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Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6
to 8 seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the LED is not lit
during starting, have it checked. If the light
stays on or comes on while driving, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objectslodged in the tread. Inspect tread and sidewall for cuts or
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid or brake
fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be located and
corrected immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69
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21. Tire Pressure Monitor Warning Light—If
Equipped
This light will turn on when there is a Low tire
pressure condition. The light will remain on
until the tire pressure is properly set. The light
will also flash if a problem exist with any tire
sensor. The light will flash for approximately three sec-
onds every 10 minutes or until the problem with the
sensor is corrected.
This light will turn on momentarily as a bulb check when
the engine is started.
When the tire pressure monitoring system warning light
is lit, one or more of your tires is significantly underin-
flated. You should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure as
indicated on the tire and loading information placard.
Driving on a significantly underinflated tire causes thetire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Underinfla-
tion also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and
may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Each tire, including the spare, should be checked
monthly when cold and set to the recommended inflation
pressure as specified in the tire and loading information
placard and owner’s manual.
NOTE:If one of the vehicle active tires has been
replaced by the spare or a wheel rim not equipped with
a TPM sensor, the tire pressure monitor warning light
will flash for approximately three seconds every 10
minutes. Repair or replace the tire or sensor as soon as
possible.
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▫Tire Markings........................263
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........267
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........268
Ti re s—General Information................272
▫Tire Pressure.........................272
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................273
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................276
▫Compact Spare Tire—If Equipped.........276
▫Limited Use Spare—If Equipped.........277
▫Tire Spinning........................278
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................278
▫Replacement Tires.....................279
▫Alignment And Balance.................280All Wheel Drive (AWD)—If Equipped.......281
Tire Pressure Monitor System—If Equipped . . . 281
▫1,2,3, Or 4 Tire(s) Low Pressure...........282
▫1,2,3, Or 4 Tire(s) High Pressure...........282
▫Service Tire Pressure System/See Owner’s
Manual............................282
▫General Information...................284
Tire Chains...........................284
Snow Tires...........................285
Tire Rotation Recommendations............286
Fuel Requirements......................287
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................287
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............288
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Radial-Ply Tires
WARNING!
Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires
on your vehicle will cause your vehicle to handle
poorly. The instability could cause an accident. Al-
ways use radial ply tires in sets of four (or 6, in case
of trucks with dual rear wheels). Never combine
them with other types of tires.
Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in
the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your
authorized tire dealer for radial tire repairs.
Compact Spare Tire—If Equipped
The compact spare is for temporary emergency use with
radial tires. It is engineered to be used on your style
vehicle only. Since this tire has limited tread life, the
original tire should be repaired (or replaced) and rein-
stalled at the first opportunity.
WARNING!
Temporary use spare tires are for emergency use
only. With these tires, do not drive more than 50 mph
(80 km/h). Temporary-use spare tires have limited
tread life. When two or more tread wear indicators
appear in adjacent grooves, the temporary use spare
tire needs to be replaced. Be sure to follow the
warnings which apply to your spare. Failure to do so
could result in spare tire failure and loss of vehicle
control.
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Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a
conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since the
wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare.
Do not install more than one compact spare tire/wheel
on the vehicle at any given time.
CAUTION!
Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with the
compact spare installed. Damage to the vehicle may
result.
Limited Use Spare—If Equipped
The limited use spare tire is for temporary emergency use
on your vehicle. This tire is identified by a limited use
spare tire warning label located on the limited use spare
tire and wheel assembly. This tire may look like the
original equipped tire on the front or rear axle of your
vehicle, but it is not. Installation of this limited use spare
tire affects vehicle handling. Since it is not the same tire,
replace (or repair) the original tire and reinstall on vehicle
at the first opportunity.
STARTING AND OPERATING 277
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WARNING!
The limited use spare tires are for emergency use
only. Installation of this limited use spare tire affects
vehicle handling. With this tire, do not drive more
than 60 mph (100 km/h). Keep inflated to the cold
tire inflation pressure listed on either your tire
placard or limited use spare tire and wheel assembly.
Replace (or repair) the original tire at the first
opportunity and reinstall it on your vehicle. Failure
to do so could result in loss of vehicle control.
Tire Spinning
When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not
spin your vehicle’s wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h).
See the paragraph on Freeing A Stuck Vehicle in Section
6 of this manual.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster
than 35 mph (55 km/h) when you are stuck. And
don’t let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter
what the speed.
Tread Wear Indicators
Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment tires
to help you in determining when your tires should be
replaced.
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Improper alignment will not cause vehicle vibration.
Vibration may be a result of tire and wheel out-of-
balance. Proper balancing will reduce vibration and
avoid tire cupping and spotty wear.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD)—IF EQUIPPED
CAUTION!
All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles must have the same
size and type tires on all wheel positions. Unequal
tire sizes must not be used. Unequal tire size may
cause failure of the power transfer unit and/or the
viscous coupling.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM—IF
EQUIPPED
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPM) system uses
wireless technology with wheel rim mounted electronic
sensors to monitor tire pressure levels (EXCLUDING
THE SPARE TIRE). Sensors, mounted to each wheel as
part of the valve stem, transmit tire pressure readings to
the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) display
in the instrument cluster.
NOTE:It is particularly important, for you to check the
tire pressure in all of your tires regularly and too main-
tain the proper pressure.
When the appropriate conditions exist, the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) displays the following
messages.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flasher..................300
If Your Engine Overheats.................301
Jacking And Tire Changing................302
▫Jack Location........................303
▫Spare Tire Stowage....................304
▫Preparations For Jacking................305
▫Jacking Instructions....................306
Jump-Starting Procedures If Battery Is Low....309
Driving On Slippery Surfaces..............311
▫Acceleration.........................311▫Traction............................311
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle..................312
Towing A Disabled Vehicle................313
▫With Ignition Key.....................313
▫Without The Ignition Key...............314
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................314
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
With A Tow Dolley....................315
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