5909-1. Specifications
Radial tires or bias-ply tires
A radial tire has “RADIAL” on the sidewall. A tire not marked “RADIAL” is a
bias-ply tire.
TUBELESS or TUBE TYPE
A tubeless tire d oes not have a tube and air is directly put in to the tire. A
tube type tire has a tube inside t he tire and the tube maintains the air pres-
sure.
Load limit at maximum cold tire inflation pressure (P.593)
Maximum cold tire inflation pressure ( P.593)
This means the pressure to w hich a tire may be inflated.
Uniform tire quality grading
For details, see “Uniform Tire Quality Grading” that follows.
Summer tires or all season tires ( P.498)
An all season tire has “M+S” on the sidewal l. A tire not marked “M+S” is a
summer tire.
“TEMPORARY USE ONLY”
A compact spare tire is identifi ed by the phrase “TEMPORARY USE ONLY”
molded on its sidewall. This tire is designed for temporary emergency use
only.
Type A
DOT symbol
*
Tire Identification Number
(TIN) Tire manufacturer’s identifi-
cation mark
Tire size code
Manufacturer’s optional tire
type code (3 or 4 letters)
Manufacturing week
Manufacturing year
*: The DOT symbol certifies that the
tire conforms to applicable Fed-
eral Motor Vehicle Safety Stan-
dards.
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
Typical DOT and Tire
Identification Number
(TIN)
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
5939-1. Specifications
9
Vehicle specifications
■Temperature A, B, C
The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B, and C, repre-
senting the tire’s resistance to
the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor labo-
ratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure.
Grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Fed-
eral Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the labo-
ratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
Warning: The temperature grades
of a tire assume tha
t it is properly
inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire fail-
ure.
Glossary of tire terminology
Tire related termMeaning
Cold tire inflation pres-
sureTire pressure when the vehicle has been parked
for three hours or more, or has not been driven
more than 1 mile or 1.5 km under that condition
Maximum inflation pres-
sureThe maximum cold inflated pressure to which a
tire may be inflated, shown on the sidewall of
the tire
Recommended inflation
pressureCold tire inflation pressure recommended by a
manufacturer
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those stan-
dard items which may be replaced) of transmis-
sion, power steering, power brakes, power
windows, power seats, radio and heater, to the
extent that these items are available as factory-
installed equipment (whether installed or not)
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with standard
equipment, including th e maximum capacity of
fuel, oil and coolant, and if so equipped, air con-
ditioning and additional weight optional engine
5959-1. Specifications
9
Vehicle specifications
Weather sideThe surface area of the rim not covered by the
inflated tire
Bead
The part of the tire that is made of steel wires,
wrapped or reinforced by ply cords and that is
shaped to fit the rim
Bead separationA breakdown of the bond between components
in the bead
Bias ply tire
A pneumatic tire in whic h the ply cords that
extend to the beads are la id at alternate angles
substantially less than 9 0 degrees to the center-
line of the tread
CarcassThe tire structure, except tread and sidewall
rubber which, when inflated, bears the load
ChunkingThe breaking away of pieces of the tread or
sidewall
CordThe strands forming th e plies in the tire
Cord separationThe parting of cords from adjacent rubber com-
pounds
CrackingAny parting withi n the tread, sidewall, or inner-
liner of the tire extend ing to cord material
CT
A pneumatic tire with an inverted flange tire and
rim system in which the rim is designed with rim
flanges pointed radially inward and the tire is
designed to fit on the underside of the rim in a
manner that encloses the rim flanges inside the
air cavity of the tire
Extra load tire
A tire designed to operate at higher loads and at
higher inflation pressures than the correspond-
ing standard tire
GrooveThe space between two adjacent tread ribs
Innerliner
The layer(s) forming th e inside surface of a
tubeless tire that contains the inflating medium
within the tire
Innerliner separationThe parting of the innerliner from cord material
in the carcass
Tire related termMeaning
5969-1. Specifications
Intended outboard side-
wall
(a)The sidewall that contains a whitewall, bears
white lettering, or bear s manufacturer, brand,
and/or model name molding that is higher or
deeper than the same molding on the other
sidewall of the tire, or
(b)The outward facing sidewall of an asymmetri-
cal tire that has a par ticular side that must
always face outward whe n mounted on a vehi-
cle
Light truck (LT) tire
A tire designated by its manufacturer as primar-
ily intended for use on lightweight trucks or mul-
tipurpose passenger vehicles
Load ratingThe maximum load that a tire is rated to carry
for a given inflation pressure
Maximum load ratingThe load rating for a tire at the maximum per-
missible inflation pressure for that tire
Maximum permissible
inflation pressureThe maximum cold inflation pressure to which a
tire may be inflated
Measuring rimThe rim on which a tire is fitted for physical
dimension requirements
Open spliceAny parting at any junction of tread, sidewall, or
innerliner that extends to cord material
Outer diameterThe overall diameter o f an inflated new tire
Overall width
The linear distance between the exteriors of the
sidewalls of an inflated ti re, including elevations
due to labeling, decorations, or protective bands
or ribs
Passenger car tire
A tire intended for use on passenger cars, multi-
purpose passenger vehicles, and trucks, that
have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of
10,000 lb. or less.
PlyA layer of rubber-coated parallel cords
Ply separationA parting of rubber compound between adjacent
plies
Tire related termMeaning
5979-1. Specifications
9
Vehicle specifications
Pneumatic tire
A mechanical device made of rubber, chemi-
cals, fabric and steel or other materials, that,
when mounted on an aut omotive wheel, pro-
vides the traction and co ntains the gas or fluid
that sustains the load
Radial ply tire
A pneumatic tire in whic h the ply cords that
extend to the beads are laid at substantially 90
degrees to the centerline of the tread
Reinforced tire
A tire designed to operate at higher loads and at
higher inflation pressures than the correspond-
ing standard tire
Section width
The linear distance between the exteriors of the
sidewalls of an inflated tire, excluding elevations
due to labeling, decoratio n, or protective bands
SidewallThat portion of a tire between the tread and
bead
Sidewall separationThe parting of the rubber compound from the
cord material in the sidewall
Snow tire
A tire that attains a traction index equal to or
greater than 110, compared to the ASTM E-
1136 Standard Reference Test Tire, when using
the snow traction test a s described in ASTM F-
1805-00, Standard Test Method for Single
Wheel Driving Traction i n a Straight Line on
Snow-and Ice-Covered Su rfaces, and which is
marked with an Alpine Symbol ( ) on at least
one sidewall
Test rim
The rim on which a tire is fitted for testing, and
may be any rim listed as appropriate for use
with that tire
TreadThat portion of a tire t hat comes into contact
with the road
Tread ribA tread section running circumferentially around
a tire
Tread separationPulling away of the tread from the tire carcass
Tire related termMeaning
634What to do if... (Troubleshooting)
Stop the vehicle in a safe
place and replace the flat tire
with the spare tire. ( P.557)
Try the procedure for when
the vehicle becomes stuck in
mud, dirt, or snow. ( P.578)
When a problem has
occurred
If you have a flat tire
The vehicle becomes
stuck
Alphabetical Index639
Brake System) ...................... 407
Eco drive mode ...................... 404
EDR (Event data recorder)......... 8
E-Four (Electronic On-Demand AWD system) ........................ 408
Elapsed time ................... 190, 202
Electric motor Location.................................. 74
Specification ......................... 582
Electric Power Steering (EPS) Function ............................... 408
Warning light ........................ 543
Electronically Controlled Brake System (ECB) ....................... 407
Electronic key Battery-saving function......... 242
If the electronic key does not operate properly ................. 567
Replacing the battery ........... 522
Electronic sunshade .............. 276 Jam protection function ........ 277
Operation ............................. 276
Emergency, in case of If a warning buzzer sounds .. 541
If a warning light turns on ..... 541
If a warning message is dis-played................................. 552
If the 12-volt battery is dis- charged .............................. 569
If the electronic key does not operate properly ................. 567
If the fuel filler door cannot be opened ............................... 566
If the hybrid sy stem will not start
........................................... 564
If the vehicle is submerged or water on the road is rising .. 536
If you have a flat tire ............. 557
If you lose your keys ............ 566
If you think something is wrong ........................................... 540
If your vehicle becomes stuck ...........................................578
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency .................535
If your vehicle needs to be towed ...........................................538
If your vehicle ove rheats ......574
Emergency flashers ...............534
Energy monitor .......................212
Engine Compartment........................489
Exhaust gas precautions ........48
Hood .....................................486
How to start the hybrid system...........................................304
Identification number ............581
If the hybrid sys tem will not start
...........................................564
If your vehicle has to be stopped in an emergency .................535
Overheating ..........................574
Power switch ........................304
Tachometer ..........................178
Engine coolant Capacity ...............................583
Checking ..............................491
High coolant temperature warn-ing light ...............................542
Preparing and checking before winter ..................................413
Warning light ........................542
Engine oil Capacity ...............................582
Checking ..............................489
Preparing and checking before winter ..................................413
Warning light ........................542
Enhanced Vehicle Stability Con- trol (Enhanced VSC ) .............407
Enhanced VSC (Enhanced Vehi- cle Stability Control).............407
EPS (Electric Po wer Steering)
Function................................408
640Alphabetical Index
Warning light ........................ 543
EV/HV mode selection switch . 76
EV driving range ....................... 93
Event data recorder (EDR)......... 8
EV mode .................................... 75
Exhaust gas precautions ......... 48
F
Flat tire .................................... 557 Tire pressure warning system........................................... 500
Floor mats ................................. 26
Fluid Brake ............................ 493, 585
Hybrid transmission.............. 584
Rear differential .................... 584
Washer ................................. 494
Footwell lights ..... ................... 436
Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light ....................... 548
Front passenger occupant clas- sification system .................... 43
Front seat concentrated airflow mode (S-FLOW) .................... 428
Front seat heaters .................. 433
Front seats .............................. 247 Adjustment ........................... 247
Cleaning ............................... 475
Correct driving posture ........... 27
Driving position memory....... 250
Head restraints ..................... 253
Memory recall function ......... 252
Seat heaters ......................... 433
Seat position memory .......... 250
Seat ventilators .................... 433
Front side marker lights ........ 321 Light switch .......................... 321
Replacing light bulbs ............ 528
Front turn signal lights Replacing light bulbs ............ 528
Turn signal lever................... 313
Fuel Capacity ...............................581
Fuel gauge ...................173, 178
Gas station information ........664
Information .........
..................587
Refueling ..............................332
Type .............................581, 587
Warning light ........................547
Fuel filler door.........................333 If the fuel filler door cannot be opened ...............................566
Opener .................................333
Refueling ..............................332
Fuel gauge...............................178
Fuses .......................................524
G
Garage door opene r ...............463
Gas station information .........664
Gauges ....................................178
Glove box ................................439
H
Headlights ...............................321 Automatic High Beam (AHB) 324
Light switch...........................321
Replacing light bulbs ............528
Headlights aim ........................527 Headlight aim instructions for Canadian owners ...............628
Head restraints .......................253
Head-up display ......................208
Heated steering wheel............433
Heaters Automatic air conditioning sys-tem .....................................422
Heated steering wheel..........433
Hybrid battery (tr action battery)
...........................................113
Outside rear view mirrors .....424
Seat heaters ....... ..................433
High coolant temperature warn-