Get Maintenance -> Checking and Maintaining Tires Guide for Honda Civic 4 Door Eleventh Generation (2023-2026)

Checking and Maintaining Tires

Checking Tires

To safely operate your vehicle, your tires must be of the proper type and size, in

good condition with adequate tread, and properly inflated.

1Checking Tires

3

WARNING

■

Inflation guidelines

Using tires that are excessively worn or

improperly inflated can cause a crash in

which you can be seriously hurt or killed.

Properly inflated tires provide the best combination of handling, tread life, and

comfort. Refer to the driver's doorjamb label or specifications page for the specified

pressure.

Follow all instructions in this owner's

manual regarding tire inflation and

maintenance.

Underinflated tires wear unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and

are more likely to fail from overheating.

Overinflated tires make your vehicle ride harshly, are more prone to road hazards,

and wear unevenly.

Measure the air pressure when tires are cold. This

means the vehicle has been parked for at least three

hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km). If

necessary, add or release air until the specified

pressure is reached.

Every day before you drive, look at each of the tires. If one looks lower than the

others, check the pressure with a tire gauge.

If checked when hot, tire pressure can be as much as

4–6 psi (30–40 kPa, 0.3–0.4 kgf/cm²) higher than if

checked when cold.

At least once a month or before long trips, use a gauge to measure the pressure in

all tires, including the spare^*. Even tires in good condition can lose 1-2 psi (10-20

kPa, 0.1-0.2 kgf/cm²) per month.

U.S. models

Whenever tire pressure is adjusted, you must

calibrate the TPMS.

2 TPMS Calibration P. 539

■

Inspection guidelines

Every time you check inflation, also examine the tires and valve stems. Look for:

• Bumps or bulges on the side or in the tread. Replace the tire if you find any cuts,

splits, or cracks in the side of the tire. Replace it if you see fabric or cord.

• Remove any foreign objects and inspect for air leaks.

• Uneven tread wear. Have a dealer check the wheel alignment.

• Excessive tread wear.

Have a dealer check the tires if you feel a consistent

vibration while driving. New tires and any that have

been removed and reinstalled should be properly

balanced.

2 Wear Indicators P. 739

• Cracks or other damage around valve stem.

* Not available on all models

734

uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuTire and Loading Information Label

Tire and Loading Information Label

The label attached to the driver's doorjamb provides necessary tire and loading

information.

1Tire and Loading Information Label

The tire and loading information label attached to the

driver's doorjamb contains:

a

b

The number of people your vehicle can carry.

The total weight your vehicle can carry. Do not

exceed this weight.

Label

Example

c

d

The original tire sizes for front, rear, and spare.

The proper cold tire pressure for front, rear, and

spare.

Tire Labeling

The tires that came on your vehicle have a

number of markings. Those you should be

aware of are described as shown.

Example

Tire Size

Tire

Identification

Number (TIN)

1Tire Sizes

Following is an example of tire size with an

explanation of what each component means.

P205/55 R16 89H

Maximum

Tire Load

Maximum

Tire Pressure

Tire Size

P: Vehicle type (P indicates passenger vehicle).

205: Tire width in millimeters.

55: Aspect ratio (the tire's section height as a

percentage of its width).

R: Tire construction code (R indicates radial).

16: Rim diameter in inches.

Tire Sizes

■

Whenever tires are replaced, they should be replaced with tires of the same size.

89: Load index (a numerical code associated with the

maximum load the tire can carry).

H: Speed symbol (an alphabetical code indicating the

maximum speed rating).

Continued

735

uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuTire Labeling

1Tire Identification Number (TIN)

Tire Identification Number (TIN)

■

The tire identification number (TIN) is a group of numbers and letters that look like

the example in the side column. TIN is located on the sidewall of the tire.

DOT B97R FW6X 2209

DOT: This indicates that the tire meets all

requirements of the U.S. Department of

Transportation.

B97R: Manufacturer's identification mark.

FW6X: Tire type code.

22 09: Date of manufacture.

Glossary of Tire Terminology

■

Cold Tire Pressure – The tire air pressure when the vehicle has been parked for at

least three hours or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).

Year

Week

Load Rating – Means the maximum load that a tire is rated to carry for a given

inflation pressure.

Maximum Inflation Pressure – The maximum tire air pressure that the tire can

hold.

Maximum Load Rating – Means the load rating for a tire at the maximum

permissible inflation pressure for that tire.

Recommended Inflation Pressure – The cold tire inflation pressure recommended

by the manufacturer.

Treadwear Indicators (TWI) – Means the projections within the principal grooves

designed to give a visual indication of the degrees of wear of the tread.

736

uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuDOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)

DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)

The tires on your vehicle meet all U.S. Federal Safety

Requirements. All tires are also graded for treadwear, traction,

and temperature performance according to Department of

Transportation (DOT) standards. The following explains these

gradings.

1Uniform Tire Quality Grading

Uniform Tire Quality Grading

■

For example:

Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall

between tread shoulder and maximum section width.

Treadwear 200

Traction AA

Temperature A

Treadwear

■

All passenger car tires must conform

to Federal Safety Requirements in

addition to these grades.

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 (1 1/2) 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.

Continued

737

uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuDOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)

1Traction

Traction

■

Warning: The traction grade

assigned to this tire is based on

straight-ahead braking traction tests,

and does not include acceleration,

cornering, hydroplaning, or peak

traction characteristics.

The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.

Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement

as measured under controlled conditions on specified

government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked

C may have poor traction performance.

1Temperature

Temperature

■

Warning: The temperature grade for

this tire is established for a tire that is

properly inflated and not

overloaded. Excessive speed,

underinflation, or excessive loading,

either separately or in combination,

can cause heat buildup and possible

tire failure.

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 car 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.

738

uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuWear Indicators

Wear Indicators

The groove where the wear indicator is

located is about 1/16 inch (about 1.6 mm)

shallower than elsewhere on the tire. If the

tread has worn so that the indicator is

exposed, replace the tire.

1Checking Tires

Example of a Wear

Indicator mark

Models with 265/30ZR19 tires

High speed driving

We recommend that you do not drive faster than the

posted speed limits and conditions allow. If you drive

at sustained high speeds (over 130 mph or

210 km/h), adjust the cold tire pressures as shown

below to avoid excessive heat buildup and sudden

tire failure.

Worn out tires have poor traction on wet

roads.

Tire Size 265/30ZR19 93Y

Front: 41 psi (280 kPa, 2.9 kgf/cm2)

Pressure

Rear: 33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm2)

Tire Service Life

The life of your tires is dependent on many factors, including driving habits, road

conditions, vehicle loading, inflation pressure, maintenance history, speed, and

environmental conditions (even when the tires are not in use).

In addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance, it is

recommended that you have annual inspections performed once the tires reach five

years old. All tires, including the spare^*, should be removed from service after 10

years from the date of manufacture, regardless of their condition or state of wear.

* Not available on all models

739

uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuTire and Wheel Replacement

Tire and Wheel Replacement

Replace your tires with radials of the same size, load range, speed rating, and

maximum cold tire pressure rating (as shown on the tire's sidewall). Using tires of a

different size or construction can cause certain vehicle systems such as the ABS and

Vehicle Stability Assist^TM(VSA®) system to work incorrectly.

1Tire and Wheel Replacement

3

WARNING

Installing improper tires on your vehicle can

affect handling and stability. This can cause

a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or

killed.

It is best to replace all four tires at the same time. If that isn't possible, replace the

front or rear tires in pairs.

Always use the size and type of tires

recommended in this owner's manual.

Make sure that the wheel's specifications match those of the original wheels.

740

uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuTire Rotation

Tire Rotation

Rotating tires according to the maintenance messages on the driver information

interface helps to distribute wear more evenly and increase tire life.

1Tire Rotation

Tires with directional tread patterns should only be

rotated front to back (not from one side to the other).

Directional tires should be mounted with the rotation

indication mark facing forward, as shown below.

■

Tires without rotation marks

Rotate the tires as shown here.

Front

Direction Mark

■

Tires with rotation marks

U.S. models

Rotate the tires as shown here.

Whenever tires are rotated, you must calibrate the

TPMS.

2 TPMS Calibration P. 539

Front

741

uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuWinter Tires

Winter Tires

If driving on snowy or frozen roads, mount all season marked M+S tires, snow tires,

or tire chains; reduce speed; and maintain sufficient distance between vehicles when

driving.

1Winter Tires

3

WARNING

Using the wrong chains, or not properly

installing chains, can damage the brake

lines and cause a crash in which you can be

seriously injured or killed.

Be particularly careful when operating the steering wheel or brakes to prevent

skidding.

Use tire chains, snow tires, or all season tires when necessary or according to the

law.

Follow all instructions in this owner's

manual regarding the selection and use of

tire chains.

When mounting, refer to the following points.

For winter tires:

• Select the size and load ranges that are the same as the original tires.

• Mount the tires to all four wheels.

NOTICE

Traction devices that are the wrong size or improperly

installed can damage your vehicle's brake lines,

suspension, body, and wheels. Stop driving if they are

hitting any part of the vehicle.

742

uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuWinter Tires

For tire chains:

• Install them on the front tires only.

1Winter Tires

When tire chains are mounted, follow the chain

manufacturer's instructions regarding vehicle

operational limits.

• Because your vehicle has limited tire clearance, we strongly recommend using the

chains listed below:

Models with 215/55R16 tires

If your vehicle is equipped with summer tires, be

aware that these tires are not designed for winter

driving conditions. For more information, contact a

dealer.

Cable-type: SCC Radial Chain SC1032

Models with 215/50R17 tires

Cable-type: SCC Radial Chain SC1032

Models with 235/40R18 tires

Cable-type: SCC Radial Chain SC1034

• Follow the chain manufacturer's instruction when installing. Mount them as

tightly as you can.

• Check that the chains do not touch the brake lines or suspension.

• Drive slowly.

Models with 265/30ZR19 tires

Not recommended to use any type of chain or cable

743

uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuCold Weather Driving

Cold Weather Driving

Summer Only tires and Ultra High Performance (UHP) tires are very sensitive to

ambient temperatures and are designed to be used at temperatures above 45°F

(7°C). If the vehicle is operated with Summer Only tires or UHP tires at temperatures

below 45°F (7°C), the tires will provide decreasing amounts of grip and other

performance attributes. If the vehicle is operated with Summer Only tires or UHP

tires at temperatures below -14°F (-10°C), the tire tread may lose their elasticity and

become brittle, resulting in permanent damage to the tread. A damaged tire may

fail during use. Therefore, if you operate the vehicle when ambient temperatures are

below 45°F (7°C), we recommend that you install other tires (e.g., mud+snow,

winter) that are designed to provide appropriate performance attributes under the

anticipated conditions.

1Winter Tires

3

WARNING

Use of Summer Only tires or Ultra High

Performance tires at temperatures below

45°F (7°C) may lead to a loss of

performance and control, which could

result in a crash, serious injury or death.

744

Maintenance -> Checking and Maintaining Tires for Your Honda Civic 4 Door Eleventh Generation (2023-2026)

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