4. R: The ªRº stands for radial.
5. Two-digit number (15): This number
is the wheel or rim diameter in
inches.
6. Two- or three-digit number (95): This
number is the tire's load index. It is
a measurement of how much weight
each tire can support. You may not
find this information on all tires be-
cause it is not required by law.
7. H: Tire speed rating. You should not
drive the vehicle faster than the tire
speed rating.
q 2
TIN (Tire Identification Number) for a
new tire (example: DOT XX XX XXX
XXXX)
1. DOT: Abbreviation for the ªDepart-
ment of Transportationº. The
symbol can be placed above,
below or to the left or right of
the Tire Identification Number.
2. Two-digit code: Manufacturer's iden-
tification mark
3. Two-digit code: Tire size 4. Three-digit code: Tire type code (Op-
tional)
5. Three-digit code: Date of Manufac-
ture
6. Four numbers represent the week
and year the tire was built. For ex-
ample, the numbers 3103 mean the
31st week of 2003. If these numbers
are missing, then look on the other
sidewall of the tire.
q 3
Tire ply composition and material
The number of layers or plies of
rubber-coated fabric in the tire. Tire
manufacturers also must indicate
the materials in the tire, which in-
clude steel, nylon, polyester, and
others.
q 4
Maximum permissible inflation pres-
sure
This number is the greatest amount
of air pressure that should be put in
the tire. Do not exceed the
maximum permissible inflation pres-
sure. SDI1607
Example
8-42 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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mends the use of SNOW or ALL SEASON
tires on all four wheels.
Snow tires If snow tires are needed, it is necessary
to select tires equivalent in size and load
rating to the original equipment tires. If
you do not, it can adversely affect the
safety and handling of your vehicle.
Generally, snow tires will have lower
speed ratings than factory equipped tires
and may not match the potential
maximum vehicle speed. Never exceed
the maximum speed rating of the tire.
If you operate your vehicle in snowy or icy
conditions, INFINITI recommends the use
of snow or all season tires on all four
wheels.
For additional traction on icy roads, stud-
ded tires may be used. However, some
provinces and states prohibit their use.
Check local, state and provincial laws be-
fore installing studded tires. Skid and
traction capabilities of studded snow
tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow
tires. All-wheel drive (AWD) models
CAUTION O Always use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted or
radial), and tread pattern on all four
wheels. Failure to do so may result in a
circumference difference between tires
on the front and rear axles which will
cause excessive tire wear and may
damage the transmission, transfer case
and differential gears.
O ONLY use spare tires specified for the
AWD model.
If excessive tire wear is found, it is recom-
mended that all four tires be replaced
with tires of the same size, brand, con-
struction and tread pattern. The tire pres-
sure and wheel alignment should also be
checked and corrected as necessary. Con-
tact an INFINITI dealer.
Tire chains must be installed only on the
rear wheels and not on the front wheels.
Do not drive with tire chains on paved
roads which are clear of snow. Driving with chains in such conditions can cause
damage to the various mechanisms of the
vehicle due to some overstress.
TIRE CHAINS Use of tire chains may be prohibited ac-
cording to location. Check the local laws
before installing tire chains. When install-
ing tire chains, make sure they are the
proper size for the tires on your vehicle
and are installed according to the chain
manufacturer's suggestions. Use only SAE
class ªSº chains. Class ªSº chains are
used on vehicles with restricted tire to ve-
hicle clearance. Vehicles that can use
Class ªSº chains are designed to meet
the minimum clearances between the tire
and the closest vehicle suspension or
body component required to accommo-
date the use of a winter traction device
(tire chains or cables). The minimum
clearances are determined using the fac-
tory equipped tires. Other types may
damage your vehicle. Use chain ten-
sioners when recommended by the tire
chain manufacturer to ensure a tight fit.
Loose end links of the tire chain must be
secured or removed to prevent the possi-
bility of whipping action damage to the
fenders or underbody. If possible, avoid
fully loading your vehicle when using tire
chains. In addition, drive at a reduced
8-44 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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