< Previous | Contents | Next >

356 VEHICLE CARE


image

Vehicle Placard : A label

permanently attached to a vehicle showing the vehicle capacity

weight and the original equipment tire size and recommended

inflation pressure. See Tire and

Loading Information Labelunder

Vehicle Load Limits 0 211.

Tire Pressure

Tires need the correct amount of air pressure to operate effectively.


image

Caution

Neither tire underinflation nor overinflation is good.

Underinflated tires, or tires that do not have enough air, can

result in:

. Tire overloading and

overheating which could lead to a blowout.

. Premature or

irregular wear.

(Continued)


image

image

Caution (Continued)

. Poor handling.

. Reduced fuel economy.

Overinflated tires, or tires that

have too much air, can result in:

. Unusual wear.

. Poor handling.

. Rough ride.

. Needless damage from road hazards.


The Tire and Loading Information label on the vehicle indicates the original equipment tires and the

correct cold tire inflation

pressures. The recommended pressure is the minimum air

pressure needed to support the

vehicle's maximum load carrying capacity. See Vehicle Load Limits 0 211.

image

How the vehicle is loaded affects

vehicle handling and ride comfort. Never load the vehicle with more weight than it was designed to

carry.

When to Check

Check the tires once a month or more. Do not forget the compact spare, if the vehicle has one. The cold compact spare tire pressure should be at 420 kPa (60 psi). See Compact Spare Tire 0 381.

How to Check

Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to check tire pressure.

Proper tire inflation cannot be

determined by looking at the tire. Check the tire inflation pressure when the tires are cold, meaning

the vehicle has not been driven for at least three hours or no more

than 1.6 km (1 mi).

Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem. Press the tire

gauge firmly onto the valve to get a pressure measurement. If the