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635
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uDOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Maintenance
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asph alt and concrete. A tire marked
C may have poor traction performance.
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when te sted under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and ex cessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
■Traction
■Temperature
1 Traction
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
1Temperature
Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is establishe d for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible
tire failure.
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636
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uWear Indicators
Maintenance
Wear Indicators
The groove where the wear indicator is
located is about 1/16 inch (about 1.6 mm)
shallower than elsewhere on the tire. If the
tread has worn so that the indicator is
exposed, replace the tire.
Worn out tires have poor 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 pre ssure, maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even when 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 should be removed fro m service after 10 years from the date of
manufacture, regardless of their condition or state of wear.
Example of a Wear
Indicator mark
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637
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uTire and Wheel Replacement
Maintenance
Tire and Wheel Replacement
Replace your tires with radials of the same size, load range, speed rating, and
maximum cold tire pressure rating (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
TM (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 those of the original wheels.
1 Tire 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.
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638
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uTire Rotation
Maintenance
Tire Rotation
Rotating tires according to the maintena nce messages on the driver information
interface helps to distribute wear more evenly and increase tire life.
■Tires without rotation marks Rotate the tires as shown here.
■Tires with rotation marksRotate the tires as shown here.
1Tire Rotation
Tires with directional trea d patterns should only be
rotated front to back (not fr om one side to the other).
Directional tires should be mounted with the rotation
indication mark facing forward, as shown below.
Whenever tires are rotated, you must calibrate the
TPMS. 2 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
P. 480
Front
Direction Mark
U.S. models
Front
Front
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639
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uWinter Tires
Maintenance
Winter Tires
If driving on snowy or frozen roads, mount all season marked M+S tires, snow tires,
or tire chains; reduce speed; and maintain sufficient distance between vehicles when
driving.
Be particularly careful wh en operating the steering wheel or brakes to prevent
skidding.
Use tire chains, snow tires, or all season tires when necessary or according to the law.
When mounting, refer to the following points.
For winter tires:
• Select the size and load ranges that are the same as the original tires.
• Mount the tires to all four wheels.
For tire chains:
• Install them on the front tires only.
• Because your vehicle has limited tire clea rance, we strongly recommend using the
chains listed below:
• Follow the chain manufactur er's instruction when installing. Mount them as
tightly as you can.
• Check that the chains do not touc h the brake lines or suspension.
• Drive slowly.
Cable-type: SCC RADIAL CHAIN TC2212MM
Cable-type: SCC RADIAL CHAIN TC2111MM
1Winter Tires
NOTICE
Traction devices that are the wrong size or improperly
installed can damage your vehicle's brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop driving if they are
hitting any part of the vehicle.
When tire chains are mounted, follow the chain
manufacturer's instructi ons regarding vehicle
operational limits.
If your vehicle is equipp ed with summer tires, be
aware that these tires are not designed for winter
driving conditions. For more information, contact a
dealer.
3WARNING
Using the wrong chains, or not properly
installing chains, can damage the brake
lines and cause a crash in which you can be
seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instruction s in this owner's
manual regarding the selection and use of
tire chains.
Models with 235/60R18 tires
Models with 235/55R19 tires
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640
Maintenance
12-Volt Battery
Checking the 12-Volt Battery
The condition of the battery is monitored by a
sensor located on the negative terminal of the
battery. If there is a problem with this sensor,
the driver information interface will display a
warning message. If this happens, have your
vehicle inspected by a dealer.
Check the battery termina ls for corrosion monthly.
If your vehicle's battery is disconnected or goes dead:
• The audio system is disabled.
2 Audio System Theft Protection P. 241
•The immobilizer system needs to be reset.
2 Immobilizer System Indicator P. 107
112-Volt Battery
WARNING: Battery post, terminals,
and related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds.
Wash your hands after handling.
3WARNING
The battery gives off explosive hydrogen
gas during normal operation.
A spark or flame can cause the battery to
explode with enough force to kill or
seriously hurt you.
When conducting any battery
maintenance, wear prot ective clothing and
a face shield, or have a skilled technician do
it.
Canadian models
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641
uu12-Volt Battery uCharging the 12-Volt Battery
Maintenance
Charging the 12-Volt Battery
Disconnect both battery cables to prevent damaging your vehicle's electrical system.
Always disconnect the negative (–) cable first, and reconnect it last.112-Volt Battery
When you find corrosion, cl ean the battery terminals
by applying a baking powder and water solution.
Clean the terminals with a damp towel. Cloth/towel
dry the battery. Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent future corrosion.
When replacing the battery, the replacement must be
of the same specifications.
Consult a dealer for more information.
The Vehicle Stability Assist
TM (VSA ®) system, brake
system (Amber), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with
Low Speed Follow, low tire pressure/ TPMS
* and
safety support indicators may come on in amber
along with a message in the gauge when you set the
power mode to ON after reconnecting the 12-volt
battery.
Drive a short distance at mo re 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
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642
Maintenance
Remote Transmitter Care
Replacing the Remote Battery
If the indicator does not come on when the button is pressed, replace the battery.1.Remove the built-in key.
2. Remove the upper half of the cover by
carefully prying on the slot with key grip.
u Wrap a key grip with a cloth to prevent
scratching the keyless remote.
u Remove carefully to avoid losing the
buttons.
3. Remove the battery by prying on the edge
with flat-tip screwdri ver. Make sure to
replace the battery with the correct polarity.
u Wrap a flat-tip screwdriver with a cloth
to prevent scratching the keyless remote.1Replacing the Remote Battery
NOTICE
An improperly disposed of battery can damage the
environment. Always conf irm local regulations for
battery disposal.
Replacement batteries are commercially available or
at a dealer.
3WARNING
CHEMICAL BURN HAZARD
The battery that powers the remote
transmitter can cause severe internal burns
and can even lead to death if swallowed.
Keep new and used batteries away from
children.
If you suspect that a child has swallowed
the battery, seek medical attention
immediately.
Battery type: CR2032
Battery