Page 272 of 331

It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, replace the two f ront
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling.
If you ever replace a wheel, make
sure that the wheel’s specif ications
match those of the original wheels.
Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall).
Also be sure you use only TPMS
specif ic wheels. If you do not, the
tire pressure monitoring system will
notworkonthattire.
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a dif f erent
size or construction can cause the
ABS and vehicle stability assist
system (VSA) to work inconsistently.
TheABSworksbycomparingthe
speed of the wheels. When replacing
tires, use the same size originally
supplied with the vehicle. Tire size
and construction can affect wheel
speed and may cause the system to
activate.
Replacement wheels are available at
your dealer.
Replacing T ires and Wheels
Tires
268
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.
Page 273 of 331

Ì
´Î
ÎWheels:
Tires: Mount tire chains on your tires when
required by driving conditions or
local laws. Install them only on the
front tires. Do not use chains on the
rear tires.
Because your vehicle has limited tire
clearance, we strongly recommend
using this Quality Chain Corp. tire
chain:
See
page for DOT tire quality
grading information, and page
f or tire size inf ormation. If you mount snow tires on your
vehicle, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as the
original tires. Mount snow tires
on all f our wheels. The traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
maybelowerthanyouroriginaltires.
Check with the tire dealer f or
maximum speed recommendations.
Rubber chain adjusters, or
tensioners, must be used to
prevent the chains f rom
contacting the body or the chassis.
This tire chain is available at many
auto supply stores. To f ind a local
storethatcarriesthechain,call
Quality Chain Corp at 1-800-843-8824.
To order the tire chain online, go to
, and enter your
vehicle inf ormation. When you install
the chains, f ollow the manuf acturer’s
instructions, and mount them as
tightly as you can. Drive slowly with
the chains installed.
Tires marked ‘‘M S’’ or ‘‘All
Season’’ on the sidewall have an all-
weather tread design suitable for
most winter driving conditions.
For the best perf ormance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions. 304
306
www.cha inquest.com
CONT INUED
Tires
Wheel and T ire Specif ications Snow T ires
Tire ChainsPremium Cobra Cable Chain
1046P with accessory
adjusters
Winter Driving
Maint enance
269
17x71/2J
P245/65R17 105S
Page 274 of 331
Check the condition of the battery
monthlybylookingatthetest
indicator window. The label on the
battery explains the test indicator’s
colors.
If you ever hear the chains
contacting the body or chassis, stop
and investigate. If the chains have
loosened, retighten them. Make sure
they do not contact the brake lines
or suspension.
Removethechainsassoonasyou
begin driving on cleared roads.
Tires, Checking the Battery
Checking the Battery
270
TEST INDICATOR WINDOWUsing the wrong chains, or not
properly installing chains, can
damage the brake lines and
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding the
selection and use of tire chains. Traction devices that are the wrong
size or improperly installed can
damage your vehicle’s brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of
the vehicle.
Page 276 of 331

If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park. Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f ans cycle on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door,
In-Bed Trunk lid, and tailgate seals.
Also,applyavehiclebodywaxto
the painted surfaces that mate
with the door, In-Bed Trunk lid
and tailgate seals.
Vehicle Storage
272
Page 278 of 331

Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced,
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
Check the inflation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inflated to:
Follow these precautions: Do
not mount snow chains on a
compact spare.
Do not use the compact spare tire
if you are towing a trailer.
Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel.
Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indica tor bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
same wheel. The spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed for mounting a regular tire.
Never
exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road
surf aces. Use greater caution
while driving. Driving with the compact spare
tiremayactivatetheTPMS(see
page ). The TPMS does not
monitor compact spare tire
pressure.
205
Compact Spare Tire
274
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
Page 281 of 331
CONT INUED
Loosen each wheel nut 1/2 turn
with the wheel nut wrench.Place the jack under the jacking
point nearest the tire you need to
change.Turn the dial at the bottom of the
jack clockwise until the top of the
jack contacts the jacking point.
Make sure the jacking point tab is
restinginthejacknotch.
8. 9. 10.
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
277
JACKING POINT
DIAL
Page 282 of 331
Attach the stay to the extension,
then attach the wheel nut wrench
to the end of the extension.Turn the jack dial (wheel nut
wrench) clockwise as shown to
raise the vehicle until the f lat tire
is of f the ground.
Make sure the stay, the extension,
and the wheel nut wrench are
securely attached. Insert the hook at the end of the
stay into the opening on the dial at
the bottom of the jack.
11. 12. 13.
Changing a Flat Tire
278
EXTENSION
CONNECTOR BUTTON
DIAL
CONNECTOR BUTTON
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
HOOK STAY
Page 283 of 331
CONT INUED
Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on f inger-tight,
then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel nut wrench
until the wheel is f irmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten the
wheel nuts f ully.
Lower the vehicle to the ground,
and remove the jack.
Remove the wheel nuts and the
wheel cap (on RT and Canadian
LX models) then remove the f lat
tire. Handle the wheel nuts
caref ully; they may be hot f rom
driving. Place the f lat tire on the
ground with the outside surf ace
f acing up. Bef ore mounting the spare tire,
wipeanydirtoff themounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully;itmaybehotfrom
driving.
The wheel cap cannot be removed
without first removing the wheel
nuts.
14. 15. 16.
17.
On RT and Canadian LX models
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
279
BRAKE HUB
WHEEL CAP
RT/LX model is shown.