07 Wheels and tires
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
07
281 Quality grading information
ALL PASSENGER VEHICLE TIRES MUST
CONFORM TO FEDERAL SAFETY
REQUIREMENTS IN ADDITION TO THESE
GRADES
Quality grades can be found, where appli-
cable, on the tire sidewall between the tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TREADWEARThe treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire gra-
ded 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 many depart signifi-
cantly from the norm due to variation in driving
habits, maintenance practices and differences
in road characteristics and climate.
TRACTIONThe traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C, as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked Cmay have poor traction performance. The trac-
tion grade assigned to this tire is based on
braking (straight-ahead) traction tests and is
not a measure of cornering (turning) traction.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on braking (straight-ahead) traction
tests and is not a measure of cornering
(turning) traction.
TEMPERATUREThe 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 minimum level of performance that all pas-
senger vehicle tires must meet under the Fed-
eral Motor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of performance
on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, under-
inflation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and tire failure.
10 Index
10
349
Bulbs
headlights...................................306, 308
introduction......................................... 306
license plate lights.............................. 310
specifications...................................... 311
trunk lighting....................................... 311
C
Camera, Park Assist................................ 191
Capacity weight....................................... 279
Catalytic converter................................... 257
Cell phone, hands-free connection......... 232
Cell phone voice control.......................... 240
Central locking system, introduction......... 54
Chains...................................................... 282
Check engine light..................................... 80
Child restraints
recalls and registration......................... 41
Child restraint systems.............................. 42
booster cushions.................................. 48
convertible seats.................................. 46
infant seats........................................... 44
ISOFIX/LATCH anchors........................ 49
top tether anchors................................ 50Child safety................................................ 39
booster cushions.................................. 48
child restraint systems.......................... 42
convertible seats.................................. 46
infant seats........................................... 44
Child safety locks...................................... 51
City Safety™............................................ 168
Climate system........................................ 144
air distribution............................. 140, 146
air vents.............................................. 141
Interior Air Quality System.................. 140
introduction......................................... 139
passenger compartment filter............ 140
refrigerant........................................... 139
Clock, setting............................................. 84
Cold weather driving................................ 252
Collision warning system.................173, 174
Compass in rearview mirror..................... 108
Conserving electrical current................... 251
Controls, center console.......................... 244
Convertible seats....................................... 46
Coolant............................................304, 341
Cooling system, general information....... 251
Corner Traction Control........................... 149
Courtesy lighting................................99, 100Crash event data....................................... 11
Crash mode............................................... 38
Cruise control..................................153, 154
adaptive.............................................. 155
Curb weight............................................. 279
Current, conserving................................. 251D
Defroster.................................................. 144
Detachable key blade..........................59, 62
Disconnecting the front passenger’s air-
bag....................................................... 29, 30
Dome lighting..................................... 99, 100
Door mirrors............................................. 106
Driver alert............................................... 181
Driver distraction warning.......................... 14
Driving economically................................ 250
Driving in cold weather............................ 252
Driving through water..............................251
10 Index
10
354
Spin control............................................. 149
SRS............................................................ 24
Stability system...............................149, 150
Corner Traction Control (CTC)............149
Engine Drag Control (EDC).................149
indicator light........................................ 81
Starting the engine..................................114
with keyless drive...............................114
Starting the vehicle
after a crash (crash mode)....................38
Start inhibitor (immobilizer)........................ 55
Steering wheel
adjusting............................................... 94
horn....................................................... 95
keypad.................................. 94, 133, 209
Locking/unlocking................................ 94
Stone chips, touching up......................... 330
Storage spaces........................................ 199
Studded tires........................................... 282
Sunroof (moonroof).................................. 109
Sun shade................................................ 105
Supplemental restraint system.................. 24
warning light......................................... 82
Symbols, overview................................... 343T
Temporary spare tire............................... 283
Three-way catalytic converter................. 257
Tire designations.....................................276
Tire inflation pressure..............................275
Tire Pressure Monitoring System....293, 294
indicator light........................................ 81
Tires.........................................................270
age...................................................... 270
changing from summer to winter........ 271
glossary of terms................................ 278
improving economy............................ 270
inflation pressure................................ 273
inflation pressure table.......................275
load ratings......................................... 274
rotation............................................... 271
snow...................................................282
spare................................................... 283
specifications...................................... 274
speed ratings...................................... 274
storing................................................. 271
studded............................................... 282
tire pressure monitoring system......... 293
tread wear indicator............................ 272
uniform tire quality grading................. 281Top tether anchors (child restraint sys-
tems).......................................................... 50
Touching up paint.................................... 330
Towing a trailer................................262, 263
trailer hitch.......................................... 263
Towing the vehicle........................... 265, 266
Traction control........................................ 149
Trailer towing...................................262, 263
trailer hitch.......................................... 263
Transmission
general description.....................118, 119
oil........................................................ 341
shiftlock override................................ 119
Tread wear indicator................................ 272
Trip computer.......................................... 147
Trip odometers.......................................... 84
Trips, long distance................................. 251
Trunk
changing bulbs................................... 311
driving with it open.............................250
Turn signals............................................... 99
indicator lights...................................... 81