Chrysler 300 SRT (2014 year). Instruction — part 26

TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION

Tire Markings

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.

• 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

⬙P⬙ 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)

4 — Maximum Load

2 — Size Designation

5 — Maximum Pressure

3 — Service Description

6 — Treadwear, Traction and
Temperature Grades

412

STARTING AND OPERATING

• 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.

• 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.

Tire Sizing Chart

EXAMPLE:

Size Designation:

P

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

ⴖ. blank. ⴖ = Passenger car tire based on European design standards
LT

= Light truck tire based on U.S. design standards

T or S

= Temporary spare tire

31

= Overall diameter in inches (in)

215

= Section width in millimeters (mm)

65

= Aspect ratio in percent (%)

— Ratio of section height to section width of tire

10.5

= Section width in inches (in)

5

STARTING AND OPERATING

413

EXAMPLE:

R

= Construction code

—

⬙R⬙ means radial construction

—

⬙D⬙ means diagonal or bias construction

15

= Rim diameter in inches (in)

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 under 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)

414

STARTING AND OPERATING

EXAMPLE:

Load Identification:

ⴖ. blank. ⴖ = Absence of any text on the sidewall of the tire indicates a Standard Load (SL) tire
Extra Load (XL)

= Extra load (or reinforced) tire

Light Load (LL)

= Light load tire

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

Tire Identification Number (TIN)

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 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.

5

STARTING AND OPERATING

415

EXAMPLE:

DOT MA L9 ABCD 0301

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

416

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 3 hours, or driven less
than 1 mile (1.6 km) after sitting for a three hour period. 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 paper label permanently attached to the vehicle describing the
vehicle’s loading capacity, the original equipment tire sizes and
the recommended cold tire inflation pressures.

5

STARTING AND OPERATING

417

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.

B-Pillar Location For Tire And Loading Information

Placard

418

STARTING AND OPERATING

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.

Tire And Loading Information Placard

5

STARTING AND OPERATING

419

Loading

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 Loading
Information placard and in the “Vehicle Loading” section
of this instruction.

NOTE:

Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,

gross axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWRs, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to
“Vehicle Loading” in this section.

To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or
XXX kg” on the Tire and Loading Information placard.
The combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.

Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit

1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occu-

pants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or
XXX kg” on your vehicle’s placard.

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 pas-

sengers from XXX lbs or XXX kg.

420

STARTING AND OPERATING

4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of

cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if
“XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs (635 kg) and there will
be five 150 lb (68 kg) passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity
is 650 lbs (295 kg) (since 5 x 150 lbs (68 kg) = 750 lbs
(340 kg), and 1400 lbs (635 kg) – 750 lbs (340 kg) =
650 lbs [295 kg]).

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.

NOTE:

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

trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. The follow-
ing table shows examples on how to calculate total
load, cargo/luggage, and towing capacities of your
vehicle with varying seating configurations and num-
ber 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.

• For the following example, the combined weight of

occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs
(392 kg).

5

STARTING AND OPERATING

421

422

STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!

Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading
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.

TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION

Tire Pressure

Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire pressure:

Safety

WARNING!

• Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can

cause collisions.

• Under-inflation increases tire flexing and can re-

sult in over-heating and tire failure.

• Over-inflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion

shock. Objects on the road and chuckholes can
cause damage that result in tire failure.

• Over-inflated or under-inflated 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.

(Continued)

5

STARTING AND OPERATING

423

WARNING! (Continued)

• Unequal tire pressures from one side of the vehicle

to the other can cause the vehicle to drift to the
right or left.

• Always drive with each tire inflated to the recom-

mended cold tire inflation pressure.

Economy

Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear
patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal
wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a need for
earlier tire replacement. Under-inflation also increases
tire rolling resistance resulting in higher fuel consump-
tion.

Ride Comfort And Vehicle Stability

Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride.
Over-inflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable
ride. Both under-inflation and over-inflation affect the
stability of the vehicle and can produce a feeling of
sluggish response or over responsiveness in the steering.

NOTE:

• Unequal tire pressures from side to side may cause

erratic and unpredictable steering response.

• Unequal tire pressure from side to side may cause the

vehicle to drift left or right.

Tire Inflation Pressures

The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the
driver’s side B-Pillar or rear edge of the driver’s side
door.

424

STARTING AND OPERATING

At least once a month:

• Check and adjust tire pressure with a good quality

pocket-type pressure gauge. Do not make a visual
judgement when determining proper inflation. Tires
may look properly inflated even when they are under-
inflated.

• Inspect tires for signs of tire wear or visible damage.

CAUTION!

After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure, al-
ways reinstall the valve stem cap. This will prevent
moisture 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 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 a three hour period. The cold tire inflation
pressure must not exceed the maximum inflation pressure
molded into the tire sidewall.

Check tire pressures more often if subject to a wide range
of outdoor temperatures, as tire pressures vary with
temperature changes.

Tire pressures change by approximately 1 psi (7 kPa) per
12°F (7°C) of air temperature change. Keep this in mind
when checking tire pressure inside a garage, especially in
the winter.

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

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

5

STARTING AND OPERATING

425

Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation

The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speeds and
within posted speed limits. Where speed limits or condi-
tions are such that the vehicle can be driven at high
speeds, maintaining correct tire inflation pressure is very
important. Increased tire pressure and reduced vehicle
loading may be required for high-speed vehicle opera-
tion. Refer to your authorized tire dealer or original
equipment vehicle dealer for recommended safe operat-
ing speeds, loading and cold tire inflation pressures.

WARNING!

High speed driving with your vehicle under maxi-
mum load is dangerous. The added strain on your
tires could cause them to fail. You could have a
serious collision. Do not drive a vehicle loaded to the
maximum capacity at continuous speeds above
75 mph (120 km/h).

Radial Ply Tires

WARNING!

Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires
on your vehicle will cause your vehicle to handle
poorly. The instability could cause a collision. Al-
ways use radial ply tires in sets of four. Never
combine them with other types of tires.

Tire Repair

If your tire becomes damaged, it may be repaired if it
meets the following criteria:

• The tire has not been driven on when flat.
• The damage is only on the tread section of your tire

(sidewall damage is not repairable).

• The puncture is no greater than ¼⬙ (6 mm).

426

STARTING AND OPERATING

Consult an authorized tire dealer for tire repairs and
additional information.

Damaged Run Flat tires, or Run Flat tires that have
experienced a loss of pressure should be replaced imme-
diately with another Run Flat tire of identical size and
service description (Load Index and Speed Code).

Tire Types

All Season Tires — If Equipped

All Season tires provide traction for all seasons (spring,
summer, fall and winter). Traction levels may vary be-
tween different all season tires. All season tires can be
identified by the M+S, M&S, M/S or MS designation on
the tire sidewall. Use all season tires only in sets of four;
failure to do so may adversely affect the safety and
handling of your vehicle.

Summer Or Three Season Tires — If Equipped

Summer tires provide traction in both wet and dry
conditions, and are not intended to be driven in snow or
on ice. If your vehicle is equipped with summer tires, be
aware these tires are not designed for winter or cold
driving conditions. For more information, contact a au-
thorized dealer. Summer tires do not contain the all
season designation or mountain/snowflake symbol on
the tire sidewall.

Use summer tires only in sets of four; failure to do so may
adversely affect the safety and handling of your vehicle.

Snow Tires

Some areas of the country require the use of snow tires
during the winter. Snow tires can be identified by a
mountain/snowflake symbol on the tire sidewall.

5

STARTING AND OPERATING

427