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301
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uDOT 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 controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt 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 te mperature 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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302
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 ma ny 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 in spections 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, regard less of their condition or state of wear.
1Checking Tires
High speed driving
We recommend that you do not drive faster than the
posted speed limits and condit ions allow. If you drive
at sustained high speeds (over 112 mph or 180
km/h), adjust the cold tire pressures as shown below
to avoid excessive heat build up and sudden tire
failure.
*1: Optional for U.S. Si models (summer tires)
Tire SizeP215/45R17 87V
215/45ZR17 91W*1
Pressure 35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm2)
Models with P215/45R17 tiresModels with 215/45ZR17 tiresExample of a Wear
Indicator mark
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313
Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
Tools
Types of Tools .................................. 314
If a Tire Goes Flat Changing a Flat Tire ......................... 315
Temporarily Repairing a Flat Tire....... 322
Engine Does Not Start
Checking the Engine ........................ 330
Jump Starting .................................... 331
Shift Lever Do es Not Move.............. 334
Overheating
How to Handle Overheating ............. 335 Indicator, Coming On/BlinkingIf the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes
On ............................................. 337
If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 337
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks ................................... 338
If the Brake System Indicator Comes On ....... 339If the EPS System Indicator Comes On .... 339If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks........................ 340 Fuses
Fuse Locations ................................. 341
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 343
Emergency Towing ........................... 344
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315Continued
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 pl ace. Replace the flat tire with a compact
spare tire. Go to a dealer as soon as possibl e to have the full-size tire repaired or
replaced.
1. Park the vehicle on firm, level, and non- slippery surface and apply the parking
brake.
2. Put the shift lever in
(P.
2. Put the shift lever in
(R.
3. Turn on the hazard warn ing lights and turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0.
Models with compact spare tire
1Changing a Flat Tire
Periodically check the tire pressure of the compact
spare. It should be set to the specified pressure.
Specified Pressure: 60 ps i (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2)
When driving with the co mpact 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.
U.S. models
Automatic transmission models
Manual transmission models
All models
Page 318 of 368
uuIf a Tire Goes Flat uChanging a Flat Tire
316
Handling the Unexpected
1. Open the trunk floor lid.
2. Take the tool case out of the trunk. Take
the jack and wheel nut wrench out of the
tool case.
3. Unscrew the wing bolt, and remove the
spacer cone. Then, remove the spare tire.
4. Place a wheel block or rock in front and rear
of the wheel diagonal to the flat tire.
■Getting Ready to Replace the Flat Tire1Getting Ready to Replace the Flat Tire
NOTICE
Do not mount the compact spare on the front. If
mounted on the front, the compact spare, smaller in
size than the normal tire, may damage the
differential.
If either front tire goes flat, remove the rear tire on
the same side, and mount the compact spare on the
rear and the rear tire on the front.2.4 ℓ engine models
Tool Case
Spare Tire
Wheel
Blocks
The tire to be replaced.
Page 319 of 368
317
uuIf a Tire Goes Flat uChanging a Flat Tire
Continued
Handling the Unexpected
5. Place the compact spare tire (wheel side up)
under the vehicle body, near the tire that
needs to be replaced.
6. Remove the center cap from the wheel with
the jack handle bar.
7. Loosen each wheel nut about one turn
using the wheel nut wrench.
Models with 15 x 6J aluminum wheels
All models
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uuIf a Tire Goes Flat uChanging a Flat Tire
318
Handling the Unexpected
1. Place the jack under the jacking point
closest to the tire to be changed.
2. Turn the end bracket (as shown in the
image) clockwise until the top of the jack
contacts the jacking point.
u Make sure that the jacking point tab is
resting in the jack notch.
3. Raise the vehicle, using the jack handle bar
and the jack handle, unt il the tire is off the
ground.
■How to Set Up the Jack1 How to Set Up the Jack
Do not use the jack with people or luggage in the
vehicle.
Use the jack provided in your vehicle.
Other jacks may not support the weight (“load”) or
their shape may not match.
The following instructions must be followed to use
the jack safely.
•Do not use while the engine is running.•Use only where the ground is firm and level.•Use only at the jacking points.•Do not get in the vehicle while using the jack.•Do not put anything on top of or underneath the
jack.
3WARNING
The vehicle can easily roll off the jack,
seriously injuring anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for changing a tire
exactly, and never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the jack.
Jack
Handle
Bar Wheel Nut
Wrench as Jack Handle
Page 321 of 368
Continued319
uuIf a Tire Goes Flat uChanging a Flat Tire
Handling the Unexpected
1. Remove the wheel nuts and flat tire.
1. Remove the wheel nuts, wheel cover, and
flat tire.
2. Wipe the mounting su rfaces of the wheel
with a clean cloth.
3. Mount the compact spare tire.
4. Screw the wheel nuts un til they touch the
lips around the mounting holes, and stop
rotating.
■Replacing the Flat Tire1 Replacing the Flat Tire
Do not over tighten the wheel nuts by applying extra
torque using your foot or a pipe.
Do not attempt to forcibly pry the wheel cover off
with a screwdriver or other tool.
The wheel cover cannot be removed without first
removing the wheel nuts.
Models with wheel cover
Models with aluminum wheels
Wheel
CoverModels with wheel cover
All models