2012 HONDA CR-Z maintenance

266
Maintenance
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades
Checking Wiper Blades
If the wiper blade rubber has deteriorated, it will leave streaks and the metal wiper
arm may scratch the window glass.
Changing the Front Wiper Blade Rubber1.Lift the driver side wiper arm first, then the
passenger side.
2. Push the lock tab up.
3. Slide the blade from the wiper arm.1Changing the Front Wiper Blade Rubber
NOTICE
Avoid dropping the wiper arm; it may damage the windshield.
Lock Tab

267
uuChecking and Maintaining Wiper BladesuChanging the Front Wiper Blade Rubber
Maintenance
4.Slide the wiper blade out from its holder by
pulling the tabbed end out.
5. Remove the retainer from the rubber blade that has been removed, and mount to a
new rubber blade.
uCorrectly align the rubber protrusion and
the retainer grooves.
6. Slide the new wiper blade onto the holder from the bottom end.
uThe tab on the blade should fit in the
indent of the wiper blade.
7. Slide the wiper blade onto the wiper arm,
then push down the lock tab.
8. Lower the passenger side wiper arm first,
then the driver side.
Blade
Retainer
Blade
Indent

268
uuChecking and Maintaining Wiper BladesuChanging the Rear Wiper Blade Rubber
Maintenance
Changing the Rear Wiper Blade Rubber1.Raise the wiper arm off.
2. Slide the wiper blade out from the wiper
arm while pushing the lock tab.
3. Slide the wiper blade out from its holder by
pulling the tabbed end out.
4. Remove the retainer from wiper blade and
mount it to a new rubber blade.
5. Slide the wiper blade onto the holder.
uMake sure it is engaged correctly, then
install the wiper blade assembly onto the
wiper arm.
1Changing the Rear Wiper Blade Rubber
NOTICE
Avoid dropping the wiper arm; it may damage the rear window.
Tabbed End

269
Maintenance
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires
To safely operate your vehicle, your tires must be of the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread, and properly inflated. ■Inflation guidelines
Properly inflated tires provide the best co mbination of handling, tread life, and comfort.
Refer to the driver’s doorjamb label or specification’s page for the specified pressure.
Underinflated tires wear unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and
are more likely to fail from overheating.
Overinflated tires make your vehicle ride harshly, are more prone to road hazards, and wear unevenly.
Every day before you drive, look at each of the tires. If one looks lower than the
others, check the pressure with a tire gauge.
At least once a month or before long trips, use a gauge to measure the pressure in
all tires, including the spare. Even tires in good condition can lose 1 to 2 psi (10 to
20 kPa, 0.1 to 0.2 kgf/cm 2
) per month.
■ Inspection guidelines
Every time you check inflation, also examine the tires and valve stems.Look for:• Bumps or bulges on the side or in the tread. Replace the tire if you find any cuts,
splits, or cracks in the side of the tire. Replace it if you see fabric or cord.
• Remove any foreign objects and inspect for air leaks.
• Uneven tread wear. Have a dealer check the wheel alignment.
• Excessive tread wear.
2 Wear Indicators P. 274
• Cracks or other damage around valve stem.
1Checking Tires
Measure the air pressure when tires are cold. This
means the vehicle has been par ked for at least three
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km). If
necessary, add or release air until the specified pressure is reached.
If checked when hot, tire pressure can be as much as
4–6 psi (30–40 kPa, 0.3–0.4 kgf/cm 2
) higher than if
checked when cold.
Have a dealer check the tires if you feel a consistent
vibration while driving. New tires and any that have
been removed and reinstalled should be properly balanced.
3WARNING
Using tires that are excessively worn or
improperly inflated can cause a crash in
which you can be seri ously hurt or killed.
Follow all instruc tions in this owner’s
manual regarding tire inflation and
maintenance.

270
uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuTire and Loading Information Label
Maintenance
Tire and Loading Information Label
The label attached to the driver’s doorjamb provides necessary tire and loading
information.
Tire LabelingThe tires that came on your vehicle have a
number of markings. Those you should be
aware of are described below.
Whenever tires are replaced, they should be replaced with tires of the same size.
1Tire and Loading Information Label
The tire and loading information label attached to the driver’s doorjamb contains:
aThe number of people your vehicle can carry.
bThe total weight your vehicle can carry. Do not
exceed this weight.
cThe original tire sizes for front, rear, and spare.
dThe proper cold tire pressure for front, rear, and spare.
Label
Example
Example Tire Size
Tire Identification
Number (TIN)
Maximum
Tire Load
Maximum
Tire Pressure
Tire Size
■Tire Size
1Tire Size
Following is an example of tire size with an
explanation of what each component means. P195/55 R16 86V
P: Vehicle type (P indicates passenger vehicle).
195: Tire width in millimeters.
55: Aspect ratio (the tire’s section height as a percentage of its width).
R: Tire construction code (R indicates radial).
16: Rim diameter in inches.
86: Load index (a numerical code associated with the
maximum load the tire can carry).
V: Speed symbol (an alphabetical code indicating the maximum speed rating).

271
uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuTire Labeling
Maintenance
The tire identification number (TIN) is a group 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 tire 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 pressure 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
1Tire Identification Number (TIN)
DOT B97R FW6X 2209
DOT: This indicates that 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

272
uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuDOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Maintenance
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. Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and maxi mum section width.
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 differences in road characteristics and climate.
■Uniform Tire Quality Grading
■Treadwear
1Uniform Tire Quality Grading
For example: Treadwear 200Traction AATemperature A All passenger car tires must conform to Federal Safety Requirements in addition to these grades.

273
uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuDOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
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 controlle d conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor tr action 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 tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indo or laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can ca use 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
■Temperature
1Traction
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.
1TemperatureWarning: The temperature grade for
this tire is established 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.