tires TOYOTA COROLLA 1996 User Guide

160
CHECKING YOUR TIRES
Check the tire tread for the tread wear
indicators. If the indicators show, re-
place the tires.
The tires on your Toyota have built-in
tread wear indicators to help you know
when the tires need replacement. When
the tread depth wears to 1.6 mm (0.06 in.)
or less, the indicators will appear. If you
can see the indicators in two or more adja-
cent grooves, the tire should be replaced.
The lower the tread, the higher the risk of
skidding.
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost
if the tread wears down below 4 mm
(0.16 in.).Check the tires regularly for damage
such as cuts, splits and cracks. If any
damage is found, consult with a tech-
nician and have the tire repaired or re-
placed.
Even if the damage does not appear seri-
ous, a qualified technician should ex-
amine the damage. Objects which have
penetrated the tire may have caused in-
ternal damage.
Any tires which are over six years old
must be checked by a qualified techni-
cian even if damage is not obvious.
Tires deteriorate with age even if they
have never or seldom been used.
This also applies to the spare tire and tires
stored for future use.
REPLACING YOUR TIRES
When replacing a tire, use only the
same size and construction as origi-
nally installed and with the same or
greater load capacity.
Using any other size or type of tire may se-
riously affect handling, ride, speedome-
ter/odometer calibration, ground clear-
ance, and clearance between the body
and tires or snow chains.
CAUTION!
Do not mix radial, bias belted, or
bias-ply tires on your vehicle. It
can cause dangerous handling
characteristics, resulting in loss of
control.
Do not use tires or wheels other
than the manufacturer's recom-
mended size.
Toyota recommends all four tires, or at
least both of the front or rear tires be
replaced at a time as a set.
See If you have a flat tireº in Part 4 for tire
change procedure.
When a tire is replaced, the wheel
should always be balanced.
An unbalanced wheel may affect vehicle
handling and tire life. Wheels can get out
of balance with regular use and should
therefore be balanced occasionally.
When replacing a tubeless tire, the air
valve should also be replaced with a
new one.
Checking and replacing tires
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161
To equalize the wear and help extend
tire life, Toyota recommends that you
rotate your tires every 12000 km (7500
miles). However, the most appropriate
timing for tire rotation may vary ac-
cording to your driving habits and
road surface conditions.
See If you have a flat tireº in Part 4 for tire
change procedure.
When rotating tires, check for uneven
wear and damage. Abnormal wear is usu-
ally caused by incorrect tire pressure, im-
proper wheel alignment, out-of-balance
wheels, or severe braking.
CAUTION!
Do not include a compact spare tire
when rotating the tires. It is designed
for temporary use only.WHEN TO USE SNOW TIRES OR
CHAINS
Snow tires or chains are recom-
mended when driving on snow or ice.
On wet or dry roads, conventional tires
provide better traction than snow tires.
SNOW TIRE SELECTION
If you need snow tires, select the same
size, construction and load capacity
as the original tires on your Toyota.
Do not use tires other than those men-
tioned above. Do not install studded tires
without first checking local regulations for
possible restrictions.
SNOW TIRE INSTALLATION
Snow tires should be installed on all
wheels.
Installing snow tires on the front wheels
only can lead to an excessive difference
in road grip capability between the front
and rear tires which would cause loss of
vehicle control.
When storing removed tires, you should
store them in a cool dry place.
Mark the direction of rotation and be sure
to install them in the same direction when
replacing.
Installing snow tires and chains Rotating tires
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162
CAUTION!
Do not drive with the snow tires in-
correctly inflated.
Never drive over 120 km/h (75 mph)
with any type of snow tires.
TIRE CHAIN SELECTION
Use the tire chains of correct size and
type.
Use SAE Class Sº type radial tire chains
except radial cable chains or V-bar type
chains.
Regulations regarding the use of tire
chains vary according to location or
type of road, so always check them be-
fore installing chains.
CHAIN INSTALLATION
Install the chains on the front tires as
tightly as possible. Do not use tire
chains on the rear tires. Retighten
chains after driving 0.5'1.0 km
(1/4'1/2 mile).
When installing chains on your tires, care-
fully follow the instructions of the chain
manufacturer.
If wheel covers are used, they will be
scratched by the chain band, so remove
the covers before putting on the chains.
CAUTION!
Do not exceed 50 km/h (30 mph) or
the chain manufacturer's recom-
mended speed limit, whichever is
lower.
Drive carefully avoiding bumps,
holes, and sharp turns, which may
cause the vehicle to bounce.
Avoid sharp turns or locked-wheel
braking, as use of chains may ad-
versely affect vehicle handling.
Do not attempt to use a tire chain on
the compact spare tire, as it may
result in damage to the vehicle as
well as the tire.
NOTICE
WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR WHEELS
If you have wheel damage such as
bending, cracks or heavy corrosion,
the wheel should be replaced.
If you fail to replace damaged wheels, the
tire may slip off the wheel or they may
cause loss of handling control.
WHEEL SELECTION
When replacing wheels, care should
be taken to ensure that the wheels are
replaced by ones with the same load
capacity, diameter, rim width, and off-
set.
This must be observed on compact spare
tires, too.
Correct replacement wheels are available
at your Toyota dealer.
A wheel of a different size or type may ad-
versely affect handling, wheel and bearing
life, brake cooling, speedometer/odometer
calibration, stopping ability, headlight aim,
bumper height, vehicle ground clearance,
and tire or snow chain clearance to the
body and chassis.
Replacing wheels
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163 Replacement with used wheels is not rec-
ommended as they may have been sub-
jected to rough treatment or high mileage
and could fail without warning. Also, bent
wheels which have been straightened
may have structural damage and there-
fore should not be used. Never use an in-
ner tube in a leaking wheel which is de-
signed for a tubeless tire.After driving your vehicle the first 1600
km (1000 miles), check that the wheel
nuts are tight.
If you have rotated, repaired, or
changed your tires, check that the
wheel nuts are still tight after driving
1600 km (1000 miles).
When using tire chains, be careful not
to damage the aluminum wheels.
Use only the Toyota wheel nuts and
wrench designed for your aluminum
wheels.
When balancing your wheels, use only
Toyota balance weights or equivalent
and a plastic or rubber hammer.
As with any wheel, periodically check
your aluminum wheels for damage. If
damaged, replace immediately.
Aluminum wheel precautions
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Part 8Dimensions and weight
181
SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions and weight

Engine

Fuel

Service specifications

Tires

Fuses
Overall length mm (in.)
Overall width mm (in.)
Overall height mm (in.)
mm (in.)
Wheelbase mm (in.)
Front tread mm (in.)
Rear tread mm (in.)
Vehicle capacity weight
(occupants + luggage) kg (lb.)
*
1: Unladen vehicle plus two occupants
*
2: Unladen vehicleSedan Wagon
4370 (172.0) 4370 (172.0)
1685 ( 66.3) 1685 ( 66.3)
1360 ( 53.5)*
11405 ( 55.3)*1
1380 ( 54.3)*21425 ( 56.1)*2
2465 (97.0) 2465 (97.0)
1460 ( 57.5) 1460 ( 57.5)
1450 ( 57.1) 1450 ( 57.1)
385 (850) 385 (850)
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184 DIFFERENTIAL
(3- speed type automatic transmission)
Fluid capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.):
1.4 (1.5, 1.2)
Fluid type:
Automatic transmission fluid DEX-
RON
[II
BRAKES
Minimum pedal clearance when de-
pressed, with the pressure of 490 N (50 kgf,
110 lbf) with the engine running, mm (in.):
70 (2.8)
Pedal freeplay, mm (in.):
1Ð6 (0.04Ð0.24)
Pad wear limit, mm (in.):
1.0 (0.04)
Lining wear limit, mm (in.):
1.0 (0.04)
Parking brake adjustment when pulled
with the force of 196 N (20 kgf, 44 lbf):
4Ð7 clicks
Fluid type:
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3
STEERING
Wheel freeplay:
Less than 30 mm (1.2 in.)
Power steering fluid type:
Automatic transmission fluid DEX-
RON
[-II or-IIITire size:
Spare tire
T115/70D14
T135/70D15
175/65R14 82S
P175/65R14 81S
185/65R14 85S
185/65R14 86S
P185/65R14 85S
Except spare tire
175/65R14 82S
P175/65R14 81S
185/65R14 85S
185/65R14 86S
P185/65R14 85S
Tire pressure, kPa (kgf/cm
2 or bar, psi):
T115/70D14 420 (4.2, 60)
T115/70D15 420 (4.2, 60)
175/65R14 82S 210 (2.1, 30)
P175/65R14 81S 210 (2.1, 30)
185/65R14 85S 210 (2.1, 30)
185/65R14 86S 210 (2.1, 30)
P185/65R14 85S 210 (2.1, 30)Wheel size:
T115/70D14 14 x 4T
T135/70D15 15 x 4T
Other tires 14 x 5.5J
14 x 5.5JJ
Wheel nut torque, NVm (kgfVm, ftVlbf):
103 (10.5, 76)
Tires
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Part 9
Reporting safety defects for
U.S. ownersUniform tire quality grading
189
REPORTING SAFETY
DEFECTS FOR U.S.
OWNERS AND
UNIFORM TIRE
QUALITY GRADING

Reporting safety defects for
U.S. owners

Uniform tire quality gradingIf you believe that your vehicle has
a defect which could cause a crash
or could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the Na-
tional Highway Traffic Safety Admin-
istration (NHTSA) in addition to noti-
fying Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
(Toll-free: 1-800-331-4331).
If NHTSA receives similar com-
plaints, it may open an investigation,
and if it finds that a safety defect ex-
ists in a group of vehicles, it may or-
der a recall and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become in-
volved in individual problems be-
tween you, your dealer, or Toyota
Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
To contact NHTSA, you may either
call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free
at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123
in Washington D.C. area) or write
to: NHTSA. U.S. Department of
Transportation. Washington D.C.
20590. You can also obtain other in-
formation about motor vehicle safe-
ty from the Hotline.
This consumer information has been pre-
pared in accordance with regulations is-
sued by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration of the U.S. Depart-
ment of Transportation. It provides the
purchasers and/or prospective purchas-
ers of Toyota vehicles with information on
uniform tire quality grading.
Your Toyota dealer will help answer any
questions you may have as you read this
information.
DOT quality gradesÐAll passenger
vehicle tires must conform to Federal
Safety Requirements in addition to
these grades. These quality grades are
molded on the sidewall.
TreadwearÐThe treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under con-
trolled conditions on a specified govern-
ment test course. For example, 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.
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190Traction A, B, CÐThe 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 govern-
ment test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor trac-
tion performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on braking (straight
ahead) traction tests and does not include
cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature A, B, CÐThe temperature
grades are A (the highest), B, and C, rep-
resenting the tire's resistance to the gen-
eration of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degener-
ate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires
must meet under the Federal Motor Ve-
hicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of perfor-
mance on the laboratory test wheel than
the minimum required by law.Warning: The temperature grade for this
tire is established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire
failure.ProCarManuals.com