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uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uTire Labeling
302
Maintenance
The tire identification number (TIN) is a gr oup of numbers and letters that look like
the example in the side column. TIN is located on the sidewall of the tire.
Cold Tire Pressure – The tire air pressure when the vehicle has been parked for at
least three hours or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Load Rating – Means the maximum load that a ti re is rated to carry for a given
inflation pressure.
Maximum Inflation Pressure – The maximum tire air pressure that the tire can
hold.
Maximum Load Rating – Means the load rating for a tire at the maximum
permissible inflation pr essure for that tire.
Recommended Inflation Pressure – The cold tire inflation pressure recommended
by the manufacturer.
Treadwear Indicators (TWI) – Means the projections within the principal grooves
designed to give a visual indication of the degrees of wear of the tread.
■Tire Identification Number (TIN)
■Glossary of Tire Terminology
1 Tire Identification Number (TIN)
DOT B97R FW6X 2209
DOT: This indicates th at the tire meets all
requirements of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
B97R: Manufacturer’s identification mark.
FW6X: Tire type code.
22 09: Date of manufacture.
Year
Week
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uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uDOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
304
Maintenance
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 asphal t and concrete. A tire marked
C may have poor traction performance.
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 te sted 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 temp erature 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
■Temperature
1 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.
1Temperature
Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is establishe d for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible
tire failure.
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305
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uWear Indicators
Maintenance
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 pr essure, maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even wh en the tires are not in use).
In addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance, it is
recommended that you have annual inspections performed once the tires reach five
years old. All tires, including the spare, should be removed from service after 10
years from the date of manufacture, regardless of their condition or state of wear.
Example of a Wear
Indicator mark
Page 319 of 370

317
Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
Tools
Types of Tools .................................. 318
If a Tire Goes Flat Changing a Flat Tire ......................... 319
Engine Does Not Start
Checking the Engine ........................ 326
If the Keyless Access Remote Battery is Weak ..........................................327
Emergency Engine Stop ................... 328
Jump Starting .................................... 329
Shift Lever Do es Not Move.............. 331 Overheating
How to Handle Overheating............. 332
Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes On ............................................. 334
If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 334
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks ................................... 335
If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes On .................................. 336
If the ECPS Indicator* Comes On ..... 336 If the Low Tire Pres
sure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks ....................... 337
Fuses Fuse Locations ................................. 338
Circuit Protected and Amps for Each Fuse............................................ 340
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 343
Emergency Towing ........................... 344
When You Cannot Unlock the Fuel Fill Door ................................................. 346
When You Cannot Open or Close the Tailgate ............................................ 347
* Not available on all models
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319Continued
Handling the Unexpected
If a Tire Goes Flat
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat while driving, grasp the steering wheel firmly, and brake gradually
to reduce speed. Then, stop in a safe plac e. Replace the flat tire with a compact
spare tire. Go to a dealer as soon as possible to have the full-size tire repaired or
replaced.
1. Park the vehicle on firm, level, and non-slippery ground.
2. Put the shift lever in
P.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Turn on the hazard warn ing lights and turn the ignition switch to LOCK
0*1.
*1: Models with the keyless access system have an ENGINE START/STOP button
instead of an ig nition switch.
1Changing a Flat Tire
Periodically check the tire pressure of the compact
spare. It should be set to the specified pressure.
Specified Pressure: 60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2)
When driving with the compact spare tire, keep the
vehicle speed under 50 mph (80 km/h). Replace with
a full-size tire as soon as possible.
The compact spare tire and wheel in your vehicle are
specifically for this model.
Do not use them with another vehicle.
Do not use another type of compact spare tire or
wheel with your vehicle.
Do not mount tire chains on a compact spare tire.
If a chain-mounted front tire goes flat, remove one of
the full-size rear tires and replace it with the compact
spare tire. Remove the flat front tire and replace it
with the full-size tire that was removed from the rear.
Mount the tire chains on the front tire.
Do not use a puncture-repairing agent on a flat tire,
as it can dama ge the tire pressure sensor.
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uuIf a Tire Goes Flat uChanging a Flat Tire
320
Handling the Unexpected
1. Push the rear edge of the handle on the
front cargo floor lid and open the lid.
2. Take the jack, extension bar, and wheel nut
wrench out of the tool case.
3. Remove the cover on the cargo area lining
to access the shaft fo r the spare tire hoist.
■Getting Ready to Replace the Flat Tire1Changing a Flat Tire
NOTICEDo not use the jack if it doesn’t work properly. Call
your dealer or a professional towing service.
The subwoofer, a large black enclosure, is located on
the right side under the lid. Do not store anything in
this area. Doing so may compromise vehicle audio
performance.
Handle
Tool Case
Spare Tire
Cover
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321
uuIf a Tire Goes Flat uChanging a Flat Tire
Continued
Handling the Unexpected
4. Put the extension bar with the wheel nut
wrench on the hoist shaft.
Turn the wrench to th e left to lower the
spare tire to the ground.
5. Keep turning the wh eel nut wrench to
create slack in the cable.
6. Remove the bracket from the spare tire.
7. Place a wheel block or rock in front and rear
of the wheel diagonal to the flat tire.Extension Bar
Wheel Nut
Wrench
Bracket
The tire to be replaced.
Wheel
Blocks
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322
uuIf a Tire Goes Flat uChanging a Flat Tire
Handling the Unexpected
8. Place the compact spare tire (wheel side up)
under the vehicle body, near the tire that
needs to be replaced.
9. Loosen each wheel nut about one turn
using the wheel nut wrench.