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TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION
TIRE PRESSURE
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire pressure:
Safety
WARNING!
Improperly inflated tires are danger-
ous and can cause collisions.
Under-inflation increases tire flexing and can
result over-heating and in tire failure.
Over-inflation reduces a tire's ability to cush-
ion shock. Objects on the road and chuckholes
can cause damage that result in tire failure.
Over-inflated or under-inflated tires can affect
vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting
in loss of vehicle control.
Unequal tire pressures can cause steering
problems.You could lose control of your vehicle.
Unequal tire pressures from one side of the
vehicle to the other can cause the vehicle to drift
to the right or left .
Always drive with each tire inflated to the
recommended cold tire inflation pressure. Economy
Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear
patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnor-
mal wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a
need for earlier tire replacement. Under-inflation, also
increases tire rolling resistance resulting in higher fuelconsumption.
Ride Comfort And Vehicle Stability
Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride.
Over-inflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable
ride.
TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES
The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the
driver's side B-Pillar or rear edge of the driver's side
door.
The pressure should be checked and adjusted as well as
inspecting for signs of tire wear or visible damage at
least once a month. Use a good quality pocket-type
gauge to check tire pressure. Do not make a visual
judgement when determining proper inflation. Radial
tires may look properly inflated even when they are
under-inflated.
After inspecting or adjusting the tire
pressure, always reinstall the valve stem
cap. This will prevent moisture and dirt
from entering the valve stem, which could damage
the valve stem.
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STARTING ANDDRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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IN AN
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Inflation pressures specified on the placard are always
“cold tire inflation pressure.” Cold tire inflation pres-
sure is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has
not been driven for at least three hours, or driven less
than 1.6 km after a three hour period. The cold tire
inflation pressure must not exceed the maximum infla-
tion pressure molded into the tire sidewall.
Check tire pressures more often if subject to a wide
range of outdoor temperatures, as tire pressures vary
with temperature changes.
Tire pressures change by approximately 7 kPa per 7°C
of air temperature change. Keep this in mind when
checking tire pressure inside a garage, especially in the
winter.
Example: If garage temperature = 20°C and the outside
temperature = 0°C then the cold tire inflation pressure
should be increased by 21 kPa, which equals 7 kPa for
every 7°C for this outside temperature condition.
Tire pressure may increase from 13 to 40 kPa during
operation. DO NOT reduce this normal pressure build
up or your tire pressure will be too low.
Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation
The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speeds
within posted speed limits. Where speed limits or
conditions are such that the vehicle can be driven at
high speeds, maintaining correct tire inflation pressure
is very important. Increased tire pressure and reduced
vehicle loading may be required for high-speed vehicle
operation. Refer to original equipment or an autho-rized tire dealer for recommended safe operating
speeds, loading and cold tire inflation pressures.
WARNING!
High speed driving with your vehicle un-
der maximum load is dangerous. The
added strain on your tires could cause them to
fail. You could have a serious collision. Do not
drive a vehicle loaded to the maximum capacity
at continuous speeds above 120 km/h.
RADIAL-PLY TIRES
WARNING!
Combining radial ply tires with other
types of tires on your vehicle will cause
your vehicle to handle poorly. The instability
could cause a collision. Always use radial ply tires
in sets of four. Never combine them with other
types of tires.
Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in
the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your
authorized tire dealer for radial tire repairs.
SPARE TIRE MATCHING ORIGINAL
EQUIPPED TIRE AND WHEEL – IFEQUIPPED
Your vehicle may be equivalent with a spare tire and
wheel in look and function as the original equipment
tire and wheel found on the front or rear axle of your
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KNOWING
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VEHICLE
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DRIVING
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vehicle. This spare tire may be used in the tire rotation
for your vehicle. If your vehicle has this option refer to
an authorized tire dealer for the recommended tire
rotation pattern.
If your vehicle is not equipped with an original equip-
ment tire and wheel as a spare, a non-matching tem-
porary emergency use spare may be equipped with
your vehicle. Temporary use spares are engineered to
be used only with your vehicle. Your vehicle may be
equipped with one of the following types of non-
matching temporary use spares; compact, full size, or
limited-use. Do not install more than one non-
matching temporary use spare tire/wheel on the ve-
hicle at any given time.
Because of the reduced ground clear-
ance, do not take your vehicle through an
automatic car wash with a compact , full
size or limited-use temporary spare installed.
Damage to the vehicle may result .
COMPACT SPARE TIRE – IF EQUIPPED
The compact spare is for temporary emergency use
only. You can identify if your vehicle is equipped with a
compact spare by looking at the spare tire description
on the Tire and Loading Information Placard located on
the driver’s side door opening or on the sidewall of the
tire. Compact spare tire descriptions begin with the
letter “T” or “S” preceding the size designation. Ex-
ample: T145/80D18 103M.
T, S = Temporary Spare Tire Since this tire has limited tread life the original equip-
ment tire should be repaired (or replaced) and rein-
stalled on your vehicle at the first opportunity.
Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a
conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since
the wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare
tire. Do not install more than one compact spare tire
and wheel on the vehicle at any given time
WARNING!
Compact spares are for temporary
emergency use only. With these spares,
do not drive more than 50 mph (80 km/h). Tem-
porary use spares have limited tread life. When
the tread is worn to the tread wear indicators,
the temporary use spare tire needs to be re-
placed. Be sure to follow the warnings, which
apply to your spare. Failure to do so could result
in spare tire failure and loss of vehicle control.
FULL SIZE SPARE – IF EQUIPPED
The full size spare is for temporary emergency use only.
This tire may look like the original equipped tire on the
front or rear axle of your vehicle, but it is not. This
spare tire may have limited tread life. When the tread is
worn to the tread wear indicators, the temporary use
full size spare tire needs to be replaced. Since it is not
the same as your original equipment tire, replace (or
repair) the original equipment tire and reinstall on the
vehicle at the first opportunity. 237
KNOWING
YOURVEHICLE SAFETY
STARTING ANDDRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
CARETECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONSCONTENTS