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
