
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
9

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

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

Engine Temperature Warning............ 135
Fog .............................100,134
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 230
Headlight Switch...................... 99
Headlights........................99,276
Headlights On With Wipers...........99,103
High Beam.......................... 101
High Beam Indicator................... 138
Illuminated Entry...................... 15
Instrument Cluster..................... 99
Interior.............................. 97
License............................. 281
Lights On Reminder................... 100
Malfunction Indicator.................. 139
Oil Pressure......................... 134
Reading............................ 114
Seat Belt Reminder.................... 138
Service..........................275,276
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . 139
Turn Signal........................98,100
Voltage............................. 139
Loading Vehicle.....................225,226
Capacities........................... 226Tires ............................... 204
Locks
Door............................... 15
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH).............................. 52
Lubrication, Body....................... 256
Lumbar Support........................ 89
Maintenance Free Battery................. 253
Maintenance Procedures.................. 247
Maintenance Schedule................... 284
ScheduleA......................... 294
ScheduleB......................... 287
Malfunction Indicator Light............139,245
Manual, Service........................ 303
Memory Feature (Memory Seat)............. 90
Memory Seat........................... 90
Mini-Trip Computer..................... 142
Mirrors............................... 63
Automatic Dimming.................... 63
Electric Remote....................... 64
Exterior Folding....................... 64
Heated.............................. 65
314 INDEX

Seat Belts.............................. 28
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage...... 31
And Pregnant Women.................. 33
Child Restraint....................48,49,54
Extender............................ 34
Front Seat............................ 29
Operating Instructions.................. 29
Pretensioners......................... 32
Reminder........................... 138
Seats................................. 87
Glide-To-Exit......................... 92
Heated.............................. 89
Lumbar Support....................... 89
Memory............................. 90
Power.............................. 87
Rear Folding......................... 93
Reclining............................ 88
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)............... 21
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze).........259,282
Selection of Oil........................ 249
Sentry Key............................ 12
Service Assistance...................... 300
Service Contract........................ 302Service Engine Soon Light (Malfunction
Indicator)............................. 139
Service Manuals........................ 303
Setting the Clock....................151,153
Settings, Personal....................... 147
Shift Speeds........................... 185
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage............. 31
Side Airbag............................ 43
Signals, Turn.......................... 134
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............. 237
Snow Chains (Tire Chains)................ 217
Snow Tires............................ 218
Spark Plugs........................... 250
Speed Control......................... 111
Speedometer.......................... 134
Starting.............................. 183
Engine Fails to Start................... 184
Starting and Operating................... 183
Steering
Linkage............................ 256
Power...........................198,255
Tilt Column......................... 106
Wheel, Tilt.......................... 106
INDEX 317
10

Towing Vehicle Behind a Motor Home....... 228
Traction Control........................ 107
Traction Control Switch.................. 107
Trailer Towing......................... 228
Transmission.......................... 265
Automatic........................185,265
Fluid.............................. 282
Shifting............................ 185
Transmitter Battery Service................ 21
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener........... 114
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry........... 18
Transporting Pets........................ 55
Tread Wear Indicators................... 212
Trip Odometer Reset Button............... 138
Trunk Release, Emergency................. 27
Trunk Release Remote Control.............. 25
Turn Signals........................100,134
Uniform Tire Quality Grades.............. 305
Universal Transmitter.................... 114
Unleaded Gasoline...................... 220
Vanity Mirrors.......................... 65Variance, Compass...................... 144
Vehicle Certification Label................ 225
Vehicle Identification Number............... 6
Vehicle Loading..................205,225,226
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations............ 7
Vehicle Storage......................179,275
Vehicle Theft Alarm...................... 21
Video Entertainment System............... 163
Viscosity, Engine Oil..................... 249
Warning Flasher, Hazard................. 230
Warnings and Cautions.................... 6
Warranty Information.................... 302
Washer, Adding Fluid..............104,105,257
Washers, Headlight..................... 104
Washers, Windshield.................... 102
Washing Vehicle........................ 267
Wheel Alignment and Balance............. 214
Wheel and Wheel Trim................... 268
Wheel Bearings........................ 266
Wind Buffeting......................25,122
Window Airbag.......................35,43
Window Fogging....................... 179
INDEX 319
10