Tires
Use a gauge to measure the air
pressure at least once a month. Even
tires that are
in good condition may
lose one to two psi
(10 to 20 kPa, 0.1
to 0.2 kgf/ cm2
) per month.
Remember to check the spare tire at
the same
time you check all the
other tires.
Check the pressure in the tires when
they are cold. This means the car
has been parked for at least three
hours. If you have to drive the car
before checking the tire pressure,
the tires can still be considered
"cold" if you drive less than 1 mile
(1.6 km).
186 Maintenance
If you check the pressure when the
tires are hot (the car has been driven
several miles), you
will see readings
4 to 6 psi
(30 to 40 kPa, 0.3 to 0.4
kgf/cm2
) higher than the cold
reading. This is normal. Do not let
air out to match the specified cold
pressure.
The tire will be
underinflated.
You should get your own tire
pressure gauge and use it whenever
you check your tire pressures. This
will make it easier for you to tell if a
pressure loss is due to a tire problem
and not due to a variation between
gauges.
Recommended Tire Pressures for
Normal Driving
The following chart shows the
recommended cold tire pressures for
most normal driving conditions and
speeds. Tire pressures for high
speed driving are
the same as for
normal driving.
Fro=n~t:~~---,--~~---------, Tire Size Cold Tire Pressure
205/55R16 89W
Rear:
Tire Size
225/50R16 92W
for Normal Driving
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2
kgf/cm2
)
I Cold Tire Pressure
for Normal Driving
! 32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2
L_ ___________ .L.I __ k.=..gf_lc_m_2_) _ --·-·-·-·-·-
The compact spare tire pressure is:
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm2
)
These pressures are also given on
the tire information label on the
driver's doorjamb.
Tubeless tires have some ability to
self-seal
if they are punctured.
However, because leakage is often
very slow, you should look closely
for punctures if a tire starts losing
pressure.
Inspection
Every time you check inflation, you
should also examine the tires for
damage, foreign objects, and wear.
You should look for:
• Bumps or bulges in the tread or
side of the tire. Replace the tire
if
you find either of these conditions.
• Cuts, splits, or cracks in the side
of the tire. Replace the tire
if you
can see fabric or cord.
• Excessive tread wear.
Tires
Your car's tires have wear indicators
molded into the tread. When the
tread wears down to that point, you
will see a
1/2 inch (12.7 mm) wide
band running across the tread.
This
shows there is less than 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) of tread left on the tire. A
tire
that is this worn gives very little
traction on wet roads. You should
replace
the tire if you can see the
tread wear indicator in three or more
places around the tire.
Maintenance 187
You should carefully inspect your
car's tires for wear, damage, and
proper inflation every
7,500 miles
(12,000 km) (see page 186 ) .
Replacing Tires and Wheels
The tires that came with your car
were selected to match the perform
ance capabilities of the car while
providing the best combination of
handling, ride comfort, and long life.
You should replace them with radial
tires of the same size, load range,
speed rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire's sidewall). Mixing radial and
bias-ply tires on your car can reduce
its braking ability, traction, and
steering accuracy.
Tires
Installing improper tires on your
car can affect
handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always
use the size and type of
tires recommended
in this
owner's
manual.
It is best to replace all four tires at
the same time. If that is not possible
or necessary, then replace the two
front tires or the two
rear tires as a
pair. Replacing just one tire can
seriously affect your car's handling.
CONTINUED
Maintenance 189
Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers the more
common problems
that motorists
experience with their vehicles.
It
gives you information about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to
do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also find instructions
on getting your car towed. Compact
Spare Tire .......................
212
Changing a Flat Tire ..................... 213
If Your Engine Won't Start ........... 218
Nothing Happens or the
Starter Motor
Operates
Very
Slowly ......................... 218
The Starter Operates
Normally ................................. 219
Jump Starting ................................. 220
If Your Engine Overheats ............. 223
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .......... 226
Charging System Indicator.. .........
227
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ........ 228
Brake System Indicator ................ 229
Closing the Convertible Top ........ 230
Fuses ............................................... 231
Checking and Replacing ........... 232
If Your Car Gets Stuck. ................. 236
Emergency Towing ....................... 238
Taking Care of the Unexpected 211
Compact Spare Tire
Your car has a compact spare tire
that takes up less space.
Use this
spare tire as a temporary replace
ment only. Get your regular tire
repaired or replaced and put back on
your car as soon as you can.
Check the inflation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires.
It should be
inflated
to:
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm2
)
212 Taking Care of the Unexpected
Follow these precautions whenever
you are using the compact spare tire:
• Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
• This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur
faces than the regular tire.
Use
greater caution while driving on
this tire.
• Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare.
• The wheel of the compact spare
tire is designed especially to fit
your car.
Do not use your spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
the same make and model.
The compact spare tire has a shorter
tread life than a regular tire. Replace
it when you can see
the tread wear
indicator bars.
The replacement
should be the same size and design
tire, mounted on
the same wheel.
The compact spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and
the compact wheel is not
designed for mounting a regular tire.
Specifications
Lights Battery Headlights Hi~h 12 v -55W Capacity 12 V -36 AH/5 H R
Daytime
runnin~ li~hts 12 v - 55W(H1)
Front
turn signal lights 12 v -21 w Fuses
Rear turn si~nalli~hts 12 v -21 w Under-hood See page 235 or the fuse box Stop/Taillights 12 v -21 W/5 W cover.
Side marker lights Front 12 v -5W Interior See page 234 or the fuse label
Rear
12 v -5W attached to the inside of the fuse
Back-up lights
12 v -21 w box door under the dashboard.
License plate
li~hts 12 v -5W Interior light 12 v -5W AI' 1gnment Trunk light 12 v -5W Toe Front 0.00 in (0.0 mm)
Rear in 0.24 in (6.0 mm)
Air
conditioning Camber Front -0°30'
Refrigerant type HFC-134a (R-134a)
Rear -F30'
Charge quantity 19.4-21.2 oz (550-600 ~) Caster Front 60
Lubricant type SP-10
Tires
Size Front
205/55R16 89W
Rear 225/50R16 92W
Spare Tire T125/70D16
96M
Pressure Front 32
psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm2
)
Rear 32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm2
)
Spare Tire 60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 k~f/cm2)
Technical Information 245
A
Accessories Installation .................................. 122
Accessory
Power Socket ................ 81
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position) ........................................
61
Adding
Brake Fluid ................................. 170
Clutch Fluid ................................ 171
Engine Coolant.. ......................... 161
Engine
Oil ................................... 157
Manual Transmission Fluid ..... 168
Windshield
Washer Fluid ......... 167
Additional Information About
Your
Seat Belts ........................ 33
Lap/Shoulder Belt.. ..................... 33
Seat Belt Maintenance ................ 34
Seat Belt System Components
... 33
Additional Information About
Your SRS ...................................
37
Additional Safety Precautions .... 38
How
the Automatic Seat Belt
Tensioners Work ..................... 37
How Your Airbags Work ............ 35
How the SRS Indicator
Works ........................................ 37
SRS Components ......................... 35
Additives, Engine Oil... .................. 158
Adjustments
Mirrors ..........................................
79
Seats .............................................. 68
Airbag (SRS) ...................................... 9
Air Cleaner Element.. ....................
l72
Air Conditioning ............................... 86
Maintenance ............................... 182
Usage ............................................. 86
Air Outlets (Vents) .......................... 88
Air Pressure,
Tires ........................ 185
Alarm, Anti-theft.. .......................... 113
Alcohol in Gasoline ........................ 248
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning ........
206-
Antifreeze ....................................... 161
Anti-lock
Brakes (ABS)
Indicator Light ..................... 45, 138
Operation .................................... 136
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock
.. 60
Anti-theft System ........................... 113
Appearance Care ...........................
203
Audio Panel. ...................................... 82
Audio System ................................... 94
Index
Automatic Car Washes ................. 204
Automatic Speed Control.. .............. 55
IB
Back-up Lamp Replacement.. ....... 198
Battery Charging System
Indicator.. .......................... 44, 227
Jump Starting ............................. 220
Maintenance ............................... 177
Specifications ............................. 245
Before Driving ............................... 115
Belts, Seat ........................................... 8
Beverage Holder ..............................
81
Body Repair .................................... 210
Brakes ............................................. 136
Anti-lock System (ABS) ............ 137
Break-in, New Linings .............. 116
Fluid ............................................
170
Light, Burned-out ...................... 198
Parking .......................................... 80
System Indicator .......................... 44
Wear Indicators, Disc ............... 136
CONTINUED
Index
D In Bad Weather. ......................... 140 Malfunction Indicator
In Foreign Countries .................
249 Lamp ................................. 45, 228
DANGER, Explanation of.. ............... ii Oil Pressure Indicator ......... 44, 226
Dashboard ........................................
42 E Oil, What Kind to Use ............... 157
Daytime Running Lights ................. 52 Overheating ................................ 223
Dead Battery, What to Do ............ 220 Economy, Fuel ............................... 121 Specifications ............................. 244
Defects, Reporting
Safety ............. 258 Emergencies on the Road ............. 211 Engine Cover, Opening the .......... 118
Defrosting
the Windows ................. 91 Battery, Jump Starting .............. 220 Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 248
Dimensions ..................................... 244 Changing
a Flat Tire .................
213 Evaporative Emission Controls .... 250
Dimming the Headlights ................ 51 Charging System Indicator ...... 227 Exhaust Fumes ................................ 39
Dipstick Checking the Fuses ................... 232 Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Engine Oil.. ................................. 119 Closing the Convertible Top .... 230 Belts by ......................................... 17
Directional Signals ........................... 53 Low Oil Pressure Indicator ...... 226 Exterior,
Cleaning the ................... 204
Disabled, Towing Your Car If ...... 238 Malfunction Indicator Lamp .... 228
Disc Brake
Wear Indicators ......... 136 Overheated Engine ................... 223 F
Disposal of Used Oil.. .................... 160 Emergency Brake ............................ 80
Do Not Tow a Trailer .................... 141 Emergency Flashers ....................... 79 Fabric, Cleaning ............................. 207
Doors Emission
Controls ......................... 250 Fan, Interior ...................................... 86
Locking and Unlocking ............... 62 Engine Features, Comfort and
Monitor Light.. .............................
45 Check Engine Light ............ 45, 228 Convenience
................................. 85
Power Door Locks ....................... 62 Compartment, Checking Filling the Fuel Tank ..................... 117
DOT Tire Quality Grading ........... 246
in the ....................................... 118
Downshifting, 6-speed Manual Coolant ........................................ 120
Transmission .............................. 134 Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 4 7
Driving ............................................
129 Drive Belt. ................................... 184
Economy ..................................... 121 CONTINUED
Ill