
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and
C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade is based on braking (straight-
ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering
(turning) performance.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 263
9

Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (highest), B, and C, repre-
senting the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the
tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance which all passen-
ger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
264 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

About Your Brakes...................162,163
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) System............. 116
Accident Damage....................... 225
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 215
Adding Fuel.......................... 177
Air Conditioning....................... 146
Air Conditioning Controls................ 146
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips........... 151
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............. 209
Air Conditioning System................. 209
Air Pressure, Tires...................164,165
Airbag................................ 33
Airbag Deployment....................36,37
Airbag Light....................37,40,48,115
Airbag Maintenance...................... 39
Alarm System.......................... 23
Alignment and Balance.................. 174
Antenna, Satellite Radio.................. 139
Antifreeze Disposal..................... 215
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 215
Anti-Lock Brake System.................. 163
Anti-Lock Warning Light................. 116
Anti-Theft Security Alarm................. 23Appearance Care....................... 223
Auto Down Power Windows............... 25
Automatic Dimming Mirror................ 54
Automatic Door Locks.................... 16
Automatic Headlights.................... 66
Automatic Off, Interior Lights.............. 64
Automatic Temperature Control............ 146
Automatic Transaxle..................157,221
Fluid and Filter Changes................ 223
Fluid Level Check..................... 222
Reset Mode......................... 158
Selection Of Lubricant................. 221
Shifting............................ 158
Special Additives..................... 223
Autostick............................. 159
Ball Joints............................ 210
Battery............................189,208
Emergency Starting.................... 189
Gas Caution......................189,208
Jump Starting........................ 189
Keyless Transmitter Replacement.......... 23
Location.........................189,208
266 INDEX

Saving Feature....................64,65,67
Belts, Drive........................... 205
Belts, Engine.......................... 207
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 211
Brake, Parking......................... 161
Brake System.......................162,218
Anti-Lock........................... 163
Fluid Check......................... 219
Hoses.............................. 219
Master Cylinder...................... 219
Warning Light....................... 117
Brake/Transmission Interlock...........157,158
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 47
Brightness, Interior Lights................. 65
Bulb Replacement...................... 230
Bulbs, Light........................... 230
Calibration, Compass.................... 104
Capacities, Fluid....................... 236
Capacity, Cargo Weight.................. 179
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 177
Car Washes........................... 225Cargo Compartment
Capacity............................ 179
Luggage Carrier...................... 179
Carpeting............................. 225
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 144
Cassette Tape Player............... 119,126,144
Catalytic Converter..................... 206
CD Changer........................130,135
CD Player...................124,132,134,143
Central Door Locks...................... 15
Chains, Tire........................... 170
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 183
Charging System Light................... 116
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............ 47
Child Restraint...................40,42,44,45
Child Restraint Tether Anchors...........43,44
Child Safety Locks....................... 16
Circuit Breakers........................ 228
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 175
Cleaning
Carpets............................. 225
Cloth.............................. 225
Glass.............................. 226
INDEX 267
10

Engine Fuel......................... 206
Engine Oil.......................... 205
Flashers
Hazard Warning...................... 182
Flat Tire Changing...................... 183
Floor Shift Interlock...................... 13
Fluid Capacities........................ 236
Fluid Leaks............................ 48
Fog Lights............................. 67
Folding Rear Seat....................... 62
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................. 192
Fuel.............................. 113,175
Adding............................. 177
Additives........................... 177
Filler Cap........................... 177
Filter.............................. 206
Gauge.............................. 113
Light.............................. 113
Octane Rating........................ 175
System Hoses........................ 220
Fueling.............................. 177
Fuses.............................227,228Garage Door Opener...................75,80
GasCap .............................. 177
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............... 176
Gauges
Coolant Temperature................... 114
Fuel............................... 113
Oil Pressure......................... 113
Speedometer/Odometer................ 116
Glass Cleaning......................... 226
Glove Compartment..................... 13
Hazard Warning Flasher.................. 182
Head Restraints......................... 62
Headlights
Automatic........................... 66
Bulb Replacement..................... 230
Cleaning............................ 226
Dimmer Switch....................... 68
Lights On Reminder.................... 66
Switch.............................. 66
Time Delay........................66,67
Heated Mirrors......................... 55
Heated Seats........................... 59
270 INDEX

Heater............................... 146
High Beam Indicator.................... 114
Holder, Coin........................... 53
Holder, Cup........................... 53
Holder, Pencil.......................... 53
Homelink Transmitter..................75,80
Hood Release.......................... 63
Hook, Coat............................ 54
Hoses............................218,220
Ignition
Key ................................ 12
Lock............................... 13
Illuminated Entry....................... 14
Infant Restraint......................... 41
Instrument Cluster................... 112,113
Instrument Panel and Controls............. 111
Instrument Panel Cover.................. 226
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............ 227
Interior Fuses.......................... 228
Interior Lights.......................... 64
Introduction............................ 4Jack Operation......................... 184
Jump Starting......................... 189
Key, Programming....................... 11
Key, Sentry............................. 9
Key-In Reminder........................ 12
Keyless Entry System..................... 18
Keys.................................. 9
Knee Bolster........................... 33
Lap/Shoulder Belts...................... 28
LATCH
(Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren)..... 44
Leaks, Fluid............................ 48
Light Bulbs........................... 230
Lights
Airbag.........................37,48,115
Anti-Lock........................... 116
Automatic Off......................64,65
Battery Saver.......................64,65
Brake Warning....................... 117
Check Engine........................ 115
Courtesy/Reading..................... 65
INDEX 271
10

Cruise...........................72,114
Daytime Running...................... 68
Dimmer Switch, Headlight............... 68
Dome............................... 74
Door Ajar........................... 114
Exterior Check........................ 48
Fog .............................67,233
Front Replacement.................... 230
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 182
Headlight Switch...................... 66
Headlights........................66,230
High Beam Indicator................... 114
Illuminated Entry...................... 14
Instrument Cluster..................... 65
Interior...........................14,64
Low Fuel........................... 113
Low Washer Fluid..................... 114
Malfunction Indicator............... 115,198
Map Reading......................... 65
Oil Pressure......................... 113
Park.............................66,233
Passing............................. 68
Reading............................. 74Seat Belt Reminder.................... 114
Security Alarm........................ 24
Service Engine Soon................... 198
Side Marker......................... 230
Theft Alarm.......................... 10
Traction Control.................70,113,164
Trunk Ajar.......................... 113
Turn Signal....................... 114,233
Voltage............................. 116
Locks
Cylinder Maintenance.................. 16
Door.............................14,15
Glove Compartment.................... 13
Lubricants............................ 211
Luggage Carrier........................ 179
Luggage Rack......................... 179
Lumbar Support........................ 59
Maintenance Free Battery................. 208
Maintenance Schedule................... 240
Light Duty ScheduleB................ 243
ScheduleA......................... 250
ScheduleB......................... 243
272 INDEX

Transmitter, Garage Door Opener..........75,80
Transmitter Programming................. 20
Transporting Pets........................ 46
Traveler Trip Computer................... 98
Tread Wear Indicators................... 171
Trip Computer.......................98,102
Trip Odometer......................103,115
Trip Odometer Reset Button............... 115
Trunk Release, Emergency................. 27
Trunk Release Remote Control.............. 26
Turn Signals.........................68,114
Underhood Fuses....................... 228
Uniform Tire Quality Grades.............. 263
Universal Joints........................ 211
Universal Transmitter..................75,80
Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses................ 218
Vehicle Identification Number............... 6
Vehicle Loading........................ 179
Vinyl Trim............................ 225Warning Flasher, Hazard................. 182
Warnings and Cautions.................... 6
Warranty Information.................179,258
Washers, Windshield.................... 213
Washing Vehicle........................ 224
Waxing and Polishing................... 224
Wind Buffeting......................... 87
Windows
Power.............................. 25
Windshield Washers...................69,213
Windshield Wipers.................67,69,212
Wipers, Intermittent...................... 69
INDEX 277
10