642
Maintenance Checking and Maintaining TiresChecking Tires To safely operate your vehicle, your tires must be of the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread, and properly inflated.
■ Inflation guidelines
Properly inflated tires provide the best combination of handling, tread life, and comfort.
Refer to the driver’s doorjamb label or spec ifications page for the specified pressure.
Under inflated tires wear un evenly, adversely affect ha ndling and fuel economy, and
are more likely to fail from overheating.
Overinflated tires make your vehicle ride harshly, are more prone to road hazards,
and wear unevenly.
Every day before you drive, look at each of the tires. If one looks lower than the
others, check the pressure with a tire gauge.
At least once a month or before long trips, use a gauge to measure the pressure in all
tires, including the spare. Even tires in good condition can lose 1–2 psi (10–20 kPa,
0.1–0.2 kgf/cm 2
) per month.
■ Inspection guidelines
Every time you check inflation, also examine the tires and valve stems.
Look for:
• Bumps or bulges on the side or in the tread. Replace the tire if you find any cuts,
splits, or cracks in the si de of the tire. Replace it if you see fabric or cord.
• Remove any foreign objects and inspect for air leaks.
• Uneven tread wear. Have a deal er check the wheel alignment.
• Excessive tread wear.
2 Wear Indicators P. 647
• Cracks or other damage around valve stem. 1 Checking Tires
Measure the air pressure when tires are cold. This
means the vehicle has been parked for at least three
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km). If
necessary, add or releas e air until the specified
pressure is reached.
If checked when hot, tire pressure can be as much as
4–6 psi (30–40 kPa, 0.3–0.4 kgf/cm 2
) higher than if
checked when cold.
Whenever tire pressure is adjusted, you must
calibrate the TPMS.
2 TPMS Calibration P. 497
Have a dealer check the tires if you feel a consistent
vibration while driving. Ne w tires and any that have
been removed and reinst alled should be properly
balanced.
Check the spare tire pressu re once a month or before
long trips.3
WARNING Using tires that are excessively worn or
improperly inflated can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instruction s in this owner’s
manual regarding ti re inflation and
maintenance.
643uu Checking and Maintaining Tires u Tire and Loading Information Label
Continued
Maintenance
Tire and Loading Information Label The label attached to the driver’s doorj amb provides necessary tire and loading
information.
Tire Labeling The tires that came on your vehicle have a
number of markings. Those you should be
aware of are described as shown.
Whenever tires are replaced, they should be replaced with tires of the same size. 1 Tire and Loading Information Label
The tire and loading informat ion label attached to the
driver’s doorjamb contains: a
The number of people your vehicle can carry. b
The total weight your ve hicle can carry. Do not
exceed this weight. c
The original tire sizes for front, rear, and spare. d
The proper cold tire pressure for front, rear, and
spare.Label
Example
Example
Tire Size
Tire
Identification
Number (TIN)
Maximum
Tire Load
Maximum
Tire Pressure
Tire Size
■ Tire Sizes 1 Tire Sizes
Following is an example of tire size with an
explanation of what each component means.
P235/60 R18 102T
P: Vehicle type (P indi cates passenger vehicle).
235: Tire width in millimeters.
60: Aspect ratio (the tire’s section height as a
percentage of its width).
R: Tire construction code (R indicates radial).
18: Rim diameter in inches.
102: Load index (a numerical code associated with
the maximum load the tire can carry).
T: Speed symbol (an alphabe tical code indicating the
maximum speed rating).
uu Checking and Maintaining Tires u Tire Labeling
644
Maintenance The tire identification number (TIN) is a gr oup of numbers and letters that look like
the example in the side co lumn. TIN is located on th e sidewall of the tire.
Cold Tire Pressure – The tire air pressure when the vehicle has been parked for at
least three hours or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Load Rating – Means the maximum load that a ti re is rated to carry for a given
inflation pressure.
Maximum Inflation Pressure – The maximum tire air pressure that the tire can
hold.
Maximum Load Rating – Means the load rating for a tire at the maximum
permissible inflation pr essure for that tire.
Recommended Inflation Pressure – The cold tire inflation pressure recommended
by the manufacturer.
Treadwear Indicators (TWI) – Means the projections wi thin the principal grooves
designed to give a visual indication of the degrees of wear of the tread.■ Tire Identification Number (TIN)
■ Glossary of Tire Terminology 1 Tire Identification Number (TIN)
DOT B97R FW6X 2209
DOT: This indicates that the tire meets all
requirements of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
B97R: Manufacturer’s identification mark.
FW6X: Tire type code.
22 09: Date of manufacture.
Year
Week
647uu Checking and Maintaining Tires u Wear Indicators
Maintenance
Wear Indicators The groove where the wear indicator is
located is 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) shallower than
elsewhere on the tire. If the tread has worn so
that the indicator is ex posed, replace the tire.
Worn out tires have po or traction on wet
roads.
Tire Service Life The life of your tires is dependent on many factors, including driving habits, road
conditions, vehicle loading, inflation pressure, maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even wh en 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, regardle ss of their condition or state of wear. 1 Checking Tires
High speed driving
We recommend that you do not drive faster than the
posted speed limits and conditions allow. If you drive
at sustained high speeds (over 99 mph or 160 km/h),
adjust the cold tire pressures as shown below to
avoid excessive heat build up and sudden tire failure.
Tire Size 225/50R17 94V
Pressure Front: 35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm 2
)
Rear: 33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm 2
)
Tire Size 235/40R19 96V
Pressure Front: 36 psi (250 kPa, 2.5 kgf/cm 2
)
Rear: 36 psi (250 kPa, 2.5 kgf/cm 2
)Models with 225/50R17 tires
Models with 235/40R19 tiresExample of a Wear
Indicator mark
648 uu Checking and Maintaining Tires u Tire and Wheel Replacement
Maintenance Tire and Wheel Replacement Replace your tires with radials of the sa me size, load range, speed rating, and
maximum cold tire pressure ra ting (as shown on the tire’s sidewall). Using tires of a
different size or construction can cause ce rtain vehicle systems such as the ABS and
Vehicle Stability Assist ® (VSA ® ) system 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.
Make sure that the wheel’s specifications match thos e of the original wheels. 1 Tire and Wheel Replacement
3
WARNING 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 this owner’s manual.
652 uu Battery u Charging the Battery
Maintenance Charging the Battery Disconnect both battery cables to prevent da maging your vehicle’ s electrical system.
Always disconnect the negative (–) cable first, and reconnect it last. 1 Charging the Battery
When replacing the battery, the replacement must be
of the same specifications.
Consult a dealer for more information.
The Vehicle Stability Assist ® (VSA ® ) system, Vehicle
Stability Assist ® (VSA ® ) OFF, adaptive cruise control
(ACC) with low speed follow (LSF) *
, adaptive cruise
control (ACC) *
, safety support and low tire pressure/
TPMS indicators may come on in amber along with a
message in the driver information interface when you
set the power mode to ON after re-connecting a
battery.
Drive a short distance at more than 12 mph (20 km/
h). Each indicator should go off. If any do not, have
your vehicle checked by a dealer.
* Not available on all models
663Handling the Unexpected This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
Tools
Types of Tools .................................. 664
If a Tire Goes Flat
Changing a Flat Tire ......................... 665
Engine Does Not Start
Checking the Engine ........................ 671
If the Remote Battery is Weak ....... 672
Emergency Engine Stop ................... 673
Jump Starting .................................... 674
Shift Lever Does Not Move .............. 677
Overheating
How to Handle Overheating ............. 679 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Warning Appears ... 681
If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 681
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes
On or Blinks ................................... 682
If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes
On or Blinks ................................... 683
If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes On
or Blinks at the Same Time When the Brake
System Indicator (Amber) Comes On.... 684
If the Electric Power Steering (EPS) System
Indicator Comes On ....................... 685 If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks ....................... 686
If the Transmission I ndicator Blinks along
with the Warning Message ............ 687
Fuses
Fuse Locations ................................. 688
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 692
Emergency Towing ........................... 693
When You Cannot Unlock the Fuel Fill
Door ................................................. 694
When You Cannot Open the Trunk ... 695
Refueling ........................................... 697
665Continued
Handling the Unexpected
If a Tire Goes FlatChanging a Flat Tire If a tire goes flat while driving, grasp the steering wheel firmly, and brake gradually
to reduce speed. Then, stop in a safe plac e. Replace the flat tire with a compact
spare tire. Go to a dealer as soon as possib le to have the full-size tire repaired or
replaced.
1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level, and non-slippery surface, and apply the parking
brake.
2. Put the transmission into ( P
.
2. Move the shift lever to ( R
.
3. Turn on the hazard warning lights and set the power mode to VEHICLE OFF. 1 Changing a Flat Tire
Follow these compact spare precautions:
Periodically check the tire pressure of the compact
spare. It should be set to the specified pressure.
Specified Pressure: 60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm 2
)
When driving with the compact spare tire, keep the
vehicle speed under 50 mph (80 km/h). Replace with
a full-size tire as soon as possible.
The compact spare tire and wheel in your vehicle are
specifically for this model. Do not use them with
another vehicle. Do not us e another type of compact
spare tire or wheel with your vehicle.
Do not mount tire chains on a compact spare tire.
If a chain-mounted front tire goes flat, remove one of
the full-size rear tires and replace it with the compact
spare tire. Remove the flat front tire and replace it
with the full-size tire that was removed from the rear.
Mount the tire chains on the front tire.
NOTICE
Do not use the jack if it doesn’t work properly.
Call your dealer or a pr ofessional towing service.
Do not mount the compact spare on the front.
If either front tire goes flat, remove the rear tire on
the same side, and mount the compact spare on the
rear and the rear tire on the front.Automatic transmission/Continuousl y variable transmission models
Manual transmission models
All models