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259
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 asph alt 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 ex cessive 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
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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260
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 ex posed, replace the tire.
Worn out tires have poor traction on wet
roads.
Tire Service Life
The life of your tires is dependent on many factors, including driving habits, road
conditions, vehicle loading, inflation pre ssure, maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even when the tires are not in use).
In addition to regular inspections 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.
Example of a Wear
Indicator mark
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273
Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
ToolsTypes of Tools .................................. 274
If a Tire Goes Flat Changing a Flat Tire
*....................... 275
Temporarily Repairi ng a Flat Tire....... 281
Engine Does Not Start Checking the Engine ........................ 290
Jump Starting .................................... 291
Shift Lever Does Not Move .............. 293
Overheating How to Handle Overheating ............. 294 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes
On ............................................. 296
If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 297
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks ................................... 298
If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes On ................................................. 299
If the Electric Power Steering (EPS) System
Indicator Comes On ........................... 299
If the IMA Indicator Comes On......... 300 If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks ....................... 300
Fuses Fuse Locations ................................. 301
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 304
Emergency Towing ........................... 305
When You Cannot Open the Hatch ..... 307
* Not available on all models
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275Continued
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 plac e. Replace the flat tire with a compact
spare tire. Go to a dealer as soon as possib le to have the full-size tire repaired or
replaced.
1. Park the vehicle on firm, level, and non-slippery surface an d apply the parking
brake.
2. Move the shift lever to
(P.
2. Move the shift lever to
(R.
3. Turn on the hazard warning lights an d turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0.
1Changing a Flat Tire*
Follow compact spare precautions:
Periodically check the tire pressure of the compact
spare. It should be set to the specified pressure.
Specified Pressure: 60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2)
When driving with the compact 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.
NOTICE
Do not use a puncture-repairing agent, other than
the one provided in the kit that came with your
vehicle. If used, you ma y permanently damage the
tire pressure sensor.
Automatic transmission (CVT) models
Manual transmission models
All models
* Not available on all models
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276
uuIf a Tire Goes Flat uChanging a Flat Tire*
Handling the Unexpected
1. Pull the strap on the cargo area floor lid and
open the lid.
2. Remove the cover fro m the compact spare
tire.
3. Take the jack, jack handle bar, and wheel
nut wrench out of the tool case.
4. Unscrew the wing bolt, and remove the
spacer cone. Then, remove the compact
spare tire.
■Getting Ready to Replace the Flat Tire
Compact Spare Tire
Cover
Tool Case
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277
uuIf a Tire Goes Flat uChanging a Flat Tire*
Continued
Handling the Unexpected
5. Place a wheel block or rock in front and rear
of the wheel diagonal to the flat tire.
6. Place the compact spare tire (wheel side up)
under the vehicle body, near the tire that
needs to be replaced.
7. Loosen each wheel nut about one turn
using the wheel nut wrench.
Wheel
Blocks
The tire to be replaced.
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uuIf a Tire Goes Flat uChanging a Flat Tire*
278
Handling the Unexpected
1. Place the jack under the jacking point
closest to the tire to be changed.
2. Turn the end bracket cl ockwise as shown in
the image 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, until the tire is off the
ground.
■How to Set Up the Jack1How 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 vehicl e 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
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Continued279
uuIf a Tire Goes Flat uChanging a Flat Tire*
Handling the Unexpected
1. Remove the wheel nuts and flat tire.
2. Wipe the mounting surfaces of the wheel
with a clean cloth.
3. Mount the compact spare tire.
4. Screw the wheel nuts until they touch the
lips around the mounting holes, and stop
rotating.
5. Lower the vehicle and remove the jack.
Tighten the wheel nuts in the order
indicated in the image. Go around,
tightening the nuts, two to three times in
this order.
Wheel nut torque:
80 lbf∙ft (108 N∙m, 11 kgf∙m)
■Replacing the Flat Tire1Replacing the Flat Tire
Do not over tighten the wheel nuts by applying extra
torque using your foot or a pipe.