Get Starting And Operating -> Tire Safety Information Guide for Fiat 500 SUV First Generation (2007-2019)

212 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION

NOTE:

• P (Passenger) — Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.

design standards. P-Metric tires have the letter “P”

molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-

tion. Example: P215/65R15 95H.

Tire Markings

• European — Metric tire sizing is based on European

design standards. Tires designed to this standard

have the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning

with the section width. The letter ЉPЉ is absent from

this tire size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H.

• LT (Light Truck) — Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.

design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric

tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the

letters “LT” that are molded into the sidewall preced-

ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.

1 — U.S. DOT Safety

Standards Code (TIN)

2 — Size Designation

4 — Maximum Load

5 — Maximum Pressure

• Temporary spare tires are designed for temporary

emergency use only. Temporary high pressure com-

pact spare tires have the letter “T” or “S” molded into

the sidewall preceding the size designation.

Example: T145/80D18 103M.

3 — Service Description 6 — Treadwear, Traction

and Temperature Grades

• High flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design

standards and it begins with the tire diameter

molded into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.

STARTING AND OPERATING 213

Tire Sizing Chart

EXAMPLE:

Example Size Designation: P215/65R15XL 95H, 215/65R15 96H, LT235/85R16C, T145/80D18 103M, 31x10.5 R15 LT

P = Passenger car tire size based on U.S. design standards, or

؆....blank....؆ = Passenger car tire based on European design standards, or

LT = Light truck tire based on U.S. design standards, or

T or S = Temporary spare tire or

5

31 = Overall diameter in inches (in)

215, 235, 145 = Section width in millimeters (mm)

65, 85, 80 = Aspect ratio in percent (%)

–

Ratio of section height to section width of tire, or

10.5 = Section width in inches (in)

R = Construction code

–

ЉRЉ means radial construction, or

ЉDЉ means diagonal or bias construction

15, 16, 18 = Rim diameter in inches (in)

214 STARTING AND OPERATING

EXAMPLE:

Service Description:

95 = Load Index

–

A numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry

H = Speed Symbol

–

A symbol indicating the range of speeds at which a tire can carry a load corresponding to its load index un-

der certain operating conditions

The maximum speed corresponding to the speed symbol should only be achieved under specified operating

conditions (i.e., tire pressure, vehicle loading, road conditions, and posted speed limits)

Load Identification:

Absence of the following load identification symbols on the sidewall of the tire indicates a Standard Load (SL)

tire:

• XL = Extra load (or reinforced) tire, or

• LL = Light load tire or

• C, D, E, F, G = Load range associated with the maximum load a tire can carry at a specified pressure

Maximum Load – Maximum load indicates the maximum load this tire is designed to carry

Maximum Pressure – Maximum pressure indicates the maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure for

this tire

STARTING AND OPERATING 215

Tire Identification Number (TIN)

tire. Look for the TIN on the outboard side of black

sidewall tires as mounted on the vehicle. If the TIN is

not found on the outboard side, then you will find it on

the inboard side of the tire.

The TIN may be found on one or both sides of the tire;

however, the date code may only be on one side. Tires

with white sidewalls will have the full TIN, including

the date code, located on the white sidewall side of the

EXAMPLE:

DOT MA L9 ABCD 0301

5

DOT = Department of Transportation

This symbol certifies that the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation tire safety

standards and is approved for highway use

•

MA = Code representing the tire manufacturing location (two digits)

L9 = Code representing the tire size (two digits)

ABCD = Code used by the tire manufacturer (one to four digits)

03 = Number representing the week in which the tire was manufactured (two digits)

•

03 means the 3rd week

01 = Number representing the year in which the tire was manufactured (two digits)

•

01 means the year 2001

Prior to July 2000, tire manufacturers were only required to have one number to represent the year in which

the tire was manufactured. Example: 031 could represent the 3rd week of 1981 or 1991

216 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire Terminology And Definitions

Term

Definition

B-Pillar

The vehicle B-Pillar is the structural member of the body located

behind the front door.

Cold Tire Inflation Pressure

Cold tire inflation pressure 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 sitting for a minimum of three

hours. Inflation pressure is measured in units of PSI (pounds per

square inch) or kPa (kilopascals).

Maximum Inflation Pressure

The maximum inflation pressure is the maximum permissible

cold tire inflation pressure for this tire. The maximum inflation

pressure is molded into the sidewall.

Recommended Cold Tire Inflation

Pressure

Vehicle manufacturer’s recommended cold tire inflation pressure

as shown on the tire placard.

Tire Placard

A label permanently attached to the vehicle describing the vehi-

cle’s loading capacity, the original equipment tire sizes and the

recommended cold tire inflation pressures.

STARTING AND OPERATING 217

Tire Loading And Tire Pressure

Tire And Loading Information Placard Location

NOTE: The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed

on the driver’s side B-Pillar or the rear edge of the

driver’s side door.

Check the inflation pressure of each tire, including the

spare tire (if equipped), at least monthly and inflate to

the recommended pressure for your vehicle.

5

Example Tire Placard Location (B-Pillar)

WARNING!

• Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overload-

ing can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling,

and increase your stopping distance. Use tires of

the recommended load capacity for your vehicle.

Never overload them.

(Continued)

Example Tire Placard Location (Door)

218 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire And Loading Information Placard

WARNING! (Continued)

• Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can

cause collisions. Under-inflation increases tire

flexing and can result in over-heating and tire

failure. Over-inflation reduces a tire’s ability to

cushion shock. Objects on the road and chuck

holes can cause damage that results in tire failure.

Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob-

lems. You could lose control of your vehicle.

Over-inflated or under-inflated tires can affect

vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting

in loss of vehicle control. Always drive with each

tire inflated to the recommended cold tire infla-

tion pressure.

Tire And Loading Information Placard

This placard tells you important information about the:

1. Number of people that can be carried in the vehicle.

2. Total weight your vehicle can carry.

3. Tire size designed for your vehicle.

4. Cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and

spare tires.

STARTING AND OPERATING 219

Loading

To determine the maximum loading conditions of your

vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of

occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or

XXX lbs” on the Tire and Loading Information placard.

The combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and

trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never ex-

ceed the weight referenced here.

The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed

the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle.

You will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if

you adhere to the loading conditions, tire size, and cold

tire inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Load-

ing Information placard in “Vehicle Loading” in “Start-

ing And Operating”, or the Tire Information Supple-

ment, located in your Owner’s Information kit.

5

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.

NOTE: Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,

gross axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and

rear axles must not be exceeded. Refer to “Vehicle

Loading” in “Starting And Operating”, or the Tire

Information Supplement located in your Owner’s Infor-

mation kit, for further information on GAWRs, vehicle

loading, and trailer towing.

(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.

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(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount

of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if

“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 (5x150) = 650 lbs.)

Metric Example For Load Limit

For example, if “XXX” amount equals 635 kg, and there

will be five 68 kg passengers in your vehicle, the

amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is

295 kg (635-340 (5x68) = 295 kg) as shown in step 4.

NOTE:

(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.

• If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from

your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. The

following table shows examples on how to calculate

total load, cargo/luggage, and towing capacities of

your vehicle with varying seating configurations and

number and size of occupants. This table is for

illustration purposes only and may not be accurate

for the seating and load carry capacity of your

vehicle.

(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from

your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle.

Consult this manual to determine how this reduces

the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your

vehicle.

• For the following example, the combined weight of

occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs

(392 kg).

STARTING AND OPERATING 221

5

WARNING!

Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overload-

ing can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling,

and increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the

recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never

overload them.

222 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION

WARNING! (Continued)

Tire Pressure

• Overinflated or underinflated tires can affect ve-

hicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in

loss of vehicle control.

• Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob-

lems. You could lose control of your vehicle.

• Unequal tire pressures from one side of the ve-

hicle to the other can cause the vehicle to drift to

the right or left.

Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and

satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Four primary

areas are affected by improper tire pressure:

• Safety and Vehicle Stability

• Economy

• Tread Wear

• Always drive with each tire inflated to the recom-

mended cold tire inflation pressure.

• Ride Comfort

Safety

Both under-inflation and over-inflation affect the stabil-

ity of the vehicle and can produce a feeling of sluggish

response or over responsiveness in the steering.

WARNING!

• Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can

cause collisions.

• Underinflation increases tire flexing and can re-

sult in overheating and tire failure.

NOTE:

• Unequal tire pressures from side to side may cause

erratic and unpredictable steering response.

• Overinflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion

shock. Objects on the road and chuckholes can

cause damage that result in tire failure.

• Unequal tire pressure from side to side may cause the

vehicle to drift left or right.

Fuel Economy

(Continued)

Underinflated tires will increase tire rolling resistance

resulting in higher fuel consumption.

Starting And Operating -> Tire Safety Information for Your Fiat 500 SUV First Generation (2007-2019)

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