213 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
The tire inflation pressure should be
checked regularly, i.e. at least each time
you refuel the vehicle. The preferred inter-
val for checking the tire inflation pressure,
however, is before each trip.
The inflation pressures specified either on
the tire and loading information placard on
the driver’s door B-pillar or on tire pressure
label below the driver’s seat on an outward
facing position of the mounting pillar are
always cold tire inflation pressures. Check
and adjust the tire inflation pressure when
the tires are cold. Cold tire inflation pres-
sure is defined as the tire pressure after
the vehicle has been parked for at least
3 hours or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km)
at an ambient temperature of approxi-
mately 68 °F (20 °C).
The cold tire inflation pressure must not
exceed the maximum tire inflation pres-
sure molded into the tire side wall, see
"Tire labeling" (\2page 222).
If you check the tire inflation pressure
when the tires are warm (the vehicle has
been driven for several miles or sitting less than 3 hours), the reading will be higher
than the cold reading. This is normal. Do
not let air out to match the specified cold
tire inflation pressure. Otherwise, the tire
will be underinflated.Checking tire inflation pressure manu-
ally
Follow the steps below to achieve correct
tire inflation pressure:
\1Remove the cap from the valve on one
tire.
\1Firmly press a tire gauge onto the
valve.
\1Read the tire inflation pressure on the
tire gauge and compare it with the rec-
ommended tire inflation pressure on
the placard on the driver’s door B-pillar
or on the tire pressure label below the
driver’s seat. If necessary, add air to
achieve the recommended tire inflation
pressure.
\1Reattach the valve cap.Checking tire inflation pressure
Warning
G
Observe the recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly, adverse-
ly affect handling and fuel economy, and are
more likely to fail from being overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride com-
fort, wear unevenly, increase stopping dis-
tance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road de-
bris, potholes etc.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the tire
and loading information placard on the driv-
er’s door B-pillar. Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.
iIf you have overfilled the tire, release
tire inflation pressure by pushing the
metal stem of the valve with for exam-
ple a tip of a pen. Then recheck the tire
inflation pressure with the tire gauge.
