Wheels and Tires 22 - 1
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J WHEELS AND TIRES 22 - 1 WHEELS AND TIRES CONTENTS page page SPECIFICATIONS ........................ 12 VEHICLE VIBRATION ..................... 10 TIRES .................................. 1 WHEELS ................................ 6 TIRES INDEX page page Cleaning of Tires .......................... 2 Rotation ................................. 3 General Information ........................ 1 Tire Inflation Pressures ...................... 2 Pressure Gauges .......................... 2 Tire Noise or Vibration ...................... 4 Repairing Leaks ........................... 3 Tire Wear Patterns ......................... 4 Replacement Tires ......................... 2 Tread Wear Indicators ....................... 3 GENERAL INFORMATION Performance tires will have a speed rating letter Tires are designed for each specific vehicle. They after the aspect ratio number. The speed rating is not provide the best overall performance for normal oper- always printed on the tire sidewall. The letter S in- ation. The ride and handling characteristics match dicates that the tire is speed rated up to 112 mph. the vehicle’s requirements. With proper care they Q up to 100 mph • will give excellent reliability, traction, skid resis- T up to 118 mph • tance, and tread life. These tires have specific load U up to 124 mph • H up to 130 mph carrying capacities. When correctly inflated, they will • operate properly. V up to 149 mph • Z more than 149 mph (consult the tire manufac- Tires used in cool climates, and with light loads • will have a longer life than tires used in hot climates turer for the specific speed rating) with heavy loads. Abrasive road surfaces will acceler- An All Season type tire will have either M+S,M &SorM—S(indicating mud and snow traction) im- ate tire wear. printed on the side wall. Driving habits have more effect on tire life than any other factor. Careful drivers will obtain much RADIAL-PLY TIRES greater mileage than careless drivers. Radial-ply tires improve handling, tread life, ride Driving habits that shorten the life of any tire; quality and decrease rolling resistance. Rapid acceleration and deceleration • Radial-ply tires must always be used in sets of Severe application of brakes four. Under no circumstances should they be used on • High-speed driving the front only. They may be mixed with temporary • Taking turns at excessive speeds spare tires when necessary, but reduced speeds are • Striking curbs and other obstacles recommended. • It is very important to follow the tire rotation in- Radial-ply tires have the same load-carrying capac- terval ity as other types of tires of the same size. They use the same recommended inflation pressures. IDENTIFICATION Tire type, size, aspect ratio and speed rating are SPARE TIRE (TEMPORARY) encoded in the letters and numbers imprinted on the The compact spare tire is designed for emergency side wall of the tire. Refer to the chart to decipher use only. The original tire should be repaired and re- the tire identification code (Fig. 1). installed at the first opportunity. Refer to Owner’s Manual for complete details. 22 - 2 WHEELS AND TIRES J Fig. 2 Under Inflation Wear Fig. 1 Tire Size Identification TIRE CHAINS Tire snow chains may be used on certain models. Refer to Owner’s Manual for more information. CLEANING OF TIRES Fig. 3 Over Inflation Wear Steam cleaning may be used for cleaning. DO NOT use gasoline or wire brush for cleaning. checked cold once per month. Tire pressure de- DO NOT use mineral oil or an oil-based solvent. creases when the outside temperature drops. Inflation pressures specified on the placards are al- PRESSURE GAUGES ways cold inflation pressure. Cold inflation pres- High-quality, dial-type, air-pressure gauges are rec- sure is obtained after the vehicle has not been ommended. After checking with the gauge, replace operated for at least 3 hours. Tire inflation pressures valve cap and finger tight. may increase from 2 to 6 pounds per square inch (psi) during operation. Do not reduce this normal TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES pressure build-up. Under inflation (Fig. 2) causes rapid shoulder wear Vehicles loaded to the maximum capacity should and tire flexing. not be driven at continuous speeds above 75 mph Over inflation (Fig. 3) causes rapid center wear and (120 km/h). loss of the tire’s ability to cushion shocks. Improper inflation can cause; WARNING: OVER OR UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN Uneven wear patterns AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND CAN FAIL SUD- • Reduced tread life DENLY, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CON- • Reduced fuel economy TROL. • Unsatisfactory ride • Cause the vehicle to drift • Refer to the Owner’s Manual for information re- REPLACEMENT TIRES garding proper tire inflation pressure. OEM tires provide a proper balance of many fea- This pressure has been carefully selected to provide tures such as; for safe vehicle operation. Tire pressure should be Ride • J WHEELS AND TIRES 22 - 3 Noise • Handling • Durability • Tread life • Traction • Rolling resistance • Speed capability • Original equipment tires should be used when re- placement is needed. Refer to the placard on the vehicle or the Owner’s Manual for the correct replacement tire. Failure to use original or equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect the handling of the vehicle. The use of oversize tires is not recommended. They may cause interference with vehicle suspension and steering travel. This can cause tire damage or failure. WARNING: FAILURE TO EQUIP THE VEHICLE WITH TIRES HAVING ADEQUATE LOAD CAPABILITY CAN Fig. 5 Tread Wear Indicators RESULT IN SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE. REPAIRING LEAKS For proper repairing, a radial tire it must be re- ROTATION moved from the wheel. Repairs should only be made Tires on the front and rear axles operate at differ- if the puncture is in the tread area (Fig. 6). If out- ent loads and perform different steering, driving, and side the tread area the tire should be replaced. braking functions. For these reasons, the tires wear at unequal rates. They may also develop irregular wear patterns. These effects can be reduced by rotat- ing the tires according to the maintenance schedule in the Owners Manual. This will improve tread life, traction and maintain a smooth quiet ride. The suggested method of tire rotation is the same side front to rear pattern (Fig. 4). Other rotation methods can be used, but may not provide the same tire longevity benefits. Fig. 6 Tire Repair Area Fig. 4 Tire Rotation Pattern Deflate tire completely before dismounting tire TREAD WEAR INDICATORS from the wheel. Use lubrication such as a mild soap Tread wear indicators are molded into the bottom solution when dismounting or mounting tire. Use of the tread grooves. When tread is 1.6 mm (1/16 in.), tools free of burrs or sharp edges. the tread wear indicators will appear as a 13 mm Before mounting tire on wheel, make sure all rust (1/2 in.) band across the tread width. scale is removed from the rim. Repaint or seal if nec- Tire replacement is necessary when indicators ap- essary. pear in two or more grooves Fig. 5). 22 - 4 WHEELS AND TIRES J Fig. 7 Abnormal Tire Tread Wear Patterns TIRE NOISE OR VIBRATION Excessive camber causes the tire to run at an angle The radial-ply tire on your vehicle is more sensitive to the road. One side of tread is worn more than the to improper mounting, or imbalance. other. To determine if tires are the cause of vibration, Excessive toe-in or toe-out causes wear on the drive the vehicle over a smooth road at different tread edges. There is a feathered effect across the speeds. Note the effect of acceleration and decelera- tread (Fig. 7). tion on noise level. Differential and exhaust noise will change in intensity as speed varies. Tire noise will usually remain constant. TIRE WEAR PATTERNS Under inflation will increase wear on the shoulders of the tire. Over inflation will increase wear at the center of the tread. J WHEELS AND TIRES 22 - 5 LEAD CORRECTION CHART 22 - 6 WHEELS AND TIRES J WHEELS GENERAL INFORMATION Original equipment wheels are designed for the specified Maximum Vehicle Capacity. All models use steel or cast aluminum drop center wheels. The safety rim wheel (Fig. 1) has raised sec- tions between the rim flanges and the rim well. Fig. 2 Lug Nut Tightening Pattern Excessive runout • Bent or dented • Leak air through welds • Have damaged bolt holes • Wheel repairs employing hammering, heating, or welding are not allowed. Original equipment wheels are available through Fig. 1 Wheel Safety Rim your dealer. Replacement wheels from any other Initial inflation of the tire forces the bead over source should be equivalent in: these raised sections. In case of tire failure, the Load carrying capacity • raised sections hold the tire in position on the wheel Diameter • until the vehicle can be brought to a safe stop. Width • Cast aluminum wheels require special balance Offset • weights and alignment equipment. Mounting configuration • Failure to use equivalent replacement wheels may WHEEL INSTALLATION affect the safety and handling of your vehicle. Re- The wheel studs and nuts are designed for specific placement with used wheels is not recommended. applications. They must be replaced with equivalent Their service history may have included severe treat- parts. Do not use replacement parts of lesser quality ment. or a substitute design. All aluminum and some steel Refer to the Specifications Chart for informa- wheels have wheel stud nuts which feature an en- tion regarding above requirements. larged nose. This enlarged nose is necessary to en- sure proper retention of the aluminum wheels. WHEEL ORNAMENTATION Before installing the wheel, be sure to remove any build up of corrosion on the wheel mounting surfaces. WARNING: HANDLE ALL WHEEL ORNAMENTATION Ensure wheels are installed with good metal-to-metal WITH EXTREME CARE DURING REMOVAL AND IN- contact. Improper installation could cause loosening STALLATION. SHARP EDGES ON THE COVERS OR of wheel nuts.