These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread
grooves. They will appear as bands when the tread depth
becomes a 1/16 of an inch (1.6 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 scheduled
maintenance is highly recommended.
WARNING!
Tires and the spare tire should be replaced after 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.
Tire Tread
1—WornTire
2—NewTire
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 403
Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little
exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact with
oil, grease, and gasoline.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for
wear and correct cold tire inflation pressures. The manu-
facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equivalent
to the originals in size, quality and performance when
replacement is needed. Refer to the paragraph on “Tread
Wear Indicators” in this section. Refer to the Tire and
Loading Information placard or the Vehicle Certification
Label for the size designation of your tire. The Load Index
and Speed Symbol for your tire will be found on the
original equipment tire sidewall.
See the Tire Sizing Chart example found in the “Tire Safety
Information” section of this manual for more information
relating to the Load Index and Speed Symbol of a tire.
It is recommended to replace the two front tires or two rear
tires as a pair. Replacing just one tire can seriously affect
your vehicle’s handling. If you ever replace a wheel, make
sure that the wheel’s specifications match those of the
original wheels.It is recommended you contact an 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, load rating, or speed
rating other than that specified for your vehicle.
Some combinations of unapproved tires and wheels
may change suspension dimensions and perfor-
mance characteristics, resulting in changes to steer-
ing, handling, and braking of your vehicle. This can
cause unpredictable handling and stress to steering
and suspension components. 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)
404 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
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.
Spare Tires — If Equipped
NOTE: For vehicles equipped with Tire Service Kit instead
of a spare tire, please refer to “Tire Service Kit” in “In Case
Of Emergency” for further information.
CAUTION!
Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with a
compact or limited use temporary spare installed.
Damage to the vehicle may result.
Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire And
Wheel — If Equipped
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.
406 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Inflate collapsible tire only after the wheel is properly
installed to the vehicle. Inflate the collapsible tire using the
electric air pump before lowering the vehicle.
Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a
conventional tire on the collapsible spare wheel, since the
wheel is designed specifically for the collapsible spare tire.
WARNING!
Compact and Collapsible spares are for temporary
emergency use only. With these spares, do not drive
more than 50 mph (80 km/h). Temporary use spares
have limited tread life. When the tread is worn to the
tread wear indicators, the temporary use spare tire
needs to be replaced. Be sure to follow the warnings,
which apply to your spare. Failure to do so could result
in spare tire failure and loss of vehicle control.
Full Size Spare — If Equipped
The full size spare is for temporary emergency use only.
This tire may look like the originally equipped tire on the
front or rear axle of your vehicle, but it is not. This spare
tire may have limited tread life. When the tread is worn to
the tread wear indicators, the temporary use full size spare
tire needs to be replaced. Since it is not the same as youroriginal equipment tire, replace (or repair) the original
equipment tire and reinstall on the vehicle at the first
opportunity.
Limited Use Spare — If Equipped
The limited use spare tire is for temporary emergency use
only. This tire is identified by a label located on the limited
use spare wheel. This label contains the driving limitations
for this spare. This tire may look like the original equipped
tire on the front or rear axle of your vehicle, but it is not.
Installation of this limited use spare tire affects vehicle
handling. Since it is not the same as your original equip-
ment tire, replace (or repair) the original equipment tire
and reinstall on the vehicle at the first opportunity.
WARNING!
Limited use spares are for emergency use only. Instal-
lation of this limited use spare tire affects vehicle
handling. With this tire, do not drive more than the
speed listed on the limited use spare wheel. Keep
inflated to the cold tire inflation pressures listed on
your Tire and Loading Information Placard located on
the driver ’s side B-Pillar or the rear edge of the driver ’s
(Continued)
408 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
VEHICLE STORAGE
If you are leaving your vehicle dormant for more than 21
days, you may want to take these steps to protect your
battery.
• Disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
• Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(e.g., 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 system is started again.
BODYWORK
Protection From Atmospheric Agents
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants, road
surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extreme hot or
cold weather and other extreme conditions will have an
adverse effect on paint, metal trim, and underbody protec-
tion.
The following maintenance recommendations will enable
you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion resis-
tance built into your vehicle.
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 413
Bulb Replacement..........................307
Bulbs, Light .......................... .217, 307
Camera, Rear ............................ .279
Capacities, Fluid .......................... .431
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) ..................... .362, 369, 370
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) .................383
Carbon Monoxide Warning ................214, 428
Cargo Vehicle Loading ..........................283
Cargo Area Cover ..........................101
Cargo Compartment ........................101
Car Washes ...............................414
Cellular Phone ............................506
Certification Label ..........................284
Chains, Tire ............................. .410
Changing A Flat Tire ........................388
Chart, Tire Sizing .......................... .391
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light). . . .143
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ...............213
Checks, Safety ............................ .213
Child Restraint ............................197
Child Restraints Booster Seats ............................201 Child Seat Installation
.....................210
How To Stow An unused ALR Seat Belt ........207
Infant And Child Restraints .................200
Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children .......203
Older Children And Child Restraints ...........200
Seating Positions ........................ .202
Child Safety Locks ..........................41
Clean Air Gasoline ........................ .425
Cleaning Wheels ............................... .409
Climate Control ............................76
Automatic ............................76, 82
Manual ................................76
Coin Holder ............................. .109
Cold W
eather Operation ..................... .225
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ................526
Compact Spare Tire ........................ .407
Console Floor .................................109
Contract, Service .......................... .530
Cooling Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ............383
Cooling System ............................380
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .................382
Coolant Level ........................381, 384
Cooling Capacity ........................ .431
536 INDEX
Tilt Steering Column..................... .57, 58
Time Delay Headlight ...............................68
Tire And Loading Information Placard ............395
Tire Markings ............................ .389
Tires..........................217, 399, 406, 411 Aging (Life Of Tires) ..................... .403
Air Pressure ............................399
Chains ............................... .410
Changing .......................323, 330, 388
Compact Spare ..........................407
Flat Changing .......................... .330
General Information ...................399, 406
High Speed ............................ .401
Inflation Pressure ........................400
Jacking ............................325, 388
Life Of Tires ............................403
Load Capacity .......................395, 396
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ........137, 166
Quality Grading .........................411
Radial ............................... .401
Replacement ........................ .330, 404
Rotation ...............................411
Safety ............................ .389, 399
Sizes .................................391 Snow Tires
............................ .406
Spare Tires ..................... .324, 406, 408
Spinning ...............................402
Trailer Towing .......................... .291
Tread Wear Indicators .....................402
Wheel Mounting ........................ .330
Wheel Nut Torque ........................422
Tire Safety Information .......................389
Tire Service Kit ............330, 331, 332, 334, 337, 338
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .................289
To Open Hood .............................97
Towing ................................. .285
Behind A
Motorhome..................... .295
Disabled Vehicle ........................ .346
Guide .................................289
Recreational ............................295
Weight ............................... .289
Towing Behind A Motorhome ..................295
Traction ............................. .295, 296
Traction Control .......................... .155
Trailer Towing ............................ .285
Cooling System Tips ..................... .295
Hitches ............................... .288
Minimum Requirements ....................290
Tips ................................. .294
12
INDEX 547