GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
76
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Warning Light
The warning light switches on and a
message is displayed to indicate
that the tire pressure is lower than
the recommended value and/or that
slow pressure loss is occurring. In these cases,
optimal tire duration and fuel consumption
may not be guaranteed.
Should one or more tires be in the condition
mentioned above, the display will show the
indications corresponding to each tire.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom -
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label.
If your vehicle has tires of a different size than
the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire
inflation pressure label, you should determine
the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires. As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a TPMS that illuminates a
low tire pressure telltale when one or more of
your tires is significantly underinflated. Accord
-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi -
nates, you should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to the
proper pressure. Driving on a significantly
underinflated tire causes the tire to overheat
and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute
for proper tire maintenance, and it is the
driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when
the system is not operating properly. The
TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with
the low tire pressure telltale. When the system
detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain
continuously illuminated. This sequence will
continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups
as long as the malfunction exists. When the
malfunction indicator is illuminated, the
system may not be able to detect or signal low
tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions
may occur for a variety of reasons, including
the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check
the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing
one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or alternate tires
and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to
function properly.
Rear Fog Lights
The indicator illuminates when the
rear fog light is activated.
CAUTION!
Do not continue driving with one or more
flat tires as handling may be compromised.
Stop the vehicle, avoiding sharp braking
and steering. If a tire puncture occurs,
repair immediately using the dedicated tire
repair kit and contact an authorized dealer
as soon as possible.
WARNING!
The TPMS has been optimized for the
original equipment tires and wheels. TPMS
pressures and warning have been
established for the tire size equipped on
your vehicle. Undesirable system operation
or sensor damage may result when using
replacement equipment that is not of the
same size, type, and/or style. Aftermarket
wheels can cause sensor damage. Using
aftermarket tire sealants may cause the
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
sensor to become inoperable. After using
an aftermarket tire sealant it is
recommended that you take your vehicle to
an authorized dealership to have your
sensor function checked.
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137
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total permissible weight of
your vehicle including driver, passengers,
vehicle, options and cargo. The label also
specifies maximum capacities of front and
rear axle systems (GAWR). Total load must be
limited so GVWR and front and rear GAWR are
not exceeded.
Payload
The payload of a vehicle is defined as the
allowable load weight a truck can carry,
including the weight of the driver, all passen-
gers, options and cargo.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible load
on the front and rear axles. The load must be
distributed in the cargo area so that the GAWR
of each axle is not exceeded.
Each axle GAWR is determined by the compo -
nents in the system with the lowest load
carrying capacity (axle, springs, tires or
wheels). Heavier axles or suspension compo -
nents sometimes specified by purchasers for
increased durability do not necessarily
increase the vehicle's GVWR.
Tire Size
The tire size on the Vehicle Certification Label
represents the actual tire size on your vehicle.
Replacement tires must be equal to the load
capacity of this tire size.
Rim Size
This is the rim size that is appropriate for the
tire size listed.
Inflation Pressure
This is the cold tire inflation pressure for your
vehicle for all loading conditions up to full
GAWR.
Curb Weight
The curb weight of a vehicle is defined as the
total weight of the vehicle with all fluids,
including vehicle fuel, at full capacity condi -
tions, and with no occupants or cargo loaded
into the vehicle. The front and rear curb weight
values are determined by weighing your
vehicle on a commercial scale before any
occupants or cargo are added.
Loading
The actual total weight and the weight of the
front and rear of your vehicle at the ground can
best be determined by weighing it when it is
loaded and ready for operation. The entire vehicle should first be weighed on a
commercial scale to ensure that the GVWR
has not been exceeded. The weight on the
front and rear of the vehicle should then be
determined separately to be sure that the load
is properly distributed over the front and rear
axle. Weighing the vehicle may show that the
GAWR of either the front or rear axles has
been exceeded but the total load is within the
specified GVWR. If so, weight must be shifted
from front to rear or rear to front as appro
-
priate until the specified weight limitations are
met. Store the heavier items down low and be
sure that the weight is distributed equally.
Stow all loose items securely before driving.
Improper weight distributions can have an
adverse effect on the way your vehicle steers
and handles and the way the brakes operate.
CAUTION!
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the GVWR or the maximum front and rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, or it can change the way your vehicle
handles. This could cause you to lose
control. Also overloading can shorten the
life of your vehicle.
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143
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
This is an integral part of the ESC system and
facilitates starting on slopes, activating auto-
matically in the following cases:
Uphill: vehicle stationary on a road with a
gradient higher than 5%, engine running,
brake pressed and transmission in
NEUTRAL (N) or gear other than REVERSE
(R) engaged.
Downhill: vehicle stationary on a road with a
gradient higher than 5%, engine running,
brake pressed and REVERSE gear engaged.
When starting to move forward from a
complete stop, the ESC system control unit
maintains the braking pressure on the wheels
until the engine torque necessary for starting
is reached, or in any case for a maximum of
two seconds, allowing your right foot to be
moved easily from the brake pedal to the
accelerator.
The system will automatically deactivate after
two seconds without starting, gradually
releasing the braking pressure. During this
release stage, it is possible to hear a typical
mechanical brake release noise, indicating
the imminent movement of the vehicle.
Panic Brake Assist (PBA)
The PBA system is designed to improve the
vehicle’s braking capacity during emergency
braking.
The system detects emergency braking by
monitoring the speed and force with which the
brake pedal is pressed, and consequently
applies the optimal brake pressure. This can
reduce the braking distance: the PBA system
therefore complements the ABS.
WARNING!
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot
prevent the natural laws of physics from
acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
the traction afforded by prevailing road
conditions. ESC cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery
surfaces, or hydroplaning. ESC also
cannot prevent accidents resulting from
loss of vehicle control due to inappro -
priate driver input for the conditions. Only
a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents. The capabilities of an
ESC equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s
safety or the safety of others.
Vehicle modifications, or failure to prop -
erly maintain your vehicle, may change
the handling characteristics of your
vehicle, and may negatively affect the
performance of the ESC system. Changes
to the steering system, suspension,
braking system, tire type and size or wheel
size may adversely affect ESC perfor-
mance. Improperly inflated and unevenly
worn tires may also degrade ESC perfor -
mance. Any vehicle modification or poor
vehicle maintenance that reduces the
effectiveness of the ESC system can
increase the risk of loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
WARNING!
There may be situations where the Hill Start
Assist (HSA) will not activate and slight
rolling may occur, such as on minor hills or
with a loaded vehicle, or while pulling a
trailer. HSA is not a substitute for active
driving involvement. It is always the driver’s
responsibility to be attentive to distance to
other vehicles, people, and objects, and
most importantly brake operation to ensure
safe operation of the vehicle under all road
conditions. Your complete attention is
always required while driving to maintain
safe control of your vehicle. Failure to follow
these warnings can result in a collision or
serious personal injury.
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157
The TPMS will stop indicating insufficient tire
pressure when pressure is equal to or greater
than the prescribed cold inflation level. There-
fore, if insufficient tire pressure is indicated by
the ( ) warning light displaying in the instru -
ment cluster, increase the inflation pressure
up to the prescribed cold inflation value.
The system will automatically update, and the
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning
Light will turn off once the system receives the
updated tire pressures. The vehicle may need
to be driven for up to 20 minutes above
15 mph (24 km/h) in order for the TPMS to
receive this information.
NOTE:
The TPMS cannot indicate sudden tire pres -
sure drops (e.g. if a tire bursts). In this case,
proceed with caution and avoid abrupt
steering.
Operating Example
For example, your vehicle may have a
recommended cold (parked for more than three
hours) placard pressure of 33 psi (227 kPa). If the
ambient temperature is 68°F (20°C), and the
measured tire pressure is 28 psi (193 kPa), a
temperature drop to 20°F (-7°C) will decrease the
tire pressure to approximately 24 psi (165 kPa).
This tire pressure is low enough to turn on the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light. Driving
the vehicle may cause the tire pressure to rise to
approximately 28 psi (193 kPa), but the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light will still
be on. In this situation, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light will turn off only after the tires
are inflated to the vehicle’s recommended cold
placard pressure value.
Insufficient Tire Pressure Indication
If an insufficient pressure value is detected on
one or more tires, the Warning Light in the
instrument cluster will display alongside the
dedicated messages, the system will highlight
the tire or tires with insufficient pressure
graphically, and an acoustic signal will be
emitted.
In this case, stop the vehicle, check the infla
-
tion pressure of each tire, and inflate the
necessary tire or tires to the correct cold infla -
tion pressure value, shown on the display or in
the dedicated TPMS menu.
CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the orig -
inal equipment tires and wheels. TPMS
pressures and warning have been estab -
lished for the tire size equipped on your
vehicle. Undesirable system operation or
sensor damage may result when using
replacement equipment that is not of the
same size, type, and/or style. The TPMS
sensor is not designed for use on after -
market wheels and may contribute to a
poor overall system performance or
sensor damage. Customers are encour -
aged to use Original Equipment Manufac -
turer (OEM) wheels to assure proper TPMS
feature operation.
Using aftermarket tire sealants may cause
the Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) sensor to become inoperable.
After using an aftermarket tire sealant it is
recommended that you take your vehicle
to an authorized dealer to have your
sensor function checked.
After inspecting or adjusting the tire pres -
sure always reinstall the valve stem cap.
This will prevent moisture and dirt from
entering the valve stem, which could
damage the TPMS sensor.
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SAFETY
164
Position the lap belt snug and low below the
abdomen and across the strong bones of the
hips. Place the shoulder belt across the chest
and away from the neck. Never place the
shoulder belt behind the back or under the arm.
Seat Belt Pretensioner
The front outboard seat belt system is
equipped with pretensioning devices that are
designed to remove slack from the seat belt in
the event of a collision. These devices may
improve the performance of the seat belt by
removing slack from the seat belt early in a
collision. Pretensioners work for all size occu-
pants, including those in child restraints.
NOTE:
These devices are not a substitute for proper
seat belt placement by the occupant. The seat
belt still must be worn snugly and positioned
properly.
The pretensioners are triggered by the Occu-
pant Restraint Controller (ORC). Like the air
bags, the pretensioners are single use items. A
deployed pretensioner or a deployed air bag
must be replaced immediately.
Energy Management Feature
The front outboard seat belt system is
equipped with an Energy Management feature
that may help further reduce the risk of injury
in the event of a collision. The seat belt system
has a retractor assembly that is designed to
release webbing in a controlled manner.
Switchable Automatic Locking Retractors
(ALR)
The seat belts in the passenger seating posi -
tions are equipped with a Switchable Auto -
matic Locking Retractor (ALR) which is used to
secure a child restraint system. For additional
information on ALR, see
Ú
page 183. The
figure below illustrates the locking feature for
each seating position.
Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) Locations
If the passenger seating position is equipped
with an ALR and is being used for normal
usage, only pull the seat belt webbing out far
enough to comfortably wrap around the occu -
pant’s mid-section so as to not activate the
ALR. If the ALR is activated, you will hear a
clicking sound as the seat belt retracts. Allow
the webbing to retract completely in this case
and then carefully pull out only the amount of
webbing necessary to comfortably wrap
around the occupant’s mid-section. Slide the
latch plate into the buckle until you hear a
"click." In Automatic Locking Mode, the shoulder belt
is automatically pre-locked. The seat belt will
still retract to remove any slack in the shoulder
belt. Use the Automatic Locking Mode anytime
a child restraint is installed in a seating posi
-
tion that has a seat belt with this feature. Chil -
dren 12 years old and under should always be
properly restrained in the rear seat of a vehicle
with a rear seat.
How To Engage The Automatic Locking Mode
1. Buckle the combination lap and shoulder belt.
2. Grab the shoulder portion and pull down -
ward until the entire seat belt is extracted.
3. Allow the seat belt to retract. As the seat belt retracts, you will hear a clicking sound.
This indicates the seat belt is now in the
Automatic Locking Mode.
WARNING!
Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front
of an air bag. A deploying passenger front air
bag can cause death or serious injury to a child
12 years or younger, including a child in a
rear-facing child restraint.
Never install a rear-facing child restraint in
the front seat of a vehicle. Only use a
rear-facing child restraint in the rear seat.
If the vehicle does not have a rear seat, do
not transport a rear-facing child restraint
in that vehicle.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
234
TIRES
Tire Safety Information
Tire safety information will cover aspects of
the following information: Tire Markings, Tire
Identification Numbers, Tire Terminology and
Definitions, Tire Pressures, and Tire Loading.
Tire Markings
Tire Markings
NOTE:
P (Passenger) — Metric tire sizing is based
on US design standards. P-Metric tires have
the letter “P” molded into the sidewall
preceding the size designation. Example:
P215/65R15 95H.
European — Metric tire sizing is based on
European design standards. Tires designed
to this standard have the tire size molded
into the sidewall beginning with the section
width. The letter "P" is absent from this tire
size designation. Example: 215/65R15
96H.
LT (Light Truck) — Metric tire sizing is based
on US design standards. The size designa-
tion for LT-Metric tires is the same as for
P-Metric tires except for the letters “LT” that
are molded into the sidewall preceding the
size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
Tire Sizing Chart
1 — US DOT Safety Standards Code (TIN)
2 — Size Designation
3 — Service Description
4 — Maximum Load
5 — Maximum Pressure
6 — Treadwear, Traction and Tempera -
ture Grades
EXAMPLE:
Example Size Designation: P215/65R15XL 95H, 215/65R15 96H, LT235/85R16C, T145/80D18 103M, 31x10.5 R15 LT
P = Passenger car tire size based on US design standards, or
"....blank...." = Passenger car tire based on European design standards, or
LT = Light truck tire based on US design standards, or
T or S = Temporary spare tire or
31 = Overall diameter in inches (in)
215, 235, 145 = Section width in millimeters (mm)
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
236
Tire Identification Number (TIN)
The TIN may be found on one or both sides of the tire; however, the date code may only be on one side. Tires with white sidewalls will have the full
TIN, including the date code, located on the white sidewall side of the tire. Look for the TIN on the outboard side of black sidewall tires as mounted
on the vehicle. If the TIN is not found on the outboard side, then you will find it on the inboard side of the tire.
EXAMPLE:
DOT MA L9 ABCD 0301
DOT = Department of Transportation
This symbol certifies that the tire is in compliance with the US Department of Transportation tire safety standards and is approved for highway use
MA = Code representing the tire manufacturing location (two digits)
L9 = Code representing the tire size (two digits)
ABCD = Code used by the tire manufacturer (one to four digits)
03 = Number representing the week in which the tire was manufactured (two digits)
03 means the 3rd week
01 = Number representing the year in which the tire was manufactured (two digits)
01 means the year 2001
Prior to July 2000, tire manufacturers were only required to have one number to represent the year in which the tire was manufactured.
Example: 031 could represent the 3rd week of 1981 or 1991
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237
Tire Terminology And Definitions
Tire Loading And Tire Pressure
NOTE:
The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed
on the driver’s side B-Pillar or the rear edge of
the driver's side door.
Check the inflation pressure of each tire,
including the spare tire (if equipped), at least
monthly and inflate to the recommended pres-
sure for your vehicle. Example Tire Placard Location (Door) Example Tire Placard Location (B-Pillar)
TermDefinition
B-PillarThe vehicle B-Pillar is the structural member of the body located behind the front door.
Cold Tire Inflation Pressure Cold tire inflation pressure is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not been
driven for at least three hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) after sitting for a
minimum of three hours. Inflation pressure is measured in units of PSI (pounds per
square inch) or kPa (kilopascals).
Maximum Inflation Pressure The maximum inflation pressure is the maximum permissible cold tire inflation
pressure for this tire. The maximum inflation pressure is molded into the sidewall.
Recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressure FCA US LLC recommended cold tire inflation pressure as shown on the tire placard.
Tire Placard A label permanently attached to the vehicle describing the vehicle’s loading capacity,
the original equipment tire sizes and the recommended cold tire inflation pressures.
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