Page 220 of 286

The compact spare tire pressure is:
60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2)
For convenience, the recommended
tire sizes and cold tire pressures are
on a label on the driver's doorjamb.
For additional technical information
about your tires, see page 253.
Tire Inspection
Every time you check inflation, you
should also examine the tires for
damage, foreign objects, and wear.
You should look for:
●Bumps or bulges in the tread or
side of the tire. Replace the tire if
you find either of these conditions.●Cuts, splits, or cracks in the side of
the tire. Replace the tire if you can
see fabric or cord.●Excessive tread wear.
Your tires have wear indicators
molded into the tread. When the
tread wears down, you will see a
1/2 inch (12.7 mm) wide band across
the tread. This shows there is less
than 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread left
on the tire.
A tire this worn gives very little
traction on wet roads. You should
replace the tire if you can see three
or more tread wear indicators. Tire Service Life
The service life of your tires is
dependent on many factors,
including, but not limited to, 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.
The last four digits of the TIN (tire
identification number) are found on
the sidewall of the tire and indicate
the date of manufacture (See
Tire
Labeling on page 255).
INDICATOR LOCATION MARKS
TREAD WEAR INDICATORS
Tires21410/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
Page 227 of 286

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If
not, you will also find instructions on
getting your vehicle towed.Compact Spare Tire
....................
222
Changing a Flat Tire
...................
223
If the Engine Won't Start
.............
229
Jump Starting
..............................
231
If the Engine Overheats
..............
233
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
.........
235
Charging System Indicator
.........
235
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
........
236
Brake System Indicator
...............
237
Fuses
..........................................
239
Fuse Locations
............................
242
Emergency Towing
.....................
244
Taking Care of the Unexpected
221
Taking Care of the Unexpected
10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
Page 228 of 286

Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or
replaced, and put it back on your
vehicle as soon as you can.
Check the inflation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inflated to:
60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2)
Follow these precautions:
●Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).●This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road
surfaces. Use greater caution while
driving.●Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare tire.
●Do not use your compact spare tire
on another vehicle unless it is the
same make and model.●The low tire pressure indicator
comes on and stays on after you
replace the flat tire with the
compact spare tire. After several
miles (kilometers) driving with the
compact spare tire, the TPMS
indicator comes on and the low tire
pressure indicator goes off.
Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
same wheel. The spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed for mounting a regular tire.INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
Compact Spare Tire22210/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu
Page 284 of 286

Turn Signals
.................................
60
Turn Signals and Headlights
........
71
U
Unexpected, Taking Care of the
..........................................
221
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (U.S. only)
..............................
253
Unleaded Gasoline
.....................
142
Used Oil, How to Dispose of
......
195
V
Vanity Mirror
.............................
101
Vehicle Capacity Load
................
152
Vehicle Dimensions
...................
250
Vehicle Identification Number
...
248
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®),
aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
VSA OFF Indicator
..................
172
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
................................
172
VSA OFF Indicator
...................
62 VSA OFF Switch
.....................
173
VSA System Indicator
..............
62
Vehicle Storage
..........................
219
Ventilation
..................................
106
VIN
............................................
248
Viscosity, Oil
..............................
193
W
WARNING, Explanation of
...........
iii
Warning Labels, Location of
.........
53
Warranty Coverages
..................
265
Washer, Windshield Checking the Fluid Level
........
197
Operation
.................................
70
Wheels
.......................................
212
Adjusting the Steering
..............
74
Alignment and Balance
...........
215
Compact Spare
........................
222
Wrench, Nut
...........................
223
Windows Operating the Power
................
92
Rear, Defogger
.........................
74
Windshield Cleaning
...................................
70 Defroster
.................................
107
Washers
............................
70, 197
Wipers, Windshield Changing Blades
.....................
210
Operation
.................................
70
Worn Tires
.................................
214
Wrecker, Emergency Towing
....
244
IndexX10/08/06 08:34:41 11 ELEMENT MMC North America Owner's Man 50 31SCV680 enu