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 AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 305
9
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing 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
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
306 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............. 186
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 257
Adding Fuel.......................... 214
Adding Washer Fluid..................82,102
Additives, Fuel........................ 212
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . 251
Air Conditioner Maintenance.............. 253
Air Conditioning Controls................ 164
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips........... 168
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............. 253
Air Conditioning System..............164,253
Air Pressure, Tires...................... 199
Airbag................................ 39
Airbag Deployment...................... 48
Airbag Light......................50,61,112
Airbag Maintenance...................... 50
Airbag, Side........................... 47
Alarm System (Security Alarm)..........24,112
Alignment and Balance.................. 205
All Wheel Drive (AWD).................. 183
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............ 6
Antenna, Satellite Radio.................. 161
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant).........256,278,279Capacities........................... 278
Disposal............................ 258
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)...........86,186
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)...... 24
Appearance Care....................... 265
Automatic Door Locks..................16,17
Automatic Transaxle...........9,174,176,229,263
Fluid Level Check..................... 263
Interlock System....................14,177
Overheating......................... 229
Selection Of Lubricant................. 263
Shifting............................ 177
Special Additives..................... 264
Autostick............................. 179
Ball Joints............................ 254
Battery............................... 251
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)..... 23
Belts, Drive........................... 249
Beverage Cooler........................ 103
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 254
B-Pillar Location....................... 194
Brake Assist System...................... 87
308 INDEX
Latches
Hood............................... 76
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 211
Life of Tires........................... 204
Liftgate (Sedan)......................... 26
Liftgate Window Wiper/Washer............ 101
Light Bulbs........................... 272
Lights..............................61,77
Airbag.........................50,61,112
Back-Up............................ 274
Brake Warning....................... 117
Bulb Replacement..................... 273
Cargo ............................... 96
Center Mounted Stop.................. 277
Daytime Running...................... 78
Dimmer Switch, Headlight............... 77
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . 88
Engine Temperature Warning............ 113
Fog ...........................79,116,273
Headlight Switch...................... 78
Headlights........................... 78
High Beam Indicator................... 117
Instrument Cluster..................... 78License............................. 276
Lights On Reminder.................... 79
Low Fuel........................... 112
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)...... 114
Map Reading......................... 77
Oil Pressure......................... 112
Rear Fog............................ 119
Seat Belt Reminder.................... 112
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)............. 25
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)............ 112
Traction Control....................... 88
Turn Signal...................77,79,116,274
Voltage............................. 112
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 111
Loading Vehicle........................ 217
Tires ............................... 194
Locks
Child Protection....................... 18
Door............................... 14
Power Door.......................... 15
Steering Wheel........................ 13
Lubrication, Body....................... 254
Luggage Rack (Roof Rack)................ 102
314 INDEX
Onboard Diagnostic System............242,243
Operator Manual (Owner's Manual).......... 4
Outside Air Intake...................... 169
Overdrive............................ 178
Overheating, Engine..................... 228
Owner's Manual (Operator Manual).......4,303
Paint Care............................ 265
Panic Alarm........................... 21
Parking Brake......................... 183
Passing Light........................... 80
Personal Settings....................... 122
Pets.................................. 59
Placard, Tire and Loading Information....... 194
Power
Distribution Center (Fuses).............. 269
Door Locks.......................... 15
Mirrors............................. 67
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet)......... 93
Steering.........................188,253
Steering, Checking.................... 253
Sunroof............................. 91
Transfer Unit........................ 265Windows............................ 27
Power Steering Fluid.................... 280
Power Transfer Unit..................... 265
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts............. 38
Preparation for Jacking................... 231
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................ 37
Programmable Electronic Features.......... 122
Programming Transmitters (Remote Keyless
Entry)................................ 22
Radial Ply Tires........................ 201
Radio Broadcast Signals.................. 127
Radio Operation...............129,136,147,163
Radio, Satellite......................... 158
Radio (Sound Systems).............129,136,147
Rear Axle (Differential)................... 264
Rear Drive Assembly.................... 264
Rear Fog Lights........................ 119
Rear Liftgate (Sedan)..................... 26
Rear Seat, Folding....................... 74
Rear Window Defroster.................. 102
Rear Window Features................... 101
316 INDEX
Rear Wiper/Washer..................... 101
Recorder, Event Data..................... 50
Recreational Towing..................... 226
Refrigerant............................ 253
Reminder, Seat Belt...................... 37
Remote Control
Door Locks.......................... 19
Panic Alarm.......................... 21
Security Alarm........................ 24
Remote Keyless Entry (Sedan).............. 19
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls...... 161
Replacement Bulbs...................... 272
Replacement Keys....................... 12
Replacement Parts...................... 244
Replacement Tires...................... 204
Reporting Safety Defects................. 303
Restraints, Child......................52,57
Restraints, Infant........................ 52
Retractable Cargo Area Cover.............. 98
Roof Rack (Luggage Rack)................ 102
Rotation, Tires......................... 210
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle............... 60Safety Checks Outside Vehicle.............. 61
Safety Defects, Reporting................. 303
Safety Information, Tire.................. 189
Safety Tips............................. 60
Satellite Radio......................... 158
Satellite Radio Antenna.................. 161
Schedule, Maintenance................... 282
Seat Belt Maintenance................... 269
Seat Belt Reminder...................... 37
Seat Belts
Adjustable Shoulder Belt................ 34
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage...... 34
And Pregnant Women.................. 38
Child Restraint........................ 52
Front Seat............................ 30
Pretensioners......................... 37
Rear Seat............................ 30
Reminder........................... 112
Untwisting Procedure................... 37
Seat Belts (Sedan)....................... 29
Seats................................. 69
Adjustment.......................... 69
Head Restraints....................... 72
INDEX 317
10
Heated.............................. 72
Lumbar Support....................... 71
Rear Folding......................... 74
Rear Folding (Sedan)................... 74
Seatback Release....................... 71
Tilting.............................. 71
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)............... 24
Sentry Key (Immobilizer)................ 11,25
Sentry Key Programming.................. 12
Service and Maintenance................. 282
Service Assistance...................... 300
Service Contract........................ 302
Service Manuals........................ 303
Setting the Clock..............129,131,137,148
Settings, Personal....................... 122
Shift Speeds, Manual Transaxle............ 181
Shoulder Belts.......................... 30
Side Airbag............................ 47
Side Window Demisters (Defrosters)......... 169
Signals, Turn.......................... 274
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............. 236
Snow Tires............................ 209
Spare Tire.......................201,202,230Spark Plugs........................... 249
Speed Control (Cruise Control)...........83,115
Speedometer.......................... 111
Speedometer and Odometer............... 109
Starting.............................. 174
Automatic Transmission................ 174
Engine Fails to Start................... 175
Manual Transmission.................. 174
Starting Procedures..................... 174
Steering
Power...........................188,253
Tilt Column.......................... 82
Wheel Lock.......................... 13
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls............................ 161
Storage.............................. 272
Stuck, Freeing......................... 237
Sun Roof.............................. 91
Sun Visor Extension...................... 69
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag....... 39
Synthetic Engine Oil..................... 247
Tachometer............................ 111
318 INDEX
Taillights............................. 274
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant...... 111,229
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint.............. 56
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)............... 24
Theft System (Security Alarm).............. 24
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo................... 99
Tilt Steering Column..................... 82
Tire and Loading Information Placard....... 194
Tire Identification Number (TIN)........... 193
Tire Markings......................... 189
Tire Safety Information................... 189
Tires ...........................61,198,305
Aging (Life of Tires)................... 204
Air Pressure......................... 198
Alignment.......................... 205
Chains............................. 209
Changing........................... 230
Compact Spare....................... 201
Flat Changing........................ 233
General Information................... 198
High Speed......................... 200
Inflation Pressures.................... 199
Jacking............................. 230Life of Tires......................... 204
Load Capacity....................194,195
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)......... 206
Quality Grading...................... 305
Radial............................. 201
Replacement......................... 204
Rotation............................ 210
Safety...........................189,198
Sizes............................... 191
Snow Tires.......................... 209
Spare Tire........................... 230
Spinning............................ 202
Tread Wear Indicators.................. 203
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight............. 221
Towing.............................. 217
Disabled Vehicle...................... 238
Guide.............................. 220
Recreational......................... 226
Weight............................. 220
Traction.............................. 236
Trailer Towing......................... 217
Cooling System Tips................... 226
Hitches............................. 219
INDEX 319
10