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MAINTENANCE
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal
Explanation
U.S. models only
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and infl ated to the infl ation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire infl ation pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire infl ation pressure label, you should determine the
proper tire infl ation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with
a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low
tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is signifi cantly
under-infl ated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should
stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and infl ate them to the
proper pressure.
Driving on a signifi cantly under-infl ated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-infl ation also reduces fuel effi ciency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even
if under-infl ation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to
indicate when the system is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction
indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the system
detects a malfunction, the telltale will fl ash for approximately one minute
and then remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue
upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able
to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that
prevent the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate
tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.
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Testing of Readiness Codes
Your vehicle has "Readiness Codes" as part of the onboard self-diagnostic system.
Some states refer to these codes as a test to see if 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 fi ve 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. Do not use cruise control. When traffi c allows, drive
for 90 seconds without using the accelerator pedal. (Vehicle speed may vary
slightly; this is OK.) If you cannot do this for a continuous 90 seconds because of
traffi c conditions, drive for at least 30 seconds, then repeat two more times (for
a total of 90 seconds).
8. Drive in city/suburban traffi c for at least 10 minutes. When traffi c 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.=
MAINTENANCE
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