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When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more. Do not
forget to check the spare tire. For additional
information regarding the spare tire, seeSpare
Tire on page 526.
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check
tire pressure. You cannot tell if your tires are
properly in ated simply by looking at them.
Radial tires may look properly in ated even when
they’re underin ated. Check the tire’s in ation
pressure when the tires are cold. Cold means your
vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours
or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem.
Press the tire gage rmly onto the valve to
get a pressure measurement. If the cold tire
in ation pressure matches the recommended
pressure on the Tire and Loading Information
label, no further adjustment is necessary. If the
in ation pressure is low, add air until you reach
the recommended amount.
If you over ll the tire, release air by pushing on
the metal stem in the center of the tire valve.
Recheck the tire pressure with the tire gage.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out
dirt and moisture.
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High-Speed Operation
{CAUTION:
Driving at high speeds, 100 mph
(160 km/h) or higher, puts an additional
strain on tires. Sustained high-speed
driving causes excessive heat build up
and can cause sudden tire failure. You
could have a crash and you or others
could be killed. Some high-speed rated
tires require in ation pressure adjustment
for high speed operation. When speed
limits and road conditions are such that
a vehicle can be driven at high speeds,
make sure the tires are rated for high
speed operation, in excellent condition,
and set to the correct cold tire in ation
pressure for the vehicle load.If your vehicle has P265/65R18 or P275/55R20
size tires and you will be driving at high speeds,
speeds of 100 mph (160 km/h) or higher, set
the cold in ation pressure to 3 psi (20 kPa) above
the recommended tire pressure shown on the
Tire and Loading Information Label. When you
end this high-speed driving, return the tires to the
cold in ation pressure shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 392andIn ation - Tire Pressure
on page 488.
Tire Pressure Monitor System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses
radio and sensor technology to check tire pressure
levels. If your vehicle has this feature, sensors
are mounted on each tire and wheel assembly,
except the spare tire. The TPMS sensors monitor
the air pressure in your vehicle’s tires and
transmit tire pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle.
The TPMS is designed to alert the driver, if a low
tire pressure condition exists. If your vehicle has the
Driver Information Center (DIC), the driver may also
check tire pressure levels using the DIC.
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When a low tire pressure condition is detected,
the TPMS will illuminate the low tire pressure
warning symbol located on the instrument panel
cluster. If your vehicle has the DIC feature, a
message to check the pressure in a speci c tire
will also appear on the DIC display. The low
tire pressure warning symbol on the instrument
panel cluster and the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
warning message on the DIC display will appear at
each ignition cycle until the tires are in ated to
the correct in ation pressure. For additional
information and details about the DIC operation
and displays seeDIC Operation and Displays
(Using DIC Buttons) on page 245orDIC Operation
and Displays (Using Trip Odometer Reset Stem)
on page 250andDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 252.
You may notice, during cooler weather conditions,
that the tire pressure monitor light, located on
the instrument panel cluster, and the CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE message will appear when the
vehicle is rst started and then turn off as you
start to drive the vehicle. This could be an early
indicator that the tire pressures are getting low and
need to be in ated to the proper pressure.Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should
be checked monthly when cold and in ated to
the in ation pressure recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire
in ation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of
a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire in ation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire in ation
pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety
feature, your vehicle
has been equipped with
a tire pressure
monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates
a low tire pressure
telltale when one
or more of your tires is
signi cantly
under-in ated.
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