run flat CHRYSLER CARAVAN 2002 Owner's Manual

Inspect for the following:
²Verify correct (OEM) wheel and tire, as well as
correct wheel weights. Aluminum wheels require
unique wheel weights. They are designed to fit the
contour of the wheel (Fig. 1).
²Inspect tires and wheels for damage, mud pack-
ing and unusual wear; correct as necessary.
²Check and adjust tire air pressure to the pres-
sure listed on the label attached to the rear face of
the driver's door.
ROAD TEST
Road test vehicle on a smooth road for a least five
miles to warm tires (remove any flat spots). Lightly
place hands on steering wheel at the 10:00 and 2:00
positions while slowly sweeping up and down from 90 to
110 km/h (55 to 70 mph) where legal speed limits allow.
Observe the steering wheel for:
²Visual Nibble (oscillation: clockwise/counter-
clockwise, usually due to tire imbalance)
²Visual Buzziness (high frequency, rapid vibra-
tion up and down)
To rule out vibrations due to brakes or powertrain:
²Lightly apply brakes at speed; if vibration occurs
or is enhanced, vibration is likely due to causes other
than tire and wheel assemblies.
²
Shift transmission into neutral while vibration is
occurring; if vibration is eliminated, vibration is likely
due to causes other than tire and wheel assemblies.
For brake vibrations, (Refer to 5 - BRAKES -
BASE/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS -
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING).
For powertrain vibrations, (Refer to 3 - DIFFEREN-
TIAL & DRIVELINE - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING).
For tire and wheel assembly vibrations, continue
with this diagnosis and testing procedure.
TIRE AND WHEEL BALANCE
(1) Balance the tire and wheel assemblies as nec-
essary following the wheel balancer manufacturer's
instructions and using the information listed in Stan-
dard Procedure - Tire And Wheel Balance. (Refer to
22 - TIRES/WHEELS - STANDARD PROCEDURE)
(2) Road test the vehicle for at least 5 miles, fol-
lowing the format described in Road Test.
(3) If the vibration persists, continue with this
diagnosis and testing procedure.
TIRE AND WHEEL RUNOUT/MATCH MOUNTING
(1)System Radial Runout.This on-the-vehicle
system check will measure the radial runout includ-
ing the hub, wheel and tire.
(a) Raise vehicle so tires clear floor. (Refer to
LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/HOISTING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE)
(b) Apply masking tape around the circumfer-
ence of the tire in the locations to be measured
(Fig. 2). Do not overlap the tape.
(c) Check system runout using Dial Indicator
Set, Special Tool C-3339A with 25-W wheel, or
equivalent. Place the end of the indicator against
each taped area (one at a time) (Fig. 2) and rotate
the tire and wheel. System radial runout should
not exceed 0.76 mm (0.030 inch) with no tread
ªdipsº or ªsteps.º Tread ªdipsº and ªstepsº can be
identified by spikes of the dial indicator gauge.
²Tread9dips9; Rapid decrease then increase in
dial indicator reading over 101.6 mm (4.0 inch) of
tread circumference.
²Tread9steps9; Rapid decrease or increase in dial
indicator reading over 101.6 mm (4.0 inch) of tread
circumference.
(d) If system runout is excessive, re-index the
tire and wheel assembly on the hub. Remove
assembly from vehicle and install it back on the
hub two studs over from original mounting posi-
tion. If re-indexing the tire and wheel assembly
corrects or reduces system runout, check hub
runout and repair as necessary (Refer to 5 -
BRAKES - BASE/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/
ROTORS - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING).
(e) If system runout is still excessive, continue
with this diagnosis and testing procedure.
(2)Tire and Wheel Assembly Radial Runout.
This radial runout check is performed with the tire
and wheel assembly off the vehicle.
(a) Remove tire and wheel assembly from vehicle
and install it on a suitable wheel balancer.
(b) Check system runout using Dial Indicator
Set, Special Tool C-3339A with 25-W wheel, or
equivalent. Place the end of the indicator against
each taped area (one at a time) (Fig. 2) and rotate
the tire and wheel. Radial runout should not
Fig. 1 Aluminum Wheel Weight
1 - TIRE
2 - WHEEL
3 - WHEEL WEIGHT
22 - 2 TIRES/WHEELSRS
TIRES/WHEELS (Continued)
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lines. Radial force measurements above the reference
value may not always result in a ride disturbance,
nor do they automatically mean the assembly compo-
nents are out of specification. Do not replace compo-
nents based on radial force values alone. Balancing,
runout diagnosis, re-indexing, and subjective road
testing must be performed as outlined in previous
sections of this diagnosis and testing procedure.
Use the Radial Force equipment to identify suspect
assemblies and minimize the radial forces. After all
suspect assemblies are optimized, reinstall the
assemblies and road test the vehicle. If a disturbance
still exists and all other vibration diagnostic proce-
dures have been completed, replace one tire or one
wheel at a time, starting with the assembly having
the highest force variation. Be sure to minimize each
new assembly. Road test the vehicle following each
replacement. Continue this process until the distur-
bance is resolved.
NOTE: When using Radial Force equipment, it is
critically important to set proper tire inflation pres-
sure and ensure centering of the wheel on the
equipment spindle.
RADIAL FORCE VARIATION REFERENCE
VALUES
DESCRIPTION SPECIFICATION
Total Radial Force
Variation (RFV)Less Than 22 Lbs.   2
Lbs.
Radial First Harmonic
(R1H)Less Than 16 Lbs.   2
Lbs.
Radial Second Harmonic
(R2H)Less Than 12 Lbs.   2
Lbs.
STANDARD PROCEDURE
STANDARD PROCEDURE - TIRE AND WHEEL
BALANCE
NOTE: Balance equipment must be calibrated and
maintained per equipment manufacturer's specifica-
tions.
Wheel balancing can be accomplished with either
on-vehicle or off-vehicle equipment.
NOTE: If using on-vehicle balancing equipment, on
the driving axle, remove the opposite wheel and tire
assembly.
It is recommended that a two-plane dynamic bal-
ancer be used when a wheel and tire assemblyrequires balancing. A static balancer should only be
used when a two-plane balancer is not available.
Balance wheel and tire assemblies dynamically and
statically to less than 0.25 (
1¤4) ounce.
For static balancing, find location of heavy spot
causing imbalance. Counter balance wheel directly
opposite the heavy spot. Determine weight required
to counterbalance the area of imbalance. Place half of
this weight on theinnerrim flange and the other
half on theouterrim flange (Fig. 8).
For dynamic balancing, the balance equipment is
designed to indicate the location and amount of
weight to be applied to both the inner and outer rim
flanges (Fig. 9).
The aluminum wheels on this vehicle use a unique
wheel weight (Fig. 10). This wheel weight is designed
to fit the contoured surface of the wheel (Fig. 10).
When balancing an aluminum wheel, this wheel
weight must be used. Do not use any other type of
wheel weight. It will not properly fit the contour of
the wheel.
Always verify the Balance. When using off-vehicle
equipment, rotate assembly 180 degrees on balance
equipment to verify balance. Variation should not be
more than 0.125 (
1¤8) ounce. If variation is more than
0.125 ounce, balancing equipment could be malfunc-
tioning.
If difficult to balance, break down the wheel and
tire assembly and check for loose debris inside tire.
Prior to disassembly, mark (index) the tire at the
valve stem. Use this mark in order to remount the
tire in its original orientation with respect to the
wheel.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - TIRE AND WHEEL
MATCH MOUNTING
Wheels and tires are match mounted at the factory.
This means that the high spot of the tire is matched
to the low spot on the wheel rim. This technique is
used to reduce runout in the wheel and tire assem-
bly. The high spot on the tire is marked with a paint
mark or a bright colored adhesive label on the out-
board sidewall. The low spot on the wheel is identi-
fied with a label on the outside of the rim and a dot
or line in the drop well area of the rim (inside where
the tire mounts). If the outside label has been
removed, the tire will have to be removed to locate
the dot or line on the inside of the rim. The tire can
then be match mounted to the tire.
Information on match mounting the tire to the
wheel can be found in Tire and Wheel Runout/Match
Mounting, items (2) through (5), within Diagnosis
And Testing - Tire And Wheel Vibration. (Refer to 22
- TIRES/WHEELS - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)
RSTIRES/WHEELS22-5
TIRES/WHEELS (Continued)
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Radial-ply tires must always be used in sets of four
and under no circumstances should they be used on
the front only. It is recommended that tires from dif-
ferent manufacturers NOT be mixed. They may be
mixed with a temporary spare tire when necessary. A
maximum speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) is recom-
mended while a temporary spare is in use.
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.
DESCRIPTION - REPLACEMENT TIRES
WARNING: FAILURE TO EQUIP THE VEHICLE WITH
TIRES HAVING ADEQUATE SPEED CAPABILITY
CAN RESULT IN SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE.
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:
²Ride
²Noise
²Handling
²Durability
²Tread life
²Traction
²Rolling resistance
²Speed capability
The use of tires smaller than the minimum tire
size approved for the vehicle can result in tire over-
loading and failure.
Use tires that have the approved load rating for
the vehicle and never overload them. Failure to equip
the vehicle with tires having adequate speed capabil-
ity can result in sudden tire failure and loss of vehi-
cle control.
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 temporary (convenience) spare tire is designed
for emergency use only. The original tire should be
repaired and reinstalled, or replaced with a new, at
the first opportunity.
The temporary (convenience) spare tire should be
inflated to the pressure listed on its sidewall. Do not
exceed speeds of 80 km/h (50 mph) when the tempo-
rary spare tire is in use on the vehicle. Refer to the
Owner's Manual for more details.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TIRE NOISE
Unusual tire noise can be associated with tire and
wheel vibration or irregular tire wear. For vibration,
(Refer to 22 - TIRES/WHEELS - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING). For irregular tire wear, (Refer to 22 -
TIRES/WHEELS/TIRES - DIAGNOSIS AND TEST-
ING).
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TIRE/VEHICLE
LEAD
Use the following Vehicle Lead Diagnosis And Cor-
rection Chart to diagnose and correct a vehicle lead
or drift problem.
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. 23).
Excessive toe-in or toe-out causes wear on the
tread edges and a feathered effect across the tread
(Fig. 23).
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. 24).
Tire replacement is necessary when indicators
appear in two or more grooves or if localized balding
occurs.
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-
22 - 14 TIRES/WHEELSRS
TIRES (Continued)
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