2011 HONDA CR-Z Owners Manual

272
Maintenance
Checking and Maintaining Tires DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
The tires on your vehicle meet all U.S. Federal Safety Requirements. All tires are also graded for treadwear, traction, and temperature performance according to Department of Transportation (DOT) standards. The following explains these gradings.Uniform Tire Quality Grading

■
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum section width.
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 (1 1/2) 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 depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and difference s in road characteristics and
climate.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
For example: Treadwear 200Traction AATemperature A All passenger car tires must conform to Federal Safety Requirements in addition to these grades.
Main MenuTable of Contents

273
Maintenance
Checking and Maintaining Tires DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Traction
■
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those 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 performance.
Temperature

■
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 represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Traction
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.
Temperature
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inlated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinlation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Main MenuTable of Contents

274
Maintenance
Checking and Maintaining Tires Wear Indicators Tire Service Life
Wear Indicators
The groove where the wear indicator is located is 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) shallower than elsewhere on the tire. If the tread has worn so that the indicator is exposed, replace the tire.Worn out tires have poor traction on wet roads.
Tire Service Life The life of your tires is dependent on many factors, including driving habits, road conditions, vehicle loading, inflation pressure, maintenance history, speed, and environmental conditions (even when the tires are not in use). In addition to your regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance, it is recommended that you have annual inspections performed once the tires reach five
years old. It is also recommended that all tires, including the spare, be removed from service after 10 years from the date of manufacture, regardless of their condition or state of wear. Wear Indicators shown by a mark
Main MenuTable of Contents

275
Maintenance
Checking and Maintaining Tires Tire and Wheel Replacement
Tire and Wheel Replacement
Tire and Wheel Replacement
WARNING
Installing improper tires on your vehicle can affect handling and stability. This can cause a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed. Always use the size and type of tires recommended in this owner’s manual.
Replace your tires with radials of the same size, load range, speed rating, and maximum cold tire pressure rating (as shown on the tire’s sidewall). Using tires of a different size or construction can cause the ABS and VSA®
(vehicle stability assist)
system to work incorrectly. It is best to replace all four tires at the same time. If that isn’t possible, replace the front or rear tires in pairs.
U.S. models only
If you replace a wheel, only use TPMS specified wheels approved for your vehicle.
Main MenuTable of Contents

276
Maintenance
Checking and Maintaining Tires Tire Rotation
Tire Rotation Rotating tires according to the maintenance messages on the multi-information display helps to distribute wear more evenly and increase tire life.Tires without Rotation Marks
■
Rotate the tires as shown here.
Tires with Rotation Marks
■
Rotate the tires as shown here.
Tire Rotation
Tires with directional tread patterns should only be rotated front to back (not from one side to the other).Directional tires should be mounted with the rotation indication mark facing forward, as shown below.
Front
Direction Mark
Fr on t
Fron t
Main MenuTable of Contents

277
Maintenance
Checking and Maintaining Tires Winter Tires
Winter Tires If driving on snowy or frozen roads, mount all season marked “M + S” tires, snow tires, or tire chains; reduce speed; and maintain sufficient distance between vehicles when driving. Be particularly careful when operating the steering wheel or brakes to prevent skidding. Use tire chains, snow tires, or all season tires when necessary or according to the law. When mounting, refer to the following points. For winter tires:Select the size and load ranges that are the same as the original tires.
•
Mount the tires to all four wheels.
•
For tire chains: Install them on the front tires only. Because your vehicle has limited tire
•
clearance, Honda strongly recommends using the chains listed below:
Cable-type: SCC Radial Chain SC1030
Follow the chain manufacturer’s instruction when installing. Mount them as
•
tightly as you can. Check that the chains do not touch the brake lines or suspension.
•
Drive slowly.
•
Winter Tires
NOTICE Traction devices that are the wrong size or improperly installed can damage your vehicle's brake lines, suspension, body, and wheels. Stop driving if they are hitting any part of the vehicle. When tire chains are mounted, follow the chain manufacturer's instructions regarding vehicle operational limits.
WARNING
Using the wrong chains, or not properly installing chains, can damage the brake lines and cause a crash in which you can be seriously injured or killed. Follow all instructions in this owner’s manual regarding the selection and use of tire chains.
Main MenuTable of Contents

278
Maintenance
12 Volt Battery
Checking the 12 Volt Battery
Check the battery condition monthly. Look at the test indicator window and check the terminals for corrosion.
If your vehicle’s battery is disconnected or goes dead: The audio system is disabled.
•
Entering the Security Code P.140
The clock resets.
•
Setting the Clock P.98
The navigation system is disabled. A PIN code will be required.
•
Refer to the navigation system manual.
Charging the 12 Volt Battery Disconnect both battery cables to prevent damaging your vehicle’s electrical system. Always disconnect the negative (–) cable first, and reconnect it last.
Test Indicator Window 12 Volt Battery
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead and lead compounds.Wash your hands after handling. The test indicator's color information is on the battery. When you ind corrosion, clean the battery terminals by applying a baking powder and water solution. Rinse the terminals with water. Cloth/towel dry the battery. Coat the terminals with grease to help prevent future corrosion. If the 12 volt battery is disconnected or goes dead, the IMA battery level gauge reading may show less than the actual level the next time you turn the ignition switch to ON
. It will show the correct
level after you drive for about 30 minutes.
WARNING
The battery gives off explosive hydrogen gas during normal operation. A spark or flame can cause the battery to explode with enough force to kill or seriously hurt you. Wear protective clothing and a face shield, or have a skilled technician do any battery maintenance.
Main MenuTable of Contents

279
Maintenance
Remote Transmitter Care
Replacing the Battery If the indicator does not come on when the button is pushed, replace the battery.
Battery type: CR1616
1. Unscrew the cover with a small Phillips- head screwdriver. Push a button to pry open the transmitter.
2. Open the keypad.
Wrap the small flat-tip screwdriver
with a cloth to prevent scratching the transmitter.
Make sure to replace the battery with the
3.
correct polarity.
Replacing the Battery
NOTICE An improperly disposed of battery can hurt the environment. Always conirm local regulations for battery disposal.
Replacement batteries are commercially available or at a dealer.
Screw
BatteryKeypad
Main MenuTable of Contents