When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 347
Buying New Tires...................................... 347
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 349
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 350
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 351
Wheel Replacement.................................. 352
Tire Chains............................................... 353
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 354
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 355
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools.......... 356
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire....................................... 359
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...... 365
Compact Spare Tire.................................. 369
Appearance Care........................................ 370
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 370
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 371
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces..................................... 372
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 373
Weatherstrips............................................ 373
Washing Your Vehicle............................... 373
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 374Finish Care............................................... 374
Windshield and Wiper Blades.................... 375
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels......... 375
Tires......................................................... 376
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 376
Finish Damage.......................................... 377
Underbody Maintenance............................ 377
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 377
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 378
Vehicle Identi cation.................................. 379
Vehicle Identi cation Number (VIN)........... 379
Service Parts Identi cation Label............... 379
Electrical System........................................ 380
Add-On Electrical Equipment..................... 380
Headlamp Wiring....................................... 380
Windshield Wiper Fuses............................ 380
Power Windows and Other Power
Options.................................................. 380
Fuses and Circuit Breakers....................... 381
Floor Console Fuse Block......................... 381
Engine Compartment Fuse Block............... 383
Capacities and Speci cations.................... 386
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
288 
(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates
the tire section width in millimeters from sidewall
to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that
indicates the tire height-to-width measurements.
For example, if the tire size aspect ratio is
60, as shown in item C of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire’s sidewall is 60 percent as
high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire.
The letter R means radial ply construction;
the letter D means diagonal or bias ply
construction; and the letter B means belted-bias
ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in
inches.(F) Service Description:These characters
represent the load range and speed rating of the
tire. The load index represents the load carry
capacity a tire is certi ed to carry. The load index
can range from 1 to 279. The speed rating is
the maximum speed a tire is certi ed to carry a
load. Speed ratings range from A to Z.
Tire Terminology and De nitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire
pressing outward on each square inch of the
tire. Air pressure is expressed in pounds
per square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined
weight of optional accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are, automatic
transmission/transaxle, power steering, power
brakes, power windows, power seats, and
air conditioning.
340