
13-6Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
! Vehicle placard
The vehicle placard is affixed to the driver ’s side B-pillar.
Example:
The vehicle placard shows original
tire size, recommended cold tire infla-
tion pressure on each tire at max-
imum loaded vehicle weight, seating
capacity and loading information. ! Adverse safety consequences
of under-inflation
Driving at high speeds with exces-
sively low tire pressures can cause
the tires to flex severely and to rapidly
become hot. A sharp increase in
temperature could cause tread se-
paration, and failure of the tire(s).
Possible resulting loss of vehicle
control could lead to an accident. ! Measuring and adjusting air
pressure to achieve proper in-
flation
Check and, if necessary, adjust the
pressure of each tire (including the
spare) at least once a month and
before any long journey. Check the
tire pressures when the tires are cold.
Use a pressure gauge to adjust the
tire pressures to the specific values.
Driving even a short distance warms
up the tires and increases the tire
pressures. Also, the tire pressures are affected by the outside temperature. It
is best to check tire pressure outdoors
before driving the vehicle. When a tire
becomes warm, the air inside it
expands, causing the tire pressure to
increase. Be careful not to mistakenly
release air from a warm tire to reduce
its pressure. &
Glossary of tire terminology
. Cold tire pressure
The pressure in a tire that has been
driven less than 1 mile or has been
standing for three hours or more. . Maximum inflation pressure
The maximum cold inflation pressure
to which a tire may be inflated. . Recommended inflation pres-
sure
The cold inflation pressure recom-
mended by a vehicle manufacturer. . Intended outboard sidewall
(1) The sidewall that contains a
whitewall, bears white lettering or
bears manufacturer, brand, and/or
model name molding that is higher
or deeper than the same molding
on the other sidewall of the tire, or (2) The outward facing sidewall of

13-10Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
2. Calculate the available load capa-
city.
3. The result of step 2 shows that a
further 162 lbs (73 kg) of cargo can be
carried.
Example 2B
For example, if a person weighing 143
lbs (65 kg) and a child weighing 40 lbs
(18 kg) now enter the same vehicle
(bringing the number of occupants to three), and a child restraint system
weighing 11 lbs (5 kg) is installed in
the vehicle for the child to use, the
calculations are as follows:
1. Calculate the total weight.
2. Calculate the available load capa-
city.
3. The total weight now exceeds the
capacity weight by 32 lbs (15 kg), so
the cargo weight must be reduced by
32 lbs (15 kg) or more. &
Determining compatibility of
tire and vehicle load capaci- ties
The sum of four tires ’maximum load
ratings must exceed the maximum
loaded vehicle weight ( “GVWR ”). In
addition, sum of the maximum load
ratings of two front tires and of two
rear tires must exceed each axle ’s
maximum loaded capacity ( “GAWR ”).
Original equipment tires are designed
to fulfill those conditions.
The maximum loaded vehicle weight
is referred to Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). And each axle ’s
maximum loaded capacity is referred
to Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
The GVWR and each axle ’sGAWR
are shown on the vehicle certification
label affixed to the driver ’s door.
The GVWR and front and rear
GAWRs are determined by not only
the maximum load rating of tires but
also loaded capacities of the vehicle ’s
suspension, axles and other parts of

13-12Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Uniform tire quality grading standards
This information indicates the relative
performance of passenger car tires in
the area of treadwear, traction, and
temperature resistance. This is to aid
the consumer in making an informed
choice in the purchase of tires.
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall be-
tween tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Tem-
perature A
The quality grades apply to new
pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. However, they do not apply to
deep tread, winter type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare
tires, tires with nominal rim diameters
of 12 inches or less, or to some limited
production tires.
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
conditions on a specified government
test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half (1-1/2) times
as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative perfor-
mance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and
climate. & Traction AA, A, B, C
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 speci-
fied 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 accelera-
tion, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
& Temperature A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing thetire ’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high tempera-
ture 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 Standards No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by

CenterConsole .................................................................. 6-4
Ventilators ............................................................... 4-3
Center and side ventilators ............................................ 4-3
Changing Flat tire ................................................................... 9-4
Oil and oil filter ...................................................... 11-9
Charge warning light .................................................. 3-16
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp ...................................................................... 3-16
Checking Brake pedal free play ............................................ 11-27
Brake pedal reserve distance ................................. 11-28
Clutch function ...................................................... 11-28
Clutch pedal free play ............................................ 11-28
Engine oil level ...................................................... 11-8
Fluid level ............................... 11-20, 11-24, 11-25, 11-26
Gear oil level ........................................................ 11-22
Child restraint systems ............................................... 1-22
Installation with A/ELR seatbelt ................................ 1-25
Lower and tether anchorages .................................. 1-29
Child safety .................................................................... 5
Locks ................................................................... 2-18
Chime Key ........................................................................ 3-5 Seatbelt ........................................................ 1-11, 3-14
Cleaning
Aluminum wheels ................................................... 10-3
Interior .................................................................. 10-5
Ventilation grille ..................................................... 4-11 Climate control system
Automatic ............................................................... 4-8
Manual ................................................................... 4-3
Clock ........................................................................ 3-22
Clutch Fluid ................................................................... 11-26
Pedal .................................................................. 11-28
Coat hook. .................................................................. 6-9
Coin tray .................................................................... 6-4
Cooling system ........................................................ 11-12
Corrosion protection ............................................ 8-10, 10-4
Cruise control ............................................................ 7-26
Set indicator light .................................................... 3-20
Cruise control indicator light ......................................... 3-20
Cup holder ................................................................. 6-5
Front passenger ’s.................................................... 6-5
Rear passenger ’s .................................................... 6-6
D
Daytime running light system ....................................... 3-23
Differential gear oil
Front ................................................................... 11-21
Rear ................................................................... 11-22
Dimensions ................................................................ 12-2
Disarming the system ................................................. 2-15
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ........................ 7-21
Dome light .................................................................. 6-2
Door
Locks ..................................................................... 2-4
Open warning light. ................................................. 3-19
Drive belts ............................................................... 11-18 Index
14-3

14-6Index
M
Main fuse ................................................................. 11-44
Maintenance
Precautions ........................................................... 11-3
Schedule .............................................................. 11-3
Seatbelt ................................................................ 1-18
Tools .................................................................... 9-16
Manual Climate control system ............................................. 4-3
Transmission oil .................................................... 11-19
Transmission-5 speeds ........................................... 7-11
Transmission-6 speeds ............................................. 7-9
Map light ..................................................................... 6-2
Maximum load limits ................................................... 8-20
Meters and gauges .............................................. 3-6, 3-11
Mirrors ...................................................................... 3-32
Moonroof .................................................................. 2-24
N
New vehicle break-in driving .......................................... 8-2
O
Odometer/Tripmeter ............................................. 3-7, 3-11
Off road driving ............................................................ 8-6
Oil filter ..................................................................... 11-9
Oil level
Engine .................................................................. 11-8
Front differential gear (AT vehicles) ......................... 11-21
Manual transmission .............................................. 11-19
Rear differential .................................................... 11-22
Oil pressure warning light ............................................ 3-16 Outside mirrors
.......................................................... 3-33
Outside temperature indicator ............................... 3-9, 3-13
Overheating engine .................................................... 9-11
P Parking Brake .................................................................... 7-24
Brake stroke ........................................................ 11-30
Light switch ........................................................... 3-25
Tips ...................................................................... 7-25
Parking your vehicle ................................................... 7-24
Periodic inspections ..................................................... 8-4
Power
Door locking switch .................................................. 2-6
Steering ................................................................ 7-20
Steering fluid ........................................................ 11-24
Windows ............................................................... 2-18
Precautions against vehicle modification ................ 1-22, 1-57
Preparing to drive ........................................................ 7-6
Printed antenna ........................................................... 5-2
R Rear Combination lights ................................................ 11-49
Gate ............................................................. 2-23, 9-14
Seats ..................................................................... 1-6
Viscous limited slip differential .................................. 7-20
Rear differential Gear oil ............................................................... 11-22
Oil temperature warning light ................................... 3-17

V
Valet mode................................................................ 2-16
Vanity mirror ................................................................ 6-3
Vehicle Capacity weight ..................................................... 8-13
Identification ......................................................... 12-11
Symbols .................................................................... 3
Ventilator .................................................................... 4-2
W
Warning and indicator lights ........................................ 3-14
Warning light ABS ..................................................................... 3-17
All-Wheel Drive ...................................................... 3-19
Anti-lock Brake System ........................................... 3-17
AT OIL TEMPerature .............................................. 3-17
Brake system ........................................................ 3-18
Charge ................................................................. 3-16
CHECK ENGINE ................................................... 3-16
Door open ............................................................. 3-19
Driver ’s Control Center Differential ........................... 7-12
Intercooler water spray ........................................... 3-19
Low fuel .......................................................... 3-8, 3-12
Oil pressure .......................................................... 3-16
Rear differential oil temperature ............................... 3-17
Seatbelt ................................................................ 3-14
SRS airbag system ................................................ 3-14
Warranties ..................................................................... 1
Warranties and maintenance ....................................... 8-20
Washing ................................................................... 10-2
Waxing and polishing ................................................. 10-3 Wear indicators
........................................................ 11-33
Wheel
Alignment .............................................................. 12-5
Balance ............................................................... 11-33
Replacement. ....................................................... 11-35
Windows ................................................................... 2-18
Windshield Washer fluid. ........................................................ 11-36
Wiper and washer switches ..................................... 3-27
Wiper blades ........................................................ 11-38
Wiper deicer .......................................................... 3-30
Winter driving .............................................................. 8-8
Wiper and washer ...................................................... 3-26 Index
14-9