
642
Maintenance
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking 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 handling 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.
1Checking 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.
3WARNING
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. 

643
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uTire 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.
1Tire and Loading Information Label
The tire and loading informat ion label attached to the 
driver’s doorjamb contains:
aThe number of people your vehicle can carry.bThe total weight your vehicle can carry. Do not 
exceed this weight.
cThe original tire sizes for front, rear, and spare.dThe 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). 

uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uTire 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 the 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 within 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 

647
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uWear 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.
1Checking 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 Size225/50R17 94V
Pressure Front: 35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm2)
Rear: 33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm2)
Tire Size235/40R19 96V
Pressure Front: 36 psi (250 kPa, 2.5 kgf/cm2)
Rear: 36 psi (250 kPa, 2.5 kgf/cm2)
Models with 225/50R17 tires
Models with 235/40R19 tires
Example of a Wear 
Indicator mark 

648
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uTire 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.1Tire and Wheel Replacement
3WARNING
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
uuBattery uCharging 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 

663
Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
ToolsTypes 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 ....... 672Emergency 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 ... 681If 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 Flat
Changing 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.
1Changing 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