIRE INFORMATION
Tires are designed and engineered for each specific
vehicle. They provide the best overall performance
for normal operation. The ride and handling charac-
teristics match the vehicle's requirements. With
proper care they will give excellent reliability, trac-
tion, skid resistance, and tread life.
Driving habits have more effect on tire life than
any other factor. Careful drivers will obtain, in most
cases, much greater mileage than severe use or care-
less drivers. A few of the driving habits which will
shorten the life of any tire are:
²Rapid acceleration
²Severe application of brakes
²High-speed driving
²Taking turns at excessive speeds
²Striking curbs and other obstacles
Radial ply tires are more prone to irregular tread
wear. It is important to follow the tire rotation inter-
val shown in the section on Tire Rotation. This will
help to achieve a greater tread-life potential.
TIRE IDENTIFICATION
Tire type, size, aspect ratio and speed rating are
encoded in the letters and numbers imprinted on the
side wall of the tire. Refer to the chart to decipher
the tire identification code (Fig. 1).
Performance tires will have a speed rating letter
after the aspect ratio number. The speed rating is not
always printed on the tire sidewall. The letterSindi-
cates that the tire is speed rated up to 112 mph.
²Qup to 100 mph
²Tup to 118 mph
²Uup to 124 mph
²Hup to 130 mph
²Vup to 149 mph
²Zmore than 149 mph (consult the tire manu-
facturer for the specific speed rating)
An All Season type tire will have eitherM+S,M
&SorM±S(indicating mud and snow traction)
imprinted on the side wall.
TIRE CHAINS
This vehicle was designed to allow the use of a
specified type of snow chain on the tires. Only com-
pact snow chains or other traction aidsmeeting SAE
type ªClass Sº specifications may be used.Any style
NSTIRES AND WHEELS 22 - 1
snow chain or other type of traction aid is not
to be used on the compact spare tire.
RADIAL-PLY TIRES
Radial-ply tires improve handling, tread life, ride
quality and decrease rolling resistance.
Radial-ply tires must always be used in sets of four
and under no circumstances should they be used on
the front only. They may be mixed with a temporary
spare tire when necessary. A maximum speed of 50
MPH is recommended while a temporary spare is in
use.
Radial-ply tires have the same load-carrying capac-
ity as other types of tires of the same size. They also
use the same recommended inflation pressures.
The use of oversized tires, either in the front or
rear of the vehicle, can cause vehicle drive train fail-
ure. This could also cause inaccurate wheel speed
signals when the vehicle is equipped with Anti-Lock
Brakes.
It is recommended that tires from different manu-
factures NOT be mixed. The proper tire pressure
should be maintained on all four tires. For proper
tire pressure refer to the Tire Inflation Pressure
Placard located in the glove box.
SPARE TIRE (TEMPORARY)
The temporary spare tire is designed for emer-
gency use only. The original tire should be repaired
and reinstalled at the first opportunity, or replaced
with a new. Do not exceed speeds of 50 MPH when
the temporary spare tire is in use on the vehicle.
Refer to the Owner's Manual for complete details.
TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES
WARNING: OVER OR UNDER INFLATED TIRES
CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING. THE TIRE CAN
FAIL SUDDENLY, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE
CONTROL.
Under inflation causes rapid shoulder wear of the
tire tread and tire flexing. This can result in failure
of the tire. (Fig. 2).
Over inflation causes rapid center wear and loss of
the tire's ability tocushion shocks (Fig. 3).
Fig. 1 Tire Size Identification
Fig. 2 Under Inflation Wear
Fig. 3 Over Inflation Wear
22 - 2 TIRES AND WHEELSNS
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)
Improper inflation can cause:
²Uneven wear patterns
²Reduced tread life
²Reduced fuel economy
²Unsatisfactory ride
²The vehicle to drift.
Proper tire air inflation pressure specifications can
be found on the Vehicle Tire Placard provided with
the vehicle. See owner's manual.
Tire pressures have been chosen to provide safe
operation, vehicle stability, and a smooth ride. Tire
pressure should be checked cold once per month.
Check tire pressure more frequently when the
weather temperature varies widely. Tire pressure will
decrease when the outdoor temperature drops.
Tire inflation pressures specified on the placard
are always cold inflation pressure. Cold inflation
pressure is obtained after the vehicle has not been
operated for at least 3 hours, or the vehicle is driven
less than one mile after being inoperative for 3
hours. Tire inflation pressures may increase from 2
to 6 pounds per square inch (psi) during operation.
Do not reduce this normal pressure build-up.
TIRE PRESSURE FOR HIGH-SPEED DRIVING
Chrysler Corporation advocates driving at safe
speeds within posted speed limits. Where speed lim-
its allow the vehicle to be driven at high speeds, cor-
rect tire inflation pressure is very important. For
speeds up to and including 75 mph (120 km/h), tires
must be inflated to the pressures shown on the tire
placard.
Vehicles loaded to the maximum capacity should
not be driven at speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h).
For emergency vehicles that are driven at speeds
over 90 mph (144 km/h), special high-speed tires
must be used. Consult tire manufacturer for correct
inflation pressure recommendations.
REPLACEMENT TIRES
The original equipment tires provide a proper bal-
ance of many characteristics such as:
²Ride
²Noise
²Handling
²Durability
²Tread life
²Traction
²Rolling resistance
²Speed capability
It is recommend that tires equivalent to the origi-
nal equipment tires be used when replacement is
needed.
Failure to use equivalent replacement tires may
adversely affect the safety and handling of the vehicle.
The use of oversize tires not listed in the specifica-
tion charts may cause interference with vehicle com-
ponents. Under extremes of suspension and steering
travel, interference with vehicle components may
cause tire damage.
WARNING: FAILURE TO EQUIP THE VEHICLE WITH
TIRES HAVING ADEQUATE SPEED CAPABILITY
CAN RESULT IN SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
PRESSURE GAUGES
A quality air pressure gauge is recommended to
check tire pressure. After checking the air pressure,
replace valve cap finger tight.
TREAD WEAR INDICATORS
Tread wear indicators are molded into the bottom
of the tread grooves. When tread depth is 1.6 mm
(1/16 in.), the tread wear indicators will appear as a
13 mm (1/2 in.) band (Fig. 4).
Tire replacement is necessary when indicators
appear in two or more grooves or if localized balding
occurs.
Fig. 4 Tread Wear Indicators
NSTIRES AND WHEELS 22 - 3
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)