Chrysler 300M, Dodge Interpid. Manual — part 341

STANDARD PROCEDURE

STANDARD PROCEDURE - TIRE INFLATION
PRESSURES

The specified tire pressures have been chosen to

provide safe operation, vehicle stability, and a smooth
ride. The proper tire pressure specification can be
found on the Tire Inflation Pressure Label provided
with the vehicle (usually on the rear face of the driv-
er’s door).

A quality air pressure gauge is recommended to

check tire air pressure. Tire pressure should be
checked cold once per month. Check tire pressure
more frequently when the weather temperature var-
ies widely. Tire pressure will decrease when the out-
door temperature drops. After checking the air
pressure, replace valve cap finger tight.

Inflation pressures specified on the Tire Inflation

Pressure Label are always the cold inflation pressure
of the tire. Cold inflation pressure is obtained after
the vehicle has not been operated for at least 3
hours, or the vehicle is driven less than one mile
after being inoperative for 3 hours. Tire inflation
pressures may increase from 2 to 6 pounds per
square inch (psi) during operation. Do not reduce this
normal pressure buildup.

Improper inflation can cause:
• Uneven wear patterns

• Reduced tread life

• Reduced fuel economy

• Unsatisfactory ride

• The vehicle to drift.

WARNING: OVER OR UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN
AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING. THE TIRE CAN FAIL
SUDDENLY, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE
CONTROL.

Under inflation causes rapid shoulder wear, tire

flexing, and can result in tire failure (Fig. 25).

Over inflation causes rapid center wear and loss of

the tire’s ability to cushion shocks (Fig. 26).

STANDARD PROCEDURE - TIRE PRESSURE
FOR HIGH SPEED OPERATION

DaimlerChrysler Corporation advocates driving at

safe speeds within posted speed limits. Speed capac-
ity of a tire is a function of the tire speed rating,
inflation pressure and vehicle axle weight. Where
speed limits allow the vehicle to be driven at high
speeds, correct tire inflation pressure is very impor-
tant. Vehicles loaded to maximum capacity should

Fig. 24 Tread Wear Indicators

1 - TREAD ACCEPTABLE
2 - TREAD UNACCEPTABLE
3 - WEAR INDICATOR

Fig. 25 Under Inflation Wear

1 - THIN TIRE TREAD AREAS

Fig. 26 Over Inflation Wear

1 - THIN TIRE TREAD AREA

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TIRES/WHEELS

22 - 17

TIRES (Continued)

not be driven at continuous speeds over 120 km/h (75
mph). Never exceed the maximum speed capacity of
the tire. For information on tire identification and
speed ratings, (Refer to 22 - TIRES/WHEELS/TIRES
- DESCRIPTION).

STANDARD PROCEDURE - TIRE LEAK
REPAIRING

For proper repairing, a radial tire must be removed

from the wheel. Repairs should only be made if the
defect, or puncture, is in the tread area (Fig. 27). The
tire should be replaced if the puncture is located in
the sidewall.

Deflate tire completely before attempting to dis-

mount the tire from the wheel. Use a lubricant
such as a mild soap solution when dismounting
or mounting tire. Use tools free of burrs or sharp
edges which could damage the tire or wheel rim.

Before mounting tire on wheel, make sure all rust

is removed from the rim bead and repaint if neces-
sary.

Install wheel on vehicle, and progressively tighten

the 5 wheel nuts to a torque of 135 N·m (100 ft. lbs.).

CLEANING - TIRES

Before delivery of a vehicle, remove the protective

coating on the tires with white sidewalls or raised
white letters. To remove the protective coating, apply
warm water and let it soak for a few minutes. After-
wards, scrub the coating away with a soft bristle
brush. Steam cleaning may also be used to remove
the coating.

CAUTION: DO NOT use gasoline, mineral oil, oil-
based solvent or a wire brush for cleaning.

WHEELS

DESCRIPTION

Original equipment wheels are designed for proper

operation at all loads up to the specified maximum
vehicle capacity.

All models use steel or cast aluminum drop center

wheels. Every wheel has raised sections between the
rim flanges and rim drop well called safety humps
(Fig. 28).

Initial inflation of the tires forces the bead over

these raised sections. In case of air loss the raised
sections help hold the tire in position on the wheel
until the vehicle can be brought to a safe stop.

Cast aluminum wheels require special balance

weights to fit on the rim flange of the wheel and spe-
cial wheel clamps for the alignment equipment.

The wheel studs and nuts are designed for specific

wheel applications and must be replaced with equiv-
alent parts. Do not use replacement parts of lesser
quality or of a substitute design. All aluminum and
some steel wheels have wheel stud nuts with an
enlarged nose. This enlarged nose is necessary to
ensure proper retention of the wheels.

Before installing a wheel, remove any buildup of

corrosion on the wheel mounting surface.

Fig. 27 Tire Repair Area

1 - REPAIRABLE AREA

Fig. 28 Safety Rim

1 - FLANGE
2 - RIDGE
3 - WELL

22 - 18

TIRES/WHEELS

LH

TIRES (Continued)

WARNING: INSTALLING WHEELS WITHOUT GOOD
METAL-TO-METAL CONTACT COULD CAUSE LOOS-
ENING

OF

WHEEL

LUG

NUTS.

THIS

COULD

ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SAFETY AND HANDLING
OF YOUR VEHICLE.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - WHEEL
INSPECTION

Inspect wheels for:
• Excessive runout

• Dents, cracks or irregular bends

• Damaged wheel stud (lug) holes

• Air Leaks

NOTE: Do not attempt to repair a wheel by hammer-
ing, heating or welding.

If a wheel is damaged, an original equipment

replacement wheel should be used. When obtaining
replacement wheels, they should be equivalent in
load carrying capacity. The diameter, width, offset,
pilot hole and bolt circle of the wheel should be the
same as the original wheel.

WARNING:

FAILURE

TO

USE

EQUIVALENT

REPLACEMENT

WHEELS

MAY

ADVERSELY

AFFECT THE SAFETY AND HANDLING OF THE
VEHICLE.

WARNING: REPLACEMENT WITH USED WHEELS IS
NOT RECOMMENDED. THE SERVICE HISTORY OF
THE WHEEL MAY HAVE INCLUDED SEVERE TREAT-
MENT OR VERY HIGH MILEAGE. THE RIM COULD
FAIL WITHOUT WARNING.

CLEANING - ALUMINUM WHEEL CARE

Chrome plated and painted aluminum wheels

should be cleaned regularly using mild soap and
water to maintain their luster and to prevent corro-
sion.

Care must be taken in the selection of tire and

wheel cleaning chemicals and equipment to prevent
damage to the wheels. Any of the “DO NOT USE”
items listed below WILL damage chrome plated and
painted aluminum wheels.

DO NOT USE:
• any abrasive metal cleaner

• any abrasive cleaning pad or brush

• any cleaner that contains an acid (this will

immediately react with and discolor the chromium
surface)

• chrome polish (unless it is buffed off immedi-

ately after application)

• oven cleaner

• a car wash that uses carbide-tipped wheel clean-

ing brushes

SPECIFICATIONS

WHEEL

SPECIFICATIONS

DESCRIPTION

SPECIFICATION

Wheel Mounting (Lug)
Nut Hex Size

19 mm

Wheel Mounting Stud
Size

M12 x 1.5 mm

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

DESCRIPTION

N·m

Ft.

Lbs.

In.

Lbs.

TPM Sensor Mounting Nut

4

—

35

Wheel Mounting (Lug ) Nut

135

100

—

WHEEL COVER

DESCRIPTION

This vehicle uses a bolt-on type wheel cover (Fig.

29).

This bolt-on wheel cover cannot be removed from

the wheel until three of the five wheel mounting nuts
shown are removed (Fig. 29). The bolt-on wheel cover
can then be removed with the remaining two wheel
nuts tightened in place.

REMOVAL

(1) Noting the location of the valve stem in rela-

tionship to the wheel mounting nuts, remove the
three wheel mounting nuts securing the wheel cover
to the wheel and hub (Fig. 29).

CAUTION: When removing the wheel cover, do not
pry the wheel cover from the wheel. This can result
in damage to the wheel cover. The wheel cover is
removed by pulling it off the wheel by hand.

(2) Grasp the wheel cover at the edges in line with

the remaining installed wheel nuts and pull straight
outward from the wheel. This will pop the wheel
cover retaining tabs over the two remaining wheel
nuts, removing the wheel cover from the wheel.

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TIRES/WHEELS

22 - 19

WHEELS (Continued)

INSTALLATION

NOTE: Wheel mounting nuts must be installed on
the studs as shown to allow installation of the
wheel cover (Fig. 30).

(1) Place the wheel cover on the wheel in the fol-

lowing fashion:

(a) Align the valve notch in the wheel cover with

the valve stem on the wheel.

(b) At the same time, align the two holes in the

wheel cover having the retaining tabs with the two
installed wheel nuts (Fig. 31).

(c) Press in on center of wheel cover until wheel

cover retaining tabs push past and engage rear of
previously installed wheel mounting nuts (Fig. 31).
This will hold the wheel cover in place.

(2) Install and lightly tighten the three remain-

ing wheel mounting nuts, securing the wheel cover in
place (Fig. 29).

(3) Tighten all five wheel mounting nuts in the

proper sequence (Fig. 32). Tighten wheel nuts to a
torque of 135 N·m (100 ft. lbs.).

Fig. 29 Wheel Mounting Nuts Securing Wheel Cover

1 - VALVE STEM
2 - BOLT-ON WHEEL COVER
3 - NUTS SECURING WHEEL COVER

Fig. 30 Two Wheel Mounting Nuts Installed

1 - VALVE STEM
2 - NUTS
3 - HUB
4 - WHEEL

Fig. 31 Wheel Cover Installation Over Two Nuts

1 - RETAINING TABS
2 - VALVE STEM
3 - WHEEL COVER

Fig. 32 Tightening Sequence

22 - 20

TIRES/WHEELS

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WHEEL COVER (Continued)