DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s manufacturer
in each category is shown on the sidewall of the tires on
your vehicle.
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 1-1/2 times as
well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The
relative performance of tires depends upon the actualconditions of their use, however, and may depart signifi-
cantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices, and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
Traction Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified 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 acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 449
9
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature 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 Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel, than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
450 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System).............. 282
Accessory Delay, Power.................... 13
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).......... 396
Adding Fuel........................... 332
Adding Washer Fluid..................140,393
Additives, Fuel......................... 326
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 385
Air Conditioner Maintenance............... 388
Air Conditioning........................ 243
Air Conditioning Controls................. 243
Air Conditioning Filter.................256,389
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips............ 257
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............388,389
Air Conditioning System.............243,248,388
Air Pressure, Tires....................... 304
Airbag.............................. 52,61
Airbag Deployment....................... 62
Airbag Light................... 53,60,65,79,173
Airbag Maintenance....................... 64Airbag, Side........................ 54,59,61
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain)........... 55,59,61
Alarm (Security Alarm).................... 18
Alarm System (Security Alarm)............ 18,173
Alignment and Balance................... 312
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio................... 235
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...........395,396,429
Disposal............................ 398
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).............. 282
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 282
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)........ 18
Appearance Care........................ 406
Ashtray............................... 156
Assistance Towing....................... 102
Audio Systems (Radio).................222,225
Auto Down Power Windows................ 35
Auto Unlock, Doors....................... 32
Auto Up Power Windows................ 36,153
452 INDEX
Automatic Dimming Mirror................. 86
Automatic Door Locks................... 31,32
Automatic Oil Change Indicator........175,185,434
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)......... 248
Automatic Transaxle.............. 13,264,270,403
Adding Fluid...................403,404,432
Filter ............................... 405
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 405
Fluid Level Check...................403,404
Interlock System....................... 272
Reset Mode.......................... 275
Selection Of Lubricant................... 432
Shifting ............................. 273
Special Additives...................... 405
Autostick............................. 275
Back-Up Lights......................... 424
BallJoints ............................. 391
Battery............................... 387Gas Caution.......................... 387
Jump Starting......................... 29
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)....... 25
Location............................ 387
Bearings.............................. 406
Belts,Drive ............................ 384
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 392
B-Pillar Location........................ 299
Brake Assist System...................... 286
Brake, Parking.......................... 277
Brake System........................281,400
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................... 282
Fluid Check.......................402,432
Hoses.............................. 401
Master Cylinder....................... 402
Parking............................. 277
Warning Light........................ 178
Brakes.............................281,400
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 272
INDEX 453
10
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 78
Bulb Replacement.....................417,418
Bulbs,Light ............................ 417
Calibration, Compass..................... 188
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)......... 20
Capacities, Fluid........................ 429
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 332
Oil (Engine)..................374,375,376,383
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 397
Car Washes............................ 407
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 327
Cargo Area Features...................... 162
Cargo Compartment...................... 162
Cargo Load Floor........................ 162
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 162
Catalytic Converter...................... 385
Caution, Exhaust Gas...................... 78CD (Compact Disc) Player...............222,225
CD (Compact Disc) Player Maintenance........ 242
Cellular Phone.................. 89,225,227,242
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 428
Chains, Tire............................ 312
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 356
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 296
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light)............... 378
Child Restraint.................... 67,69,73,76
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 71,73
Child Safety Locks........................ 33
Cigar Lighter........................... 156
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 324
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 408
Windshield Wiper Blades................. 392
Climate Control......................... 243
Clock .....................193,196,208,224,227
454 INDEX
Cooling ............................. 394
Exhaust Gas Caution.................... 327
Fuel Requirements..................323,429
Jump Starting......................... 364
Oil ...........................380,429,430
Oil Change Interval............175,185,382,434
Oil Filler Cap.................374,375,376,383
OilFilter ............................ 384
Oil Filter Disposal...................... 384
Oil Selection.......................382,429
Oil Synthetic......................... 383
Operation............................ 78
Overheating.......................... 353
Temperature Gauge..................... 172
Engine Oil Viscosity...................... 383
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 62
Entry System, Illuminated.................. 20
Ethanol............................... 324
Event Data Recorder...................... 65Exhaust Gas Caution................ 78,327,394
Exhaust System......................... 393
Extender, Seat Belt........................ 51
Fabric Care.........................408,409
Filler Location Fuel....................172,332
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 385
Air Conditioning....................256,389
Automatic Transaxle.................... 405
Engine Oil........................384,430
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 384
Flashers.............................. 353
Hazard Warning....................... 353
Flash-To-Pass........................... 134
Flat Tire Stowage........................ 363
Flexible Fuel Vehicles..................... 328
Cruising Range........................ 331
Engine Oil........................... 330
INDEX 457
10
Fuel System Caution..................... 333
Fueling ............................... 332
Fuses................................ 412
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ........... 144
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)............332,334,377
Gasoline, Clean Air...................... 324
Gasoline (Fuel)......................... 323
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 324
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................... 172
Fuel................................ 172
Odometer........................... 174
Tachometer.......................... 174
Gearshift.............................. 273
General Information................. 18,116,322
General Maintenance..................... 380
Glass Cleaning.......................... 410
Gross Axle Weight Rating...............336,339Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.............336,338
GVWR ............................... 336
Hands-Free Phone (UConnect™)........ 89,225,227
Hard Drive (HDD)....................222,225
Hazard
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water......................... 292
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 353
Head Restraints......................... 125
Headlights............................ 418
Bulb Replacement...................... 418
Cleaning............................ 410
High Beam........................136,182
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 136
On With Wipers....................... 139
Passing............................. 134
Replacing............................ 418
Switch .............................. 132
INDEX 459
10
Keyless Entry System...................... 21
Keyless Entry System (Sedan)................ 21
Keys................................. 12
Knee Bolster.......................... 52,53
Lane Change and Turn Signals.............. 179
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 42
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) . 73
Latches
Hood............................... 130
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 323
LifeofTires ............................ 309
LightBulbs ............................ 417
Lights.............................. 80,131
Airbag........................ 53,65,79,173
Back-Up............................. 424
Brake Warning........................ 178
Bulb Replacement...................... 418
Center Mounted Stop................... 428Daytime Running...................... 134
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . . 287
Engine Temperature Warning.............. 174
Fog ..........................134,179,422
Headlight Switch...................... 132
Headlights........................... 132
Headlights On With Wipers............... 139
High Beam Indicator.................... 182
Illuminated Entry....................... 20
Instrument Cluster..................... 132
Interior............................. 131
License............................. 427
Lights On Reminder.................... 134
Low Fuel............................ 173
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)........ 182
Map Reading......................... 131
Oil Pressure.......................... 173
Passing............................. 134
Rear Tail............................ 424
INDEX 461
10