Page 291 of 536

▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........339 
  Tires—General Information ................343 
▫  Tire Pressure .........................343 
▫  Tire Inflation Pressures .................344 
▫  Radial-Ply Tires ......................346 
▫  Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped .........347 
▫  Limited Use Spare — If Equipped .........348 
▫  Tire Spinning ........................348 
▫  Tread Wear Indicators ..................349 
▫  Life Of Tire .........................350 
▫  Replacement Tires .....................350 
▫  Alignment And Balance .................351   
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information – 
If Equipped  ...........................352 
  Tire Chains ...........................352 
  Snow Tires ...........................354 
  Tire Rotation Recommendations ............354 
▫  Dual Rear Wheels .....................355 
  Fuel Requirements ......................356 
▫  Reformulated Gasoline .................357 
▫  Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............358 
▫  MMT In Gasoline .....................358 
▫  Materials Added To Fuel ................359 
▫  Fuel System Cautions ..................359 
▫  Carbon Monoxide Warnings ..............360
STARTING AND OPERATING 291
5 
     
        
        Page 337 of 536

EXAMPLE: 
Service Description: 95 = Load Index 
—A numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry.
H  = Speed Symbol 
—A symbol indicating the range of speeds at which a tire can carry a load corresponding 
to its load index under certain operating conditions. 
—The maximum speed corresponding to the Speed Symbol should only be achieved un- 
der specified operating conditions. (i.e. tire pressure, vehicle loading, road conditions and
posted speed limits). 
Load Identification:  ....blank....= Absence of any text on sidewall of the tire indicates a Standard Load (SL) Tire 
Extra Load (XL)  = Extra Load (or Reinforced) Tire 
Light Load  = Light Load Tire 
C,D,E  = Load range associated with the maximum load a tire can carry at a specified pressure 
Maximum Load  — Maximum Load indicates the maximum load this tire is designed to carry. 
Maximum Pressure  — Maximum Pressure indicates the maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure for this 
tire.
STARTING AND OPERATING 337
5 
     
        
        Page 339 of 536
Tire Loading and Tire Pressure 
Tire Placard Location
NOTE: The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed 
on either the face of the driver’s door or the driver’s side
“B” pillar.
Tire and Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about 
the: 
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) the total weight your vehicle can carry
Tire Placard Location
Tire and Loading Information
STARTING AND OPERATING 339
5 
     
        
        Page 340 of 536

3) the tire size designed for your vehicle 
4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear 
and spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed 
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the “Tire and Loading
Information” placard and in the “Vehicle Loading” sec-
tion of this manual. 
NOTE: Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition, 
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR’s) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWR’s, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to the
“Vehicle Loading” section of this manual.  To determine the maximum loading conditions of your 
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The
combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here. 
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occu- 
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX pounds” on
your vehicle’s placard. 
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and 
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle. 
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas- 
sengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
340 STARTING AND OPERATING 
     
        
        Page 343 of 536

WARNING!
Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading 
can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and
increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the
recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never
overload them.
TIRES—GENERAL INFORMATION 
Tire Pressure
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and 
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire pressure: 1. Safety—
WARNING!
Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can cause 
accidents. 
• 
Under inflation increases tire flexing and can result 
in tire failure. 
•  Over inflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion 
shock. Objects on the road and chuck holes can cause
damage that results in tire failure. 
•  Unequal tire pressures can cause steering problems. 
You could lose control of your vehicle. 
•  Over inflated or under inflated tires can affect 
vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in
loss of vehicle control. 
•  Unequal tire pressures from one side of the vehicle 
to the other can cause the vehicle to drift to the right
or left. 
Always drive with each tire inflated to the recom- 
mended cold tire inflation pressure.
STARTING AND OPERATING 343
5 
     
        
        Page 344 of 536

2. Economy— 
Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear
patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal
wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a need for
earlier tire replacement. Underinflation also increases tire
rolling resistance and results in higher fuel consumption. 
3. Ride Comfort and Vehicle Stability— 
Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride.
Overinflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable ride.
Tire Inflation Pressures
The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on either
the face of the driver’s door or the driver’s side “B” pillar. 
Some vehicles may have Supplemental Tire Pressure 
Information for vehicle loads that are less than the
maximum loaded vehicle condition. These pressure con-
ditions will be found in the “Supplemental Tire Pressure
Information” section of this manual. The pressure should be checked and adjusted as well as 
inspecting for signs of tire wear or visible damage at least
once a month. Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to
check tire pressure. Do not make a visual judgement
when determining proper inflation. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they are under inflated.
Tire Placard Location
344 STARTING AND OPERATING 
     
        
        Page 345 of 536

CAUTION!
After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure, al- 
ways reinstall the valve stem cap–if equipped. This
will prevent moisture and dirt from entering the
valve stem, which could damage the valve stem.
Inflation pressures specified on the placard are always
“cold tire inflation pressure”. Cold tire inflation pressure
is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not
been driven for at least 3 hours, or driven less than 1 mile
(1 km) afte r a 3 hour period. The cold tire inflation 
pressure must not exceed the maximum inflation pres-
sure molded into the tire side wall. Check tire pressures more often if subject to a wide range 
of outdoor temperatures, as tire pressures vary with
temperature changes. 
Tire pressures change by approximately 1 psi (7 kPa) per 
12° F (7° C) of air temperature change. Keep this in mind
when checking tire pressure inside a garage, especially in
the winter. 
Example: If garage temperature = 68° F (20° C) and the 
outside temperature = 32° F (0° C) then the cold tire
inflation pressure should be increased by 3 psi (21 kPa),
which equals 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12° F (7° C) for this
outside temperature condition. 
Tire pressure may increase from 2 to 6 psi (13 to 40 kPa) 
during operation. DO NOT reduce this normal pressure
build up or your tire pressure will be too low.
STARTING AND OPERATING 345
5 
     
        
        Page 346 of 536

Tire Pressures for High Speed Operation
The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speeds 
within posted speed limits. Where speed limits or condi-
tions are such that the vehicle can be driven at high
speeds, maintaining correct tire inflation pressure is very
important. Increased tire pressure and reduced vehicle
loading may be required for high speed vehicle opera-
tion. Refer to original equipment or an authorized tire
dealer for recommended safe operating speeds, loading
and cold tire inflation pressures.
WARNING!
High speed driving with your vehicle under maxi-
mum load is dangerous. The added strain on your
tires could cause them to fail. You could have a
serious accident. Don’t drive a vehicle loaded to the
maximum capacity at continuous speeds above 75
mph (120 km/h).
Radial-Ply Tires
WARNING!
Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires
on your vehicle will cause your vehicle to handle
poorly. The instability could cause an accident. Al-
ways use radial ply tires in sets of four (or 6, in case
of trucks with dual rear wheels). Never combine
them with other types of tires.
Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in
the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your
authorized tire dealer for radial tire repairs.
346 STARTING AND OPERATING