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M139_UM_usa1.book Page 185 Monday, September 1, 2008 2:39 PM
tires frequently and maintain at the
recommended pressure. Tire
pressures should be checked only
when the tires are cold.
– Overinflated tires are more likely to
be cut, punctured or broken by a
sudden impact - such as hit ting a
pothole. Keep tires at the
recommended pressure.
– Installing improper tires on your car
can affect handling and stability. This
can cause a crash in which you can be
killed or seriously injured.
– Always use the size and type of tires
recommended in this manual.
– Using incorrect tires or tires which
are excessively worn or improperly
inflated can cause a crash in which
you can be killed or seriously injured.
When driving on wet roads, surfac
water is squeezed out from between
the tire and road. However excessive
speed or water depth can overwhelm
the water clearing capability of the
tread and lead to a condition called
'aquaplaning' or 'hydroplaning',
where the tire rides on a film of water
and provides little or no grip on the
road surface, leading to a loss of
control. This condition is more likely to
occur with worn tires having little
depth of tread, or with in correct tire
pressures. Drivers should keep check
on tire wear and condition, and
moderate their speed in adverse
weather conditions.
Tire care
Wear indicators are molded into the
bottom of the tread grooves at
intervals around the tire, indicated by
small pointers on the outer tread
blocks. The tires should be replaced
before being worn to this minimum
legal tread depth.
The cold tire pressures should be
checked every week, or every 1,000
miles (1,700 km), whichever is the
sooner, and corrections made as
necessary. See 'Technical Data' at the
back of the handbook for tire
pressures. Underinflation will cause
excessive wear, rapid deterioration of
the tire sidewalls and heavy steering,
whereas overinflation results in a hard
ride and in creased susceptibility to tire
damage. Both conditions will cause a
degradation in the handling qualities.
Vehicle load limits:
Federal regulations require the
following statement in this manual:
"Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit".
1) Locate the statement "The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg
or XXX lbs." on your vehicle's
placard.
2) Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3) Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from XXX
kg or XXX lbs.
4) The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For example,
if the "XXX" amount equals 1400
lbs. and there will be five 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400-750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
5) Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6) If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Do not
however use the vehicle for trailer
towing.
5
185
Tires
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