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STARTING AND OPERATING 233

CAUTION! (Continued)

• Do not use traction devices on a compact spare

tire.

TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS

The tires on the front and rear of your vehicle operate at

different loads and perform different steering, driving,

and braking functions. For these reasons, they wear at

unequal rates.

These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of tires.

The benefits of rotation are especially worthwhile with

aggressive tread designs such as those on all season

type tires. Rotation will increase tread life, help to

maintain mud, snow and wet traction levels, and con-

tribute to a smooth, quiet ride.

Tire Rotation

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM

TIRE QUALITY GRADES

The following tire grading categories were estab-

lished by the National Highway Traffic Safety Ad-

ministration. The specific grade rating assigned by

the tire’s manufacturer in each category is shown on

the sidewall of the tires on your vehicle.

Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper

maintenance intervals. The reasons for any rapid or

unusual wear should be corrected prior to rotation

being performed.

All passenger vehicle tires must conform to Federal

safety requirements in addition to these grades.

The suggested rotation method is the “forward cross”

shown in the following diagram. This rotation pattern

does not apply to some directional tires that must not be

reversed.

234 STARTING AND OPERATING

Treadwear

WARNING!

The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based

on the wear rate of the tire when tested under

controlled conditions on a specified government test

course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear

one and one-half times as well on the government

course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance

of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their

use, however, and may depart significantly from the

norm due to variations in driving habits, service

practices, and differences in road characteristics and

climate.

The traction grade assigned to this tire is based

on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does

not include acceleration, cornering, hydroplan-

ing, or peak traction characteristics.

Temperature Grades

The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,

representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of

heat and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested

under controlled conditions on a specified indoor

laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature

can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and

reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead

to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a

level of performance, which all passenger vehicle

tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle

Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent

higher levels of performance on the laboratory test

wheel, than the minimum required by law.

Traction Grades

The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA,

A, B, and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability

to stop on wet pavement, as measured under con-

trolled conditions on specified government test sur-

faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may

have poor traction performance.

STARTING AND OPERATING 235

information on how to properly inflate the vehicle’s

tires. The tire pressure will also increase as the vehicle is

driven, this is normal and there should be no adjust-

ment for this increased pressure.

WARNING!

The temperature grade for this tire is established

for a tire that is properly inflated and not over-

loaded. Excessive speed, under-inflation, or ex-

cessive loading, either separately or in combina-

tion, can cause heat buildup and possible tire

failure.

The TPMS will warn the driver of a low tire pressure if

the tire pressure falls below the low pressure warning

limit for any reason, including low temperature effects,

or natural pressure loss through the tire.

The TPMS will continue to warn the driver of low tire

pressure as long as the condition exists, and will not

turn off until the tire pressure is at or above the

recommended cold tire pressure on the placard. Once

the low tire pressure warning (Tire Pressure Monitoring

Telltale Light) illuminates, you must increase the tire

pressure to the recommended cold tire pressure in order

for the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light to turn

off. The system will automatically update and the Tire

Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will turn off once the

system receives the updated tire pressures. The vehicle

may need to be driven for up to 20 minutes above

15 mph (24 km/h) in order for the TPMS to receive this

information.

TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)

The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) will warn the

driver of a low tire pressure based on the vehicle

recommended cold tire pressure.

The tire pressure will vary with temperature by about

1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12°F (6.5°C). This means that

when the outside temperature decreases, the tire pres-

sure will decrease. Tire pressure should always be set

based on cold inflation tire pressure. This is defined as

the tire pressure after the vehicle has not been driven

for at least three hours, or driven less than 1 mile

(1.6 km) after a three hour period. The cold tire inflation

pressure must not exceed the maximum inflation pres-

sure molded into the tire sidewall. Refer to “Tires –

General Information” in “Starting And Operating” for

For example, your vehicle may have a recommended

cold (parked for more than three hours) tire pressure of

Starting And Operating -> Department Of Transportation Uniform Tire Quality Grades for Your Fiat 500 SUV First Generation (2007-2019)

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