6–24
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
Closing the Hood
1. Check under the hood area to make
certain all filler caps are in place and all
loose items (e.g. tools, oil containers,
etc.) have been removed.
2. Lift the hood, grasp the padded area on
the support rod, and secure the support
rod in the clip. Verify that the support
rod is secured in the clip before closing
the hood.
ClipClip
Clip
3. Lower the hood slowly to a height of
about 20 cm (7.9 in) above its closed
position and then let it drop.
CAUTION
When closing the hood, do not push
it excessively such as by applying your
weight. Otherwise, the hood could be
deformed.
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6–40
Maintenance and Care
Owner Maintenance
CAUTION
Be careful not to allow the rubber ring
shown in the figure to be scratched or
damaged.
If the rubber ring detaches, reattach it
before inserting a new battery.
Rubber ring
Tires
For reasons of proper performance, safety,
and better fuel economy, always maintain
recommended tire inflation pressures and
stay within the recommended load limits
and weight distribution.
WARNING
Using Different Tire Types:
Driving your vehicle with different
types of tires is dangerous. It could
cause poor handling and poor braking;
leading to loss of control.
Except for the limited use of the
temporary spare tire, use only the
same type tires (radial, bias-belted,
bias-type) on all four wheels.
Using Wrong-Sized Tires: Using any other tire size than what is
specified for the vehicle (page 9-8)
is dangerous. It could seriously affect
ride, handling, ground clearance,
tire clearance, and speedometer
calibration. This could cause you to
have an accident. Use only tires that
are the correct size specified for the
vehicle.
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7–31
If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
SignalWarning Action to be taken
Seat Belt Warning Light
Except Mexico
The seat belt warning light turns on if the driver
or front passenger's seat is occupied and the seat
belt is not fastened with the ignition switched
ON.
If the driver or front passenger's seat belt is
unfastened (only when the front passenger's seat
is occupied) and the vehicle is driven at a speed
faster than about 20 km/h (12 mph), the warning
light flashes. After a short time, the warning
light stops flashing, but remains illuminated.
NOTE
The warning light flashes for about 6 seconds
if the driver's seat belt is not fastened when the
ignition is switched ON.
To allow the front passenger occupant
classification sensor to function properly, do
not place and sit on an additional seat cushion
on the front passenger's seat. The sensor may
not function properly because the additional
seat cushion could cause sensor interference.
If a small child is seated on the front
passenger's seat, the warning light may not
operate.
Mexico
The seat belt warning light turns on if the driver
or front passenger's seat is occupied and the seat
belt is not fastened with the ignition switched
ON.
If the driver or front passenger's seat belt is
unfastened (only when the front passenger's seat
is occupied) and the vehicle is driven at a speed
faster than about 20 km/h (12 mph), the warning
light flashes. After a short time, the warning
light stops flashing, but remains illuminated. If
a seat belt remains unfastened, the warning light
flashes again for a given period of time.
NOTE Placing heavy items on the front passenger's
seat may cause the front passenger's seat belt
warning function to operate depending on the
weight of the item.
To allow the front passenger seat weight
sensor to function properly, do not place and
sit on an additional seat cushion on the front
passenger's seat. The sensor may not function
properly because the additional seat cushion
could cause sensor interference.
If a small child is seated on the front
passenger's seat, the warning light may not
operate.
Fasten the seat belts.
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If Trouble Arises
Warning/Indicator Lights and Warning Sounds
NOTE
To allow the front passenger occupant
classification sensor to function
properly, do not place and sit on an
additional seat cushion on the front
passenger's seat. The sensor may not
function properly because the additional
seat cushion could cause sensor
interference.
If a small child is seated on the front
passenger's seat, the warning beep may
not operate.
Mexico
If the vehicle speed exceeds about 20
km/h (12 mph) with the driver or front
passenger's seat belt unfastened, a warning
beep sounds continuously. If the seat belt
remains unfastened, the beep sound stops
once and then continues for about 90
seconds. The beep stops after the driver or
front passenger's seat belt is fastened.
Until a seat belt is fastened or a given
period of time has elapsed, the beep sound
will not stop even if the vehicle speed falls
below 20 km/h (12 mph).
NOTE
Placing heavy items on the front
passenger's seat may cause the front
passenger's seat belt warning function
to operate depending on the weight of
the item.
To allow the front passenger seat weight
sensor to function properly, do not place
and sit on an additional seat cushion on
the front passenger's seat. The sensor
may not function properly because the
additional seat cushion could cause
sensor interference.
If a small child is seated on the front
passenger's seat, the warning beep may
not operate.
Ignition Not Switched Off (STOP)
Warning Beep
If the driver's door is opened with the
ignition switched to ACC, a beep will
be heard continuously in the cabin to
notify the driver that the ignition has not
been switched OFF (STOP). Under this
condition, the keyless entry system will
not operate, the vehicle cannot be locked,
and the battery voltage will be depleted.
Key Removed from Vehicle
Warning Beep
Vehicles with advanced keyless function
If the key is taken out of the vehicle while
the ignition is not switched OFF and
all the doors are closed, the beep which
sounds outside of the vehicle will be heard
6 times, the beep which sounds inside
the vehicle will be heard 6 times, and the
KEY warning light (red) in the instrument
cluster flashes continuously to notify
the driver that the ignition has not been
switched OFF.
Vehicles without advanced keyless
function
If the key is taken out of the vehicle while
the ignition is not switched OFF and all
the doors are closed, a beep will be heard
in the cabin 6 times and the KEY warning
light (red) in the instrument cluster turns
on continuously to notify the driver that
the ignition has not been switched OFF.
NOTE
Because the key utilizes low-intensity
radio waves, the Key Removed From
Vehicle Warning may activate if the key is
carried together with a metal object or it
is placed in a poor signal reception area.
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8–26
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
P
Indicates a tire that may be installed on cars, SUVs, minivans and light trucks as designated
by the Tire and Rim Association (T&RA).
NOTE
If your tire size does not begin with a letter this may mean it is designated by ei\
ther ETRTO
(European Tire and Rim Technical Organization) or JATMA (Japan Tire Manufacturing
Association).
215
“215” is the nominal width of the tire in millimeters. This three-digit number gives the
width in millimeters of the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In\
general, the larger
the number, the wider the tire.
65
“65” is the aspect ratio. This two-digit number indicates the tire's ratio of height to width.
R
“R” is the tire construction symbol. R indicates “Radial ply construction”.
15
“15” is the wheel rim diameter in inches.
95
“95” is the Load Index. This two-or three-digit number indicates how much weight each tire
can support.
H
“H” is the speed rating. The speed rating denotes the maximum speed for which the use of
the tire is rated.
Letter RatingSpeed Rating
Q 99 mph
R 106 mph
S 112 mph
T 118 mph
U 124 mph
H 130 mph
V 149 mph
W 168
* mph
Y 186* mph
* For tires with a maximum speed capability over 149 mph, tire manufacturers sometimes use the letters ZR. For
tires with a maximum speed capability over 186 mph, tire manufacturers always use the letters ZR.
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8–27
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
M S or M/S: Mud and Snow
AT: All Terrain.
AS: All Season. The “M
S” or “M/S” indicates that the tire has some functional use in mud
and snow.
U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN)
This begins with the letters “DOT” which indicates the tire meets all federal standards. The
next two numbers or letters are the plant code where it was manufactured\
, and the last four
numbers represent the week and year the tire was manufactured. For examp\
le, the numbers
457 means the 45st week of 1997. After 2000 the numbers go to four digits. For example,
the number 2102 means the 21th week of 2002. The other numbers are marketing codes
used at the manufacturer's discretion. This information is used to contact consumers if a tire
defect requires a recall.
Tire Ply Composition and Materials Used
The number of plies indicates the number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire.
In general, the greater the number of plies, the more weight a tire can \
support. Tire
manufacturers also must indicate the tire materials, which include steel\
, nylon, polyester,
and other.
Maximum Load Rating
This number indicates the maximum load in kilograms and pounds that can \
be carried by the
tire.
Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be p\
ut in the tire under
normal driving conditions.
Tread Wear, Traction and Temperature Grades
Tread wear: The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of t\
he tire
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course. For example,
a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on\
the government
course as a tire graded 100.
Traction: The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The grades
represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under c\
ontrolled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
Temperature: 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 tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Snow Tires
In some heavy snow areas, local governments may require true snow tires, those with very
deeply cut tread. These tires should only be used in pairs or placed on all four wheels. M\
ake
sure you purchase snow tires that are the same size and construction typ\
e as the other tires
on your vehicle.
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Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
11 5
“115” is the nominal width of the tire in millimeters. This three-digit number gives the width
in millimeters of the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In gener\
al, the larger the
number, the wider the tire.
70
“70” is the aspect ratio. This two-digit number indicates the tire's ratio of height to width.
D
“D” is the tire construction symbol. D indicates “diagonal ply construction”.
16
“16” is the wheel rim diameter in inches.
90
“90” is the Load Index. This two-or three-digit number indicates how much weight each tire
can support.
M
“M” is the speed rating. The speed rating denotes the maximum speed for which the use of
the tire is rated.
Letter RatingSpeed Rating
M 81 mph
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Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
Glossary of Terms
Tire Placard: A label indicating the OE tire sizes, recommended inflation pressure, and the
maximum weight the vehicle can carry.
Tire Identification Number (TIN): A number on the sidewall of each tire providing
information about the tire brand and manufacturing plant, tire size, and\
date of manufacture.
Inflation Pressure: A measure of the amount of air in a tire.
kPa: Kilopascal, the metric unit for air pressure.
psi: Pounds per square inch, the English unit for air pressure.
B-pillar: The structural member at the side of the vehicle behind the front door.
Original Equipment (OE): Describes components originally equipped on the vehicle.
Vehicle Load Limit: The maximum value of the combination weight of occupants and
cargo.
Bead Area of the Tire: Area of the tire next to the rim.
Sidewall Area of the Tire: Area between the bead area and the tread.
Tread Area of the Tire: Area on the perimeter of the tire that contacts the road when it's
mounted on the vehicle.
Seating capacity means the total allowable number of vehicle occupants. Seating capacity\
is described on the tire label.
Production options weight is the combination weight of installed regular production
options weighing over 2.3 kilograms in excess of the standard items whic\
h they replace,
and not previously considered in the curb weight or accessory weight, in\
cluding heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty battery, and special trim.
Rim is the metal support (wheel) for a tire or a tire and tube assembly u\
pon which the tire
beads are seated.
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