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Tire Size
The following examples show the different parts of a
tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:The United States
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter P as
the rst character in the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to standards set by the U.S.
Tire and Rim Association.(A) Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:The United States
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letters LT as
the rst two characters in the tire size means a light
truck tire engineered to standards set by the U.S. Tire
and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates the
tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that indicates
the tire height-to-width measurements. For example,
if the tire size aspect ratio is 75, as shown in item C
of the light truck (LT-Metric) tire illustration, it would
mean that the tire’s sidewall is 75% as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire.
The letter R means radial ply construction; the letter D
means diagonal or bias ply construction; and the
letter B means belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description:The service description
indicates the load range and speed rating of a tire.
The load index can range from 1 to 279. Speed ratings
range from A to Z. Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
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{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, you can use a cloth or a
paper towel to do this; but be sure to use a
scraper or wire brush later, if needed, to get all
the rust or dirt off. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on
page 5-71.
When It Is Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it
is time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires
have only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) or less of
tread remaining.
Some commercial truck
tires may not have
treadwear indicators.
You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:
You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.
You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged
deep enough to show cord or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
cannot be repaired well because of the size or
location of the damage.
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Buying New Tires
To nd out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Certi cation/Tire label or the Tire and Loading
Information label. For examples of these labels and their
location on your vehicle, seeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 4-29.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Speci cation (TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new tires,
get tires with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
load range, traction, ride and other things during normal
service on your vehicle. If your tires have an all-season
tread design, the TPC number will be followed by
an “MS” (for mud and snow).
If you replace your tires with those not having a TPC
Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type
(bias, bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.{CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control
while driving. If you mix tires of different sizes,
brands, or types (radial and bias-belted tires)
the vehicle may not handle properly, and you
could have a crash. Using tires of different
sizes, brands, or types may also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the
correct size, brand, and type of tires on your
vehicle’s wheels.
{CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim anges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel
could fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only
radial-ply tires with the wheels on your vehicle.
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Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
Do not use tire chains. There is not enough
clearance. Tire chains used on a vehicle
without the proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes, suspension or
other vehicle parts. The area damaged by the
tire chains could cause you to lose control of
your vehicle and you or others may be injured
in a crash. Use another type of traction device
only if its manufacturer recommends it for use
on your vehicle and tire size combination and
road conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, re-adjust or remove the
device if it is contacting your vehicle, and do
not spin your wheels. If you do nd traction
devices that will t, install them on the
rear tires.
Accessory In ator
Your vehicle has an accessory in ator system.
You can in ate things like basketballs and bicycle tires.
You can also use it to bring your tire pressure up to the
proper pressure. It is not designed to in ate large objects
which will require more than ve minutes to in ate, such
as an air mattress.
The accessory in ator is
located in the rear
compartment on the
driver’s side of the vehicle
behind an access cover,
near the liftgate opening.
To remove the cover, push in on the tab to access
the in ator.
You may have an air in ator kit that is located in the
glove compartment. It includes a 22 ft (6.7 m) hose with
three nozzle adapters.
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To return the equipment to the proper location under the
rear seat of the vehicle, do the following:
A. Handle
B. Wheel Wrench
C. Instruction LabelD. Extension
E. Knob
F. Wheel Blocks and Jack
1. Attach the handle (A), wheel wrench (B) and
extension (D) in the slots provided.
2. Roll up the instruction label (C) and return to the
slot in the tool kit.
3. Assemble the wheel blocks (F) to the jack.
4. Turn the knob (E) on the jack clockwise to raise the
jack head.
5. Return the rear seat to its proper position.Spare Tire
Your vehicle, when new, had a fully-in ated spare tire.
A spare tire may lose air over time, so check its
in ation pressure regularly. SeeIn ation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-60andLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-29
for information regarding proper tire in ation and loading
your vehicle. For instruction on how to remove, install
or store a spare tire, seeRemoving the Flat Tire
and Installing the Spare Tire on page 5-74andStoring
a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools on page 5-82.
After installing the spare tire on your vehicle, you should
stop as soon as possible and make sure the spare is
correctly in ated. The spare tire is made to perform well
at speeds up to 70 mph (112 km/h) at the recommended
in ation pressure, so you can nish your trip.
Have the damaged or at road tire repaired or replaced
as soon as you can and installed back onto your vehicle.
This way, a spare tire will be available in case you need it
again. Do not mix tires and wheels of different sizes,
because they will not t. Keep your spare tire and its
wheel together.
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