2005 Toyota Matrix Owners Manual - Page 605

'05 MATRIX_U (L/O 0409) NOTICE Low profile tire like P215/50ZR17 or P215/50R17 90H may have greater damage than usual tires to its tire wheel when receiving impact from the road surface. Therefore, pay attention to the following. z Be sure to use with proper tire pressure. If the tire pressure is low, the tire may have a greater damage. For detailed information about tire pressure, see page 306 in Section 8. z Avoid driving onto high, sharp −edged objects and other road hazards. Failure to do so can lead to severe tire damage. The effectiveness of snow tires is lost if the tread wears down below 4 mm (0.16 in.). If you have tire damage such as cuts, splits, cracks deep enough to expose the fabric, or bulges indicating internal damage, the tire should be replaced. If a tire often goes flat or cannot be properly repaired due to the size or location of a cut or other damage, it should be replaced. If you are not sure, consult with your Toyota dealer. If air loss occurs while driving, do not continue driving. Driving even a short distance can damage a tire beyond repair. Any tires which are over 6 years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if damage is not obvious. Tires deteriorate with age even if they have never or seldom been used. This applies also to the spare tire and tires stored for future use. REPLACING YOUR TIRES When replacing a tire, use a tire of the same size and construction, and the same or greater maximum load as the originally installed tires. Also, on four −wheel drive models, all the tires must be the same brand and have the same tread patterns. Using any other size or type of tire may seriously affect handling, ride, speedometer/odometer calibration, ground clearance, and clearance between the body and tires or snow chains. Check that the maximum load of the replaced tire is greater than 1/2 of the Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR) of either the front axle or the rear axle, whichever is greater. As for the maximum load of the tire, see the load limit at maximum cold tire inflation pressure mentioned on the sidewall of the tire, and as for the Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR), see the Certification Label. 281 2005 MATRIX from Sep. '04 Prod. (OM12892U)