VEHICLE STORAGE
If you will not be using your vehicle for more than 21
days you may want to take steps to preserve your
battery. You may:
• Disconnect the battery negative cable.
• Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out ofservice (i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run
the air conditioning system at idle for about five
minutes in the fresh air and high blower setting. This
will ensure adequate system lubrication to minimize
the possibility of compressor damage when the sys-
tem is started again.
TIRE ROTATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles operate at
different loads and perform different steering, driving,
and braking functions. For these reasons, they wear at
unequal rates.
These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of
tires. The benefits of rotation are especially worth-
while with aggressive tread designs such as those on all
season type tires. Rotation will increase tread life, help
to maintain mud, snow and wet traction levels, and
contribute to a smooth, quiet ride.
NOTE: Rotate tires at the first sign of irregular
wear.
359
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND
DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS
AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND C ARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
TIRE MARKINGS
(fig. 206)
NOTE:
• P (Passenger) — Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.design standards. P-Metric tires have the letter “P”
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: P215/65R15 95H.
• European — Metric tire sizing is based on European design standards. Tires designed to this standard
have the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning
with the section width. The letter "P" is absent from
this tire size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H.
• LT (Light Truck) — Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric
tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the
letters “LT” that are molded into the sidewall pre-
ceding the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
• Temporary spare tires are designed for temporary emergency use only. Temporary high pressure com-
pact spare tires have the letter “T” or “S” molded
into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Ex-
ample: T145/80D18 103M.
• High flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design standards and it begins with the tire diameter
molded into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.
(fig. 206)
1 — U.S. DOT Safety Stan-
dards Code (TIN) 4 — Maximum Load
2 — Size Designation 5 — Maximum Pressure
3 — Service Description 6 — Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
361
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND
DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS
AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
EXAMPLE:
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 speci-
fied operating conditions (i.e., tire pressure, vehicle loading, road conditions, and posted speed
limits)
Load Identification:
Absence of the following load identification symbols on the sidewall of the tire indicates a Standard Load (SL) tire:
•XL
= Extra load (or reinforced) tire, or
•LL
= Light load tire or
•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
363
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND
DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS
AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
RUN FLAT TIRES (for versions/markets,
where provided)
Run Flat tires allow you the capability to drive 80 km at
80 km/h after a rapid loss of inflation pressure. This
rapid loss of inflation is referred to as the Run Flat
mode. A Run Flat mode occurs when the tire inflation
pressure is of/or below 0.96 bar. Once a Run Flat tire
reaches the run flat mode it has limited driving capa-
bilities and needs to be replaced immediately. A Run
Flat tire is not repairable.
It is not recommended driving a vehicle loaded at full
capacity or to tow a trailer while a tire is in the run flat
mode.
See the tire pressure monitoring section for more
information.
SPARE TIRES (for versions/markets, where
provided)
NOTE:For vehicles equipped with Tire Service Kit
instead of a spare tire, please refer to “Tire Service Kit”
in “What To Do In Emergencies” for further informa-
tion.Because of the reduced ground clear-
ance, do not take your vehicle through an
automatic car wash with a compact , full
size or limited-use temporary spare installed.
Damage to the vehicle may result .
Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel (for versions/markets, where
provided)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a spare tire and
wheel equivalent in look and function to the original
equipment tire and wheel found on the front or rear
axle of your vehicle. This spare tire may be used in the
tire rotation for your vehicle. If your vehicle has this
option, refer to an authorized tire dealer for the
recommended tire rotation pattern.
373
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND
DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS
AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
TREAD WEAR INDICATORS
Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment
tires to help you in determining when your tires should
be replaced.
(fig. 210)
These indicators are molded into the bottom of the
tread grooves. They will appear as bands when the
tread depth becomes 2 mm. When the tread is worn to
the tread wear indicators, the tire should be replaced.
Refer to “Replacement Tires” in this section for further
information.LIFE OF TIRE
The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying
factors including, but not limited to:
• Driving style
• Tire pressure - Improper cold tire inflation pressures
can cause uneven wear patterns to develop across
the tire tread. These abnormal wear patterns will
reduce tread life, resulting in the need for earlier tire
replacement.
• Distance driven
• Performance tires, tires with a speed rating of V or higher, and summer tires typically have a reduced
tread life. Rotation of these tires per the vehicle
maintenance schedule is highly recommended.
WARNING!
Tires and the spare tire should be re-
placed af
ter six years, regardless of the
remaining tread. Failure to follow this warning
can result in sudden tire failure. You could lose
control and have a collision resulting in serious
injury or death.
Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little
exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from con-
tact with oil, grease, and gasoline.
(fig. 210)
1 — Worn Tire
2 — New Tire
376
KNOWING YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTSAND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICINGAND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
To avoid damage to your vehicle or tires,
observe the following precautions:
•Because of restricted traction device
clearance between tires and other suspension
components, it is important that only traction
devices in good condition are used. Broken devices
can cause serious damage. Stop the vehicle imme-
diately if noise occurs that could indicate device
breakage. Remove the damaged parts of the de-
vice before further use.
• Install device as tightly as possible and then
retighten after driving about 0.8 km.
• Do not exceed 48 km/h.
• Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and
large bumps, especially with a loaded vehicle.
• Do not drive for a prolonged period on dry
pavement .
• Observe the traction device manufacturer ’s in-
structions on the method of installation, operat-
ing speed, and conditions for use. Always use the
suggested operating speed of the device manufac-
turer ’s if it is less than 48 km/h.
• Do not use traction devices on a compact spare
tire.FUEL REQUIREMENTS — GASOLINE
ENGINE
All engines are designed to meet all emissions regula-
tions and provide excellent fuel economy and perfor-
mance when using high quality unleaded gasoline with a
minimum Research Octane Number (RON) of 91.
Light spark knock at low engine speeds is not harmful
to your engine. However, continued heavy spark knock
at high speeds can cause damage and immediate service
is required. Poor quality gasoline can cause problems
such as hard starting, stalling, and hesitations. If you
experience these symptoms, try another brand of
gasoline before considering service for the vehicle.
Over 40 auto manufacturer's world wide have issued
and endorsed consistent gasoline specifications (the
Worldwide Fuel Charter, WWFC) which define fuel
properties necessary to deliver enhanced emissions,
performance, and durability for your vehicle. The
manufacturer recommends the use of gasoline that
meets the WWFC specifications if they are available.
Besides using unleaded gasoline with the proper octane
rating, gasolines that contain detergents, corrosion and
stability additives are recommended. Using gasolines
that have these additives may help improve fuel
economy, reduce emissions, and maintain vehicle per-
formance.
379
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND
DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS
AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Poor quality gasoline can cause problems such as hard
starting, stalling and stumble. If you experience these
problems, try another brand of gasoline before consid-
ering service for the vehicle.
CLEAN AIR GASOLINE
Many gasolines are now being blended to contribute to
cleaner air, especially in those areas where air pollution
levels are high. These new blends provide a cleaner
burning fuel and some are referred to as “reformulated
gasoline.”
The manufacturer supports these efforts toward
cleaner air. You can help by using these blends as they
become available.
MMT IN GASOLINE
MMT is a manganese containing metallic additive that is
blended into some gasoline to increase octane. Gaso-
line blended with MMT provides no performance ad-
vantage beyond gasoline of the same octane number
without MMT. Gasoline blended with MMT reducesspark plug life and reduces emission system perfor-
mance in some vehicles. The manufacturer recom-
mends that gasoline without MMT be used in your
vehicle. The MMT content of gasoline may not be
indicated on the gasoline pump; therefore, you should
ask your gasoline retailer whether or not his/her gaso-
line contains MMT.
MATERIALS ADDED TO FUEL
Besides using unleaded gasoline with the proper octane
rating, gasolines that contain detergents, corrosion and
stability additives are recommended. Using gasolines
that have these additives will help improve fuel
economy, reduce emissions, and maintain vehicle per-
formance.
Indiscriminate use of fuel system cleaning agents should
be avoided. Many of these materials intended for gum
and varnish removal may contain active solvents or
similar ingredients. These can harm fuel system gasket
and diaphragm materials.
380
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTSAND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICINGAND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
SELECTION OF ENGINE OIL FOR FLEXIBLE
FUEL VEHICLES (E-85) AND GASOLINE
VEHICLES
FFV vehicles operated on E-85 require specially formu-
lated engine oils. These special requirements are in-
cluded in SELENIA K POWER fully synthetic engine
oils, and in equivalent oils meeting FIAT Qualification
9.55535-CR1 API SN, ILSAC GF-5. The manufacturer
only recommends engine oils that are API Certified and
meet the requirements of FIAT Qualification 9.55535-
CR1 API SN, ILSAC GF-5 that contain additional re-
quirements, developed during extensive fleet testing,
to provide additional protection for your engine. Use
SELENIA K POWER fully synthetic engine oils or an
equivalent oil meeting the requirements of FIAT Quali-
fication 9.55535-CR1 API SN, ILSAC GF-5.
STARTING
The characteristics of E-85 fuel make it unsuitable for
use when ambient temperatures fall below -18°C. In
the range of -18°C to 0°C, you may experience an
increase in the time it takes for your engine to start,
and a deterioration in driveability (sags and/or hesita-
tions) until the engine is fully warmed up.NOTE:
Use of the engine block heater (if equipped) is
beneficial for E-85 startability when the ambient tem-
perature is less than 0°C.
CRUISING RANGE
Because E-85 fuel contains less energy per liter than
gasoline, you will experience an increase in fuel con-
sumption. You can expect your kilometers per liter and
your driving range to decrease by about 30%, com-
pared to gasoline operation.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Many components in your Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
are designed to be compatible with ethanol. Always be
sure that your vehicle is serviced with correct ethanol
compatible parts.
Replacing fuel system components with
non-ethanol compatible components
can damage your vehicle.
MAINTENANCE
Do not use ethanol mixture greater than
85% in your vehicle. It will cause difficulty
in cold starting and may affect drivability.
383
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND
DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS
AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS