tire pressure JEEP WRANGLER 2004 TJ / 2.G Owners Manual

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a indicator check when the ignition switch is
first turned on. If the indicator is not lit during starting,
have it serviced. If the light stays on or comes on while
driving, have the system checked by an authorized
dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should feel the air
directed against the windshield.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of all exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes
are detected, the cause should be located and corrected
immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41
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mOff-Road Driving Tips..................181
NWhen To Use Low Range...............181
NIn Snow, Mud And Sand................181
NHill Climbing........................182
NTraction Downhill.....................183
NAfter Driving Off-Road.................183
mTire Safety Information..................184
NTire Markings........................184
NTire Identification Number (TIN)..........187
NTire Loading And Tire Pressure...........188
mTires Ð General Information..............191
NTire Pressure.........................191
NTire Inflation Pressures.................192
NHigh Speed Operation.................193
NRadial-Ply Tires......................193NTire Spinning........................193
NTread Wear Indicators..................194
NReplacement Tires.....................194
NAlignment And Balance.................195
mTire Chains...........................196
mTire Rotation Recommendations...........196
mFuel Requirements.....................197
NReformulated Gasoline.................198
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............198
NMMT In Gasoline.....................198
NSulfur In Gasoline.....................199
NMaterials Added To Fuel................199
mFuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)................200
NLocking Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) Ð
If Equipped.........................202
158 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
To help avoid personal injury, follow these tips:
²Never reach through the steering wheel to operate
steering column controls. Injury to your hands or
loss of vehicle control may result.
²If the engine stalls or power assist fails due to a
malfunction, vehicle steering and braking will
require greater effort.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
The Anti-Lock Brake System is designed to aid the driver
in maintaining vehicle control under adverse braking
conditions. The system operates with a separate com-
puter to modulate hydraulic pressure to prevent wheel
lock-up and help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type and tires must be properly inflated to produce
accurate signals for the computer.
WARNING!
Significant over or under-inflation of tires, or mixing
sizes of tires or wheels on the vehicle can lead to loss
of braking effectiveness.
The Anti-Lock Brake System conducts a low speed self-
test at about 12 mph (20 km/h). If for any reason, your
foot is on the brake when the vehicle reaches 12 mph (20
km/h), this check will be delayed until 25 mph (40
km/h).
The Anti-Lock Brake System pump motor runs during
the self-test and during an ABS stop to provide the
regulated hydraulic pressure. The motor pump makes a
low humming noise during operation, this is normal.
During off-road use, loss of traction can temporarily
defeat the system and cause the warning light to illumi-
nate. Turn the ignition OFF and ON again to restore
Anti-Lock Brake System function.
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Don't shift to a lower gear than necessary to maintain
headway. Over-revving the engine can spin the wheels
and traction will be lost.
Do not downshift on icy or slippery roads because engine
braking may cause skidding and loss of control.
When driving on soft sand, reduce your tire pressure to
15 psi (103 kPa) minimum to allow greater tire surface
area. You must return the tires to normal air pressure
before driving on pavement or other hard surfaces.
NOTE:Reduced tire pressures below 15 psi (103 kPa)
may cause tire unseating and loss of air pressure.
Hill Climbing
Before climbing a steep hill,change transmission to a
lower gear and shift the transfer case to 4L (Low). Use
first gear and 4L (Low) for very steep hills.
If you stall or begin to lose headwaywhile climbing a
steep hill, allow your vehicle to come to a stop and
immediately apply the brake. Restart the engine and shift
to R (Reverse). Back up slowly down the hill allowing the
compression braking of the engine and transmission tohelp regulate your speed. If the brakes are required to
control vehicle speed, apply them lightly and avoid
locking or skidding the tires.
WARNING!
If the engine stalls or you lose headway or cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill or grade, never
attempt to turn around. To do so may result in
tipping and rolling the vehicle. Always back care-
fully straight down a hill in R (Reverse) gear. Never
back down a hill in N (Neutral) or with the clutch
pedal depressed, using only the brake.
Remember, never drive diagonally across a hill, always
drive straight up or down.
If the wheels start to slip as you approach the crest of a
hill, ease off the accelerator and maintain headway by
turning the front wheels sharply left and right. This will
provide fresh ªbiteº into the surface and will usually
provide traction to complete the climb.
182 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
NOTE:
P(Passenger)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. P-Metric tires have the letter ªPº
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designation.
Example: P215/65R15 95H.
NOTE:European Metric tire sizing is based on Euro-
pean design standards. Tires designed to this standard
have the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning
with the section width. The letter9P9is absent from this
tire size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H
NOTE: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
ªLTº that are molded into the sidewall preceding the size
designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
NOTE:Temporary Spare tires are high pressure com-
pact spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter ªTº
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designation.
Example: T145/80D18 103M.
NOTE:High Flotation tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards and begins with the tire diameter
molded into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.
184 STARTING AND OPERATING

EXAMPLE:
Service Description:
95= Load Index
ÐA numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry.
H= Speed Symbol
ÐA symbol indicating the range of speeds at which a tire can carry a load corresponding
to its load index under certain operating conditions.
ÐThe maximum speed corresponding to the Speed Symbol should only be achieved un-
der specified operating conditions. (ie. tire pressure, vehicle loading, road conditions and
posted speed limits).
Load Identification:
(....blank....(= Absence of any text on sidewall of the tire indicates a Standard Load (SL) Tire
Extra Load (XL)= Extra Load (or Reinforced) Tire
Light Load= Light Load Tire
C,D,E= Load range associated with the maximum load a tire can carry at a specified pressure
Maximum LoadÐ Maximum Load indicates the maximum load this tire is designed to carry.
Maximum PressureÐ Maximum Pressure indicates the maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure for this
tire.
186 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire Loading and Tire Pressure
Tire Placard Location
NOTE:
The tire placard is located on the lower driver's
side instrument panel.
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) the total weight your vehicle can carry3) the tire size designed for your vehicle
4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear
and spare tires.
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 the Vehicle Loading section of
this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR's) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWR's, vehicle loading and trailer towing, see the
Vehicle Loading section of this manual.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement ªThe combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.º on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The
188 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Overloading of your tire 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 Ð 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:
1. SafetyÐ
WARNING!
Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can
cause accidents.
²Under inflation increases tire flexing and can
result in tire failure.
²Over inflation reduces a tire's ability to cushion
shock. Objects on the road and chuck holes can cause
damage that results in tire failure.
²Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob-
lems. You could lose control of your vehicle.
²Over inflated or under inflated tires can affect
vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in
loss of vehicle control.
Always drive with each tire inflated to the recom-
mended pressure.
STARTING AND OPERATING 191
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2. EconomyÐ
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 and results in higher fuel consump-
tion.
3. Ride Comfort and Vehicle StabilityÐ
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.
Unequal tire pressures can cause erratic and unpredict-
able 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 located on the
lower driver's side instrument panel.
The tire pressure should be checked and adjusted at least
once every month. Check more often if subject to a wide
range of outdoor temperatures, as tire pressures vary
with temperature changes.
Inflation pressures specified on the label are always
ªCold Inflation Pressure.º Cold inflation pressure is
defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has been idle
for at least 3 hours, or driven less than a mile after a 3
hour period. The cold inflation pressure must not exceed
the maximum values molded into the tire sidewall.
Tire pressures may increase from 13 to 40 kPa (2 to 6 psi)
[0.138 to 0.414 bar] during operation. DO NOT reduce
this normal pressure buildup.
192 STARTING AND OPERATING

High Speed Operation
WARNING!
High speed driving with your vehicle under load is
dangerous. The added strain on your tires could
cause them to fail. You could have a serious accident.
Don't drive a vehicle loaded to maximum capacity at
continuous speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h).
The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speeds
within posted speed limits. Where speed limits or condi-
tions are such that the vehicle can be driven at high
speeds, correct tire inflation pressure is very important.
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 an accident. Al-
ways use radial tires in sets of four. Never combine
them with other types of tires.
Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in
the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your
dealer for radial tire repairs.
Tire Spinning
When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not
spin your vehicle's wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h).
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