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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These 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 a 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 Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and
C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade is based on braking (straight-
ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering
(turning) performance.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 305
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Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (highest), B, and C, repre-
senting 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 passen-
ger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
306 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE
Page 307 of 320
Page 308 of 320

ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) System............. 195
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 259
Adding Fuel.......................... 224
Adding Washer Fluid..............104,105,257
Additives, Fuel........................ 222
Adjustable Pedals....................... 94
Air Conditioner Maintenance.............. 254
Air Conditioning Filter................179,255
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips........... 180
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............. 255
Air Pressure, Tires...................... 209
Airbag................................ 35
Airbag Deployment....................39,45
Airbag Light....................40,47,57,135
Airbag Maintenance...................... 46
Airbag, Side........................... 43
Airbag, Window......................35,43
Alarm System.......................... 21
Alignment and Balance.................. 214
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............ 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio.................. 167
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............259,281
Disposal............................ 260Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............. 195
Anti-Lock Warning Light................. 135
Anti-Theft Security Alarm................. 21
Appearance Care....................... 266
Auto Down Power Windows............... 23
Auto Up Power Windows................. 24
Automatic Dimming Mirror................ 63
Automatic Door Locks.................... 17
Automatic Headlights.................... 99
Automatic Temperature Control............ 173
Automatic Transmission............185,265,266
Adding Fluid.....................266,282
Fluid and Filter Changes................ 266
Fluid Change........................ 266
Fluid Level Check..................... 265
Fluid Type.......................... 282
Autostick..........................187,192
Ball Joints............................ 256
Battery............................... 253
Jump Starting........................ 235
Keyless Transmitter Replacement.......... 21
Location.........................236,253
308 INDEX
Page 309 of 320

Bearings.............................. 266
Belts, Drive........................... 250
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 256
B-Pillar Location....................... 204
Brake Assist System..................... 108
Brake, Parking......................... 194
Brake System.......................195,262
Anti-Lock........................... 195
Fluid Check......................264,282
Hoses.............................. 263
Warning Light....................... 136
Brake/Transmission Interlock.............. 192
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 56
Bulb Replacement...................... 276
Bulbs, Light........................... 275
Calibration, Compass.................... 144
Capacities, Fluid....................... 281
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 224
Radiator (Coolant Pressure).............. 260
Car Washes........................... 267
Carbon Monoxide Warning.............56,223Cargo Tie-Downs....................... 126
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 171
Catalytic Converter..................... 251
CD Player............................ 152
Cellular Phone.......................... 66
Chains, Tire........................... 217
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 201
Child Restraint...................48,50,52,54
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 52
Child Safety Locks....................... 17
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 221
Climate Control........................ 173
Clock.............................151,153
Compact Disc Maintenance............... 172
Compass............................. 143
Compass Calibration.................... 144
Compass Variance...................... 144
Computer, Trip/Travel................... 142
Console.............................. 126
Console, Floor......................... 126
Console, Overhead...................... 113
Contract, Service....................... 302
Coolant Pressure Cap.................... 260
INDEX 309
10
Page 310 of 320

Cooling System........................ 258
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 259
Coolant Capacity..................... 281
Coolant Level.....................258,261
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 260
Drain, Flush, and Refill................. 258
Inspection........................... 261
Points to Remember................... 261
Pressure Cap........................ 260
Radiator Cap........................ 260
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)....259,281,282
Cruise Control (Speed Control)............. 111
Cup Holder........................125,270
Customer Assistance.................... 300
Data Recorder, Event..................... 47
Dealer Service......................... 246
Defroster, Windshield..................57,177
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers............... 103
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 244
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................ 101
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............. 260Door Locks............................ 15
Door Locks, Automatic................... 17
Door Opener, Garage.................... 114
Drive Belts............................ 250
Driver’s Seat Glide Feature................ 92
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 237
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System).... 163
Electric Remote Mirrors................... 64
Electrical Power Outlets.................. 122
Electronic Speed Control.................. 111
Electronic Stability Program............... 109
Electronic Vehicle Information Center........ 140
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............. 238
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 230
Jump Starting........................ 235
Overheating......................... 230
Towing............................. 239
Emission Control System Maintenance....245,284
Engine............................... 243
Air Cleaner.......................... 251
310 INDEX
Page 311 of 320

Air Cleaner Filter..................... 251
Break-In Recommendations............... 56
Checking Oil Level.................... 247
Compartment........................ 243
Coolant (Antifreeze)................258,282
Cooling............................ 258
Exhaust Gas Caution................56,223
Fails to Start......................... 184
Fuel Requirements.................220,281
Oil ..........................247,281,282
Oil Change Interval................... 248
Oil Selection......................249,281
Overheating......................... 230
Temperature Gauge................... 137
Engine Oil Viscosity..................... 249
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart................ 249
Enhanced Accident Response Feature......... 46
Event Data Recorder..................... 47
Exhaust Gas Caution...............56,223,257
Exhaust System........................ 257
Exterior Folding Mirrors.................. 64Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 251
Air Conditioning..................179,255
Engine Fuel......................... 251
Engine Oil.......................250,282
Engine Oil Disposal................... 250
Flashers
Hazard Warning...................... 230
Turn Signal.......................... 134
Flash-To-Pass.......................... 101
Floor Console.......................... 126
Fluid Capacities........................ 281
Fluid Leaks............................ 58
Fluid Level Checks
Brake.............................. 264
Cooling System....................... 258
Engine Oil.......................... 247
Power Steering....................... 255
Fluids............................... 282
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts........ 282
Fog Lights.........................100,134
Folding Rear Seat....................... 93
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................. 238
INDEX 311
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Page 312 of 320

Fuel................................. 220
Adding............................. 224
Additives........................... 222
Clean Air........................... 221
Filler Cap........................... 224
Filter.............................. 251
Gasoline............................ 220
Gauge............................. 138
Hoses.............................. 265
Octane Rating........................ 282
Requirements.....................220,281
Tank Capacity........................ 281
Fueling.............................. 224
Fuses................................ 270
Garage Door Opener.................... 114
GasCap .............................. 224
Gasoline............................. 220
Gasoline, Clean Air..................... 221
Gasoline, Reformulated.................. 221
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................. 137
Fuel............................... 138Speedometer......................... 134
Tachometer.......................... 134
General Information..............15,20,216,219
Glass Cleaning......................... 269
Gross Axle Weight Rating................. 226
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating............... 226
Ground Clearance...................... 220
Hands-Free Phone....................... 66
Hazard Warning Flasher.................. 230
Head Restraints......................... 93
Headlight Washers...................104,257
Headlights............................ 276
High Beam.......................... 101
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch...... 101
On With Wipers....................99,103
Passing............................. 101
Switch............................98,99
Time Delay.......................... 100
Washers.........................104,257
Heated Seats........................... 89
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . 101
Holder, Cup........................... 125
312 INDEX