Radial-ply tires must always be used in sets of four
and under no circumstances should they be used on
the front only. It is recommended that tires from dif-
ferent manufacturers NOT be mixed. They may be
mixed with a temporary spare tire when necessary. A
maximum speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) is recom-
mended 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.
DESCRIPTION - REPLACEMENT TIRES
WARNING: FAILURE TO EQUIP THE VEHICLE WITH
TIRES HAVING ADEQUATE SPEED CAPABILITY
CAN RESULT IN SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE.
It is recommended that tires equivalent to the orig-
inal equipment tires be used when replacement is
needed.
Failure to use equivalent replacement tires may
adversely affect the safety and handling of the vehi-
cle.
The original equipment tires provide a proper com-
bination of many characteristics such as:
²Ride
²Noise
²Handling
²Durability
²Tread life
²Traction
²Rolling resistance
²Speed capability
The use of tires smaller than the minimum tire
size approved for the vehicle can result in tire over-
loading and failure.
Use tires that have the approved load rating for
the vehicle and never overload them. Failure to equip
the vehicle with tires having adequate speed capabil-
ity can result in sudden tire failure and loss of vehi-
cle control.
The use of oversize tires may cause interference
with vehicle components. Under extremes of suspen-
sion and steering travel, interference with vehicle
components may cause tire damage.
DESCRIPTION - SPARE TIRE (TEMPORARY)
The temporary (convenience) spare tire is designed
for emergency use only. The original tire should be
repaired and reinstalled, or replaced with a new, at
the first opportunity.
The temporary (convenience) spare tire should be
inflated to the pressure listed on its sidewall. Do not
exceed speeds of 80 km/h (50 mph) when the tempo-
rary spare tire is in use on the vehicle. Refer to the
Owner's Manual for more details.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TIRE NOISE
Unusual tire noise can be associated with tire and
wheel vibration or irregular tire wear. For vibration,
(Refer to 22 - TIRES/WHEELS - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING). For irregular tire wear, (Refer to 22 -
TIRES/WHEELS/TIRES - DIAGNOSIS AND TEST-
ING).
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TIRE/VEHICLE
LEAD
Use the following Vehicle Lead Diagnosis And Cor-
rection Chart to diagnose and correct a vehicle lead
or drift problem.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TIRE WEAR
PATTERNS
Under inflation will cause wear on the shoulders of
tire. Over inflation will cause wear at the center of
tire.
Excessive camber causes the tire to run at an
angle to the road. One side of tread is then worn
more than the other (Fig. 23).
Excessive toe-in or toe-out causes wear on the
tread edges and a feathered effect across the tread
(Fig. 23).
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - 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. 24).
Tire replacement is necessary when indicators
appear in two or more grooves or if localized balding
occurs.
STANDARD PROCEDURE
STANDARD PROCEDURE - TIRE INFLATION
PRESSURES
The specified tire pressures have been chosen to
provide safe operation, vehicle stability, and a smooth
ride. The proper tire pressure specification can be
found on the Tire Inflation Pressure Label provided
with the vehicle (usually on the rear face of the driv-
er's door).
A quality air pressure gauge is recommended to
check tire air pressure. Tire pressure should be
checked cold once per month. Check tire pressure
more frequently when the weather temperature var-
ies widely. Tire pressure will decrease when the out-
22 - 14 TIRES/WHEELSRS
TIRES (Continued)
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SPECIFICATIONS
WHEEL
SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION SPECIFICATION
Wheel Mounting (Lug)
Nut Hex Size19 mm
Wheel Mounting Stud
SizeM12 x 1.5 mm
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION N´mFt.
Lbs.In.
Lbs.
Wheel Mounting (Lug ) Nut 135 100 Ð
WHEEL COVER
DESCRIPTION
This vehicle uses a bolt-on type wheel cover (Fig.
30).
This bolt-on wheel cover cannot be removed from
the wheel until three of the five wheel mounting nuts
shown are removed (Fig. 30). The bolt-on wheel cover
can then be removed with the remaining two wheel
nuts tightened in place.
REMOVAL
(1) Noting the location of the valve stem in rela-
tionship to the wheel mounting nuts, remove the
three wheel mounting nuts securing the wheel cover
to the wheel and hub (Fig. 30).
CAUTION: When removing the wheel cover, do not
pry the wheel cover from the wheel. This can result
in damage to the wheel cover. The wheel cover is
removed by pulling it off the wheel by hand.
(2) Grasp the wheel cover at the edges in line with
the remaining installed wheel nuts and pull straight
outward from the wheel. This will pop the wheel
cover retaining tabs over the two remaining wheel
nuts, removing the wheel cover from the wheel.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: Wheel mounting nuts must be installed on
the studs as shown to allow installation of the
wheel cover (Fig. 31).
(1) Place the wheel cover on the wheel in the fol-
lowing fashion:(a) Align the valve notch in the wheel cover with
the valve stem on the wheel.
(b) At the same time, align the two holes in the
wheel cover having the retaining tabs with the two
installed wheel nuts (Fig. 32).
(c) Press in on center of wheel cover until wheel
cover retaining tabs push past and engage rear of
previously installed wheel mounting nuts (Fig. 32).
This will hold the wheel cover in place.
(2) Install andlightly tightenthe three remain-
ing wheel mounting nuts, securing the wheel cover in
place (Fig. 30).
Fig. 30 Nuts Securing Wheel Cover
1 - VALVE STEM
2 - BOLT-ON WHEEL COVER
3 - NUTS SECURING WHEEL COVER
Fig. 31 Two Wheel Mounting Nuts Installed
1 - WHEEL
2 - VALVE STEM
3 - HUB PILOT
4 - NUTS
RSTIRES/WHEELS22-19
WHEELS (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com
lower half of the door. Tighten the screws to 2 N´m
(18 in. lbs.).
(6) Position the upper intake air housing onto the
top of the evaporator housing over the recirculation
air door and the blower wheel housing. Be certain
that the upper pivot of the recirculation air door is
captured in the pivot receptacle of the upper intake
air housing.
(7) Install and tighten the three screws that secure
the upper intake air housing to the top of the out-
board end of the evaporator housing. Be certain not
to miss the screw located just inside the inboard side
of the fresh air intake opening. Tighten the screws to
2 N´m (18 in. lbs.).
(8) Install and tighten the two screws that secure
the upper intake air housing to the lower intake air
housing. Tighten the screws to 2 N´m (18 in. lbs.).
(9) Engage the two hook formations on the bottom
of the distribution housing in the two receptacles on
the evaporator housing.
(10) Roll the top of the distribution housing up
into position against the evaporator housing.
(11) Install and tighten the three screws from the
dash panel side of the unit that secure the top of the
distribution housing to the inboard end of the evapo-
rator housing. Tighten the screws to 2 N´m (18 in.
lbs.).
(12) Engage the HVAC wire harness in the routing
clips molded into the outside of the HVAC housing
components.
(13) Reconnect the HVAC wire harness connector
for the blower motor with the motor connector recep-
tacle on the bottom of the outboard end of the evap-
orator housing.
(14) Reinstall the expansion valve onto the evapo-
rator inlet and outlet tube fittings. (Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
FRONT/EXPANSION VALVE - INSTALLATION).
(15) Install a new foam seal onto the HVAC hous-
ing seal flange around the fresh air inlet opening and
the expansion valve/evaporator tube opening on the
dash panel side of the unit.
(16) Reinstall the heater core tubes into the heater
core. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITION-
ING/PLUMBING - FRONT/HEATER CORE -
INSTALLATION - HEATER CORE TUBES).
(17) Reinstall the HVAC unit housing into the
vehicle. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDI-
TIONING/DISTRIBUTION - FRONT/HVAC HOUS-
ING - INSTALLATION).
(18) Run the HVAC Control Actuator Calibration
procedure(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDI-
TIONING - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)(Refer to 24
- HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING - DIAGNOSIS
AND TESTING).EXPANSION VALVE
DESCRIPTION
The front ªHº valve-type thermal expansion valve
(TXV) is located at the dash panel between the liquid
and suction lines, and the evaporator coil. The
assembly consists of an H-valve body and a thermal
sensor. High-pressure, low temperature liquid refrig-
erant from the liquid line passes through the expan-
sion valve orifice, converting it into a low-pressure,
low-temperature mixture of liquid and gas before it
enters the evaporator coil. The expansion valve is a
factory calibrated unit and cannot be adjusted or
repaired. If faulty or damaged, the expansion valve
must be replaced.
OPERATION
A mechanical sensor in the expansion valve control
head monitors the temperature and pressure of the
refrigerant leaving the evaporator coil through the
suction line, and adjusts the orifice size at the liquid
line to let the proper amount of refrigerant into the
evaporator coil to meet the vehicle cooling require-
ments. Controlling the refrigerant flow through the
evaporator ensures that none of the refrigerant leav-
ing the evaporator is still in a liquid state, which
could damage the compressor. The thermo sensor
measures refrigerant suction gas temperature which
is monitored by the a/c control assembly.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - EXPANSION VALVE
WARNING: REFER TO THE APPLICABLE WARN-
INGS AND CAUTIONS FOR THIS SYSTEM BEFORE
PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING OPERATION.
(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING - FRONT - WARNING - A/C PLUMBING)
and (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING - FRONT - CAUTION - A/C PLUMBING).
NOTE: The expansion valve should only be tested
following testing of the compressor.
NOTE: Liquid CO is required to test the expansion
valve. This material is available from most welding
supply facilities. Liquid CO is also available from
companies which service and sell fire extinguish-
ers.
When testing the expansion valve, the work area
and the vehicle temperature must be 21É to 27É C
(70É to 85É F). To test the expansion valve:
(1) Connect a charging station or manifold gauge
set to the refrigerant system service ports. Verify the
refrigerant charge level.
RSPLUMBING - FRONT24-71
EVAPORATOR (Continued)
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INSTALLATION
NOTE: If the rear heater core or the rear heater-A/C
housing have been removed from the vehicle for
service, the rear heater core may be pre-filled with
the proper engine coolant mixture prior to recon-
necting the heater hoses to the heater core hose fit-
tings. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING - REAR/HEATER CORE - STANDARD
PROCEDURE - HEATER CORE FILLING).
(1) Carefully slide the heater core into the rear
heater-A/C unit housing.
(2) Using hand pressure, press firmly and evenly
on the heater core end plate until the four latch tabs
that secure the heater core in the rear heater-A/C
unit housing are fully engaged (Fig. 5).
(3) Remove the plugs or tape from the heater core
fittings and both heater hoses.
(4) Reconnect the heater hoses to the rear heater
core. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITION-
ING/PLUMBING - REAR/HEATER HOSE - INSTAL-
LATION).
(5) Install and tighten the screw that secures the
front of the rear heater-A/C unit housing to the right
quarter inner panel. Tighten the screw to 11 N´m (97
in. lbs.).
(6) Install and tighten the screw that secures the
back of the rear heater-A/C unit housing to the right
D-pillar. Tighten the screw to 11 N´m (97 in. lbs.).
(7) Reinstall the rear heater distribution duct onto
the right quarter inner panel. (Refer to 24 - HEAT-ING & AIR CONDITIONING/DISTRIBUTION -
REAR/REAR HEATER DISTRIBUTION DUCT -
INSTALLATION).
(8) Remove the right quarter trim panel and right
D-pillar trim panel from the quarter inner panel.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/INTERIOR/QUARTER TRIM
PANEL - INSTALLATION).
(9) Drain the engine cooling system. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - COOLING
SYSTEM REFILL).
HEATER HOSE
REMOVAL
REFER TO THE APPLICABLE WARNINGS AND
CAUTIONS FOR THIS SYSTEM BEFORE PER-
FORMING THE FOLLOWING OPERATION. (Refer
to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMB-
ING FRONT - WARNING - HEATER PLUMBING).
(1) Partially drain engine cooling system. Refer to
Group 7, Engine Cooling.
(2) Loosen clamp at the front end of the hose
located at the right, outboard side of the underbody,
rearward of the front crossmember. (Fig. 9)
(3) Carefully rotate hose back and forth while tug-
ging slightly away from connector nipple. If the hose
will not come off, slice the hose at the connector nip-
ple and peel off heater hose. This method will require
heater hose replacement.
CAUTION:
When removing hoses from outlet nipples, do not
use excessive force. Outlet nipples may become
damaged and leak engine coolant.
(4) Compress insert in rear heater hose quick con-
nection and pull downward on hose. (Fig. 11)
(5) Remove (3) straps securing underbody lines.
(Fig. 8)
(6) Separate and remove rear heater lines from
vehicle.
INSTALLATION
There are several heater core plumbing configura-
tions used on this model, depending upon the engine
size and other optional equipment. One plumbing
configuration is used for all 2.4L engines, while the
3.3L and 3.8L engines have unique heater return
plumbing on the engine for models with or without
an optional engine oil cooler. There are also unique
plumbing configurations at the heater core for mod-
els with or without the optional rear heater and air
conditioner. All models use a combination of formed
steel tubing and rubber hoses. In most cases, the
rubber hose is secured to the steel tubing with a
spring tension clamp.
Fig. 5 Heater Core
1 - REAR HEATER-A/C HOUSING OUTLET
2 - REAR HEATER-A/C UNIT HOUSING
3 - LATCH (4)
4 - HEATER CORE
5 - RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSE
6 - HEATER HOSES
RSPLUMBING - REAR24 - 103
HEATER CORE (Continued)
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