334 6-1. Specifications
Tire size■ Typical tire size information
The illustration indicates typical tire size.
Tire use
(P = Passenger car,
T = Temporary use)
Section width (millimeters)
Aspect ratio
(tire height to section width)
Tire construction code
(R = Radial, D = Diagonal)
Wheel diameter (inches)
Load index (2 digits or 3 digits)
Speed symbol
(alphabet with one letter)
■ Tire dimensions
Section width
Tire height
Wheel diameter
336 6-1. Specifications
■Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a speci-
fied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a 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. Performance may diff er significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
■ Traction AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B and C,
and they represent the tire’s ab ility to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled cond itions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking
(straight ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering (turn-
ing) traction.
■ Temperature A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, represent-
ing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a speci-
fied 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.
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 labo-
ratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
338 6-1. Specifications
Tire related termMeaning
Occupant distributionDistribution of occupants in a vehicle as speci-
fied in the third column of Table 1
* below
Production options
weight
The combined weight of installed regular pro-
duction options weighing over 5 lb. (2.3 kg) in
excess of the standard items which they
replace, not previously considered in curb
weight or accessory weight, including heavy
duty brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim
RimA metal support for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire beads are seated
Rim diameter
(Wheel diameter)Nominal diameter of the bead seat
Rim size designationRim diameter and width
Rim type designationThe industry manufacturer’s designation for a
rim by style or code
Rim widthNominal distance between rim flanges
Vehicle capacity
weight (Total load
capacity)The rated cargo and luggage load plus 150 lb.
(68 kg) times the vehicle’s designated seating
capacity
Vehicle maximum load
on the tire
The load on an individual tire that is determined
by distributing to each axle its share of the
maximum loaded vehicle weight, and dividing
by two
Vehicle normal load
on the tire
The load on an individual tire that is determined
by distributing to each axle its share of curb
weight, accessory weight, and normal occu-
pant weight (distributed in accordance with
Ta b l e 1
* below), and dividing by two
Weather sideThe surface area of the rim not covered by the
inflated tire
341
6-1. Specifications
6
Vehicle specifications
Tire related termMeaning
Ply separationA parting of rubber compound between adja-
cent plies
Pneumatic tire
A mechanical device made of rubber, chemi-
cals, fabric and steel or
other materials, that,
when mounted on an automotive wheel, pro-
vides the traction and contains the gas or fluid
that sustains the load
Radial ply tire
A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that
extend to the beads are laid at substantially 90
degrees to the centerline of the tread
Reinforced tire
A tire designed to operate at higher loads and
at higher inflation pressures than the corre-
sponding standard tire
Section width
The linear distance between the exteriors of
the sidewalls of an inflated tire, excluding ele-
vations due to labeling, decoration, or protec-
tive bands
SidewallThat portion of a tire between the tread and
bead
Sidewall separationThe parting of the rubber compound from the
cord material in the sidewall
Snow tire
A tire that attains a traction index equal to or
greater than 110, compared to the ASTM E-
1136 Standard Reference Test Tire, when
using the snow traction test as described in
ASTM F-1805-00, Standard Test Method for
Single Wheel Driving Traction in a Straight Line
on Snow-and Ice-Covered Surfaces, and which
is marked with an Alpine Symbol ( ) on at
least one sidewall
Te s t r i m
The rim on which a tire is fitted for testing, and
may be any rim listed as appropriate for use
with that tire
342 6-1. Specifications
*:Table 1 Occupant loading and distri bution for vehicle normal load
for various designated seating capacities
Tire related termMeaning
TreadThat portion of a tire that comes into contact
with the road
Tread ribA tread section running circumferentially
around a tire
Tread separationPulling away of the tread from the tire carcass
Treadwear indicators
(TWI)The projections within the principal grooves
designed to give a visual indication of the
degrees of wear of the tread
Wheel-holding fixtureThe fixture used to hold the wheel and tire
assembly securely during testing
Designated seating
capacity, Number of occupants Vehicle normal load,
Number of occupantsOccupant distribution in a normally loaded vehicle
2 through 422 in front
5 through 1032 in front, 1 in second seat
11 through 155
2 in front, 1 in second
seat, 1 in third seat, 1 in fourth seat
16 through 207
2 in front, 2 in second
seat, 2 in third seat, 1 in fourth seat
363
Alphabetical index
Alphabetical index
A/C ............................................ 158
ABSABS ...................................... 141
Warning light ........................ 279
Air conditioning filter .............. 236
Air conditioning system Air conditioning filter ............. 236
Air conditioning
system................................ 158
Airbags
Airbag operating conditions .... 70
Airbag precautions for your child...................................... 76
Curtain shield airbag operating conditions ............. 71
Curtain shield airbag
precautions .......................... 76
Front passenger occupant classification system ............ 81
General airbag precautions .... 76
Indicators ................................ 81
Knee airbag precautions ........ 76
Locations of airbags ............... 67
Modification and disposal of airbags ................................. 80
Proper driving posture ...... 65, 76
Rear window curtain shield airbag precautions ..... 76
Seat cushion airbag precautions .......................... 76
Side airbag operating
conditions ............................. 71
Side airbag precautions.......... 76
SRS airbags ........................... 67
Warning light ........................ 279
Anti-lock brake system Anti-lock brake system ......... 141
Warning light ........................ 279
Assist grips.............................. 178
Audio input .............................. 167 Audio system
Audio input ............................167
AUX port/USB port ................167
Portable music player............167
Steering wheel audio switch ..................................168
Automatic light control
system ....................................132
Automatic transmission Automatic transmission .........116
Fluid ......................................326
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P......................307
Indicators...............................116
Shift lock system .... ...............307
AUX port ...................................167
Auxiliary box ............................174
Back-up lights
Replacing light bulbs .............255
Wattage .................................328
Back door ...................................33
Battery Checking ...............................218
If the vehicle battery is
discharged ..........................309
Voltage ..................................325
Warning light .........................278
Bottle holders ...........................173
Brake assist ..............................141
Brakes Fluid ......................................217
Parking brake ........................118
Specifications ........................326
Warning light .........................277
Break-in tips .............................106A
B
368 Alphabetical index
Radiator .................................... 216
Rear seatFolding down ...........................40
Rear side marker lights Replacing light bulbs ............. 255
Switch.................................... 132
Wattage ................................. 328
Rear turn signal lights
Indicator ................................ 124
Lever ..................................... 117
Replacing light bulbs ............. 255
Switch.................................... 117
Wattage ................................. 328
Rear window defogger ............ 164
Rear window wiper .................. 139
Replacing Key battery ............................ 240
Fuses .................................... 244
Light bulbs ............................. 255
Tires .............................. 204, 222
Reporting safety defects for U.S. owners ...................... 348
Seat belts ALR .........................................45
Automatic Locking Retractor ...45
Child restraint system installation .......................87, 92
Cleaning and maintaining...... 188
ELR .........................................45
Emergency Locking Retractor .............................. 45
How to wear your seat belt......43
How your child should wear the seat belt ..........................46
Pregnant women, proper seat belt use .........................46
Reminder light ....................... 280
Seat belt extenders .................46
Seat belt pretensioners ...........45 Seats
Adjustment .............................. 37
Adjustment precautions .......... 39
Child seats/child restraint system installation .......... 87, 92
Cleaning ................................ 187
Front seat adjustment ............. 37
Front seat adjustment precautions ........................... 39
Properly sitting in the seat....... 65
Service reminder
indicators .............................. 123
Shift lever Automatic transmission ......... 116
If the shift lever cannot be
shifted from P ..................... 307
Shift lock system ..................... 307
Side airbags ............................... 67
Side marker lights Replacing light bulbs ............. 255
Switch ................................... 132
Wattage................................. 328
Side mirror
Adjusting ................................. 52
Defogger ............................... 165
Folding .................................... 53
Spark plug ................................ 325
Specifications .......................... 320
Speedometer ............................ 121
Steering wheel Adjustment .............................. 49
Column lock release ............. 114
Electric power steering.......... 141
EPS ....................................... 141
Specification.......................... 327
Warning light ......................... 279R
S
370 Alphabetical index
Traction control........................ 141
TRAC ......................................... 141
Trip information ....................... 127
Trip meter ................................. 127
Turn signal lightsIndicator ................................ 124
Lever ..................................... 117
Replacing light bulbs ............. 255
Switch.................................... 117
Wattage ................................. 328
USB port ................................... 167
Vanity mirrors........................... 176
Vehicle data recordings ............18
Vehicle identification number ................................... 321
Vehicle stability control........... 141
VSC............................................ 141
Warning buzzers
Brake system ........................ 277
Seat belt reminder ................. 280
Warning lights ABS ....................................... 279
Airbag system ....................... 279
Anti-lock brake system .......... 279
Brake system ........................ 277
Charging system .... ............... 278
Driver’s seat belt ................... 280
Electric power steering system ................................ 279
Electronic engine control system ................................ 279
Engine oil replacement.......... 280
EPS system........................... 279 Front passenger occupant
classification system ........... 279
Front passenger’s seat belt... 280
High engine coolant temperature ........................ 278
Low brake fluid ...................... 277
Low engine oil pressure ........ 278
Low fuel level ........................ 280
Low tire inflation pressure ..... 280
Low washer fluid ................... 280
Malfunction............................ 279
Open door ............................. 280
Seat belt ................................ 280
Seat belt pretensioner system ................................ 279
SRS....................................... 279
SRS airbag system ............... 279
Tire pressure ......................... 280
Tire pressure warning system ................................ 280
VSC OFF .............................. 279
Washer Checking ............................... 220
Preparing and checking
before winter ....................... 151
Switch ........................... 136, 139
Warning light ......................... 280
Washing and waxing ............... 184
Weight Cargo capacity ...................... 146
Load limits ............................. 150
Weight ................................... 320
Wheels ...................................... 234
Window glasses ............ 55, 164, 184, 187
Window lock switch................... 55
U
V
W