
Tread Wear Indicators
Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment tires
to help you in determining when your tires should be
replaced.
These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread
grooves and will appear as bands when the tread depth
becomes 1/16 inch (2 mm). When the indicators appear
in 2 or more adjacent grooves, the tire should be replaced.
Many states have laws requiring tire replacement at this
point.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for
wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu-
facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva-
lent to the originals in size, quality and performance
when replacement is needed (see the paragraph on tread
wear indicators). Refer to the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion placard for the size designation of your tire. The
service description and load identification will be found
on the original equipment tire. Failure to use equivalent
replacement tires may adversely affect the safety, han-
dling, and ride of your vehicle. We recommend that you
contact your original equipment or an authorized tire
dealer with any questions you may have on tire specifi-
cations or capability.
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5

Recommended Tire Inflation Pressures
Sport Performance (Y speed rating) tires and All-Season
Performance (W speed rating) tires
Front 225/40 ZR18............... 32psi(221 kPa)
Rear 255/35 ZR19................ 33psi(227 kPa)
Sport Performance (Y speed rating) tires and All-Season
Performance (W speed rating) tires above 100 mph (161
km/h)
Front 225/40 ZR18............... 36psi(248 kPa)
Rear 255/35 ZR19................ 36psi(248 kPa)
Winter tires
Front 225/40 VR18 M+S........... 33psi(227 kPa)
Rear 225/40 VR18 M+S............ 36psi(248 kPa)WARNING!
²When obtaining replacement tires, assure that the
tires are specified for replacement on the Crossfire.
Tires with the same size, speed, or load ratings that
are specified for replacement on other vehicles may
not properly fit on the original equipment wheels of
your vehicle.
²Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than that
specified for your vehicle. Some combinations of
unapproved tires and wheels may change suspension
dimensions and performance characteristics, result-
ing in changes to steering, handling, and braking of
your vehicle. This can cause unpredictable handling
and stress to steering and suspension components.
You could lose control and have an accident resulting
in serious injury or death. Use only the tire and wheel
sizes with load ratings approved for your vehicle.
²Never use a tire with a smaller load index or capacity,
other than what was originally equipped on your
vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load index could
result in tire overloading and failure. You could lose
control and have an accident.
²Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having ad-
equate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
180 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings. Check with your authorized dealer before re-
placing tires with a different size.
Alignment And Balance
The suspension components of your vehicle should be
inspected and aligned when needed to obtain full tire
tread mileage
Poor suspension alignment may result in:
²Fast tire wear.
²Uneven tire wear, such as feathering and one-sided
wear.
²Vehicle pull to right or left.
Tires may also cause the vehicle to pull to the left or right.
Alignment will not correct this condition. See your dealer
for proper diagnosis.Improper alignment will not cause vehicle vibration.
Vibration may be a result of tire and wheel out-of-
balance. Proper balancing will reduce vibration and
avoid tire cupping and spotty wear.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (If
Equipped)
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses wireless
technology with wheel rim mounted electronic sensors to
monitor tire pressure levels. Sensors, mounted to each
wheel as part of the valve stem, transmit tire pressure
readings to a computer which monitors for low pressure.
If low pressure is measured, the TPMS Telltale Lamp will
illuminate.
NOTE:It is particularly important, for you to check the
tire pressure in all of your tires regularly and to maintain
the proper pressure.
The TPMS informs you of a low tire pressure condition.
If this occurs, correct your tire inflation pressure as soon
as possible, and inspect all of your tires. Be sure to use a
high quality gauge when adjusting pressure. The TPMS
is designed to periodically monitor your tire pressure but
STARTING AND OPERATING 181
5

cannot be expected to function as a tire pressure gauge.
There can be a delay between the instant you adjust the
air pressure in a tire and when the system updates the
display. The TPMS is not intended to provide you with
notification of rapid air loss.
The TPMS will cause the Telltale lamp in the instrument
cluster to illuminate whenever the pressure in one tire
falls 25% below the recommended pressure shown on the
tire label.NOTE:A TPMS does not replace normal tire mainte-
nance.
CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures have
been established for the tire size equipped on your
vehicle. Undesirable operation or sensor damage
may result when using replacement equipment that
is not of the same size, type, and/or style. Aftermar-
ket wheels can cause sensor damage. Do not use
aftermarket tire sealant or balance beads as damage
to the sensors may result. The standard TIREFIT
system (see Tirefit Tire Repair and Jacking Instruc-
tions in the What To Do In Emergencies section) is
specifically designed to operate in conjunction with
the TPMS, and will not damage the sensors.
182 STARTING AND OPERATING

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES
Your vehicle is equipped with either sport performance
tires or all-season performance tires. The sport perfor-
mance tires offer the maximum road handling capability
in dry and wet weather conditions. The all-season per-
formance tires, while offering slightly less road handling
capability, are able to provide traction capability in snow
and ice conditions. Both types of tires are rated for high
speed operation. It is important that you know what type
of tires your vehicle is equipped with so that you
understand their traction and handling characteristics for
various road conditions. Replacement tires should be of
the same size and speed rating to continue to provide the
same level of performance you are accustomed to.
SNOW TIRES
Some countries or regions require the use of snow tires
during winter. See the recommended snow type winter
tire applications in this section.
WARNING!
Your vehicle may be equipped with sport perfor-
mance tires that are optimized for driving in dry and
wet weather conditions. However, these tires have
reduced traction capability in snow and ice. When
driving your Crossfire in these conditions with these
tires, you must take special care to maintain control
and avoid accidents. We recommend that you equip
your vehicle with ªSNOWº or ªALL SEASONº tires
on all four wheels for driving in snowy and icy
conditions.
184 STARTING AND OPERATING

If you need snow tires, the recommended size for the
front and rear tires is the same size as the original
equipment front tires. This size tire on the rear allows the
use of tire chains on the rear wheels. Selection of this size
tire also requires the purchase of two additional wheels
with the same size specification as the original equip-
ment front wheels.
Snow tires may have a lower speed rating than factory
equipped tires and may not match the maximum vehicle
speed.
Snow tires should not be operated at sustained speeds
over 75 mph (120 km/h).
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles operate at
different loads and perform different steering, driving,
and braking functions. For these reasons, they wear at
unequal rates, and tend to develop irregular wear pat-
terns.These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of tires.
The benefits of rotation are especially worthwhile with
aggressive tread designs such as those on all season type
tires. Rotation will increase tread life, help to maintain
mud, snow, and wet traction levels, and contribute to a
smooth, quiet ride.
Follow the recommended tire rotation frequency for your
type of driving found in the ªMaintenance Schedulesº
Section of this manual. More frequent rotation is permis-
sible if desired. The reasons for any rapid or unusual
wear should be corrected prior to rotation being per-
formed.
STARTING AND OPERATING 185
5

in hot temperatures. If battery voltage drops below 12.40,
follow the battery recharge procedure in the Service
Manual.
²Check that the radiator coolant level of protection is to
at least -20ÉF (-29ÉC).
²Block the wheels. Do not apply the parking brake.
²Make sure that all tires are inflated to the optimum
pressure.
²Cut blocks of plywood about the same size of the tires.
Cover each block with indoor/outdoor carpeting and
place them between the tires and concrete. This will
prevent tire flat spotting.
²For long term storage, remove the tires and put the
vehicle up on blocks. Stack the tires on plywood and
cover with a tarp to prevent flat spotting.
²Move the wiper blades away from the windshield.
NOTE:To help prevent the battery from discharging
during shorter periods of inactivity, perform the follow-
ing:
1. Make sure that the rear liftgate/decklid, hood, and
doors are completely closed.
2. Make sure that the remote transmitter is operating and
that the battery is good.
3. Make sure that the hood, rear liftgate and door
switches are in adjustment.
4. Use the remote transmitter to set the alarm.
264 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

TIREFIT.............................. 195
Tires ...........................167,175,287
Air Pressure......................... 175
Alignment.......................... 181
Chains............................. 183
Changing........................195,200
General Information................... 175
High Speed......................... 177
Inflation Pressures.................171,176
Load Capacity....................... 171
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).......93,181
Quality Grading...................167,287
Radial............................. 178
Replacement......................... 179
Rotation............................ 185
Safety............................56,175
Sizes............................... 167
Snow Tires.......................... 184
Spinning............................ 178
Tread Wear Indicators.................. 179
Tow-Away Alarm.....................19,210
Towing.............................. 206
Disabled Vehicle...................... 206Trailering........................... 192
Towing Eyes.......................... 208
Traction.............................. 205
Trailer Towing......................... 192
Transmission
Automatic........................149,244
Fluid.............................. 244
Manual..........................147,245
Shifting..........................147,148
Transporting Pets........................ 54
Tread Wear Indicators................... 179
Trunk Release, Emergency................. 20
Turn Signals........................... 88
Umbrella Hook........................ 110
Uniform Tire Quality Grades...........167,287
Universal Transmitter.................106,109
Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses................ 241
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).......... 6
Vehicle Loading........................ 191
Vehicle Storage......................... 263
Vehicle Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)......... 19
INDEX 297
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