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The pressure should be checked and adjusted as well as
inspecting for signs of tire wear or visible damage at least
once a month. Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to
check tire pressure. Do not make a visual judgement
when determining proper inflation. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they are underinflated.
CAUTION!
After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure al-
ways reinstall the valve stem cap–if equipped. This
will prevent moisture and dirt from entering the
valve stem, which could damage the valve stem.
Inflation pressures specified on the placard are always
“cold tire inflation pressure”. Cold tire inflation pressure
is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not
been driven for at least 3 hours, or driven less than 1mile(1 km) after a 3 hour period. The cold tire inflation
pressure must not exceed the maximum inflation pres-
sure molded into the tire side wall.
Check tire pressures more often if subject to a wide range
of outdoor temperatures, as tire pressures vary with
temperature changes.
Tire pressures change by approximately 1 psi (7 kPa) per
12°F(7°C) of air temperature change. Keep this in mind
when checking tire pressure inside a garage especially in
the winter.
Example: If garage temperature = 68°F (20°C) and the
outside temperature = 32°F(0°C) then the cold tire
inflation pressure should be increased by 3 psi (21 kPa),
which equals 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12°F(7°C) for this
outside temperature condition.
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Tire pressure may increase from 2 to 6 psi (13 to 40 kPa)
during operation. DO NOT reduce this normal pressure
build up or your tire pressure will be too low.
Tire Pressures for High Speed Operation
The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speeds
within posted speed limits. Where speed limits or condi-
tions are such that the vehicle can be driven at high
speeds, maintaining correct tire inflation pressure is very
important. Increased tire pressure and reduced vehicle
loading may be required for high speed vehicle opera-
tion. Refer to original equipment or an authorized tire
dealer for recommended safe operating speeds, loading
and cold tire inflation pressures.
WARNING!
High speed driving with your vehicle under maxi-
mum load is dangerous. The added strain on your
tires could cause them to fail. You could have a
serious accident. Don’t drive a vehicle loaded to the
maximum capacity at continuous speeds above 75
mph (120 km/h).
STARTING AND OPERATING 275
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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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These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread
grooves and will appear as bands when the tread depth
becomes 1/16 inch (2 mm). When the indicators appear
in 2 or more adjacent grooves, the tire should be replaced.
Many states have laws requiring tire replacement at this
point.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for
wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu-
facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva-
lent to the originals in size, quality and performance
when replacement is needed (see the paragraph on tread
wear indicators). Refer to the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion placard for the size designation of your tire. The
service description and load identification will be found
on the original equipment tire. Failure to use equivalent
replacement tires may adversely affect the safety, han-
dling, and ride of your vehicle. We recommend that you
contact your original equipment or an authorized tire
dealer with any questions you may have on tire specifi-
cations or capability.
STARTING AND OPERATING 279
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1,2,3, OR 4 TIRE(S) LOW PRESSURE
Low tire pressure levels of 26 psi [1.79 bars] (179 kPa) or
less detected in one or more tires.
Inspect all tires for proper inflation pressure, once the
proper tire pressure has been set, the TPM system
warning will reset automatically when the vehicle has
been driven for at least 2 minutes at or above 20 mph (32
km/h).
1,2,3, OR 4 TIRE(S) HIGH PRESSURE
High tire pressure levels of 45 psi [3.10 bars] (310 kPa) or
more detected in one or more tires.
Inspect all tires for proper inflation pressure, once the
proper tire pressure has been set, the TPM system
warning will reset automatically when the vehicle has
been driven for at least 2 minutes at or above 20 mph (32
km/h).
SERVICE TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM/SEE
OWNER’S MANUAL
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPM) system requires
service.
See your authorized dealer for service.
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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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7. Remove the wheel lug nuts, for vehicles with wheel
covers, remove the cover from the wheel by hand. Do not
pry the wheel cover off. Then pull the wheel off the hub.
8. Install the spare wheel, for vehicles with wheel covers,
align the notch in the wheel cover with the valve stem on
the wheel. Install the cover on the wheel by hand only
and install the wheel lug nuts with the cone shaped end
of the nut toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the lug nuts.
To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not
tighten the lug nuts fully until the vehicle has been
lowered.
NOTE:Do not install the wheel cover on the compact
spare.
Do not use a hammer or force to install the wheel covers.
9. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the left.
10. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the
wrench while tightening for increased leverage. Alternatelug nuts until each nut has been tightened twice. Correct
wheel nut tightness is 130 N·m (95 ft. lbs). If in doubt
about the correct tightness, have them checked with a
torque wrench by your dealer or at a service station.
11. Lower the jack to its fully closed position.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack, thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided.
12. Secure the flat or spare tire as follows:
•If your vehicle is equipped with cast aluminum
wheels, the center cap of the wheel must be re-
moved prior to flat tire stowage. Store the center cap
inside the glove box or other storage compartment.
308 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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•Turn the wheel so that the valve-stem is down. Slide
the wheel retainer through the center of the wheel
and position it properly across the wheel opening.
•For convenience in checking the spare tire inflation,
stow with the valve-stem toward the rear of the
vehicle.
•Using the jack-handle, rotate the drive nut to the
right until the wheel is drawn into place against the
underside of the vehicle.
•Continue to rotate the nut until you hear the mecha-
nism click three times. It cannot be overtightened.
Push against the tire several times to be sure it is
securely in place.
13. Stow the jack and jack handle.
14. Check the tire pressure as soon as possible. Correct
pressure as required.NOTE:When reinstalling the wheel center cap, insure
that the valve stem symbol on the back of the cap is
pointed toward the wheel valve stem. Install the center
cap using hand pressure only. Do not use a hammer.
JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES IF BATTERY IS
LOW
WARNING!
Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever
the hood is raised. It can start anytime the ignition
switch is on. You can be hurt by the fan.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 309
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