
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 343
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.
344 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............. 211
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 289
Adding Fuel.......................... 249
Adding Washer Fluid..............104,106,285
Adjustable Pedals....................... 108
Air Cleaner, Engine
(Engine Air Cleaner Filter)................ 279
Air Conditioner Maintenance.............. 282
Air Conditioning Filter................189,283
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips........... 190
Air Conditioning Refrigerant...........282,283
Air Conditioning System..............183,282
Air Pressure, Tires...................141,230
Airbag................................ 38
Airbag Deployment.................... 42,44
Airbag Light.................... 43,46,58,137
Airbag Maintenance...................... 45
Airbag, Side........................... 43
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain)........... 38,43
Alarm (Security Alarm).................. 140
Alarm System (Security Alarm)............. 15
Alignment and Balance.................. 235
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............ 7Antenna, Satellite Radio.................. 179
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant).........288,289,313
Disposal............................ 290
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).......... 211,214
Anti-Lock Warning Light..............137,213
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)...... 15
Anti-Theft System...................... 140
Appearance Care....................... 296
Auto Down Power Windows............... 25
Auto Up Power Windows................. 26
AutomaticDimmingMirror ................ 63
Automatic Door Locks.................. 22,23
Automatic Headlights.................... 95
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)....... 183
Automatic Transaxle
Special Additives..................... 295
Automatic Transmission............203,294,295
Adding Fluid.....................295,315
Autostick ........................... 207
Fluid and Filter Changes................ 295
Fluid Change........................ 295
Fluid Level Check..................... 294
FluidType .......................... 315
346 INDEX

Shifting............................ 203
Special Additives..................... 295
Autostick ..........................205,207
BallJoints ............................ 284
Battery ............................... 281
Emergency Starting.................... 262
JumpStarting ........................ 262
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)..... 19
Location.........................263,281
Bearings.............................. 295
Belts,Drive ........................... 278
Belts, Seat............................. 30
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 284
B-Pillar Location....................... 225
Brake Assist System..................... 215
Brake Control System, Electronic........... 214
Brake, Parking......................... 210
Brake System....................... 211,292
Anti-Lock (ABS)................... 211,214
Fluid Check......................293,315
Hoses.............................. 292
Master Cylinder...................... 293Parking............................ 210
Warning Light.....................138,211
Brakes............................... 211
Brake/Transmission Interlock.............. 202
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 55
Bulb Replacement...................... 307
Bulbs,Light ........................... 307
Calibration, Compass.................... 149
Capacities, Fluid....................... 313
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 249
Oil (Engine)......................... 277
Radiator (Coolant Pressure).............. 289
Car Washes........................... 296
Carbon Monoxide Warning............. 56,248
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 181
Catalytic Converter..................... 279
CD (Compact Disc) Player................ 159
Cellular Phone.......................... 66
Chains, Tire........................... 235
Chart,TireSizing ....................... 222
INDEX 347
10

Door Locks............................ 21
Door Locks, Automatic................... 22
Door Opener, Garage.................... 116
DriveBelts ............................ 278
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 209
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System).... 174
Electric Remote Mirrors................... 64
Electrical Power Outlets.................. 124
Electronic Brake Control System............ 214
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)..... 109
Electronic Stability Program (ESP).......... 216
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light..... 141
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) . . 144
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............. 265
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 256
JumpStarting ........................ 262
Overheating......................... 256
Towing ............................. 266
Emission Control System Maintenance....273,318
Engine............................... 271Air Cleaner.......................... 279
Block Heater......................... 199
Break-In Recommendations............... 55
Checking Oil Level.................... 275
Compartment........................ 271
Coolant (Antifreeze)................287,314
Cooling ............................ 287
Exhaust Gas Caution................ 56,248
FailstoStart ......................... 197
Flooded, Starting..................... 197
Fuel Requirements.................246,313
Oil ..........................275,313,314
Oil Change Interval................... 276
Oil Filler Cap........................ 277
OilSelection ......................277,313
Overheating......................... 256
Temperature Gauge................... 139
Enhanced Accident Response Feature......... 45
Ethanol.............................. 247
Event Data Recorder..................... 46
Exhaust Gas Caution............. 56,57,248,286
Exhaust System...................... 56,286
ExteriorFoldingMirrors .................. 64
INDEX 349
10

ExteriorLighting ........................ 95
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 279
Air Conditioning..................189,283
Engine Fuel......................... 279
Engine Oil.......................278,314
Engine Oil Disposal................... 278
Flashers
Hazard Warning...................... 256
Turn Signal........................ 98,136
Flash-To-Pass........................... 99
Flooded Engine Starting.................. 197
Floor Console.......................... 127
Fluid Capacities........................ 313
Fluid Leaks............................ 58
Fluid Level Checks
Brake.............................. 293
Cooling System....................... 287
Engine Oil.......................... 275
Power Steering....................... 284
Fluids ............................... 314
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts........ 314FogLights .......................... 98,136
Folding Rear Seat....................... 89
FreeingAStuckVehicle .................. 265
Front Suspension Ball Joints............... 284
Front Wheel Bearings.................... 295
Fuel................................. 246
Adding............................. 249
CleanAir ........................... 246
Ethanol............................. 247
Filler Cap (Gas Cap)................... 249
Filter.............................. 279
Gasoline............................ 246
Gauge............................. 141
Hoses.............................. 292
Methanol........................... 247
OctaneRating .....................246,314
Requirements.....................246,313
Tank Capacity........................ 313
Fuel System Caution.................... 250
Fueling .............................. 249
Fuses................................ 300
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) .......... 116
350 INDEX

Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)..............249,272
Gasoline, Clean Air..................... 246
Gasoline (Fuel)........................ 246
Gasoline, Reformulated.................. 246
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................. 139
Fuel............................... 141
Speedometer......................... 136
Tachometer.......................... 137
General Information................. 15,20,245
Glass Cleaning......................... 298
GrossAxleWeightRating ................. 252
GrossVehicleWeightRating ............... 252
Ground Clearance...................... 254
GVWR............................... 252
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect™)............ 66
Hazard Warning Flasher.................. 256
Head Restraints......................... 87
Headlight Washers...................105,285
Headlights............................ 307
Cleaning............................ 298
High Beam........................... 99High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch....... 99
Lights On Reminder.................... 98
On With Wipers.................... 96,102
Passing............................. 99
Switch .............................. 95
TimeDelay ........................... 97
Washers.........................105,285
Heated Mirrors......................... 65
Heated Seats........................... 87
Heater, Engine Block.................... 199
High Beam/Low Beam Select
(Dimmer) Switch........................ 99
Holder,Cup ........................... 126
HomeLink
(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter.......... 116
Hood Release.......................... 93
Hoses............................291,292
Ignition............................... 11
Key ................................ 11
Ignition Key Removal.................... 11
IlluminatedEntry ....................... 17
Immobilizer (Sentry Key).................. 12
INDEX 351
10

Infant Restraint....................... 47,48
Inflation Pressure Tires................... 141
Information Center, Vehicle............... 144
Instrument Cluster...................135,136
Instrument Panel and Controls............. 134
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............ 299
Interior Appearance Care................. 298
Interior Fuses.......................... 300
InteriorLights ......................... 100
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers)......... 101
Introduction............................ 4
Jump Starting......................... 262
Key, Programming....................... 14
Key, Replacement....................... 13
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer).................. 12
Key-In Reminder........................ 12
Keyless Entry System..................... 17
Keys................................. 11
Knee Bolster........................... 38
Lane Change and Turn Signals.............. 98Lap/Shoulder Belts...................... 30
LATCH
(Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) . . . 50,52
LatchPlate ............................ 31
Latches............................... 58
Hood............................... 93
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 246
LifeofTires ........................... 233
Lights .............................. 58,95
Airbag ....................... 43,46,58,137
Anti-Lock........................137,213
Automatic Headlights................... 95
Brake Assist Warning.................. 219
BrakeWarning ....................138,211
Bulb Replacement..................... 307
Courtesy/Reading.................. 99,115
Cruise ............................. 136
Daytime Running...................... 98
Dimmer Switch, Headlight............. 98,99
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) Indicator......................... 219
Electronic Throttle Control Warning....... 141
Engine Temperature Warning............ 137
352 INDEX