
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That
will clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift
back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward
gear, or with a manual transaxle, between FIRST (1) or
SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R), spinning the wheels
as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while
you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning your
wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you
will cause a rocking motion that may free your vehicle. If
that does not get you out after a few tries, you may
need to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out,
seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-33.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the Maximum
Load weight and includes the weight of all occupants,
cargo, and all nonfactory-installed options. Two labels on
your vehicle show how much weight it may properly
carry; the Tire and Loading Information label and
the Certification label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or either
the maximum front or rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on your
vehicle can break, and it can change the way
your vehicle handles. These could cause you
to lose control and crash. Also, overloading
can shorten the life of your vehicle.
4-28

After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on the tire and loading
information label. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 4-28for an example of the tire and loading
information label and where it is located on your vehicle.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened.
See “Wheel Nut Torque” underCapacities and
Specifications on page 5-88.
{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 5-64.
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.
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.
5-58

A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you would
use in a skid. In any rear blowout remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control
by steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.
{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without
the appropriate safety equipment and training.
The jack provided with your vehicle is
designed only for changing a at tire. If it is
used for anything else, you or others could be
badly injured or killed if the vehicle slips off
the jack. Use the jack provided with your
vehicle only for changing a at tire.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use the
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your
hazard warning flashers.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over or fall on you
or other people. You and they could be badly
injured or even killed. Find a level place to
change your tire. To help prevent the vehicle
from moving:
1. Set the parking brake rmly.
2. Put an automatic transaxle shift lever in
PARK (P), or shift a manual transaxle to
FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R).
CAUTION: (Continued)
5-64

CAUTION: (Continued)
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart
while the vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in the
vehicle.
To be even more certain the vehicle will not
move, you should put blocks at the front and
rear of the tire farthest away from the one
being changed. That would be the tire on the
other side, at the opposite end of the vehicle.When you have a flat tire, use the following example as
a guide to assist you in the placement of wheel
blocks.
The following information will tell you how to use the
jack and change a tire.
5-65

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The tools you will be using to change a flat tire are
shown below. Refer to your vehicle model to access the
spare tire and tools.
A. Jack
B. Wheel Wrench
C. Jack Handle
D. Screwdriver
Wagon Models
For wagon models, do the following to access the spare
tire and tools:
1. Open the liftgate. SeeLiftgate on page 2-10for
more information.
2. Fold the floor cover by pulling the handle upward.
3. Lift the floor tray.
4. Release the prop from its retainer and put the prop
into the slot.
5-66

{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the 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
the 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.
9. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces
and spare wheel.10. Place the compact spare tire on the wheel-mounting
surface.{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If
you do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel
could fall off, causing a serious accident.
11. Install the wheel nuts with the rounded end of the
nuts toward the wheel. Tighten each nut by hand
clockwise until the wheel is held against the hub.
5-71

Service (cont.)
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-37
Publications Ordering Information...................7-15
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-64
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-79
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-26
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-28
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance................ 6-6
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster...........................1-23
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change........................3-10
Spare Tire
Compact....................................................5-73
Installing....................................................5-69
Removing...................................................5-66
Storing.......................................................5-73
Specifications, Capacities.................................5-88
Speed Sensitive Power Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light.............................................3-35
Speedometer..................................................3-29
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-17
Steering........................................................4-10
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..............................6-22
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.........................3-73
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel................................. 3-9Storage Areas................................................2-34
Convenience Net.........................................2-36
Cupholder(s)...............................................2-34
Front Armrest Storage Area...........................2-35
Front Storage Area......................................2-35
Glove Box..................................................2-34
Hideaway Rear Storage Bins.........................2-37
Rear Seat Armrest.......................................2-36
Roof Rack Provisions...................................2-36
Sunglasses Storage Compartment..................2-35
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-27
Sun Visors.....................................................2-13
Sunroof.........................................................2-38
T
Tachometer....................................................3-29
Taillamps
Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps....................5-48
Turn Signal, and Stoplamps..........................5-46
Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps....5-47
TCS Warning Light..........................................3-36
Theft-Deterrent System....................................2-13
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-13
12

Throttle System Inspection...............................6-23
Tilt Adjuster, Driver Seat.................................... 1-4
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-9
Time .............................................................3-21
Tires.............................................................5-50
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning..........................5-78
Buying New Tires........................................5-59
Chains.......................................................5-63
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-64
Cleaning....................................................5-79
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-73
Different Size..............................................5-60
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-63
Inflation - Tire Pressure................................5-56
Inspection and Rotation................................5-57
Installing the Spare Tire................................5-69
Removing the Flat Tire.................................5-69
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...............5-66
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-73
Tire Sidewall Labeling..................................5-51
Tire Terminology and Definitions....................5-53
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-60
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-61
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-62
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-58Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-34
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-35
Your Vehicle...............................................4-33
Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-9
Control System Warning Light.......................3-36
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-19
Fluid, Manual..............................................5-19
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-20
Transaxle Operation, Manual............................2-24
Trip Odometer................................................3-29
Trunk Ajar Light..............................................3-42
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.........................3-10
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-9
U
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-74
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-60
13