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 301
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.
302 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) System............. 193
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 253
Adding Fuel.......................... 218
Adding Washer Fluid..............104,106,251
Additives, Fuel........................ 216
Adjustable Pedals....................... 94
Air Conditioner Maintenance.............. 248
Air Conditioning Filter................177,249
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips........... 178
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............. 249
Air Pressure, Tires...................... 206
Airbag................................ 35
Airbag Deployment....................40,45
Airbag Light....................40,47,57,135
Airbag Maintenance...................... 47
Airbag, Side........................... 44
Airbag, Window......................36,44
Alarm System.......................... 22
Alignment and Balance.................. 210
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............ 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio.................. 165
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............253,275
Disposal............................ 255Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............. 193
Anti-Lock Warning Light................. 135
Anti-Theft Security Alarm................. 22
Appearance Care....................... 260
Auto Down Power Windows............... 24
Auto Up Power Windows................. 24
Automatic Dimming Mirror................ 63
Automatic Door Locks.................... 17
Automatic Headlights................... 100
Automatic Temperature Control............ 171
Automatic Transmission............183,259,260
Adding Fluid.....................260,276
Fluid and Filter Changes................ 260
Fluid Change........................ 260
Fluid Level Check..................... 259
Fluid Type.......................... 276
Autostick..........................185,190
Ball Joints............................ 250
Battery............................... 247
Jump Starting........................ 229
Keyless Transmitter Replacement.......... 21
Location.........................230,247
304 INDEX
Headlight Switch...................... 99
Headlights........................99,270
Headlights On With Wipers..........100,104
High Beam.......................... 101
High Beam Indicator................... 138
Illuminated Entry...................... 15
Instrument Cluster..................... 99
Interior.............................. 97
License............................. 274
Lights On Reminder................... 100
Malfunction Indicator.................. 139
Oil Pressure......................... 134
Reading............................ 114
Seat Belt Reminder.................... 138
Service..........................269,270
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . 139
Turn Signal........................99,101
Voltage............................. 139
Loading Vehicle.....................219,220
Capacities........................... 220
Tires ............................... 201
Locks
Door............................... 15Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH).............................. 53
Lubrication, Body....................... 250
Lumbar Support........................ 88
Maintenance Free Battery................. 247
Maintenance Procedures.................. 241
Maintenance Schedule................... 278
ScheduleA......................... 288
ScheduleB......................... 281
Malfunction Indicator Light............139,239
Manual, Service........................ 299
Memory Feature........................ 89
Mini-Trip Computer..................... 142
Mirrors............................... 63
Automatic Dimming.................... 63
Electric Remote....................... 64
Exterior Folding....................... 64
Heated.............................. 65
Outside............................. 64
Vanity.............................. 65
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............ 7
Mopar Parts........................240,299
310 INDEX
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts............. 34
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................ 33
Programmable Electronic Features..... 115,119,147
Programming Transmitters............. 115,119
Radial Ply Tires........................ 208
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap)........ 254
Radio Broadcast Signals.................. 168
Radio Operation.....................151,171
Radio Remote Controls.................. 166
Radio, Satellite......................... 163
Radio (Sound Systems)................... 151
Rain Sensitive Wiper System.............. 103
Rear Park Assist System................... 85
Rear Seat, Folding....................... 93
Reclining Front Seats..................... 88
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts............................... 276
Recorder, Event Data..................... 47
Recreational Towing..................... 222
Refrigerant............................ 249
Reminder, Seat Belt...................... 33Remote Keyless Entry.................... 19
Remote Sound System Controls............ 166
Remote Trunk Release.................... 26
Replacement Tires...................... 209
Reporting Safety Defects................. 299
Restraint, Head......................... 92
Restraints, Occupant..................... 28
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck.............. 232
Rotation, Tires......................... 212
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle............... 57
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle.............. 57
Safety Defects, Reporting................. 299
Safety Information, Tire.................. 197
Safety Tips............................. 56
Satellite Radio......................... 163
Satellite Radio Antenna.................. 165
Schedule, Maintenance................... 278
Seat Belt Maintenance................... 263
Seat Belt Reminder...................... 33
Seat Belts.............................. 29
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage...... 32
And Pregnant Women.................. 34
312 INDEX
Child Restraint......................49,54
Extender............................ 34
Front Seat............................ 29
Operating Instructions.................. 29
Pretensioners......................... 33
Reminder........................... 138
Seats................................. 87
Glide-To-Exit......................... 91
Heated.............................. 88
Lumbar Support....................... 88
Power.............................. 87
Rear Folding......................... 93
Reclining............................ 88
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)............... 22
Selection of Coolant..................253,276
Selection of Oil........................ 242
Sentry Key............................ 12
Service Assistance...................... 294
Service Contract........................ 296
Service Engine Soon Light
(Malfunction Indicator).................. 139
Service Manuals........................ 299
Setting the Clock....................151,152Settings, Personal....................... 147
Shift Speeds........................... 183
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage............. 32
Side Airbag............................ 44
Signals, Turn.......................... 134
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............. 231
Snow Chains (Tire Chains)................ 211
Snow Tires............................ 212
Spark Plugs........................... 244
Speed Control......................... 111
Speedometer.......................... 134
Starting.............................. 181
Engine Fails to Start................... 182
Starting and Operating................... 181
Steering
Linkage............................ 250
Power...........................196,249
Tilt Column......................... 106
Wheel, Tilt.......................... 106
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls............................ 166
Storage...........................126,268
Storage, Vehicle.....................177,268
INDEX 313
10
Storing Your Vehicle..................... 268
Sun Roof............................. 120
Sunglass Storage....................... 114
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag....... 35
System, Navigation..................... 166
Tachometer........................... 134
Telescoping Steering Column.............. 106
Temperature Control, Automatic............ 171
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant......137,225
Theft Alarm............................ 22
Theft System........................... 22
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo.................. 126
Tilt Steering Column.................... 106
Tire and Loading Information Placard....... 201
Tire Identification Number (TIN)........... 200
Tire Markings......................... 197
Tire Safety Information................... 197
TIREFIT.............................. 226
Tires ...........................57,205,301
Air Pressure......................... 205
Alignment.......................... 210
Chains............................. 211General Information................... 205
High Speed......................... 207
Inflation Pressures.................... 206
Load Capacity....................201,202
Quality Grading...................... 301
Radial............................. 208
Replacement......................... 209
Rotation............................ 212
Safety...........................197,205
Sizes............................... 198
Snow Tires.......................... 212
Spinning............................ 208
Tread Wear Indicators.................. 209
Towing
Behind a Motor Home................. 222
Disabled Vehicle...................... 233
Recreational......................... 222
Towing Vehicle Behind a Motor Home....... 222
Traction Control........................ 107
Traction Control Switch.................. 107
Transmission.......................... 259
Automatic........................183,259
Fluid.............................. 276
314 INDEX