
Tire Terminology and Definitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire
pressing outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per square
inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined
weight of optional accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are, automatic transmission,
power steering, power brakes, power windows,
power seats, and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire's height
to its width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is
located between the plies and the tread. Cords
may be made from steel or other reinforcing
materials.
Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the plies
are laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees
to the centerline of the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure:The amount of air pressure
in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi)
or kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up heat
from driving. SeeInflation - Tire Pressureon
page 7!65.
Curb Weight:The weight of a motor vehicle with
standard and optional equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, but
without passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings:A code molded into the sidewall
of a tire signifying that the tire is in compliance
with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
motor vehicle safety standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identification Number (TIN), an
alphanumeric designator which can also identify
the tire manufacturer, production plant, brand, and
date of production.
GVWR:Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. See
Loading the Vehicleon page 6!32.
GAWR FRT:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the
front axle. SeeLoading the Vehicleon page 6!32.
GAWR RR:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear
axle. SeeLoading the Vehicleon page 6!32.
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Intended Outboard Sidewall:The side of an
asymmetrical tire, that must always face outward
when mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa):The metric unit for air
pressure.
Light Truck (LT!Metric) Tire:A tire used on light
duty trucks and some multipurpose passenger
vehicles.
Load Index:An assigned number ranging from
1 to 279 that corresponds to the load carrying
capacity of a tire.
Maximum Inflation Pressure:The maximum air
pressure to which a cold tire can be inflated. The
maximum air pressure is molded onto the
sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating:The load rating for a tire
at the maximum permissible inflation pressure for
that tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight:The sum of
curb weight, accessory weight, vehicle capacity
weight, and production options weight.
Normal Occupant Weight:The number of
occupants a vehicle is designed to seat multiplied
by 150 lbs (68 kg). SeeLoading the Vehicleon
page 6!32.
Occupant Distribution:Designated seating
positions.
Outward Facing Sidewall:The side of an
asymmetrical tire that has a particular side that
faces outward when mounted on a vehicle. The
side of the tire that contains a whitewall, bears
white lettering, or bears manufacturer, brand,
and/or model name molding that is higher or
deeper than the same moldings on the other
sidewall of the tire.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:A tire used on
passenger cars and some light duty trucks and
multipurpose vehicles.
Recommended Inflation Pressure:Vehicle
manufacturer's recommended tire inflation
pressure as shown on the tire placard. See
Inflation - Tire Pressureon page 7!65andLoading
the Vehicleon page 6!32.
Radial Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the ply
cords that extend to the beads are laid at
90 degrees to the centerline of the tread.
Rim:A metal support for a tire and upon which
the tire beads are seated.
Sidewall:The portion of a tire between the tread
and the bead.
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Speed Rating:An alphanumeric code assigned
to a tire indicating the maximum speed at which a
tire can operate.
Traction:The friction between the tire and the
road surface. The amount of grip provided.
Tread:The portion of a tire that comes into
contact with the road.
Treadwear Indicators:Narrow bands, sometimes
called wear bars, that show across the tread of a
tire when only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread
remains. SeeWhen It Is Time for New Tireson
page 7!73.
UTQGS (Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards):A tire information system that
provides consumers with ratings for a tire's
traction, temperature, and treadwear. Ratings are
determined by tire manufacturers using
government testing procedures. The ratings are
molded into the sidewall of the tire. SeeUniform
Tire Quality Gradingon page 7!76.
Vehicle Capacity Weight:The number of
designated seating positions multiplied by 150 lbs
(68 kg) plus the rated cargo load. SeeLoading the
Vehicleon page 6!32.
Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire:Load on an
individual tire due to curb weight, accessory
weight, occupant weight, and cargo weight.
Vehicle Placard:A label permanently attached to
a vehicle showing the vehicle's capacity weight
and the original equipment tire size and
recommended inflation pressure. See“Tire and
Loading Information Label”underLoading the
Vehicleon page 6!32.
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Inflation - Tire Pressure
If your vehicle is a Two-mode Hybrid, see the
Two-mode Hybrid manual for more information.
Tires need the correct amount of air pressure to
operate effectively.
Notice:Do not let anyone tell you that
under!inflation or over!inflation is all right.
It is not. If your tires do not have enough air
(under!inflation), you can get the following:
.Too much flexing
.Too much heat
.Tire overloading
.Premature or irregular wear
.Poor handling
.Reduced fuel economy
If your tires have too much air (over!inflation),
you can get the following:
.Unusual wear
.Poor handling
.Rough ride
.Needless damage from road hazards
A vehicle specific Tire and Loading Information
label is attached to your vehicle. This label shows
your vehicle's original equipment tires and the
correct inflation pressures for your tires when they
are cold. The recommended cold tire inflation
pressure, shown on the label, is the minimum
amount of air pressure needed to support your
vehicle's maximum load carrying capacity.
For additional information regarding how much
weight your vehicle can carry, and an example of
the Tire and Loading Information label, see
Loading the Vehicleon page 6!32. How you load
your vehicle affects vehicle handling and ride
comfort. Never load your vehicle with more weight
than it was designed to carry.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Do not forget to check the pressure of the spare
tire. SeeSpare Tireon page 7!98for additional
information.
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How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You cannot tell if your tires are properly
inflated simply by looking at them. Radial tires
may look properly inflated even when they are
underinflated. Check the tire's inflation pressure
when the tires are cold. Cold means your vehicle
has been sitting for at least three hours or driven
no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem.
Press the tire gage firmly onto the valve to get a
pressure measurement. If the cold tire inflation
pressure matches the recommended pressure on
the Tire and Loading Information label, no further
adjustment is necessary. If the pressure is low,
add air until you reach the recommended amount.
If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on
the metal stem in the center of the tire valve.
Recheck the tire pressure with the tire gage.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.
High-Speed Operation
{WARNING:
Driving at high speeds, 160 km/h (100 mph) or
higher, puts an additional strain on tires.
Sustained high-speed driving causes excessive
heat build up and can cause sudden tire failure.
You could have a crash and you or others could
be killed. Some high-speed rated tires require
inflation pressure adjustment for high speed
operation. When speed limits and road conditions
are such that a vehicle can be driven at high
speeds, make sure the tires are rated for high
speed operation, in excellent condition, and set to
the correct cold tire inflation pressure for the
vehicle load.
If your vehicle has P265/65R18 or P285/45R22 sizetires and you will be driving at high speeds, speeds of100 mph (160 km/h) or higher, set the cold inflationpressure to 3 psi (20 kPa) above the recommended tirepressure shown on the Tire and Loading InformationLabel. When you end this high!speed driving, return thetires to the cold inflation pressure shown on the Tire andLoading Information label. SeeLoading the Vehicleonpage 6!32andInflation - Tire Pressure on page 7!65.
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Tire Pressure Monitor System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses radioand sensor technology to check tire pressure levels.The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in yourvehicle's tires and transmit tire pressure readings to areceiver located in the vehicle.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should bechecked monthly when cold and inflated to the inflationpressure recommended by the vehicle manufactureron the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label.(If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the sizeindicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressurelabel, you should determine the proper tire inflationpressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has beenequipped with a tire pressure monitoring system(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale whenone or more of your tires is significantly under!inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltaleilluminates, you should stop and check your tires assoon as possible, and inflate them to the properpressure. Driving on a significantly under!inflated tirecauses the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.Under!inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tiretread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling andstopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for propertire maintenance, and it is the driver's responsibility tomaintain correct tire pressure, even if under!inflationhas not reached the level to trigger illumination of theTPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMSmalfunction indicator to indicate when the system isnot operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicatoris combined with the low tire pressure telltale. Whenthe system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flashfor approximately one minute and then remaincontinuously illuminated. This sequence will continueupon subsequent vehicle start!ups as long as themalfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, thesystem may not be able to detect or signal low tirepressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occurfor a variety of reasons, including the installation ofreplacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehiclethat prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale afterreplacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle toensure that the replacement or alternate tires andwheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor Operationon page 7!68foradditional information.
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Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) and Industry and Science Canada
SeeRadio Frequency Statementon page 9!20forinformation regarding Part 15 of the FederalCommunications Commission (FCC) Rules andRSS-210/211 of Industry and Science Canada.
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
If your vehicle is a Two!mode Hybrid, see theTwo!mode Hybrid manual for more information.
This vehicle may have a Tire Pressure Monitor System(TPMS). The TPMS is designed to warn the driver whena low tire pressure condition exists. TPMS sensors aremounted onto each tire and wheel assembly, excludingthe spare tire and wheel assembly. The TPMS sensorsmonitor the air pressure in the vehicle's tires andtransmit the tire pressure readings to a receiver locatedin the vehicle.
When a low tire pressurecondition is detected, theTPMS illuminates the lowtire pressure warning lightlocated on the instrumentpanel cluster.
At the same time a message to check the pressure in aspecific tire appears on the Driver Information Center(DIC) display. The low tire pressure warning light andthe DIC warning message come on at each ignitioncycle until the tires are inflated to the correct inflationpressure. Using the DIC, tire pressure levels can beviewed by the driver. For additional information anddetails about the DIC operation and displays seeDICOperation and Displayson page 4!41andDICWarnings and Messages on page 4!48.
The low tire pressure warning light may come on in coolweather when the vehicle is first started, and then turnoff as you start to drive. This could be an early indicatorthat the air pressure in the tire(s) are getting low andneed to be inflated to the proper pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information label, attached to yourvehicle, shows the size of your vehicle's originalequipment tires and the correct inflation pressure foryour vehicle's tires when they are cold. SeeLoading theVehicleon page 6!32, for an example of the Tire andLoading Information label and its location on yourvehicle. Also seeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 7!65.
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TPMS Sensor Matching Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique identification code.Any time you rotate your vehicle's tires or replace oneor more of the TPMS sensors, the identification codeswill need to be matched to the new tire/wheel position.The sensors are matched to the tire/wheel positionsin the following order: driver side front tire, passengerside front tire, passenger side rear tire, and driverside rear tire using a TPMS diagnostic tool. See yourdealer/retailer for service.
The TPMS sensors can also be matched to each tire/wheel position by increasing or decreasing the tire's airpressure. If increasing the tire's air pressure, do notexceed the maximum inflation pressure indicated on thetire's sidewall.
To decrease air-pressure out of a tire you can use thepointed end of the valve cap, a pencil-style air pressuregage, or a key.
You have two minutes to match the first tire/wheelposition, and five minutes overall to match all four tire/wheel positions. If it takes longer than two minutes, tomatch the first tire and wheel, or more than five minutesto match all four tire and wheel positions the matchingprocess stops and you need to start over.
The TPMS sensor matching process is outlined below:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition switch to ON/RUN with theengine off.
3. PressQandKon the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter at the same time forapproximately five seconds. The horn sounds twiceto signal the receiver is in relearn mode and TIRELEARNING ACTIVE message displays on the DICscreen.
4. Start with the driver side front tire.
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