READY ALERT BRAKING
Ready Alert Braking may reduce the
time required to reach full braking
during emergency braking situations.
It anticipates when an emergency
braking situation may occur by moni-
toring how fast the throttle is released
by the driver. When the throttle is
released very quickly, Ready Alert
Braking applies a small amount of
brake pressure. This brake pressure
will not be noticed by the driver. The
brake system uses this brake pressure
to allow a fast brake response if the
driver applies the brakes.
RAIN BRAKE SUPPORT
Rain Brake Support may improve
braking performance in wet condi-
tions. It will periodically apply a small
amount of brake pressure to remove
any water buildup on the front brake
rotors. It only functions when the
windshield wipers are in the LO or HI
mode, it does not function in the in-
termittent mode. When Rain Brake
Support is active, there is no notifica-
tion to the driver and no driver inter-
action is required.
ESC ACTIVATION/
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR
LIGHT AND ESC OFF
INDICATOR LIGHT
The “ESC Activation/Mal-
function Indicator Light” in
the instrument cluster will
come on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position.
It should go out with the engine run-
ning. If the “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light” comes
on continuously with the engine run-
ning, a malfunction has been detected
in the ESC system. If this light re-
mains on after several ignition cycles,
and the vehicle has been driven sev-
eral kilometers at speeds greater than
48 km/h, see your authorized dealer
as soon as possible to have the prob-
lem diagnosed and corrected.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction
Indicator Light” (located in the in-
strument cluster) starts to flash as
soon as the tires lose traction and the
ESC system becomes active. The
“ESC Activation/Malfunction Indica-
tor Light” also flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light” begins
to flash during acceleration, ease up
on the accelerator and apply as little
throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt
your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions.
NOTE:
The “ESC Activation/Malfunc-
tion Indicator Light” and the
“ESC OFF Indicator Light” come
on momentarily each time the ig-
nition switch is turned ON.Each time the ignition is turned
ON, the ESC system will be ON
even if it was turned off
previously.The ESC system will make buzz-
ing or clicking sounds when it is
active. This is normal; the sounds
will stop when ESC becomes in-
active following the maneuver
that caused the ESC activation.
The “ESC OFF Indicator
Light” indicates the Elec-
tronic Stability Control
(ESC) is off.
220
SYNCHRONIZING ESCIf the power supply is inter-
rupted (battery discon-
nected or discharged), the
“ESC Activation/Malfunc-
tion Indicator Light” may illuminate
with the engine running. If this should
occur, turn the steering wheel com-
pletely to the left and then to the right.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction In-
dicator Light” should go out. How-
ever, if the light remains on, have the
ESC and BAS checked at your autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible. TIRE SAFETY
INFORMATION
Tire Markings
NOTE:
P (Passenger) - Metric tire sizing
is based on U.S. design stan-
dards. P-Metric tires have the
letter “P” molded into the side-
wall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: P215/65R15 95H.
European-Metric tire sizing is
based on European design stan-
dards. Tires designed to this stan-
dard have the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with
the section width. The letter "P" is
absent from this tire size designa-
tion. Example: 215/65R15 96H.
LT (Light Truck) - Metric tire siz-
ing is based on U.S. design stan-
dards. 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 desig-
nation. Example: LT235/85R16.Temporary spare tires are spares
designed for temporary emer-
gency use only. Temporary high
pressure compact spare tires have
the letter “T” or “S” molded into
the sidewall preceding the size
designation. Example: T145/
80D18 103M. High flotation tire sizing is
based on U.S. design standards
and it begins with the tire diam-
eter molded into the sidewall.
Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.
1 — U.S. DOT Safety
Standards Code (TIN) 4 — Maximum Load
2 — Size Designation 5 — Maximum Pres-
sure
3 — Service Descrip-
tion 6 — Treadwear,
Traction and Tem-
perature Grades
221
Tire Sizing Chart
EXAMPLE:
Size Designation: P= Passenger car tire size based on U.S. design standards
"....blank...." = Passenger car tire based on European design standards
LT = Light truck tire based on U.S. design standards
T or S = Temporary spare tire
31 = Overall diameter in inches (in)
215 = Section width in millimeters (mm)
65 = Aspect ratio in percent (%)
— Ratio of section height to section width of tire
10.5 = Section width in inches (in)
R = Construction code
— "R" means radial construction
— "D" means diagonal or bias construction
15 = Rim diameter in inches (in)
Service Description: 95= Load Index
— A numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry
H = Speed 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 limits)
222
EXAMPLE:
Load Identification: "....blank...." = Absence of any text on the sidewall of the tire indicates a Standard Load (SL) tire
Extra Load (XL) = Extra load (or reinforced) tire
Light Load (LL) = Light load tire
C, D, E, F, G = Load range associated with the maximum load a tire can carry at a specified pressure
Maximum Load— Maximum load indicates the maximum load this tire is designed to carry
Maximum Pressure— Maximum 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, however, the date
code may only be on one side. Tires
with white sidewalls will have the full TIN, including the date code, located
on the white sidewall side of the tire.
Look for the TIN on the outboard side
of black sidewall tires as mounted onthe 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 0301
DOT = Department of Transportation
— This symbol certifies that the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation tire safety
standards and is approved for highway use
MA = Code representing the tire manufacturing location (two digits)
L9 = Code representing the tire size (two digits)
ABCD = Code used by the tire manufacturer (one to four digits)
03 = Number representing the week in which the tire was manufactured (two digits)
—03 means the 3rd week.
223
EXAMPLE:
DOT MA L9 ABCD 0301
01 = Number representing the year in which the tire was manufactured (two digits)
—01 means the year 2001
— Prior to July 2000, tire manufacturers were only required to have one number to represent the year in which
the tire was manufactured. Example: 031 could represent the 3rd week of 1981 or 1991
Tire Terminology And Definitions
Term Definition
B-Pillar The vehicle B-Pillar is the structural member of the body located behind the
front door.
Cold Tire Inflation Pressure Cold tire inflation pressure is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has
not been driven for at least 3 hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) after
sitting for a three hour period. Inflation pressure is measured in units of PSI
(pounds per square inch) or kPa (kilopascals).
Maximum Inflation Pressure The maximum inflation pressure is the maximum permissible cold tire infla-
tion pressure for this tire. The maximum inflation pressure is molded into the
sidewall.
Recommended Cold Tire Inflation
Pressure Vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold tire inflation pressure as shown on
the tire placard.
Tire Placard A paper label permanently attached to the vehicle describing the vehicle’s
loading capacity, the original equipment tire sizes and the recommended cold
tire inflation pressures.
224
Tire Loading And Tire
Pressure
Tire And Loading Information
Placard Location
NOTE: The proper cold tire in-
flation pressure is listed on the
driver’s side B-Pillar or the rear
edge of the driver's side door.Tire And Loading Information
Placard
This placard tells you important
information about the:
1) number of people that can be
carried in the vehicle
2) total weight your vehicle can
carry
3) tire size designed for your ve-
hicle
4) cold tire inflation pressures for
the front, rear, and spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire
must not exceed the load carrying ca-
pacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire's load carrying
capacity if you adhere to the loading
conditions, tire size, and cold tire in-
flation pressures specified on the Tire
and Loading Information placard and
in the “Vehicle Loading” section of
this manual. NOTE:
Under a maximum loaded
vehicle condition, gross axle weight
ratings (GAWRs) for the front and
rear axles must not be exceeded.
For further information on GAWRs,
vehicle loading, and trailer towing,
refer to “Vehicle Loading” in this
section.
To determine the maximum loading
conditions of your vehicle, locate the
statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never ex-
ceed XXX lbs or XXX kg” on the Tire
and Loading Information placard.
The combined weight of occupants,
cargo/luggage and trailer tongue
weight (if applicable) should never
exceed the weight referenced here.
Tire Placard Location
225
TIRES — GENERAL
INFORMATION
TIRE PRESSURE
Proper tire inflation pressure is essen-
tial to the safe and satisfactory opera-
tion of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire
pressure:
SafetyWARNING!
Improperly inflated tires are dan-gerous and can cause collisions.
Under-inflation increases tire
flexing and can result in over-
heating and tire failure.
Over-inflation reduces a tire's ability to cushion shock. Objects
on the road and chuckholes can
cause damage that result in tire
failure.
Over-inflated or under-inflated
tires can affect vehicle handling
and can fail suddenly, resulting in
loss of vehicle control.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
Unequal tire pressures can cause steering problems. You could lose
control of your vehicle.
Unequal tire pressures from one side of the vehicle to the other can
cause the vehicle to drift to the
right or left.
Always drive with each tire in- flated to the recommended cold
tire inflation pressure.
Economy
Improper inflation pressures can
cause uneven wear patterns to de-
velop across the tire tread. These ab-
normal wear patterns will reduce
tread life resulting in a need for earlier
tire replacement. Under-inflation also
increases tire rolling resistance result-
ing in higher fuel consumption.
Ride Comfort And Vehicle
Stability
Proper tire inflation contributes to a
comfortable ride. Over-inflation pro-
duces a jarring and uncomfortable
ride. TIRE INFLATION
PRESSURES
The proper cold tire inflation pressure
is listed on the driver's side “B” Pillar
or rear edge of the driver's side door.
Some vehicles may have Supplemen-
tal Tire Pressure Information for ve-
hicle loads that are less than the maxi-
mum loaded vehicle condition. If
needed, these pressure conditions will
be found in the “Supplemental Tire
Pressure Information” section of this
manual.
The pressure should be checked and
adjusted as well as inspecting for signs
of tire wear or visible damage at least
once a month. Use a good quality
pocket-type gauge to check tire pres-
sure. Do not make a visual judgement
when determining proper inflation.
Radial tires may look properly in-
flated even when they are under-
inflated.
228
CAUTION!
After inspecting or adjusting the
tire pressure, always reinstall the
valve stem cap. This will prevent
moisture and dirt from entering the
valve stem, which could damage
the valve stem.
Inflation pressures specified on the
placard are always “cold tire inflation
pressure.” Cold tire inflation pressure
is defined as the tire pressure after the
vehicle has not been driven for at least
three hours, or driven less than
1.6 km after a three hour period. The
cold tire inflation pressure must not
exceed the maximum inflation pres-
sure molded into the tire sidewall.
Check tire pressures more often if
subject to a wide range of outdoor
temperatures, as tire pressures vary
with temperature changes.
Tire pressures change by approxi-
mately 0.07 BAR per 7°C of air tem-
perature change. Keep this in mind
when checking tire pressure inside a
garage, especially in the Winter. Example: If garage temperature =
20°C and the outside temperature =
0°C then the cold tire inflation pres-
sure should be increased by
0.21 BAR, which equals 0.07 kPa for
every 7°C for this outside temperature
condition.
Tire pressure may increase from 0.13
to 0.4 BAR during operation. DO
NOT reduce this normal pressure
build up or your tire pressure will be
too low.
TIRE PRESSURES FOR
HIGH SPEED OPERATION
The manufacturer advocates driving
at safe speeds within posted speed
limits. Where speed limits or condi-
tions are such that the vehicle can be
driven at high speeds, maintaining
correct tire inflation pressure is very
important. Increased tire pressure
and reduced vehicle loading may be
required for high-speed vehicle op-
eration. Refer to original equipment
or an authorized tire dealer for recom-
mended safe operating speeds, load-
ing and cold tire inflation pressures.
WARNING!
High speed driving with your ve-
hicle under maximum load is dan-
gerous. The added strain on your
tires could cause them to fail. You
could have a serious collision. Do
not drive a vehicle loaded to the
maximum capacity at continuous
speeds above 120 km/h.
RADIAL PLY TIRESWARNING!
Combining radial ply tires with
other types of tires on your vehicle
will cause your vehicle to handle
poorly. The instability could cause
a collision. Always use radial ply
tires in sets of four. Never combine
them with other types of tires.
Cuts and punctures in radial tires are
repairable only in the tread area be-
cause of sidewall flexing. Consult
your authorized tire dealer for radial
tire repairs.
229