Dodge Neon / Neon SRT-4. Manual — part 376

• If the new high spot is within 102 mm (4.0 in.)

of the first spot on the wheel, the wheel may be out
of specifications. Refer to Tire and Wheel Runout.

• If the new high spot is NOT within 102 mm (4.0

in.) of either high spot, draw an arrow on the tread
from new high spot to first. Break down the tire and
remount it 90 degrees on rim in that direction (Fig.
12), then remeasure runout. This procedure will nor-
mally reduce the runout to an acceptable amount.

STANDARD PROCEDURE - TIRE AND WHEEL
ROTATION

NON-DIRECTIONAL TREAD PATTERN TIRES

Tires on the front and rear axles operate at differ-

ent loads and perform different functions. For these
reasons, they wear at unequal rates, and tend to
develop irregular wear patterns. These effects can be
reduced by timely rotation of tires. The benefits of
rotation are especially worthwhile. Rotation will
increase tread life, help to maintain mud, snow, and
wet traction levels, and contribute to a smooth, quiet
ride.

The suggested rotation method is the forward-cross

tire rotation method (Fig. 13). This method takes
advantage of current tire industry practice which
allows rotation of radial-ply tires. Other rotation
methods may be used, but may not have all the ben-
efits of the recommended method.

NOTE: Only the 4 tire rotation method may be used
if the vehicle is equipped with a low mileage or tem-
porary spare tire.

DIRECTIONAL TREAD PATTERN TIRES

Some vehicles are fitted with special high-perfor-

mance tires having a directional tread pattern. These
tires are designed to improve traction on wet pave-
ment. To obtain the full benefits of this design, the
tires must be installed so that they rotate in the cor-
rect direction. This is indicated by arrows on the tire
sidewalls.

When wheels and tires are being installed, extra

care is needed to ensure that this direction of rota-
tion is maintained.

Refer to Owner’s Manual for rotation schedule.

REMOVAL

REMOVAL - TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY
(ALUMINUM WHEEL)

(1) Raise the vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION &

MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE)

(2) If the wheel has a large center cap that covers

the wheel mounting nuts, remove the cap by prying
it off.

(3) Remove the wheel mounting nuts from the

studs.

(4) Remove the tire and wheel assembly from the

hub.

Fig. 12 Remount Tire 90 Degrees In Direction of

Arrow

1 - 2ND HIGH SPOT ON TIRE
2 - 1ST HIGH SPOT ON TIRE

Fig. 13 Forward-Cross Tire Rotation Method

22 - 6

TIRES/WHEELS

PL/SRT-4

TIRES/WHEELS (Continued)

REMOVAL - TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY
(STEEL WHEEL)

(1) Raise the vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION &

MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE)

CAUTION: When removing the bolt-on wheel cover,
do not attempt to pry the wheel cover off the wheel.

(2) Unthread and remove the 5 nuts attaching the

wheel and wheel cover to the vehicle (Fig. 14).

(3) Remove the wheel cover using care not to let

the tire and wheel assembly fall off the vehicle.

(4) Remove the tire and wheel assembly from the

hub.

INSTALLATION

INSTALLATION - TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY
(ALUMINUM WHEEL)

CAUTION: Installing the wheel mounting nuts with-
out having good metal-to-metal contact between the
back of the wheel and the hub mounted brake disc
or drum could cause the wheel to bind and eventu-
ally cause loosening of the wheel mounting nuts.

(1) Install the tire and wheel assembly on the hub

studs against the hub mounted brake disc or drum
using the hub pilot as a guide.

CAUTION:

When

installing

the

tire

and

wheel

assembly, never use oil or grease on studs or nuts.

(2) Install and lightly tighten the wheel mounting

nuts in the proper sequence (Fig. 15).

(3) Lower the vehicle.
(4) Progressively tighten the 5 wheel mounting

nuts in the proper sequence until tightened to half of
the specified torque (Fig. 15). Finally, tighten the
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to a torque of 135
N·m (100 ft. lbs.).

(5) If the wheel has a large center cap to cover the

wheel mounting nuts, install the cap.

INSTALLATION - TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY
(STEEL WHEEL)

CAUTION: Installing the wheel mounting nuts with-
out having good metal-to-mental contact between
the back of the wheel and the hub mounted brake
disc or drum could cause the wheel to bind and
eventually cause loosening of the wheel mounting
nuts.

CAUTION:

When

installing

the

tire

and

wheel

assembly, never use oil or grease on studs or nuts.

(1) Install the tire and wheel assembly on the

wheel studs, up against the hub mounted brake disc
or drum, using the hub pilot as a guide.

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

the valve stem on the wheel and install the wheel
cover on the hub mounted studs.

(3) Install and lightly tighten the wheel mounting

nuts in the proper sequence (Fig. 16).

(4) Lower the vehicle.
(5) Progressively tighten the 5 wheel mounting

nuts in the proper sequence until tightened to half of
the specified torque (Fig. 16). Finally, tighten the
wheel mounting nuts in the proper sequence to 135
N·m (100 ft. lbs.) torque.

Fig. 14 Wheel And Cover Mounting

1 - WHEEL MOUNTING NUTS
2 - BOLT-ON WHEEL COVER

Fig. 15 Wheel Tightening Sequence

PL/SRT-4

TIRES/WHEELS

22 - 7

TIRES/WHEELS (Continued)

TIRES

DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION - TIRE

Tires are designed and engineered for each specific

vehicle. They provide the best overall performance
for normal operation. The ride and handling charac-
teristics match the vehicle’s requirements. With
proper care they will give excellent reliability, trac-
tion, skid resistance, and tread life.

Driving habits have more effect on tire life than

any other factor. Careful drivers will obtain, in most
cases, much greater mileage than severe use or care-
less drivers. A few of the driving habits which will
shorten the life of any tire are:

• Rapid acceleration

• Severe application of brakes

• High-speed driving

• Taking turns at excessive speeds

• Striking curbs and other obstacles

• Operating vehicle with over or under inflated

tire pressures

Radial ply tires are more prone to irregular tread

wear. It is important to follow the tire rotation inter-
val shown in the section on Tire Rotation. This will
help to achieve a greater tread-life potential.

TIRE IDENTIFICATION

Tire type, size, aspect ratio and speed rating are

encoded in the letters and numbers imprinted on the
side wall of the tire. Refer to the chart to decipher
the tire identification code (Fig. 17).

Performance tires will have a speed rating letter

after the aspect ratio number. For example, the letter
“S” indicates that the tire is speed rated up to 112

mph (180 km/h). The speed rating is not always
printed on the tire sidewall.

• Q -up to 100 mph (160 km/h)

• S -up to 112 mph (180 km/h)

• T -up to 118 mph (190 km/h)

• U -up to 124 mph (200 km/h)

• H -up to 130 mph (210 km/h)

• V -up to 149 mph (240 km/h)

• Z -more than 149 mph (240 km/h) (consult the

tire manufacturer for the specific speed rating)

An All Season type tire will have either M + S, M

& S or M-S (indicating mud and snow traction)
imprinted on the sidewall.

TIRE CHAINS

Refer to the owners manual supplied with the vehi-

cle to determine whether the use of tire chains is per-
mitted on this vehicle.

DESCRIPTION - RADIAL-PLY TIRES

Radial-ply tires improve handling, tread life and

ride quality, and decrease rolling resistance.

Radial-ply tires must always be used in sets of

four. Under no circumstances should they be used on
the front only. They may be mixed with temporary
spare tires when necessary. A maximum speed of 80
km/h (50 mph) is recommended while a temporary
spare is in use.

Fig. 16 Nut Tightening Sequence

1 - BOLT-ON WHEEL COVER

Fig. 17 Tire Identification (Typical)

22 - 8

TIRES/WHEELS

PL/SRT-4

TIRES/WHEELS (Continued)

Radial-ply tires have the same load-carrying capac-

ity as other types of tires of the same size. They also
use the same recommended inflation pressures.

The use of oversized tires, either in the front or

rear of the vehicle, can cause vehicle drive train fail-
ure. This could also cause inaccurate wheel speed
signals when the vehicle is equipped with Antilock
Brakes.

The use of tires from different manufactures on the

same vehicle is NOT recommended. The proper tire
pressure should be maintained on all four tires.

DESCRIPTION - REPLACEMENT TIRES

WARNING: FAILURE TO EQUIP THE VEHICLE WITH
TIRES HAVING ADEQUATE SPEED CAPABILITY
CAN RESULT IN SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE.

WARNING:: IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE SPEED
CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE, REPLACEMENT
TIRES MUST HAVE SPEED RATINGS EQUAL TO OR
HIGHER THAN THOSE FITTED TO THE VEHICLE AS
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. IF TIRES WITH LOWER
SPEED RATINGS ARE FITTED, THE VEHICLE’S
HANDLING MAY BE AFFECTED AND THE SPEED
CAPABILITY OF THE VEHICLE MAY BE LOWERED
TO THE MAXIMUM SPEED CAPABILITY OF THE
REPLACEMENT TIRES. TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT
RESULTING IN SEVERE OR FATAL INJURY, CON-
SULT THE TIRE MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO
MAXIMUM SPEED RATINGS.

It is recommended that tires equivalent to the orig-

inal equipment tires be used when replacement is
needed.

Failure to use equivalent replacement tires may

adversely affect the safety and handling of the vehi-
cle.

The original equipment tires provide a proper com-

bination of many characteristics such as:

• Ride

• Noise

• Handling

• Durability

• Tread life

• Traction

• Rolling resistance

• Speed capability
The use of oversize tires may cause interference

with vehicle components. Under extremes of suspen-
sion and steering travel, interference with vehicle
components may cause tire damage.

DESCRIPTION - SPARE TIRE (TEMPORARY)

The compact temporary spare tire is designed for

emergency use only. The original tire should be
repaired or replaced at the first opportunity, then
reinstalled. Do not exceed speeds of 80 km/h (50
mph) when using the temporary spare tire. Refer to
Owner’s Manual for complete details.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TIRE NOISE OR
VIBRATION

Radial-ply tires are sensitive to force impulses

caused

by

improper

mounting,

vibration,

wheel

defects, or possibly tire imbalance.

To find out if tires are causing the noise or vibra-

tion, drive the vehicle over a smooth road at varying
speeds. Note the noise level during acceleration and
deceleration. The engine, differential and exhaust
noises will change as speed varies, while the tire
noise will usually remain constant.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TIRE WEAR
PATTERNS

Under inflation will cause wear on the shoulders of

tire. Over inflation will cause wear at the center of
tire.

Excessive camber causes the tire to run at an

angle to the road. One side of tread is then worn
more than the other (Fig. 18).

Excessive toe-in or toe-out causes wear on the

tread edges and a feathered effect across the tread
(Fig. 18).

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TREAD WEAR
INDICATORS

Tread wear indicators are molded into the bottom

of the tread grooves. When tread depth is 1.6 mm
(1/16 in.), the tread wear indicators will appear as a
13 mm (1/2 in.) band (Fig. 19).

Tire replacement is necessary when indicators

appear in two or more grooves or if localized balding
occurs.

PL/SRT-4

TIRES/WHEELS

22 - 9

TIRES (Continued)