Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Check the wheel bolts for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights and
exterior lights while you work the controls. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
82 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
7. Install the spare wheel and wheel bolts with the coneshaped end of the bolts toward the wheel. Lightly
tighten the bolts. To avoid the risk of forcing the
vehicle off the jack, do not tighten the bolts fully until
the vehicle has been lowered.
8. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the left.
9. Finish tightening the wheel bolts. Push down on the wrench while at the end of the handle for increased
leverage. Tighten the wheel bolts in a star pattern until
each bolt has been tightened twice. For the correct
wheel bolt torque refer to Torque Specifications in this
section. If in doubt about the correct tightness, have
them checked with a torque wrench by your autho-
rized dealership or service station.
10. Disassemble the jack and tools and place them in the bag. Stow it under the driver’s seat and secure the bag to the floor with the straps attached to the floor
of the vehicle.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided.
11. Place the deflated (flat) tire in the cargo area. Have the tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
WARNING!
A loose tire thrown forward in a collision or hard
stop could injure the occupants in the vehicle. Have
the deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced immedi-
ately.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 329
