Page 111 of 200

Tire Chains
Due to limited clearance, tire chains are not recom-
mended.
CAUTION!
Damage to the vehicle may result if tire chains are
used.
Snow Tires
Some areas of the country require the use of snow tires
during winter. Some standard tires are of the all season
type and satisfy this requirement as indicated by the M+S
designation on the tire sidewall.
WARNING!
The SRT-4 is equipped with tires that are optimized
for driving in dry and wet weather conditions.
However, these tires have reduced traction capability
in snow and ice. When driving an SRT±4 in these
conditions with these tires, you must take special
care to maintain control and avoid accidents. We
recommend that you equip your vehicle with
ªSNOWº or ªALL SEASONº tires on all four wheels
for driving in snowy and icy conditions. It is neces-
sary to select tires equivalent in size and load rating
to the original equipment tires. ªSNOWº tires may
have lower speed rating than factory equipped tires
and may not match the maximum vehicle speed. Do
not use tires or wheels other than the size recom-
mended by the manufacturer for this vehicle.
If you need snow tires, select tires equivalent in size and
load rating to the original equipment tires. Refer to the
tire pressure label for inflation pressure.
STARTING AND OPERATING 111
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Page 128 of 200

WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
1. Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting
out the battery vent;
2. Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion;
3. Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels, particularly with high output engines.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is danger-
ous. Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of
the front wheels. You could lose control of the
vehicle and possibly have an accident. Accelerate
slowly and carefully whenever there is likely to be
poor traction (ice, snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
128 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
Page 189 of 200

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 189
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