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MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
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Traction
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
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
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.
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Temperature
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 tested 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 excessive 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.
WARNING:
The temperature grade for this tire is established 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.
Air Conditioning
To ensure proper and safe operation, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE
J2845) recommends that the refrigerant system only be serviced by trained and
certified technicians.
Never repair or replace the air conditioning evaporator (cooling coil) with one
removed from a used or salvaged vehicle.
New replacement mobile air conditioning evaporators must be certified (and
labeled) as meeting SAE Standard J2842.
Vented refrigerant is harmful to the environment. To avoid refrigerant from
venting, never replace the evaporator with one removed from a used or
salvaged vehicle. Refrigerant in your vehicle’s air conditioning system is
flammable and can be ignited during servicing if proper procedures are not
followed.
NOTICE
Testing of Readiness Codes
Your vehicle has readiness codes as part of the onboard self-diagnostic
system. Some states use these codes for testing to verify whether your
vehicle’s emissions components are working properly. The codes may not be
read if you go through the testing just after the battery has gone dead or been
disconnected.
To check if they are set, turn the vehicle on without starting the engine. The
malfunction indicator lamp will come on for several seconds. If it goes off, the
readiness codes are set. If it blinks five times, the readiness codes are not set.
If you are required to have your vehicle tested before the readiness codes are
set, prepare the vehicle for retesting by doing the following:
1. Fill the gas tank to approximately 3/4 full.
2. Park the vehicle and leave the engine off for 6 hours or more.
3. Make sure the ambient temperature is between 40°F and 95°F (4°C and
35°C).
4. Start the engine without touching the accelerator pedal and let it idle for 20
seconds.
5. Keep the vehicle in Park (P). Increase the engine speed to 2,000 rpm and
hold it there for about 3 minutes.
6. Let the engine idle with your foot off the accelerator for 20 seconds.
7. Select a nearby, lightly traveled major highway where you can maintain a
speed of 50 to 60 mph (80 to 97 km/h) for at least 20 minutes. Drive on the
highway with the vehicle in Drive (D). Do not use cruise control. When traffic
allows, drive for 90 seconds without using the accelerator pedal (vehicle
speed may vary slightly, this is okay). If you cannot do this for a continuous
90 seconds because of traffic conditions, drive for at least 30 seconds, then
repeat two more times (for a total of 90 seconds).
8. Drive in city or suburban traffic for at least 10 minutes. When traffic
conditions allow, let the vehicle coast for several seconds without using the
accelerator pedal or the brake pedal.
9. Park the vehicle and leave the engine off for 30 minutes.
The readiness codes are erased when the battery is disconnected and set
again only after several days of driving under a variety of conditions.
If a testing facility determines that the readiness codes are not set, you may be
requested to return at a later date to complete the test or see your dealer.
