2005 SUBARU BAJA Owners Manual

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13
Consumer information and Reporting safety defectsTire information ............................................. 13-2Tire labeling ....................................................... 13-2
Recommended tire inflation pressure ............ 13-5
Glossary of tire terminology ............................ 13-6
Tire care – maintenance and safety practices ......................................................... 13-8
Vehicle load limit – how to determine ............. 13-8
Determining compatibility of tire and vehicle
load capacities ............................................... 13-13
Adverse safety consequences of overloading
on handling and stopping and on tires ........ 13-13
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit ..... 13-13
Uniform tire quality grading standards ....... 13-14 Treadwear .......................................................... 13-14
Traction AA, A, B, C .......................................... 13-15
Temperature A, B, C ......................................... 13-15
Reporting safety defects (USA) ................... 13-16

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Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Consumer information and Reporting safety defectsFor U.S.A.
The following information has been compiled accord-
ing to Code of Federal Regulations “Title 49, Part
575”.
Tire information „
Tire labeling
Many markings (e.g. Tire size, Tire Identification
Number or TIN) are placed on the sidewall of a
tire by tire manufacturers. These marking can
provide you with useful information on the tire. T Tire size
Your vehicle comes equipped with P-Metric tire
size. It is important to understand the sizing sys-
tem in selecting the proper tire for your vehicles.
Here is a brief review of the tire sizing system
with a breakdown of its individual elements. V P Metric
With the P-Metric system, Section Width is mea-
sured in millimeters. To convert millimeters into
inches, divide by 25.4. The Aspect Ratio (Sec-
tion Height divided by Section Width) helps pro- vide more dimensional information about the tire
size. Example:
(1) P = Certain tire type used on light duty vehi-
cles such as passenger cars
(2) Section Width in millimeters
(3) Aspect Ratio (= section height
÷ section
width).
(4) R = Radial Construction
(5) Rim diameter in inches V Load and Speed Rating Descriptions
The load and speed rating descriptions will ap-
pear following the size designation.
They provide two important facts about the tire.
First, the number designation is its load index.
Second, the letter designation indicates the tire’s
speed rating.P 225 / 60 R 16
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

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Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
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Example:
(6) Load Index: A numerical code which speci-
fies the maximum load a tire can carry at the
speed indicated by its speed symbol, at maxi-
mum inflation pressure.
For example, “97” means 1,609 lbs (730 kg)
Load indices apply only to the tire, not to
the vehicle. Putting a load rated tire on any
vehicle does not mean the vehicle can be
loaded up to the tire’s rated load.
(7) Speed Rating: An alphabetical system de-
scribing a tire’s capability to travel at established
and predetermined speeds.
For example, “H” means 130 mph (210 km/h)
y Speed ratings apply only to the tire, not
to the vehicle. Putting a speed rated tire on
any vehicle does not mean the vehicle can
be operated at the tire’s rated speed. y The speed rating is void if the tires are
worn out, damaged, repaired, retreaded, or
otherwise altered from their original condi-
tion. If tires are repaired, retreaded, or oth-
erwise altered, they may not be suitable for
original equipment tire designed loads and
speeds.
T Tire Identification Number (TIN)
Tire Identification Number (TIN) is marked on the
intended outboard sidewall. The TIN is com-
posed of four groups. Here is a brief review of the
TIN with a breakdown of its individual elements.
(1) Manufacturer’s Identification Mark
P 225 / 60 R 16 97 H Size designation (6) (7)
DOT XX XX XXX XXXX
(1) (2) (3)(4)

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Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
(2) Tire Size
(3) Tire Type Code
(4) Date of Manufacture
The first two figures identify the week, starting
with “01” to represent the first full week of the cal-
endar year; the second two figures represent the
year. For example, 0101 means the 1st week of
2001. T
Other markings
The following makings are also placed on the
sidewall. V Maximum permissible inflation pressure
The maximum cold inflation pressure to which
this tire may be inflated. For example, “300 kpa
(44 PSI) MAX. PRESS” V Maximum load rating
The load rating at the maximum permissible
weight load for this tire. For example, “MAX.
LOAD 730 kg (1609 LBS) @ 300 kpa (44 PSI) MAX. PRESS.”
Maximum load rating applies only to the
tire, not to the vehicle. Putting a load rated
tire on any vehicle does not mean the vehi-
cle can be loaded up to the tire’s rated
load.
V Construction type
Applicable construction of this tire.
For example, “TUBELESS STEEL BELTED RA-
DIAL” V Construction
The generic name of each cord material used in
the plies (both sidewall and tread area) of this
tire.
For example, “PLIES: TREAD 2 STEEL + 2
POLYESTER + 1 NYLON SIDEWALL 2 POLY-
ESTER” V Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
For details, refer to “Uniform tire quality grading
standards” in this chapter.

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Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
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„Recommended tire inflation pressure
T Recommended cold tire inflation pressure
Recommended cold tire inflation pressure for
your vehicle’s tires is as follows, T
Vehicle placard
The vehicle placard is affixed to the driver’s side B-pillar.
Tire size P225/60 R16 97H
Wheel size 16
× 6 1/2JJ
Pressure Front 33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm2
)
Rear 33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm 2
)
Temporary
spare tire Size T145/80R16 Pres- sure60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2
)
UB8053BA

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Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Example:
The vehicle placard shows original tire size, rec-
ommended cold tire inflation pressure on each
tire at maximum loaded vehicle weight, seating
capacity and loading information. T
Adverse safety consequences of under-in-
flation
Driving at high speeds with excessively low tire
pressures can cause the tires to flex severely
and to rapidly become hot. A sharp increase in
temperature could cause tread separation, and
failure of the tire(s). Possible resulting loss of ve- hicle control could lead to an accident. T
Measuring and adjusting air pressure to
achieve proper inflation
Check and, if necessary, adjust the pressure of
each tire (including the spare) at least once a
month and before any long journey. Check the
tire pressures when the tires are cold. Use a
pressure gauge to adjust the tire pressures to the
specific values. Driving even a short distance
warms up the tires and increases the tire pres-
sures. Also, the tire pressures are affected by the
outside temperature. It is best to check tire pres-
sure outdoors before driving the vehicle. When a
tire becomes warm, the air inside it expands,
causing the tire pressure to increase. Be careful
not to mistakenly release air from a warm tire to
reduce its pressure. „ Glossary of tire terminology
y Cold tire pressure
The pressure in a tire that has been driven less
than 1 mile or has been standing for three hours
or more. y Maximum inflation pressure
TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION
SEE OWNER’S
MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
SEATING CAPACITY
ORIGINAL TIRE SIZE
COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE
COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE
FRONT REAR 230 kPa,33 PSI 230 kPa,33 PSI
420 kPa,60 PSI
COMPACT SPARE TIRE
T145/80R16
P225/60R16
The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 363kg or 800 lbs.
TOTAL 4 FRONT 2 REAR 2
UBD004AA

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Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
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The maximum cold inflation pressure to which a
tire may be inflated. yRecommended inflation pressure
The cold inflation pressure recommended by a
vehicle manufacturer. y Intended outboard sidewall
1)The sidewall that contains a whitewall, bears
white lettering or bears manufacturer, brand,
and/or model name molding that is higher or
deeper than the same molding on the other
sidewall of the tire, or
2)The outward facing sidewall of an asymmet-
rical tire that has a particular side that must al-
ways face outward when mounting on a vehi-
cle.
y Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those stan-
dard items which may be replaced) of floor mats,
leather seats, cross bars and cargo bed extender
to the extent that these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether installed or
not). y Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with standard
equipment including the maximum capacity of fu- el, oil, and coolant and air conditioning.y
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight, vehi-
cle capacity weight and production options weight. y Normal occupant weight
150 lbs (68 kg) times the number of occupants (2
occupants). y Occupant distribution
Distribution of occupants in a vehicle, 2 in front. y Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed regular
production options weighing over 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg)
in excess of those standards items which they
replace, not previously considered in curb weight
or accessory weight. y Vehicle capacity weight
The total weight of cargo, luggage and occu-
pants that can be added to the vehicle. y Vehicle maximum load on a tire
Load on an individual tire that is determined by
distributing to each axle its share of the maxi-
mum loaded vehicle weight and dividing by two. y Vehicle normal load on a tire
Load on an individual tire that is determined by