Chrysler PT Cruiser Service & Repair Manual page 1719

PT
TIRES/WHEELS (Continued)
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY
(ALUMINUM WHEEL)
CAUTION: Installing the wheel mounting nuts with-
out having good metal-to-metal contact between the
back of the wheel and the hub mounted brake disc
or drum could cause the wheel to bind and eventu-
ally cause loosening of the wheel mounting nuts.
(1) Install the tire and wheel assembly on the hub
studs against the hub mounted brake disc or drum
using the hub pilot as a guide.
CAUTION: When installing the tire and wheel
assembly, never use oil or grease on studs or nuts.
(2) Install and lightly tighten the wheel mounting
nuts in the proper sequence (Fig. 14).
(3) Lower the vehicle.
(4) Progressively tighten the 5 wheel mounting
nuts in the proper sequence until tightened to half of
the specified torque (Fig. 14). Finally, tighten the
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to a torque of 135
N·m (100 ft. lbs.).
Fig. 14 Wheel Tightening Sequence
(5) If the wheel has a large center cap to cover the
wheel mounting nuts, install the cap.
INSTALLATION - TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY
(STEEL WHEEL)
CAUTION: Installing the wheel mounting nuts with-
out having good metal-to-mental contact between
the back of the wheel and the hub mounted brake
disc or drum could cause the wheel to bind and
eventually cause loosening of the wheel mounting
nuts.
CAUTION: When installing the tire and wheel
assembly, never use oil or grease on studs or nuts.
(1) Install the tire and wheel assembly on the
wheel studs, up against the hub mounted brake disc
or drum, using the hub pilot as a guide.
(2) Align the valve notch in the wheel cover with
the valve stem on the wheel and install the wheel
cover on the hub mounted studs.
(3) Install and lightly tighten the wheel mounting
nuts in the proper sequence (Fig. 15).
Fig. 15 Nut Tightening Sequence
1 - BOLT-ON WHEEL COVER
(4) Lower the vehicle.
(5) Progressively tighten the 5 wheel mounting
nuts in the proper sequence until tightened to half of
the specified torque (Fig. 15). Finally, tighten the
wheel mounting nuts in the proper sequence to 135
N·m (100 ft. lbs.) torque.
TIRES
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION - TIRE
Original equipment tires are designed and engi-
neered for each specific vehicle. They provide the
best overall performance for normal operation. The
ride and handling characteristics match the vehicle's
requirements. With proper care they will give excel-
lent reliability, traction, skid resistance, and tread
life.
Driving habits have more effect on tire life than
any other factor. Careful drivers will obtain, in most
cases, much greater mileage than severe use or care-
less drivers. A few of the driving habits which will
shorten the life of any tire are:
• Rapid acceleration
TIRES/WHEELS 22 - 7