Page 353 of 397
6-45
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear or cracking. See ªWiper Blade
Checkº in the Maintenance Schedule booklet under
Part B ªOwner Checks and Servicesº for
more information.
It's a good idea to clean or replace the wiper blade
assembly on a regular basis or when worn. For proper
windshield wiper blade length and type, see ªNormal
Maintenance Replacement Partsº in the Index
To replace the wiper blade assembly, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition to ACC and turn the wipers on.
Position the wipers on the windshield in the ªmidº
wipe position. Then with the door open, turn the
ignition to OFF.
2. Tip the blade up almost to a ªTº position and push
down on the tab to release the wiper blade assembly.
3. To install, align the wiper blade with the loop on
the wiper blade assembly, and push up to snap it
into place.
Page 354 of 397

6-46
Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see
your Vehicle Warranty booklet for details.
CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much friction.
You could have an air
-out and a serious
accident. See ªLoading Your Vehicleº in
the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
Overinflated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
See ªInflation -- Tire Pressureº in this section
for inflation pressure adjustment for higher
speed driving.
Page 355 of 397

6-47 Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label, which is located on
the rear edge of the driver's side rear door, shows the
correct inflation pressures for your tires when they're
cold. ªColdº means your vehicle has been sitting for at
least three hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
If you'll be driving at high speeds (e.g., speeds of
100 mph (160 km/h) or higher), where it is legal, set the
cold inflation pressure to the maximum inflation pressure
shown on the tire sidewall, or to 38 psi (265 kPa),
whichever is lower. See the example below. When you
end this high
-speed driving, return to the cold inflation
pressure shown on the Tire
-Loading Information label.
Example:
You'll find maximum load and inflation pressure
molded on the tire's sidewall, in small letters, near the
rim flange. It will read something like this: Maximum
load 690 kg (1521 lbs.) @ 300 kPa (44 psi) Max. Press.
For this example, you would set the inflation pressure
for high
-speed driving at 38 psi (265 kPa).
NOTICE:
Don't let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It's not. If your tires
don't have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:
Too much flexing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazards.
Page 356 of 397

6-48
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don't forget your compact spare tire. It should be
at 60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket
-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can't tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they're underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) System
(If Equipped)
The Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system uses radio
and sensor technology to check tire pressure levels.
Sensors, mounted on each road wheel, transmit tire
pressure readings to a receiver located in the trunk.
Tire pressure status and tire pressure warnings are
shown on the Driver Information Center (DIC) display.
See ªDriver Information Center (DIC)º in the Index
for details regarding DIC controls and displays.
The system operates on a radio frequency subject to
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules
and with Industry and Science Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
This device complies with RSS
-210 of Industry
and Science Canada. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device may not
cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Page 357 of 397

6-49
Changes or modifications to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
If the TPM system detects low tire pressure, below
24 psi (165 kPa), or high tire pressure, above 36 psi
(248 kPa), a message, CHECK TIRE PRESSURE, will
appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC) display.
By pressing the INFO button, the DIC screen will show
which tire(s) has the low or high pressure condition.
See ªInflation
-- Tire Pressureº in the Index for
information regarding correct tire inflation. If a tire is
low, you should stop as soon as possible and check all
your tires for damage. If a tire is flat, see ªIf a Tire
Goes Flatº in the Index.
NOTICE:
Do not use a tire sealant if your vehicle is equipped
with Tire Pressure Monitors. The liquid sealant
can damage the tire pressure monitor sensors.
Once a low or high tire pressure condition is detected,
the TPM system will display the CHECK TIRE
MESSAGE each time the engine is started, until the
tire(s) are set to the correct inflation pressure. The Certification/Tire Label, which is located on the
rear edge of the driver's side rear door, shows the
correct inflation pressure for the tires on your vehicle.
The TPM system also allows the driver to check the
air pressure status of each road tire using the Driver
Information Center (DIC). Each tire's air pressure will be
listed individually, in the following order: LF (left front
or driver's side front tire), RF (right front or passenger's
side front tire), RR (right rear or passenger's side
rear tire) and LR (left rear or driver's side rear tire).
See ªInflation
-- Tire Pressureº in the Index for
information regarding correct tire inflation. Also, see
ªDriver Information Center (DIC)º in the Index for
information on the DIC controls and displays.
If the DIC display doesn't show tire pressures or the
SERVICE TPM SYSTEM message appears, see your
dealer for service. The TPM system may not work
properly while the compact spare tire is installed.
Anytime you replace one or more tires or rotate your
tires the TPM system will need to be reset. A special
tool is needed to reset the sensor identification codes.
See your dealer for service.
The TPM system can alert you about a low or high
tire pressure condition, but it doesn't replace normal
tire maintenance. See ªTiresº in the Index.
Page 358 of 397

6-50 Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate your tires as soon as possible and check
wheel alignment. Also check for damaged tires or
wheels. See ªWhen It's Time for New Tiresº and
ªWheel Replacementº later in this section for
more information.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See ªScheduled
Maintenance Servicesº in the Maintenance Schedule
booklet for scheduled rotation intervals.
When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.Don't include the compact spare tire in your tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire
-Loading
Information label. Vehicles equipped with the Tire
Pressure Monitor (TPM) system will need to have the
sensors reset after a tire rotation is performed. A special
tool is needed to reset the sensor identification codes.
See your dealer for service. Make certain that all wheel
nuts are properly tightened. See ªWheel Nut Torqueº
in the Index.
CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose
after a time. The wheel could come off and cause
an accident. When you change a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency,
you can use a cloth or a paper towel to do this;
but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush later,
if you need to, to get all the rust or dirt off.
See ªChanging a Flat Tireº in the Index.
Page 359 of 397
6-51
When It's Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it's
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires have
only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or
less of tread remaining.You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:
You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.
You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire's rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can't be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.
Page 360 of 397

6-52 Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire
-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire's sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all
-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by
an ªMSº (for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same
size, load range, speed rating and construction
type (bias, bias
-belted or radial) as your original tires.
CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving. If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias
-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on all wheels.
It's all right to drive with your compact spare,
though. It was developed for use on your vehicle.
CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim flanges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel could
fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only radial
-ply
tires with the wheels on your vehicle.