Dodge Avenger: Tires — general information

Dodge Avenger: Tires — general information

Tire Pressure

Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe andsatisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primaryareas are affected by improper tire pressure:

WARNING:

• Always drive with each tire inflated to the recommendedcold tire inflation pressure.

Economy

Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wearpatterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormalwear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a need forearlier tire replacement. Under-inflation, also increasestire rolling resistance and results in higher fuelconsumption.

Ride Comfort and Vehicle Stability

Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride.

Over-inflation produces a jarring and uncomfortableride.

Tire Inflation Pressures

The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on thedriver’s side B-Pillar.

Some vehicles may have Supplemental Tire PressureInformation for vehicle loads that are less than themaximum loaded vehicle condition. These pressure conditionswill be found in the “Supplemental Tire PressureInformation” section of this manual.

The pressure should be checked and adjusted as well asinspecting for signs of tire wear or visible damage at leastonce a month. Use a good quality pocket-type gauge tocheck tire pressure. Do not make a visual judgementwhen determining proper inflation. Radial tires may lookproperly inflated even when they are under-inflated.

CAUTION:

After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure, alwaysreinstall the valve stem cap. This will preventmoisture and dirt from entering the valve stem,which could damage the valve stem.

Inflation pressures specified on the placard are always“cold tire inflation pressure.” Cold tire inflation pressureis defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has notbeen driven for at least three hours, or driven less than1 mile (1.6 km) after a three hour period. The cold tireinflation pressure must not exceed the maximum inflationpressure molded into the tire sidewall.

Check tire pressures more often if subject to a wide rangeof outdoor temperatures, as tire pressures vary withtemperature changes.

Tire pressures change by approximately 1 psi (7 kPa) per12°F (7°C) of air temperature change. Keep this in mindwhen checking tire pressure inside a garage, especially inthe winter.

Example: If garage temperature = 68°F (20°C) and theoutside temperature = 32°F (0°C) then the cold tireinflation pressure should be increased by 3 psi (21 kPa),which equals 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12°F (7°C) for thisoutside temperature condition.

Tire pressure may increase from 2 to 6 psi (13 to 40 kPa)during operation. DO NOT reduce this normal pressurebuild up or your tire pressure will be too low.

Tire Pressures for High Speed Operation

The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speedswithin posted speed limits. Where speed limits or conditionsare such that the vehicle can be driven at highspeeds, maintaining correct tire inflation pressure is veryimportant. Increased tire pressure and reduced vehicleloading may be required for high-speed vehicle operation.

Refer to original equipment or an authorized tiredealer for recommended safe operating speeds, loadingand cold tire inflation pressures.

WARNING:

High speed driving with your vehicle under maximumload is dangerous. The added strain on yourtires could cause them to fail. You could have aserious accident. Do not drive a vehicle loaded to themaximum capacity at continuous speeds above75 mph (120 km/h).

Radial-Ply Tires

WARNING:

Combining radial ply tires with other types of tireson your vehicle will cause your vehicle to handlepoorly. The instability could cause an accident. Alwaysuse radial ply tires in sets of four. Nevercombine them with other types of tires.

Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only inthe tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult yourauthorized tire dealer for radial tire repairs.

Compact Spare Tire

The compact spare is for temporary emergency use withradial tires. It is engineered to be used on your stylevehicle only. Since this tire has limited tread life, theoriginal tire should be repaired (or replaced) and reinstalledat the first opportunity.

WARNING:

With these tires, do not drive more than 50 mph(80 km/h). Temporary-use spare tires have limitedtread life. When the tread is worn to the tread wearindicators, the temporary use spare tire needs to bereplaced. Be sure to follow the warnings, whichapply to your spare. Failure to do so could result inspare tire failure and loss of vehicle control.

CAUTION:

Prolonged use of limited use spare, or an incorrecttire size on either front wheel, may damage transmissiondifferential and result in loss of vehicle mobility.

Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount aconventional tire on the compact spare wheel since thewheel is designed specifically for the compact spare.

Do not install more than one compact spare tire/wheelon the vehicle at any given time.

CAUTION:

Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not takeyour vehicle through an automatic car wash with thecompact spare installed. Damage to the vehicle mayresult.

Tire Spinning

When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or icy conditions, do notspin your vehicle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h)or for longer than 30 seconds continuously withoutstopping.

Refer to “Freeing A Stuck Vehicle” in “What To Do InEmergencies” for further information.

WARNING:

Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than30 mph (48 km/h) or for more than 30 secondscontinuously when you are stuck, and do not letanyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what thespeed.

Tread Wear Indicators

Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment tiresto help you in determining when your tires should bereplaced.

1 — Worn Tire.

2 — New Tire.

These indicators are molded into the bottom of the treadgrooves. They will appear as bands when the tread depthbecomes 1/16 in (2 mm). When the tread is worn to thetread wear indicators, the tire should be replaced.

Life of Tire

The service life of a tire is dependent upon varyingfactors including but not limited to:

• Driving style.

• Tire pressure.

• Distance driven.

WARNING:

Tires and spare tire should be replaced after six years,regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to followthis warning can result in sudden tire failure. Youcould lose control and have an accident resulting inserious injury or death.

Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as littleexposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contactwith oil, grease, and gasoline.

Replacement Tires

The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of manycharacteristics. They should be inspected regularly forwear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manufacturerstrongly recommends that you use tires equivalentto the originals in size, quality and performancewhen replacement is needed (refer to the paragraph on“Tread Wear Indicators”). Refer to the “Tire and LoadingInformation” placard for the size designation of your tire.

The service description and load identification will befound on the original equipment tire. Failure to useequivalent replacement tires may adversely affect thesafety, handling, and ride of your vehicle.We recommendthat you contact your original equipment or an authorizedtire dealer with any questions you may have on tirespecifications or capability.

WARNING:

• Failure to equip your vehicle with tires havingadequate speed capability can result in sudden tirefailure and loss of vehicle control.

CAUTION:

Replacing original tires with tires of a different sizemay result in false speedometer and odometer readings.

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