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Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating the tires.
Note:If your tires show uneven wear ask a qualified technician at a
reputable repair facility to check for and correct any wheel misalignment,
tire imbalance or mechanical problem involved before tire rotation.
Tire wear
Measure and inspect the tire tread on all your tires periodically.
Advanced and unusual tire wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip
the road in adverse (wet, snowy, etc.) conditions. Visually check your
tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually
smooth areas. Also check for signs of tire damage.
When the tread is worn down to 4
mm (1/16th of an inch), tires must
be replaced to prevent your vehicle
from skidding and hydroplaning.
Built-in treadwear indicators, or
ªwear barsº, which look like narrow
strips of smooth rubber across the
tread will appear on the tire when
the tread is worn down to 4mm (1/16th of an inch). When you see these
ªwear barsº, the tire is worn out and should be replaced.
Inspect your tires frequently for any of the following conditions and
replace them if one or more of the following conditions exist:
²Fabric showing through the tire rubber
²Bulges in the tread or sidewalls
²Cracks or cuts on the sidewalls
²Cracks in the tread groove
²Impact damage resulting from use
²Separation in the tread
²Separation in the sidewall
²Severe abrasion on the sidewall
If your vehicle has a leak in the exhaust system, a road tire or the spare
tire may be exposed to hot exhaust temperatures requiring the tire to be
replaced.
Maintenance and Specifications
238
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Safety practices
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
²Observe posted speed limits
²Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
²Avoid potholes and objects on the road
²Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking
If you vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.,do notrapidly spin the
tires; spinning the tires can tear the tire and cause an explosion. A tire
can explode in as little as three to five seconds.
WARNING: Tire explosions can cause death, personal injury or
property damage. Do not allow anyone to stand near, or directly
ahead or behind the spinning tire.
WARNING: Never spin the tires in excess of the 55 km/h (35
mph) point indicated on the speedometer.
Highway hazards
No matter how carefully you drive there's always the possibility that you
may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tire for damage. If the tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and replace it with your spare tire and wheel. If
you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest repair
facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
WARNING: Driving too fast for conditions creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control. Driving at very high speeds
for extended periods of time may result in damage to vehicle
components.
NOTE:Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
Maintenance and Specifications
239
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F
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....208
Fluid capacities .........................240
Foglamps .....................................34
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......119
driving off road .......................121
electronic shift ........................120
indicator light .........................120
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................113
Fuel ............................................208
calculating fuel economy .......214
cap ...........................................211
capacity ...................................240
choosing the right fuel ...........212
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................217
detergent in fuel .....................214
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................208, 211, 214
filter, specifications ................214
fuel pump shut-off switch .....137
improving fuel economy ........214
octane rating ...................212, 245
quality ......................................213
running out of fuel .................214
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................208
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .................................208, 212
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......137
Fuses ..................................138±139
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............211
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................214
Gauges .........................................16GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating)
calculating ...............................127
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
calculating ...............................127
H
Hazard flashers .........................137
Headlamps ...................................34
aiming ........................................35
bulb specifications ....................36
daytime running lights .............34
flash to pass ..............................35
high beam .................................35
replacing bulbs .........................37
turning on and off ....................34
Heating
heating and air
conditioning system ...........31±32
Hood ..........................................189
I
Ignition ...............................105, 245
Infant seats (see Safety seats) ..93
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................219
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................178
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................35
location of components ............12
J
Jack ............................................149
positioning ...............................149
Index
251