tires DODGE INTREPID 2004 2.G User Guide

Rotate your tires at intervals shown on the maintenance
schedules. More frequent rotation is permissible if de-
sired. The reasons for any rapid or unusual wear should
be corrected before rotating.
The suggested rotation method is the “forward-cross”
shown in the diagram.
Alignment And Balance
The suspension components of your vehicle should be
inspected and aligned when needed to obtain full tire
tread mileage.
Poor suspension alignment may result in:
•fast tire wear;
•uneven tire wear, such as feathering and one-sided
wear;
•vehicle pull to right or left.
Tires may also cause vehicle to pull to the left or right.
Alignment will not correct this condition. See your dealer
for proper diagnosis.
Improper alignment will not cause vehicle vibration.
Vehicle vibration may be a result of tire and wheel
out-of-balance. Proper balancing will reduce vibration
and avoid tire cupping and spotty wear.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
Your engine is designed to meet all emis-
sions regulations and provide excellent
fuel economy and performance when us-
ing high quality regular unleaded gasoline
having an octane rating of 87. The use of
premium gasoline is not recommended.
The use of premium gasoline will provide no benefit over
high quality regular and mid-grade gasolines, and in
some circumstances may result in poorer performance.
STARTING AND OPERATING 143
5

1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden
stop.
NOTE:If so equipped, turn on the Traction Control
System to accelerate on slippery surfaces.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control, turn
the system off before attempting to “rock” the vehicle.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and Drive. Usually the least accelerator pedal pressure to
maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It
can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h).
162 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Once a Month
•
Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transaxle and add
as needed.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
•Check rubber seals on each side of the radiator for
proper fit.
At Each Oil Change
•
Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the exhaust system.
•Inspect the brake hoses.
•Inspect the CV joints and front and rear suspension
components.
•Check the automatic transmission fluid level.
•Check the coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
•Rotate the tires at each oil change interval shown on
Schedule “A” 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or every other
interval shown on Schedule “B” 6,000 miles (10 000
km).
214 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a 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.
Traction Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and
C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade is based on braking (straight-
ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering
(turning) performance.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 235
9

Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (highest), B, and C, repre-
senting 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 passen-
ger 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.WARNING!
The temperature grade 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.
236 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

About Your Brakes...................... 134
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) System...........91,134
Accident Damage....................... 199
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 189
Adding Fuel.......................... 146
Air Cleaner, Engine..................... 180
Air Conditioner Maintenance.............. 182
Air Conditioning.................... 114,117
Air Conditioning Controls............. 114,117
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips........... 123
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............. 182
Air Conditioning System................. 182
Air Pressure, Tires...................136,137
Airbag................................ 33
Airbag Deployment....................36,37
Airbag Light.....................37,40,48,90
Airbag Maintenance...................... 39
Alarm System.......................... 23
Alignment and Balance.................. 143
Antifreeze Disposal..................... 188
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 189
Anti-Lock Brake System.................. 134
Anti-Lock Warning Light.................. 91Anti-Theft Security Alarm................. 23
Anti-Theft System....................... 23
Appearance Care....................... 197
Auto Down Power Windows............... 25
Automatic Door Locks.................... 16
Automatic Mirrors....................... 53
Automatic Off, Interior Lights.............. 60
Automatic Temperature Control............ 117
Automatic Transaxle..................129,194
Fluid and Filter Changes................ 197
Fluid Level Check..................... 195
Reset Mode......................... 130
Selection Of Lubricant................. 194
Shifting............................ 130
Special Additives..................... 197
Backfire, Engine........................ 180
Ball Joints............................ 184
Battery............................158,181
Emergency Starting.................... 158
Gas Caution......................158,181
Jump Starting........................ 158
Keyless Transmitter Replacement.......... 22
238 INDEX

Pregnant Women and Seat Belts............. 32
Programmable Electronic Features.........71,75
Programming Transmitters............20,71,75
Radial Ply Tires........................ 138
Radiator Cap.......................... 189
Radio...........................93,100,105
Radio Operation........................ 114
Rear Window Defroster.................. 117
Reclining Front Seats..................... 56
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts............................... 209
Reformulated Gasoline................... 144
Refrigerant............................ 182
Remote Keyless Entry.................... 18
Remote Trunk Release.................... 25
Replacement Tires...................... 141
Reporting Safety Defects................. 231
Restraint, Head......................... 57
Restraints, Occupant..................... 26
Rotation, Tires......................... 142
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle............... 48Safety Checks Outside Vehicle.............. 48
Safety, Exhaust Gas...................... 47
Safety Tips............................. 47
Schedule, Maintenance................... 212
Scheduled Maintenance.................. 172
Seat Belt Maintenance................... 201
Seat Belts............................26,27
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage...... 31
Child Restraint........................ 45
Extender............................ 32
Inspection........................... 48
Reminder............................ 89
Seats................................. 55
Adjustment.......................... 55
Cleaning............................ 199
Lumbar Support....................... 57
Power.............................. 56
Rear Folding......................... 58
Reclining............................ 56
Security Alarm......................... 23
Sentry Key............................. 9
Service Assistance...................... 228
Service Contract........................ 230
246 INDEX

Service Engine Soon Light................ 169
Service Manuals........................ 233
Setting the Clock........................ 93
Shoulder Belts.......................... 31
Side Airbag............................ 38
Side View Mirror Adjustment............... 54
Side Window Demisters.................. 122
Signals, Turn........................... 64
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............. 161
Snow Chains.......................... 140
Snow Tires............................ 140
Spare Tire............................ 139
Spark Plugs........................... 178
Specifications.......................... 208
Engine............................. 208
Speed Control........................67,89
Speedometer........................... 89
Starting.............................. 127
Steering
Linkage............................ 184
Power...........................135,183
Tilt Column.......................... 65
Stuck, Freeing......................... 162Sulfur in Gasoline...................... 145
Sun Roof............................76,77
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag....... 33
Synthetic Engine Oil..................... 177
Tachometer............................ 88
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant......... 153
Theft Alarm............................ 23
Theft System........................... 23
Tilt Steering Column..................... 65
Time Delay, Headlight.................... 62
Timing Belt........................... 180
Tires ...........................48,136,235
Air Pressure......................136,137
Alignment.......................... 143
Balancing........................... 143
Chains............................. 140
Changing........................153,154
Flat Changing........................ 153
High Speed......................... 138
Jacking............................. 154
Pressure Label....................... 137
Quality Grading...................... 235
INDEX 247
10

Radial............................. 138
Replacement......................... 141
Rotation............................ 142
Snow Tires.......................... 140
Spare Tire........................... 139
Spinning............................ 140
Tread Wear Indicators.................. 141
To Open Hood.......................... 59
Towing.............................. 148
Disabled Vehicle...................... 163
Trailering........................... 148
Traction Control....................66,88,135
Trailer Towing......................... 148
Transaxle
Additives........................... 197
Automatic........................129,194
Filter.............................. 197
Operation........................... 130
Selection of Lubricant.................. 194
Transmission
Range Indicator....................91,130Transmitter Battery Service................ 22
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener............ 70
Transmitter Programming................. 20
Transporting Pets........................ 46
Tread Wear Indicators................... 141
Trip Computer.......................... 77
Trip Odometer Reset Button................ 90
Trunk Release, Emergency................. 26
Trunk Release Remote Control.............. 25
Turn Signals.......................63,64,89
Underhood Fuses....................... 202
Uniform Tire Quality Grades.............. 235
Universal Joints........................ 184
Universal Transmitter.................... 70
Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses................ 191
Vehicle Identification Number............... 6
Vehicle Loading........................ 148
Vehicle Theft Alarm...................... 23
Vinyl Trim............................ 199
248 INDEX