Size Designation
EXAMPLE : P215/65R15
P Passenger car tire size based on U.S.A. de-
sign standards
215 Section width in millimeters (mm)
65 Aspect ratio in percent (%)
Ratio of section height section width of tire.
R Construction code
²``R'' means radial construction.
²``D'' means diagonal of bias construction.
15 Rim diameter in inches (in)
NOTE
²European/Japanese metric tire sizing is based on
European/Japanese design standards. Tires designed
to these standards have the tire size molded into the
sidewall beginning with the section width. The letter
``P'' is absent from this tire size designation. Example
215/65R15 96H.
²LT (Light Truck) -metric tire sizing is based on U.S.A.
design standards. The size designation for LT-metric
tires is the same as for P-metric tires except for theletters ``LT'' that are molded into the sidewall preced-
ing the size designation. Example LT235/85R16.
²Temporary spare tires are high pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter ``T''
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
Service Description
EXAMPLE: 95H
95 Load index
A numerical code associated with the maxi-
mum load a tire can carry.
H Speed symbol
A symbol indicating the range of speeds at
which a tire can carry a load corresponding to
its load index under certain operating condi-
tions.
The maximum speed corresponding to the
speed symbol should only be achieved under
specified operating conditions (i.e. tire pres-
sure, vehicle loading, road conditions and
posted speed limits).
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Maximum Load
Maximum load indicates the maximum load this tire is
designed to carry.
Maximum pressure
Maximum Pressure indicates the maximum permissible
cold tire inflation pressure for this tire.
Tire Identification Number (TIN)
The TIN may be found on one or both sides of the tire, but
the date code may only be on one side. Tire with white
sidewalls will have the full TIN including date code located
on the white sidewall side of the tire. Look for the TIN on the
outboard side of black sidewall tires as mounted on the
vehicle. If the TIN is not found on the outboard side then
you will find it on the inboard side of the tire.
EXAMPLE : DOT MA L9 ABCD 1504
DOT Department of Transportation
This symbol certifies that the tire is in com-
pliance with U.S. Department of Transpor-
tation tire safety standards, and is ap-
proved for highway use
MA Code representing the tire manufacturing
location.(2 digits)
L9
ABCDCode representing the tire size. (2 digits)
Code used by tire manufacturer. (1 to 4
digits)
15 Number representing the week in which
the tire was manufactured. (2 digits)
04 Number representing the year in which the
tire was manufactured. (2 digits)
Treadwear, Traction and Temperature 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 one 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
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B
and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop on
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wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government tests surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing 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
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.
Tire inflation pressures
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire pressure:1. Safety
Under-inflation increases tire flexing and can result in tire
failure. Over-inflation results in a tire losing its ability to
cushion shock. Objects on the road and potholes could
cause tire damage that may result in tire failure.
2. Economy
Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear
patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal
wear patterns will reduce tread life, resulting in a need
for earlier tire replacement.
Under-inflation also increases tire rolling resistance and
results in higher fuel consumption.
3. Ride comfort and vehicle stability
Proper tire inflation pressures contribute to the excellent
ride quality built into your vehicle. Over-inflation pro-
duces an uncomfortable and jarring ride.
Under-inflation can produce a feeling of sluggish re-
sponse.
Unequal inflation pressures can produce erratic and
unpredictable vehicle response to steering maneuvers.
The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is listed on a
placard attached near the door sill striker on the driver's
336 MAINTENANCE
door.
The recommended inflation pressures should be followed
when the specified tires are installed.
Item Tire size Front Rear
Normal tire P205/60R16 91H 32 psi (220 kpa)
P215/50R17 90H 32 psi (220 kpa)
Compact spare tire T125/70D16 60 psi (420 kpa)
The pressures should be checked and adjusted, if neces-
sary, at least once a month.
Tire pressures should be checked more often when weather
temperatures vary widely, because tire pressures vary with
outdoor temperatures. Inflation pressures specified on the
placard are always ªcold inflation pressureº.
Cold inflation pressure can be measured after the vehicle
has been stationary for at least three hours or driven less
than one mile (1.6 km) after being stationary for three
hours.
Cold inflation pressure must not exceed the maximum
values molded into the tire sidewall. After driving sev-
eral miles, tire inflation pressure may increase 2 to 6 psi
(14 to 41 kPa) over the cold inflation pressure; do NOT letair out of the tires to match the specified cold pressure, or
your tires will be underinflated.
Check your tires each time you refuel. If one tire looks
lower than the others, check the tire inflation pressure for
all of them. The following precautions also should be
observed:
1. Keep your tires inflated to the pressures that are
recommended. (See the tire and loading information
placard attached on the latch on the driver's door.)
2. Stay within the load limits that are recommended.
3. Make sure that the weight of your vehicle load is
evenly distributed.
4. Drive at safe speeds.
5. After the tire inflation pressure has been adjusted,
check the tires for damage and air leaks. Be sure to
replace the rubber caps on the valve stems.
Radial ply tires
Radial ply tires provide improved tread life, road hazard
resistance and smoother high speed ride. The radial ply
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factory-installed tires on this vehicle are of belted con-
struction and are selected to complement the ride and
handling characteristics of your vehicle.
Radial ply tires have the same load carrying capacity as
bias or bias-belted tires of the same letter size, and use the
same recommended inflation pressures.
Mixing of radial ply tires with bias or bias-belted tires is
not recommended. Combining radial ply and bias or
bias-belted tires on one vehicle will negatively affect
vehicle handling. It is recommended that radial ply tires
should always be used as a set of four.
As longer wearing tires can be more susceptible to
irregular tread wear, it is very important to follow the tire
rotation interval shown in the section ªTire rotationº to
achieve full tread life potential in these tires.
Cuts and punctures in radial ply tires are repairable only
in the tread area, because of sidewall flexing. Consult
your tire dealer for radial ply tire repairs.Tire pressure for sustained high-speed driving
For sustained high-speed driving, increase inflation pres-
sure 4 psi (28 kPa) above the recommended pressure but
do not exceed the maximum cold inflation pressure
molded into the tire sidewall.
Replacing tire and wheels
CAUTION!
²Avoid using different size tires from the one listed
and the combined use of different types of tires,
as this can affect driving safety.
Refer to the ``TIRES AND WHEELS'' on page 373.
²Even if a wheel has the same rim size and offset as
the specified type of wheel, its shape may prevent
it from being fitted correctly. Consult an autho-
rized dealer before using wheels that you have.
Tire maintenance
The following maintenance steps are recommended:
1. Check pressure regularly.
338 MAINTENANCE
2. Maintain wheel balance and front suspension align-
ment.
3. Rotate tires regularly in accordance with the recom-
mendation in the section ªTire rotationº on page 344.
Loading information
WARNING!
Overloading of your tire is dangerous. Overloading
can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and
increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the
recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never
overload them.
It is important to familiarize yourself with the following
terms before loading your vehicle:
²Vehicle maximum load on the tire : load on an
individual tire that is determined by distributing to
each axle its share of the maximum loaded vehicle
weight and dividing by two.
²Vehicle normal load on the tire : load on an indi-
vidual tire that is determined by distributing to each
axle its share of the curb weight, accessory weight,
and normal occupant weight and dividing by two.
²Maximum loaded vehicle weight : the sum of -
(a) Curb weight;
(b) Accessory weight
(c) Vehicle capacity weight; and
(d) Production option weight.
²Curb weight : the weight of a motor vehicle with
standard equipment including the maximum capac-
ity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so equipped, air
conditioning and additional weight optional engine.
²Accessory weight : the combined weight (in excess
of those standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering, power
brakes, power windows, power seats, radio, and
heater, to the extent that these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether installed or
not).
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Cargo loads
The load-carrying capacity of your vehicle is shown on
the tire and loading information placard.
DO NOT USE the weight rating data provided on the
safety certification label for determining vehicle passen-
ger and/or cargo load capacity.
For determining the combined weight of occupants and
cargo, use the specifications provided on the tire and
loading information placard.
Tread wear indicators
Tread wear indicators are built into the original equip-
ment tires on your vehicle to assist you in determining
when your tires have been worn to the point of needing
replacement. Many states have laws making tire replace-
ment mandatory at this point.
These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread
grooves and will appear as 1/2 in (13 mm) wide bands
when tire tread depth becomes 1/16 in (1.6 mm).
M32A0010
Location of tread wear indicator
Tread wear indicator
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When the indicators appear in two or more adjacent
grooves, tire replacement is recommended.
NOTE: The mark and the location of the tire wear
indicator are different depending on tire manufacturers.
Tire rotation
To equalize wear and help extend tire life,
DaimlerChrysler recommends that you rotate your tires
at the mileage specified on the scheduled maintenance
chart.However, the timing for tire rotation may vary according
to your vehicle condition, road surface conditions and
each individual driver's driving habits. Any time you
notice unusual wear, rotate your tires as soon as possible.
When rotating tires, check for uneven wear, damage and
wheel alignment. Abnormal wear is usually caused by
incorrect tire pressure, improper wheel alignment, out-
of-balance wheel or severe braking. Consult an autho-
rized dealer to determine the cause of irregular tread
wear.
M40A0270
Type 1
M40A0490
Type 2
344 MAINTENANCE