
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.
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IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 467

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.
468 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System).............. 306
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 415
Adding Fuel ........................... 353
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... 410
Additives, Fuel ......................... 351
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 406
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 408
Air Conditioning ........................ 271
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 271
Air Conditioning Filter .................... 283
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............408,409
Air Conditioning System .............271,276,408
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 284
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 329
Airbag .............................. 60,69
Airbag Deployment ....................... 70
Airbag Light ................... 67,68,73,85,193
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 72
Airbag, Side ...................... 63,66,68,69Airbag, Window (Side Curtain)
...........64,66,69
Alarm Light ........................... 197
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ............... 17
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 8
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................234,259
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............. 306
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 194
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 17
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........414,437,438
Capacities .......................... 437
Disposal ........................... 417
Appearance Care ........................ 424
Assistance Towing ....................... 111
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 94
Automatic Door Locks ..................... 30
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 276
Automatic Transaxle ...........12,289,294,375,422
Fluid Level Check .................... 422
Interlock System ..................... 295
470 INDEX

Life of Tires............................ 335
Liftgate (Sedan) .......................... 35
Liftgate Window Wiper/Washer ............. 182
Light Bulbs .......................... 87,434
Lights .............................. 87,147
Airbag .................... 67,68,73,85,193
Alarm ............................ 197
Anti-Lock .......................... 194
Back-Up ........................... 436
Brake Assist Warning .................. 317
Brake Warning ...................... 195
Bulb Replacement .................... 435
Cargo ............................. 177
Center Mounted Stop .................. 436
Daytime Running .................... 148
Dimmer Switch, Headlight .............. 147
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . 317
Engine Temperature Warning ............ 195
Exterior ............................ 87 Fog .........................
148,204,435
Headlight Switch ..................... 147
Headlights ......................... 147
High Beam Indicator .................. 194
Instrument Cluster ................... 147
License ............................ 436
Lights On Reminder .................. 148
Low Fuel .......................... 193
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ...... 203
Map Reading ....................... 150
Oil Pressure ........................ 193
Seat Belt Reminder ................... 194
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ..........18,197
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ............ 197
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ......... 199
Traction Control ..................... 317
Turn Signal ................. 87,147,149,436
Voltage ............................ 192
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 192
478 INDEX

Loading Vehicle...................... 355,357
Capacities .......................... 357
Tires .............................. 324
Locks Child Protection ...................... 32
Door .............................. 28
Power Door ......................... 29
Lubrication, Body ....................... 409
Lumbar Support ........................ 137
Maintenance Free Battery .................. 407
Maintenance Procedures ................... 402
Maintenance Schedule .................... 442
Maintenance, General ..................... 402
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 203,400
Manual Transaxle .................. 289,292,423
Downshifting ....................... 293
Fluid Level Check ................. 423,424
Frequency of Fluid Change ...........423,424Lubricant Selection
................. 423,424
Manual, Service ......................... 465
Map/Reading Lights ..................... 150
Master Cylinder (Brakes) .................. 419
Methanol ............................. 350
Mini-Trip Computer ...................... 205
Mirrors ................................ 93
Automatic Dimming ................... 94
Electric Powered ...................... 95
Heated ............................. 96
Outside ............................ 94
Rearview ........................... 93
Vanity ............................. 96
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ............. 8
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ............... 339
Mopar Parts ......................... 401,464
MTBE/ETBE ........................... 350
Multi-Function Control Lever ............... 147
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INDEX 479

PowerDoor Locks ......................... 29
Mirrors ............................ 95
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) ........ 168
Steering ........................ 301,302
Sunroof ........................... 165
Transfer Unit ....................... 424
Windows ........................... 33
Power Steering Fluid ..................... 439
Power Transfer Unit ...................... 424
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts .............. 59
Preparation for Jacking .................... 377
Pretensioners Seat Belts ........................... 53
Programmable Electronic Features ............ 213
Radial Ply Tires ......................... 331
Radio Operation ........................ 271
Rear Axle (Differential) .................... 423 Rear Drive Assembly
..................... 423
Rear Liftgate (Sedan) ...................... 35
Rear Seat, Folding ....................... 143
Rear Window Defroster ................... 183
Rear Window Features .................... 182
Rear Wiper/Washer ...................... 182
Recorder, Event Data ...................... 73
Recreational Towing ...................... 370
Reformulated Gasoline .................... 349
Refrigerant ............................ 409
Reminder, Seat Belt ....................... 57
Remote Control Door Locks ......................... 19
Security Alarm ....................... 17
Remote Keyless Entry (Sedan) ............... 19
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls ........ 269
Remote Starting System .................... 25
Replacement Bulbs ....................... 434
Replacement Keys ........................ 15
10
INDEX 481

Replacement Parts....................... 401
Replacement Tires ....................... 336
Reporting Safety Defects ................... 464
Restraint, Head ......................... 140
Restraints, Child ....................... 74,81
Restraints, Infant ......................... 75
Restraints, Occupant ...................... 37
Retractable Cargo Area Cover ............... 178
Roll Over Warning ........................ 4
Rotation, Tires .......................... 338
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle ................. 85
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle ............... 87
Safety Defects, Reporting .................. 464
Safety Information, Tire ................... 318
Safety Tips ............................. 83
Safety, Exhaust Gas ....................... 84
Satellite Radio Antenna .................234,259
Schedule, Maintenance .................... 442 Seat Belt Maintenance
.................... 429
Seat Belt Reminder ....................... 57
Seat Belts ............................ 37,85
Adjustable Shoulder Belt ................ 46
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage ...... 46
And Pregnant Women .................. 59
Child Restraint ....................... 74
Extender ........................... 59
Front Seat .......................... 40
Inspection .......................... 85
Pretensioners ........................ 53
Rear Seat ........................... 40
Seats ................................. 132
Adjustment ......................... 135
Heated ............................ 134
Lumbar Support ..................... 137
Rear Folding ........................ 143
Rear Folding (Sedan) .................. 143
Seatback Release ..................... 138
482 INDEX

Tilting............................ 138
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ................ 17
Selection of Oil ......................... 404
Sentry Key (Immobilizer) ................... 14
Sentry Key Programming ................... 16
Sentry Key Replacement ................... 15
Service Assistance ....................... 461
Service Contract ......................... 463
Service Manuals ........................ 465
Setting the Clock .................. 220,238,248
Settings, Personal ........................ 213
Shift Lever Override ...................... 390
Shift Speeds, Manual Transaxle .............. 293
Shoulder Belts ........................... 40
Side Airbag ............................. 68
Side Window Demisters (Defrosters) .......... 283
Signals, Turn ...................... 87,193,436
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ................. 337
Snow Tires ............................ 337 Spare Tire
....................... 332,333,377
Specifications Oil ............................... 404
Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...........155,198
Speedometer ........................... 193
Starting ............................... 289
Automatic Transmission ................ 289
Engine Fails to Start .................. 291
Manual Transmission .................. 289
Remote ............................ 25
Starting Procedures ...................... 289
Steering Power .......................... 301,302
Tilt Column ........................ 154
Steering Wheel Audio Controls .............. 269
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound
System Controls ......................... 269
Storage ............................ 174,434
Storage Bin ............................ 174
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INDEX 483