2011 MITSUBISHI LANCER SPORTBACK Owners Manual

7-30 Vehicle care and maintenance
7

Intended outboard sidewall:
• The sidewall that contains a whitewall, bears white let-
tering or bears manufacturer, brand, and/or model name
molding that is higher or deeper than the same molding
on the other sidewall of the tire,
or
• The outward facing sidewall of an asymmetrical tire that
has a particular side that must always face outward
when mounted on a vehicle.

Passenger car tire: a tire intended for use on passenger
cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, and trucks, that
have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000
pounds or less.

Light truck (LT) tire: a tire designated by its manufacturer
as primarily intended for use on lightweight trucks or mul-
tipurpose passenger vehicles.

Tread: portion of a tire that comes into contact with the
road.

Tread rib: a tread section running circumferentially
around a tire.

Tread separation: pulling away of the tread from the tire
carcass.

Carcass: the tire structure, except tread and sidewall rub-
ber which, when inflated, bears the load.

Sidewall: portion of a tire between the tread and bead.

Section width: the linear distance between the exteriors of
the sidewalls of an inflated tire, excluding elevations due
to labeling, decoration, or protective bands.

Bead: the part of the tire that is made of steel wires,
wrapped or reinforced by ply cords and that is shaped to
fit the rim.

Ply: a layer of rubber-coated parallel cords.
Cord: the strands forming the plies in the tire.

Rim: a metal support for a tire or a tire and tube assembly
upon which the tire beads are seated.

Rim diameter: nominal diameter of the bead seat.

Groove: the space between two adjacent tread ribs.
Tire Markings
BK0125300US.book 30 ページ ２０１０年５月１８日　火曜日　午後１時５３分

Vehicle care and maintenance
7-31
7
Size DesignationEXAMPLE: P215/65R15
NOTE
European/Japanese metric tire sizing is based on Euro-
pean/Japanese design standards. Tires designed to these
standards have the tire size molded into the sidewall
beginning with the section width. The letter “P” is
absent from this tire size designation. Example:
215/65R15 96H.

LT (Light Truck) -metric tire sizing is based on U.S.A.
design standards. The size designation for LT-metric
tires is the same as for P-metric tires except for the let-
ters “LT” that are molded into the sidewall preceding
the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
Temporary spare tires are high pressure compact spares
designed for temporary emergency use only. Tires
designed to this standard have the letter “T” molded
into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Exam-
ple: T145/80D18 103M.
Service DescriptionEXAMPLE: 95H

PPassenger car tire size based on U.S.A. design
standards
215 Section width in millimeters (mm.)
65Aspect ratio in percent (%)
Ratio of section height to section width of tire.
RConstruction code
• “R” means radial construction.
• “D” means diagonal or bias construction.
15 Rim diameter in inches (in)
95Load index
A numerical code associated with the maximum
load a tire can carry.
HSpeed symbol
A symbol indicating the range of speeds at
which a tire can carry a load corresponding to its
load index under certain operating conditions.
The maximum speed corresponding to the speed
symbol should only be achieved under specified
operating conditions. (i.e. tire pressure, vehicle
loading, road conditions and posted speed lim-
its)
BK0125300US.book 31 ページ ２０１０年５月１８日　火曜日　午後１時５３分

7-32 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
Maximum LoadMaximum load indicates the maximum load this tire is
designed to carry.Maximum PressureMaximum Pressure indicates the maximum permissible
cold tire inflation pressure for this tire.
Tire Identification Number (TIN)The TIN may be found on one or both sides of the tire but
the date code may only be on one side. Look for the TIN on
the outboard side of tires as mounted on the vehicle. If the
TIN is not found on the outboard side then you will find it
on the inboard side of the tire.EXAMPLE: DOT MA L9 ABCD 1504

WA R N I N G
!
Overloading of your tire is dangerous. Overload-
ing can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling,
and increase your stopping distance. Use tires of
the recommended load capacity for your vehicle.
Never overload them.
DOTDepartment of Transportation
This symbol certifies that the tire is in compli-
ance with the U.S. Department of Transporta-
tion tire safety standards, and is approved for
highway use.
MACode representing the tire manufacturing loca-
tion. (2 digits)
L9
ABCDCode representing the tire size. (2 digits)
Code used by tire manufacturer. (1 to 4 digits)
15Number representing the week in which the tire
was manufactured. (2 digits)
04Number representing the year in which the tire
was manufactured. (2 digits)
BK0125300US.book 32 ページ ２０１０年５月１８日　火曜日　午後１時５３分

Vehicle care and maintenance
7-33
7
Treadwear, Traction and Temperature GradesTr e a d w e a r
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 rel-
ative performance of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.
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.
Te m p e r a t u r e
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, repre-
senting the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degen-
erate 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.
Tire inflation pressures
N00939300828
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential for the safe and satis-
factory operation of your vehicle. The wrong tire pressure will
cause problems in three major areas:

Safety
Too little pressure increases flexing in the tire and can
cause tire failure. Too much pressure can cause a tire to
lose its ability to cushion shock. Objects on the road and
potholes could then cause tire damage that may result in
tire failure.

Economy
The wrong tire pressure can cause uneven wear patterns in
the tire tread. These abnormal wear patterns will reduce
the tread life, and the tire will have to be replaced sooner.
Too little pressure also makes it harder for the tire to roll,
and this uses up more fuel.

Ride comfort and vehicle stability
The superior riding experience built into your vehicle
partly depends on the correct tire pressure. Too much
pressure gives an uncomfortable and jarring ride. Too lit-
tle pressure feels as if your vehicle is slow to respond.
Unequal tire pressures can make steering your vehicle
uneven and unpredictable.
The correct tire pressure for your vehicle is listed on the plac-
ard attached to the driver’s door sill.
(Refer to “Tire and loading information placard” on page 9-4.)
BK0125300US.book 33 ページ ２０１０年５月１８日　火曜日　午後１時５３分

7-34 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
The recommended inflation pressures should be used for the
tires listed below.
Tire pressures should be checked, and adjusted if necessary, at
least once a month.
Pressures should be checked more often whenever weather
temperatures change severely, because tire pressures change
with outdoor temperatures. The pressures listed on the placard
are always “cold inflation pressure”.
Cold inflation pressure is measured after the vehicle has been
parked for at least three hours or is driven less than 1 mile
(1.6 km) after having been parked for three hours.
Cold inflation pressure must not go above the maximum values
molded into the tire sidewall. After driving several miles, your
tire inflation pressure may increase 14 to 41 KPA, 2 to 6 PSI
from the cold inflation pressure. Do not let air out of the tires to
get back to the specified cold pressure, or your tire pressure
will be too low.
Check your tires each time you refuel. If one tire looks lower
than the others, check the pressure for all of them.
You should also take the following safety precautions:

Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressures.
(See the tire and loading information placard attached to
the driver’s door sill.)

Stay within the recommended load limits.
Make sure that the weight of any load in your vehicle is
evenly distributed.

Drive at safe speeds.

After filling your tires to the correct pressure, check them
for damage and air leaks. Be sure to reinstall the caps on
the valve stems.
Item
Tire size
Front
Rear
Normal tireP205/60R16
P215/45R18
215/45R18240 KPA,
35 PSI240 KPA,
35 PSI
Compact spare tire T125/70D16
T125/90D16420 KPA, 60 PSI
BK0125300US.book 34 ページ ２０１０年５月１８日　火曜日　午後１時５３分

Vehicle care and maintenance
7-35
7
Replacing tires and wheels
N00939600371
Tire maintenance
N00939700154
The following maintenance steps are recommended:

Check tire pressures regularly.

Have regular maintenance done on the wheel balance and
front and rear suspension alignment.

Rotate your tires regularly as described in the “Tire rota-
tion” section on page 7-37.
CAUTION
!
Avoid using different size tires and wheels from the
ones listed, and avoid the combined use of different
types of tires and wheels. Using different size or type
tires and wheels may affect driving safety.
Refer to “Tires and wheels” on page 9-9.
For All-wheel drive vehicles, always use tires of the
same size, same type, and same brand, and which
have no wear differences. Using tires that differ in
size, type, brand or the degree of wear, will increase
the differential oil temperature, resulting in possible
damage to the driving system. Further, the drive
train will be subjected to excessive loading, possibly
leading to oil leakage, component seizure, or other
serious problems.
Even if a wheel has the same rim size and offset as
the specified type of wheel, its shape may prevent it
from being fitted correctly. Consult an authorized
Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair facility of your
choice before using wheels that you have.
Only Mitsubishi Motors genuine wheels should be
used, because your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system.
Use of another type of wheel risks air leaks and sen-
sor damage, as it will not be possible to install the
tire pressure sensor properly.
BK0125300US.book 35 ページ ２０１０年５月１８日　火曜日　午後１時５３分

7-36 Vehicle care and maintenance
7
Tread wear indicators
N00939800227
Tread wear indicators are built into the original equipment tires
on your vehicle to help you know when your tires should be
replaced. Many states have laws requiring that you replace
your tires at this point.
These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread
grooves and will appear when the tire tread is worn down to
1/16 inch (1.6 mm).
When the bands appear next to one another in two or more
places, replace your tires. NOTE
Tire wear indicators can have different marks and loca-
tions depending on the tire manufacturer.
1- Location of the tread wear indicator
2- Tread wear indicator
BK0125300US.book 36 ページ ２０１０年５月１８日　火曜日　午後１時５３分

Vehicle care and maintenance
7-37
7
Tire rotation
N00939900491
To even out the wear on your tires and make them last longer,
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation recommends that you rotate
your tires at the mileage listed in the “WARRANTY AND
MAINTENANCE MANUAL”.
However, the timing for tire rotation may vary according to
your vehicle condition, road surface conditions, and your own
personal driving habits. Any time you notice unusual wear,
rotate your tires as soon as possible.
When rotating tires, check for uneven wear, damage, and wheel
alignment. Abnormal wear is usually caused by a wrong tire
pressure, wheels that are not aligned properly, wheels that are
out-of-balance, or severe braking.
Check with an authorized Mitsubishi Motors dealer or a repair
facility of your choice to find out the reason for uneven tread
wear.
The first tire rotation is the most important one. It will allow all
your tires to wear evenly.
CAUTION
!
A compact spare tire can be installed temporarily in
place of a tire that has been removed during the tire
rotation. However, it must not be included in the
regular tire rotation sequence.Tires that do not have arrows showing rotation direction
Tires that have arrows showing rotation directionFront
Front
BK0125300US.book 37 ページ ２０１０年５月１８日　火曜日　午後１時５３分