Page 173 of 302

Life of Tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying
factors including but not limited to:
•Driving style
•Tire pressure
•Distance driven
WARNING!
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after six
years, regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to
follow this warning can result in sudden tire failure.
You could lose control and have an accident result-
ing in serious injury or death.
Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little
exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for
wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu-
facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva-
lent to the originals in size, quality and performance
when replacement is needed (see the paragraph on tread
wear indicators). Refer to the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion placard for the size designation of your tire. The
service description and load identification will be found
on the original equipment tire. Failure to use equivalent
replacement tires may adversely affect the safety, han-
dling, and ride of your vehicle. We recommend that you
contact your original equipment or an authorized tire
dealer with any questions you may have on tire specifi-
cations or capability.
STARTING AND OPERATING 173
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•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in
P for Park. With a manual transmission, shift the
transmission into reverse. Always, block orchockthe
trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).Towing Requirements — Tires
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to the
Tires–General Information section of this manual on
Tire Pressures for proper tire inflation procedures.
Also, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to the Tires–General
Information section of this manual on Tread Wear
Indicators for the proper inspection procedure.
When replacing tires refer to the Tires–General Infor-
mation section of this manual on Replacement Tires for
proper tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires
with a higher load carrying capacity will not increase
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limits.
STARTING AND OPERATING 191
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Page 200 of 302
Preparations for Jacking
Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, avoid ice or
slippery areas, and set the parking brake. Place the gear
selector in PARK.
•Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher, park vehicle on
firm, level surface.
•Put gear shift in park (automatic transmission) or
reverse (manual transmission).
•Set parking brake and turn off engine.
•Passengers should not remain in the vehicle while the
vehicle is being jacked.
Changing a Tire
The spare wheel, scissors jack, and lug wrench are
stowed under the spare tire cover in the rear cargo area.
Do not attempt to raise this vehicle using a bumper jack.
200 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
Page 201 of 302
1. Block wheel diagonally op-
posite flat tire.
2. Remove the spare tire, scissors jack and lug wrench
from stowage.
3. Before raising the vehicle, use lug wrench to carefully
pry off wheel cover (if equipped with steel wheels) or
center cap (if equipped with aluminum wheels). Loosen,
but do not remove, the wheel nuts by turning them
counterclockwise one turn while the wheel is still on the
ground.
WARNING!
To avoid possible personal injury, handle the wheel
covers with care to avoid contact with the metal
edges and retention teeth.
4. Turn the jack screw clockwise to firmly engage the jack
saddle with the lift area of the sill flange. Use the lift area
closest to the flat tire
5. Raise the vehicle just enough to remove flat tire and
install spare tire.
Center Cap Removal
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 201
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WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle less stable. It could slip off the jack and
hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough
to remove the tire.
6. Remove lug nuts and tire.
7. Mount spare tire.
8. Tighten all lug nuts on mounting studs.
9. Lower the vehicle to the ground by turning the jack
handle counterclockwise.
10. Fully tighten the lug nuts. Torque wheel lug nuts to
100 ft. lbs. (135 N·m).
11. Store the flat tire, jack, and tools.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided.
12. Wheel cover installation (if required). Do not attempt
to install a wheel cover on a compact spare. align valve
notch in wheel cover with valve stem on wheel. Snap
cover into place.
NOTE:When reinstalling the center cap it is necessary
to align the center cap notch with the first spoke, just
right of the valve stem.
13. Adjust the tire pressure as soon as possible. Correct
pressure is on the label located on the driver’s door.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 203
6
Page 290 of 302

Changing A Flat Tire.................... 199
Charging System Light................... 90
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 160
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light).............. 216
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............ 43
Child Restraint...................34,36,39,40
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 39
Cigar Lighter........................... 99
Circuit Breakers........................ 248
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 178
Cleaning
Glass.............................. 245
Headlights.......................... 244
Instrument Panel..................... 245
WoodTrim .......................... 245
Climate Control........................ 129
Clock................................. 99
Coin Holder........................... 55
Compact Disc (CD) Changer.............. 120
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance........... 128
Compact Disc (CD) Player.............100,105
Compact Spare Tire..................... 170Compass.............................. 95
Compass Calibration..................... 96
Console............................... 55
Console, Floor.......................... 55
Contract, Service....................... 282
Convertible............................ 47
Convertible Boot........................ 50
Convertible Top......................... 47
Convertible Top Maintenance.............. 246
Coolant Pressure Cap.................... 234
Cooling System........................ 232
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 233
Coolant Capacity..................... 257
Coolant Level.....................232,235
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 234
Drain, Flush, and Refill................. 232
Inspection........................... 232
Points to Remember................... 235
Pressure Cap........................ 234
Radiator Cap........................ 234
Rubber and Plastic Components.......... 236
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)....233,257,258
Corrosion Protection.................... 241
290 INDEX
Page 299 of 302

Service Manuals........................ 283
Setting the Clock........................ 99
Side Window Demisters (Defrosters)......134,139
Signals, Turn........................... 90
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............. 207
Snow Tires............................ 175
Spare Tire.........................170,171
Spark Plugs........................... 222
Speed Control (Cruise Control)...........72,89
Speedometer........................... 90
Starting.............................. 146
Cold Weather........................ 147
Engine Fails to Start................... 148
Starting and Operating................... 146
Steering
Power...........................157,227
Tilt Column.......................... 70
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls............................ 126
Storage.............................. 250
Storage, Vehicle........................ 250
Storing Your Vehicle..................... 250
Stuck, Freeing......................... 208Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag....... 29
System, Navigation..................... 120
Tachometer............................ 90
Tape Player........................... 127
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC)....... 129
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......91,199
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)............... 19
Theft System (Security Alarm).............. 19
Tilt Steering Column..................... 70
Time Delay, Headlight.................... 69
Tire and Loading Information Placard....... 163
Tire Identification Number (TIN)........... 162
Tire Markings......................... 158
Tire Safety Information................... 158
Tires ...........................44,167,284
Aging (Life of Tires)................... 173
Air Pressure......................... 167
Alignment.......................... 174
Chains............................. 175
Changing........................199,200
Compact Spare....................... 170
Flat Changing.....................199,200
INDEX 299
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