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HANDLING THE UNEXPECTEDHANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
n Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
Each tire, including
the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold
and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure
telltale when one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure.
Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is
the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation
has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure
telltale. Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator
is combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately one minute and then remain
continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle
start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to
detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires
or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and
wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.
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MAINTENANCEMAINTENANCE
n Tire and Wheel Replacement
Replace y
our tires with radials of the same size, load range, speed rating, and maximum
cold tire pressure rating (as shown on the tire’s sidewall). Using tires of a different size or
construction can cause certain vehicle systems to work incorrectly. It is best to replace all
four tires at the same time. If that isn’t possible, replace the front or rear tires in pairs.
If you change or replace a wheel, make sure that the wheel’s specifications match those of
the original wheels. Only use TPMS-specified wheels approved for your vehicle.
Installing improper tires on your vehicle can affect handling and stability.
This can cause a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of tires recommended in the owner’s manual.
WARNING
n Tire Service Life
The life of y
our tires is dependent on many factors, including driving habits, road conditions,
vehicle loading, inflation pressure, 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, regardless of their condition or state of wear. n
Winter Tires
If driving on snowy
or frozen roads, mount all season tires marked “M+S”, snow tires, or
tire chains; reduce speed; and maintain sufficient distance between vehicles when driving.
For winter tires, select the size and load ranges that are the same as the original tires, and
mount them to all four wheels.
n
Tire Chains
Tire chains can be used onl
y in conjunction with winter tires. Install tire chains on the rear
tires only.
For 295/30R20 (97V) winter tires: Auto-trac 232405
For 305/30R20 (103W) XL winter tires: K-Summit K-44
Mount chains as tightly as you can, and make sure that they do not touch the brake lines or
suspension.
Using the wrong chains, or not properly installing chains, can damage the brake
lines and cause a crash in which you can be seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instructions in this guide regarding the selection and use of tire chains.
WARNING
Traction devices that are the wrong size or improperly installed can damage your vehicle’s
brake lines, suspension, body, and wheels. Stop driving if they are hitting any part of the
vehicle.
NOTICE
