
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 one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may departsignificantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics 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.
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 509

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.
510 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

About Your Brakes....................... 336
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) .............. 338
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) (Cruise Control) . . 186
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 452
Adding Fuel ........................... 388
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... 447
Additives, Fuel ......................... 383
Adjustable Pedals ....................... 181
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 440
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 443
Air Conditioning Filter ................. 31 1,444
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............443,444
Air Conditioning System ................308,443
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 359
Airbag .............................. 56,66
Airbag Deployment ....................... 67
Airbag Light ................... 63,64,69,84,265
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 68
Airbag, Side ...................... 60,62,65,66Airbag, Window (Side Curtain)
...........60,62,66
Alarm (Security Alarm) .................... 17
Alarm Light ........................... 265
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ............... 17
Alarm, Panic ............................ 22
All Wheel Drive (AWD) ................330,460
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............338,340
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 260
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 17
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..............451,480
Disposal ........................... 454
Appearance Care ........................ 461
Arming Theft System (Security Alarm) ......... 17
Assist, Hill Start ........................ 344
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 39
Auto Unlock, Doors ....................... 30
Auto Up Power Windows .................. 39
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 94
512 INDEX

Automatic Door Locks..................... 30
Automatic Headlights .................... 164
Automatic Oil Change Indicator ............. 277
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 308
Automatic Transaxle Special Additives ..................... 458
Automatic Transmission .............325,458,459
Adding Fluid .................... 459,482
Autostick .......................... 329
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 459
Fluid Change ....................... 459
Fluid Level Check .................... 459
Fluid Type ......................... 482
Gear Ranges ........................ 326
Shifting ........................... 325
Special Additives ..................... 458
Automatic Transmission Limp Home Mode ..... 328
Autostick ............................. 329
Axle Fluid ............................. 482 Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid)
............... 482
B-Pillar Location ........................ 354
Battery ............................... 441
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 23
Location ........................... 441
Belts, Seat ............................ 46,84
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 446
Brake Assist System ...................... 341
Brake Control System, Electronic ............. 340
Brake Fluid ............................ 482
Brake System ........................... 456
Anti-Lock (ABS) ..................... 338
Fluid Check ..................... 456,482
Master Cylinder ..................... 456
Parking ........................... 336
Warning Light ....................... 265
Brake, Parking .......................... 336
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 325
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INDEX 513

Brakes............................... 456
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 81
Brightness, Interior Lights .................. 171
Bulb Replacement ..................... 475,476
Bulbs, Light .......................... 86,475
Camera, Rear ........................... 219
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 480
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) ..................... 438,439
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 453
Car Washes ............................ 461
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............83,384
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 391
Cellular Phone .......................... 301
Certification Label ....................... 391
Chains, Tire ............................ 367
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 409
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 350 Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light)
.............262,433
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 82
Checks, Safety ........................... 82
Child Restraint .................. 71,72,73,76,79
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............74,76
Child Safety Locks ........................ 32
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 381
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 463
Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 446
Climate Control ......................... 301
Clock ................................ 298
Coin Holder ........................... 246
Cold Weather Operation ................... 320
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 300
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 362
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 280
514 INDEX

DisposalAntifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............. 454
Engine Oil ......................... 440
Door Locks ............................. 28
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 30
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 223
Driving On Slippery Surfaces .................. 331
Through Flowing, Rising, or
Shallow Standing Water ................ 332
Driving to Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy .... 278
E-85 Fuel ............................. 385
Electric Rear Window Defrost ............... 250
Electric Remote Mirrors .................... 96
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 237
Electronic Brake Control System ............. 340
Anti-Lock Brake System ................ 340
Brake Assist System ................... 341 Traction Control System
................ 341
Electronic Power Distribution Center (Fuses) .... 466
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ....183,186
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ............. 342
Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) ....................... 219,269
Emergency Deck Lid Release ................ 42
Emergency Trunk Release ................... 42
Emergency, In Case of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ............. 422
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 408
Jacking ............................ 409
Jump Starting ....................... 418
Overheating ........................ 408
Towing ............................ 425
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 433
Engine ............................... 432
Air Cleaner ......................... 440
Block Heater ........................ 322
516 INDEX

Engine Oil Disposal................... 440
Flash-To-Pass ........................... 169
Flashers Hazard Warning ..................... 408
Turn Signal .................... 86,168,259
Flat Tire Changing ....................... 409
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ...................... 387
Engine Oil ......................... 387
Fuel Requirements ................. 385,386
Maintenance ........................ 388
Replacement Parts .................... 387
Starting ........................... 387
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 321
Floor Console .......................... 246
Fluid Capacities ......................... 480
Fluid Leaks ............................. 86 Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission ................ 459
Brake ............................. 456
Cooling System ...................... 451
Engine Oil ......................... 437
Transfer Case ....................... 460
Fluid, Brake ........................... 482
Fluids ................................ 481
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 481
Fog Lights .......................... 167,259
Folding Rear Seat ........................ 157
Forward Collision Warning ..............206,273
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 422
Fuel ................................. 380
Additives .......................... 383
Clean Air .......................... 381
Conserving ......................... 278
Ethanol ........................... 381
Filler Door (Gas Cap) .................. 264
518 INDEX

Gasoline........................... 380
Gauge ............................ 264
Light ............................. 273
Materials Added ..................... 383
Methanol .......................... 381
Octane Rating ....................... 481
Saver Mode ........................ 278
Specifications ....................... 481
Tank Capacity ....................... 480
Fuel Optimizer ......................... 278
Fuel Saver ............................. 278
Fuel, Flexible ........................... 385
Fuses ................................ 466
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) ........... 223
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 380
Conserving ......................... 278
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 381
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 381 Gauges
Coolant Temperature .................. 267
Fuel .............................. 264
Speedometer ........................ 264
Tachometer ......................... 259
Gear Ranges ........................... 326
Gear Select Lever Override ................. 424
General Information ............17,24,139,204,380
General Maintenance ..................... 436
Glass Cleaning .......................... 465
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............392,394
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............392,393
GVWR ............................... 392
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ...................... 332
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 408
Head Restraints ......................... 154
10
INDEX 519