Page 258 of 578

 
Normal occupant weight 
Means 150 lbs (68 kilograms) times the number of occupants seated 
in the vehicle up to the total seating capacity of your vehicle. 
Occupant distribution 
The placement of passengers in a vehicle. 
Outer diameter 
The diameter of a new, properly inflated tire. 
Overall width 
Total width measured at the exterior sidewalls of an inflated tire, in-
cluding the additional width of labeling, decorations, or protective 
bands or ribs. 
Passenger car tire 
A tire intended for use on passenger cars, multipurpose passenger 
vehicles, and trucks, that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) 
of 10,000 pounds or less. 
Ply 
A layer of rubber-coated parallel cords. 
Ply separation 
A parting of rubber compound between adjacent plies. 
Pneumatic tire 
A mechanical device made of rubber, chemicals, fabric, and steel or 
other materials, that, when mounted on an automotive wheel, pro-
vides the traction and contains the gas or fluid that sustains the load. 
Production options weight 
The combined weight of installed regular production options weighing 
over 5 lbs (2.3 kg) more than the standard items they replace, and not 
previously considered as curb weight or accessory weight. These 
include, for example, heavy-duty brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, 
heavy-duty battery, and special trim. 
Radial ply tires 
A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are 
laid at substantially 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread.  
     
        
        Page 560 of 578

 
  WARNING 
Improper use of jumper cables when jump-starting a vehicle 
with a dead battery can cause the battery to explode, leading to 
serious personal injury. To help reduce the risk of battery ex-
plosion: 
  All work on the batteries or the electrical system in your ve-
hicle can cause serious acid burns, fires, or electrical shocks. 
Always read and heed the following WARNINGS and safety pre-
cautions before working on the batteries or the electrical sys-
tem ⇒  Vehicle battery. 
  Always make sure that the battery providing starting assis-
tance (the booster battery) has the same voltage as the dead 
battery (12 V) and about the same amperage capacity (see bat-
tery label). 
  Never jump-start a vehicle with a thawed or frozen vehicle 
battery. The battery can explode. A dead battery can freeze at 
temperatures around +32 °F (0 °C). 
  A battery that is frozen or was frozen, but has since thawed, 
must be replaced. 
  When the vehicle battery is jump-started, it gives off hydro-
gen gas, which is highly explosive! Always keep fire, sparks, 
open flame, and smoking materials far away from vehicle bat-
teries. Never use a mobile telephone while connecting or dis-
connecting jumper cables. 
  Jump-start batteries only in well-ventilated areas. Batteries 
give off highly explosive hydrogen gas during jump-starting. 
  Always route the jumper cables so that they cannot get 
caught in any moving parts in the engine compartment. 
  Never short out the battery terminals by connecting the posi-
tive (+) and negative (-) terminals with each other. 
  Never connect the negative cable from the other vehicle di-
rectly to the negative terminal of the dead battery, as this may 
cause the hydrogen gas given off by the dead battery to ex-
plode. 
  Never attach the negative cable from the vehicle providing 
starting assistance to any part of the fuel system or to the 
brake hoses or brake lines.  
     
        
        Page 565 of 578

 
  WARNING 
Improper use of jumper cables when jump-starting a vehicle 
with a dead battery can cause the battery to explode, leading to 
serious personal injury. To help reduce the risk of battery ex-
plosion: 
  All work on the batteries or the electrical system in your ve-
hicle can cause serious acid burns, fires, or electrical shocks. 
Always read and heed the following WARNINGS and safety pre-
cautions before working on the batteries or the electrical sys-
tem ⇒  Vehicle battery. 
  Always wear proper eye protection. Never lean over the vehi-
cle battery. 
  Attach the jumper cables in the correct order: first the posi-
tive cable, then the negative cable. 
  Never connect the negative cable from the vehicle providing 
starting assistance to parts of the fuel system or to the brake 
hoses or brake lines. 
  Never allow the non-insulated parts of the battery clamps to 
touch. 
  Never allow the jumper cable attached to the positive battery 
terminal to contact metal parts of the vehicle. 
  Check the battery acid level indicator window on the vehicle 
battery. Use a flashlight, never a match, cigarette lighter, or 
other open flame. If you cannot see the color of the window 
clearly, or if it is light yellow or colorless, do not jump-start the 
vehicle. Get expert assistance. 
  Avoid electrostatic discharge in the vicinity of the vehicle 
battery. Sparks may cause the hydrogen gas escaping from the 
vehicle battery to ignite. 
  Never jump-start a vehicle with a battery that is damaged or 
frozen or that was frozen and has thawed. The battery can ex-
plode. Replace the battery instead. 
  Always follow the instructions of the jumper cable manufac-
turer. 
  Always make sure that the battery providing starting assis-
tance has the same voltage as the dead battery (12 V) and 
about the same capacity (see battery label).