
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
212
(Continued)
TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION
Tire Pressure
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the
safe and satisfactory operation of your vehicle.
Four primary areas are affected by improper tire
pressure:
Safety
Fuel Economy
Tread Wear
Ride Comfort and Vehicle Stability
Safety Both underinflation and overinflation affect the
stability of the vehicle and can produce a feeling
of sluggish response or over responsiveness in
the steering.
NOTE:
Unequal tire pressures from side to side may
cause erratic and unpredictable steering
response.
Unequal tire pressure from side to side may
cause the vehicle to drift left or right.
Fuel Economy
Underinflated tires will increase tire rolling
resistance resulting in higher fuel consumption.
Tread Wear
Improper cold tire inflation pressures can cause
abnormal wear patterns and reduced tread life,
resulting in the need for earlier tire replacement.
Ride Comfort And Vehicle Stability
Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable
ride. Overinflation produces a jarring and
uncomfortable ride.
Tire Inflation Pressures
The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on
the driver's side B-pillar or rear edge of the
driver's side door.
At least once a month:
Check and adjust tire pressure with a good
quality pocket-type pressure gauge. Do not make a visual judgment when determining
proper inflation. Tires may look properly
inflated even when they are under-inflated.
Inspect tires for signs of tire wear or visible
damage.
Inflation pressures specified on the placard are
always “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. The
cold tire inflation pressure must not exceed the
maximum inflation pressure molded into the tire
sidewall.
Check tire pressures more often if subject to a
wide range of outdoor temperatures, as tire
pressures vary with temperature changes.
Tire pressures change by approximately 1 psi
(7 kPa) per 12°F (7°C) of air temperature
change. Keep this in mind when checking tire
pressure inside a garage, especially in the Winter.
Example: If garage temperature = 68°F (20°C)
and the outside temperature = 32°F (0°C) then
the cold tire inflation pressure should be
increased by 3 psi (21 kPa), which equals 1 psi
(7 kPa) for every 12°F (7°C) for this outside
temperature condition.
WARNING!
Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and
can cause collisions.
Underinflation increases tire flexing and can
result in overheating and tire failure.
Overinflation reduces a tire's ability to
cushion shock. Objects on the road and
chuckholes can cause damage that result in
tire failure.
Overinflated or underinflated tires can affect
vehicle handling and can fail suddenly,
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Unequal tire pressures can cause steering
problems. You could lose control of your
vehicle.
Unequal tire pressures from one side of the
vehicle to the other can cause the vehicle to
drift to the right or left.
Always drive with each tire inflated to the
recommended cold tire inflation pressure.
WARNING!
CAUTION!
After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure,
always reinstall the valve stem cap. This will
prevent moisture and dirt from entering the
valve stem, which could damage the valve
stem.
22_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 212

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
222
PRESERVING THE BODYWORK
Paint
Touch up abrasions and scratches immediately
to prevent the formation of rust.
Maintenance of paintwork consists of washing
the car: the frequency depends on the conditions
and environment where the car is used. For
example, it is advisable to wash the vehicle more
often in areas with high levels of atmospheric
pollution or salted roads.
Some parts of the vehicle may be covered with a
matte paint which, in order to be maintained
intact, requires special care.
To correctly wash the vehicle, follow these
instructions:
If high pressure jets or cleaners are used to
wash the vehicle, keep a distance of at least
15 inches (40 cm) from the bodywork to avoid
damage or alteration. Build up of water could
cause damage to the vehicle in the long term.
To make it easier to remove any dirt deposits
in the area where the blades are normally
located it is recommended to position the
windshield wipers vertically (service position).
Wash the bodywork using a low pressure jet of
water if possible.
Wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy solution
over the bodywork, frequently rinsing the
sponge.
Rinse well with water and dry with a leather
chamois.
Dry the less visible parts (e.g. door frames, hood,
headlight frames, etc.) with special care, as water
may stagnate more easily in these areas. Do not wash the car after it has been left in the sun or
with the hood hot: this may alter the shine of the
paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in the
same way as the rest of the vehicle.
If washing the car in a service that moves the car,
for cars with automatic transmissions, PARK (P)
must be cut out. You have to shut off the engine
in the following conditions: car stopped,
transmission in NEUTRAL (N), push the starter
button for at least three seconds.
NOTE:
Avoid parking under trees; the resin dropped by
trees makes the paintwork go opaque and
increases the possibility of corrosion.
Windows
Use specific detergents and clean cloths to
prevent scratching or altering the transparency.
Front Headlights
Use a soft cloth soaked in water and detergent for
washing cars.
NOTE:
Never use aromatic substances (e.g. gasoline)
or ketones (e.g. acetone) for cleaning the
plastic lenses of the headlights.
When cleaning with a pressure washer, keep
the pressure washer at least eight inches
(20 cm) away from the headlights. Engine Compartment
At the end of every Winter, wash the engine
compartment thoroughly, taking care not to aim
the jet of water directly at the electronic control
units or at the windshield wiper motors. Have this
operation performed at a specialized workshop.
For further information
Ú
page 191.
NOTE:
The washing should take place with the engine
cold and the ignition device in the STOP position.
After the washing operation, make sure that the
various protections (e.g. rubber caps and guards)
have not been removed or damaged.
INTERIORS
Periodically check the cleanliness of the interior,
beneath the mats, which could cause oxidation of
the sheet metal.
SEATS AND FABRIC PARTS
Remove dust with a soft brush or a vacuum
cleaner. Rub the seats with a sponge moistened
with a solution of water and neutral detergent.
Cleaning heat press images on seats — if equipped:
Due to the color, opacity and wear-resistant
protection with which the heat press images on
some seats are made, they may be subject to
temporary scratching if they are touched by finger
nails, keys, or other hard objects. In such cases,
the visible signs do not impair the profiled
images, and can easily be removed by wiping the
affected area with a microfiber cloth moistened
with water (not dry) to restore the seat to its
original condition. The microfiber cloth must not
have been previously soaked in other substances
or detergents.
CAUTION!
Wipe the rear window inside gently with a
cloth following the direction of the filaments to
avoid damaging the heating device.
22_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 222

240
INDEX
Dimmer SwitchHeadlight .................................................. 46
Door Ajar ................................................ 74, 76
Door Ajar Light ....................................... 74, 76
Door Locks Automatic ................................................. 27
Door Opener, Garage ................................... 39
Drive Train Control (DTC) System ..............130
Driving Modes .............................................. 92
Dynamic Steering Torque (DST) System ... 130
E
Electric Park Brake....................................... 84
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) .. 97
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
System ........................................................130
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light... 75
Emergency In Case Of ......................................169, 171
SOS Emergency Call .............................. 169
Emergency, In Case Of Jump Starting .........................................175
Overheating ............................................ 178
Tow Hooks ..............................................180
Towing.....................................................179
Emission Control System Maintenance...... 80
Engine ......................................................... 224 Block Heater............................................. 83
Engine Coolant Level .............................190
Exhaust Gas Caution ....................167, 168
Fuel Requirements ................................ 230Jump Starting .........................................177
Overheating ............................................ 178 Engine Compartment ................................ 187
Engine Compartment (Washing) .............. 222
Engine Oil
Level Check ........................................... 188
Enhanced Accident Response
Feature .............................................. 155, 181
Ethanol ....................................................... 230
Exhaust Gas Cautions ...................... 167, 168 Exhaust System ......................................... 167
Exterior Lights .............................42, 167, 204
F
Flashers Turn Signals .....................................74, 167
Fluid Leaks ................................................. 167
Fog Lights, Rear ............................................44
Forward Collision Warning ........................ 138
Fuel Additives ................................................ 230
Clean Air................................................. 230
Ethanol ................................................... 230
Light ..........................................................76
Materials Added .................................... 230
Methanol................................................ 230
Fuses ................................................. 197, 198
G
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ................39
Gasoline, Clean Air .................................... 230
Gasoline, Reformulated ............................ 230
Gauges Engine Oil Temperature ...........................65
Fuel ...........................................................66 Speedometer ........................................... 66
Tachometer .............................................. 65
Glove Compartment Storage ...................... 55
GVWR .......................................................... 125
H
Hazard Warning Flashers .......................... 169
Head Restraints ........................................... 35
Head Rests ................................................... 35
Headlights .................................................... 42 Automatic ................................................. 43
Delay......................................................... 44
High Beam ............................................... 42
Switch ....................................................... 42
Headlights (Cleaning) ................................ 222
Heated Mirrors ............................................. 38
Heated Seats ............................................... 35
Heated Steering Wheel ............................... 29
Heater, Engine Block ................................... 83
Hill Start Assist (HSA) System ................... 131
HomeLink (Garage Door Opener) ............... 39
Hood Closing ...................................................... 60Opening .................................................... 60
Hood Release ............................................... 60
I
Ignition .......................................................... 22 Switch ....................................................... 22
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ............................. 21
In Case Of Emergency ............................... 169
Installing Electrical/Electronic Devices ......... 3
22_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 240