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Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Consumer information and Reporting safety defectsFor U.S.A.
The following information has been compiled accord-
ing to Code of Federal Regulations “Title 49, Part
575”.
Tire information „
Tire labeling
Many markings (e.g. Tire size, Tire Identification
Number or TIN) are placed on the sidewall of a
tire by tire manufacturers. These marking can
provide you with useful information on the tire. T Tire size
Your vehicle comes equipped with P-Metric tire
size. It is important to understand the sizing sys-
tem in selecting the proper tire for your vehicles.
Here is a brief review of the tire sizing system
with a breakdown of its individual elements. V P Metric
With the P-Metric system, Section Width is mea-
sured in millimeters. To convert millimeters into
inches, divide by 25.4. The Aspect Ratio (Sec-
tion Height divided by Section Width) helps pro- vide more dimensional information about the tire
size. Example:
(1) P = Certain tire type used on light duty vehi-
cles such as passenger cars
(2) Section Width in millimeters
(3) Aspect Ratio (= section height
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Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
(2) Tire Size
(3) Tire Type Code
(4) Date of Manufacture
The first two figures identify the week, starting
with “01” to represent the
first full week of the cal-
endar year; the second two figures represent the
year. For example, 0101 means the 1st week of
2001. T Other markings
The following makings are also placed on the
sidewall. V Maximum permiss ible inflation pressure
The maximum cold inflation pressure to which
this tire may be inflat ed. For example, “300 kpa
(44 PSI) MAX. PRESS” V Maximum load rating
The load rating at the maximum permissible
weight load for this tire. For example, “MAX.
LOAD 730 kg (1609 LBS) @ 300 kpa (44 PSI) MAX. PRESS.”
Maximum load rating applies only to the
tire, not to the vehicle. Putting a load rated
tire on any vehicle does not mean the vehi-
cle can be loaded up to the tire’s rated
load.
V Construction type
Applicable construction of this tire.
For example, “TUBELESS STEEL BELTED RA-
DIAL” V Construction
The generic name of each cord material used in
the plies (both sidewall and tread area) of this
tire.
For example, “PLIES: TREAD 2 STEEL + 2
POLYESTER + 1 NYLON SIDEWALL 2 POLY-
ESTER” V Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
For details, refer to “Uniform tire quality grading
standards” in this chapter.
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– CONTINUED –
Uniform tire quality grading stan-
dards
This information indicates the relative perfor-
mance of passenger car tires in the area of
treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance.
This is to aid the consumer in making an in-
formed choice in the purchase of tires.
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The quality grades apply to new pneumatic tires
for use on passenger cars. However, they do not
apply to deep tread, winter type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires
with nominal rim diameters of 12 inches or less,
or to some limited production tires.
All passenger car tires must confirm 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 conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1-1/2) times as well on the govern-
ment 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 AA, A, B, C
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 mea-
sured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
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Index
Specifications .................................................... 12-2
Speedometer ....................................................... 3-6
Sport activity lights ................................. 6-42, 11-81
SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System
airbag) ................ ....................................... 4, 1-47
SRS airbag system monitors ............................. 1-60
SRS airbag system servicing ............................ 1-61
SRS airbag system warning light ...................... 3-11
SRS frontal airbag ............................................. 1-52
Starting the engine .............................................. 7-9
State emission testing (U.S. only) ....................... 7-6
Stopping the engine ............. ............................. 7-11
Storage compartment .......................................... 6-4
Sun shades ....................................................... 2-37
Sun visors ........................................................... 6-3
Supplemental Restraint System airbag
(SRS) ......................................................... 4, 1-47
Switchback door ................................................ 2-32
Switchback door indicator li ght ................. 2-35, 3-15
Synthetic leather upholstery .............................. 10-7
T
Tachometer ......................................................... 3-8
Tail light ........................................................... 11-74
Tailgate ............................................................. 2-28
Temperature gauge ................. ............................ 3-9
Temporary spare tire ......................................... 9-10 Tie-down hooks ................................................. 9-23
Tilt steering wheel ............................................. 3-34Tire
Chains .......................................................... 8-16
Information ..................... .............................. 13-2
Inspection ....................... ............................ 11-47
Pressures and wear ................................... 11-47
Replacement .............................................. 11-51
Rotation ...................................................... 11-51
Tires .................................................................. 12-4
Types .......................................................... 11-46
Tires and wheels ...... ....................................... 11-46
Top tether anchorages ...................................... 1-40
Towing ............................................................... 9-22
All wheels on the ground ... ........................... 9-27
Flat-bed truck ............................................... 9-27
Hooks ........................................................... 9-23
Trailer Hitch ............................................................. 8-20
Hitches ......................................................... 8-30
Towing .......................................................... 8-25
Towing tips ................................................... 8-33
Turn signal Indicator lights .............................................. 3-17
Lever ............................................................ 3-22