Summer Or Three Season Tires — If Equipped
Summer tires provide traction in both wet and dry condi-
tions, and are not intended to be driven in snow or on ice.
If your vehicle is equipped with Summer tires, be aware
these tires are not designed for Winter or cold driving
conditions. Install Winter tires on your vehicle when am-
bient temperatures are less than 40°F (5°C) or if roads are
covered with ice or snow. For more information, contact an
authorized dealer.
Summer tires do not contain the all season designation or
mountain/snowflake symbol on the tire sidewall. Use
Summer tires only in sets of four; failure to do so may
adversely affect the safety and handling of your vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not use Summer tires in snow/ice conditions. You
could lose vehicle control, resulting in severe injury or
death. Driving too fast for conditions also creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control.
Snow Tires
Some areas of the country require the use of snow tires
during the Winter. Snow tires can be identified by a
“mountain/snowflake” symbol on the tire sidewall.If you need snow tires, select tires
equivalent in size and type to the origi-
nal equipment tires. Use snow tires only
in sets of four; failure to do so may
adversely affect the safety and handling
of your vehicle.
Snow tires generally have lower speed ratings than what
was originally equipped with your vehicle and should not
be operated at sustained speeds over 75 mph (120 km/h).
For speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h), refer to original
equipment or an authorized tire dealer for recommended
safe operating speeds, loading and cold tire inflation
pressures.
While studded tires improve performance on ice, skid and
traction capability on wet or dry surfaces may be poorer
than that of non-studded tires. Some states prohibit stud-
ded tires; therefore, local laws should be checked before
using these tire types.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 211
It is recommended you contact your authorized tire dealer
or original equipment dealer with any questions you may
have on tire specifications or capability. Failure to use
equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect the
safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle.
WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than that
specified for your vehicle. Some combinations of
unapproved tires and wheels may change suspen-
sion dimensions and performance characteristics,
resulting in changes to steering, handling, and brak-
ing of your vehicle. This can cause unpredictable
handling and stress to steering and suspension com-
ponents. You could lose control and have a collision
resulting in serious injury or death. Use only the tire
and wheel sizes with load ratings approved for your
vehicle.
• Never use a tire with a smaller load index or capacity,
other than what was originally equipped on your
vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load index could
result in tire overloading and failure. You could lose
control and have a collision.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having ad-
equate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES)
Use of traction devices require sufficient tire-to-body clear-
ance. Follow these recommendations to guard against
damage.
• Traction device must be of proper size for the tire, as
recommended by the traction device manufacturer.
• Install on front tires only.
• Tire chains for a 225/75R16 tire with a Quality Chain
Corp Light Truck Highway Service (Non-Cam) tire chain
or equivalent is recommended.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 217
WARNING!
Using tires of different size and type (M+S, Snow)
between front and rear axles can cause unpredictable
handling. You could lose control and have a collision.
CAUTION!
To avoid damage to your vehicle or tires, observe the
following precautions:
•Because of restricted traction device clearance be-
tween tires and other suspension components, it is
important that only traction devices in good condi-
tion are used. Broken devices can cause serious
damage. Stop the vehicle immediately if noise occurs
that could indicate device breakage. Remove the
damaged parts of the device before further use.
• Install device as tightly as possible and then re-
tighten after driving about ½ mile (0.8 km).
• Do not exceed 30 mph (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 pave-
ment.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Observe the traction device manufacturer ’s instruc-
tions on the method of installation, operating speed,
and conditions for use. Always use the suggested
operating speed of the device manufacturer ’s if it is
less than 30 mph (48 km/h).
• Do not use traction devices on a compact spare tire.
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS
The tires on the front and rear of your vehicle 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 worthwhile with aggres-
sive 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.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper main-
tenance intervals. The reasons for any rapid or unusual
wear should be corrected prior to rotation being per-
formed.
218 STARTING AND OPERATING
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s manufacturer in
each category is shown on the sidewall of the tires on your
vehicle.
All passenger vehicle tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government test course. For example, a
tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half 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, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices,
and differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions 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
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 331
Introduction................................4
Jump Starting ............................ .267
Key Fob Battery Service (Remote Keyless Entry) .....16
Key-In Reminder ............................12
Key, Replacement ...........................13
Keys ....................................11
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer) ......................12
Lane Change Assist ..........................76
Lap/Shoulder Belts ..........................23
Latches ..................................53
Lead Free Gasoline ........................ .223
Leaks, Fluid ...............................53
Life Of Tires ............................. .216
Light Bulbs ........................... .53, 311
Lights ................................ .53, 74
AirBag ............................ .51, 103
Brake Assist Warning ..................... .195
Brake Warning ......................... .107
Bulb Replacement ....................... .312
Cruise ................................119
Daytime Running .........................75
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................74, 76 Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator
......195
Exterior ................................53
Hazard Warning Flasher ...................242
Headlights ..............................74
High Beam ..............................76
Illuminated Entry .........................14
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ..........115
Park .............................. .76, 119
Passing ................................76
Seat Belt Reminder ...................... .103
Service ............................... .312
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) .............112
Traction Control ........................ .195
Turn Signal ....................... .53, 74, 118
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) .......118
Loading Vehicle ....................... .228, 230
Capacities ............................. .230
Tires................................. .204
Locks Automatic Door ..........................18
Door ..................................
17
Lubrication, Body ......................... .289
Lug Nuts ............................... .243
Maintenance Free Battery .....................286
10
INDEX 339
Telescoping Steering Column...................81
Tire And Loading Information Placard ........204, 205
Tire Markings ............................ .198
Tires.......................... .53, 207, 212, 331
Aging (Life Of Tires) ..................... .216
Air Pressure ........................... .207
Chains ............................... .217
Compact Spare ......................... .212
General Information ...................207, 212
High Speed ............................ .209
Inflation Pressures ....................... .209
Life Of Tires ........................... .216
Load Capacity ...................... .204, 205
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) .............219
Pressure Warning Light ....................112
Quality Grading ........................ .331
Radial ............................... .210
Replacement ........................... .216
Rotation .............................. .218
Safety ............................ .198, 207
Sizes ................................ .200
Snow Tires .............................211
Spare Tire ......................... .212, 214
Spinning .............................. .214
Trailer Towing .......................... .235Tread Wear Indicators
.....................215
Tire Safety Information ...................... .198
Tire Service Kit ............244, 245, 247, 248, 250, 251
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .................233
Torque Converter Clutch .....................185
Towing ............................. .230, 272
Disabled Vehicle ........................ .272
Guide ................................ .233
Recreational ........................... .239
Weight ............................... .233
Towing Vehicle Behind A Motorhome ............239
T
raction ................................ .186
Traction Control .......................... .192
Traction Control Switch ..................... .192
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ....................196
Trailer Towing ............................ .230
Cooling System Tips ..................... .239
Hitches ............................... .232
Minimum Requirements ....................234
Tips ................................. .238
Trailer And Tongue Weight ..................233
Wiring ............................... .236
Trailer Towing Guide ....................... .233
Trailer Weight ............................ .233
10
INDEX 343