Maintenance
9-26
WARNING
The original tire should be repaired or
replaced as soon as possible to avoid
failure of the spare and loss of vehicle
control resulting in an accident. The
compact spare tire is for emergency
use only. Do not operate your vehicle
over 50 mph (80 km/h) when using the
compact spare tire.
Wheel Replacement
When replacing the metal wheels for any
reason, make sure the new wheels are
equivalent to the original factory units in
diameter, rim width and offset.
Tire Traction
Tire traction can be reduced if you drive
on worn tires, tires that are improperly
inflated or on slippery road surfaces.
Tires should be replaced when tread
wear indicators appear. To reduce the
possibility of losing control, slow down
whenever there is rain, snow or ice on
the road.
Tire Maintenance
In addition to proper inflation, correct
wheel alignment helps to decrease tire
wear. If you find a tire is worn unevenly,
have your dealer check the wheel
alignment.
When you have new tires installed,
make sure they are balanced. This will
increase vehicle ride comfort and tire
life. Additionally, a tire should always
be rebalanced if it is removed from the wheel.
Tire Sidewall Labeling
This information identifies and describes
the fundamental characteristics of
the tire and also provides the Tire
Identification Number (TIN) for safety
standard certification. The TIN can be
used to identify the tire in case of a
recall.
OLMB073028
3
5, 6
1
7
1
2
4
1. Manufacturer or brand name
Manufacturer or brand name is shown.
2. Tire size designation
A tire’s sidewall is marked with a tire
size designation. You will need this
information when selecting replacement
tires for your car. The following explains
what the letters and numbers in the tire
size designation mean.
09
9-27
Example tire size designation:
(These numbers are provided as an
example only; your tire size designator
could vary depending on your vehicle.) 235/55R19 105W
235 - Tire width in millimeters.
55 - Aspect ratio. The tire’s section
height as a percentage of its width.
R - Tire construction code (Radial).
19 - Rim diameter in inches.
105 - Load Index, a numerical code associated with the maximum load
the tire can carry.
W - Speed Rating Symbol. See the speed rating chart in this section for
additional information.
Wheel size designation
Wheels are also marked with important
information that you need if you ever
have to replace one. The following
explains what the letters and numbers in
the wheel size designation mean.
Example wheel size designation:
7.5J X 19
7.5 - Rim width in inches.
J - Rim contour designation.
19 - Rim diameter in inches.
Tire speed ratings
The chart below lists many of the
different speed ratings currently being
used for passenger vehicle tires. The
speed rating is part of the tire size
designation on the sidewall of the tire.
This symbol corresponds to that tire’s
designed maximum safe operating speed.
Speed Rating Symbol Maximum Speed
S 112 mph (180 km/h)
T 118 mph (190 km/h)
H 130 mph (210 km/h)
V 149 mph (240 km/h)
W 168 mph (270 km/h) Y 186 mph (300 km/h)
3. Checking tire life (TIN : Tire Identification Number)
Any tires that are over six years old,
based on the manufacturing date,
(including the spare tire) should be
replaced by new ones. You can find the
manufacturing date on the tire sidewall
(possibly on the inside of the wheel),
displaying the DOT Code. The DOT Code
is a series of numbers on a tire consisting
of numbers and English letters. The
manufacturing date is designated by the
last four digits (characters) of the DOT code.
DOT : XXXX XXXX OOOO
The front part of the DOT shows a plant
code number, tire size and tread pattern
and the last four numbers indicate week
and year manufactured.
For example:
DOT XXXX XXXX 5221 represents that the
tire was produced in the 52nd week of 2021.
