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DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories
were established by the National
HighwayTraffic Safety
Administration.The specific grade
rating assigned by the tire's
manufacturer in each category is
shown on the sidewall of the tires on
your vehicle.
All passenger vehicle tires must
conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these
grades.
Treadwear
TheTreadwear grade is a
comparative rating, based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half 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
TheTraction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.These
grades represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement, as measured
under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning!
The traction grade assigned to this
tire is based on straight-ahead
braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing 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 passenger
vehicle 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 for this tire
is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
under-inflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
241
STORING THE VEHICLE
If the vehicle is left inactive for longer
than a month, the following precautions
should be observed:
Park the vehicle in an area that is
covered and dry, and well-ventilated if
possible. Slightly open the windows.
Check that the electric park brake is
not activated.
Carry out the “Liftgate Emergency
Opening” procedure described in the
“Power Liftgate” section of “GettingTo
Know Your Vehicle”.
Disconnect the negative battery
terminal and check the battery charge.
Repeat this check once every three
months during storage.
If the battery is not disconnected from
the electrical system, check its state of
charge every thirty days.
Clean and protect the painted parts
using protective wax.
Clean and protect the shiny metal
parts using special compounds available
commercially.
Sprinkle talcum powder on the
windshield wiper rubber blades, and lift
them off the glass.
Cover the vehicle with a fabric or
perforated plastic sheet, paying
particular care not to damage the painted
surface by dragging any dust that may
have accumulated on it. Do not use
compact plastic sheets, as they do not
allow humidity to evaporate from the
surface of the vehicle.
Inflate tires to +7.25 psi (+0.5 bar)
above the standard prescribed pressure
and check it periodically.
Do not drain the engine cooling
system.
Any time the vehicle is left inactive for
two weeks or more, operate the air
conditioning system with engine idling
for at least five minutes, setting external
air and with fan set to maximum speed.
This operation will ensure appropriate
lubrication for the system, thus
minimizing the possibility of damage to
the compressor when the system is
operated again.
Note:
After cycling the ignition to STOP
and having closed the driver side door,
wait at least one minute before
disconnecting the electrical supply from
the battery. When reconnecting the
electrical supply to the battery, make
sure that the ignition is in the STOP
position and the driver’s side door is
closed.
BODYWORK
Protection Against Atmospheric
Agents
The vehicle is equipped with the best
available technological solutions to
protect the bodywork against corrosion.
These include:
Painting products and systems which
give the vehicle resistance to corrosion
and abrasion.
Use of galvanized (or pre-treated)
steel sheets, with high resistance to
corrosion.
Spraying of plastic parts, with a
protective function in the more exposed
points: underdoor, inner wing, edges, etc.
Use of “open” boxed sections to
prevent condensation and pockets of
moisture which could favor the formation
of rust inside.
Use of special films to protect against
abrasion in exposed areas (e.g. rear wing,
doors, etc.).
Corrosion Warranty
Your vehicle is covered by Corrosion
Warranty against perforation due to rust
of any original element of the structure
or bodywork. For the general terms of
this warranty, refer to the Warranty
Booklet.
242
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Preserving The Bodywork
Paint
Touch up abrasions and scratches
immediately to prevent the formation of
rust.
Maintenance of paintwork consists of
washing the vehicle: the frequency
depends on the conditions and
environment where the vehicle is used.
For example, it is advisable to wash the
vehicle more often in areas with high
levels of atmospheric pollution or salted
roads.
Some parts of the vehicle may be
covered with a matte paint which, in
order to be maintained intact, requires
special care.
To correctly wash the vehicle, follow
these instructions:
If high pressure jets or cleaners are
used to wash the vehicle, keep a distance
of at least 15 inches (40 cm) from the
bodywork to avoid damage or alteration.
Build up of water could cause damage to
the vehicle in the long term.
To make it easier to remove any dirt
deposits in the area where the blades are
normally located it is recommended to
position the windshield wipers vertically
(service position), for more information,
refer to “Dealer Service” in this chapter.
Wash the bodywork using a low
pressure jet of water if possible.
Wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy
solution over the bodywork, frequently
rinsing the sponge.
Rinse well with water and dry with a
leather chamois.
Dry the less visible parts (e.g. door
frames, hood, headlight frames, etc.) with
special care, as water may stagnate more
easily in these areas. Do not wash the
vehicle after it has been left in the sun or
with the hood hot: this may alter the shine
of the paintwork.
Note:
Avoid parking under trees; the
resin dropped by trees makes the
paintwork go opaque and increases the
possibility of corrosion.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in
the same way as the rest of the vehicle.
If washing the vehicle in a service that
moves the vehicle, for vehicles with
automatic transmissions, proceed with
the following directions:
Ensure that the vehicle is on a flat
surface
Disable the automatic engagement of
the parking brake (refer to the “Electric
Park Brake” in “Starting And Operating”
for further information).
With the vehicle stationary, the gear in
NEUTRAL (N) and the brake pedal
depressed, push the STARTbutton.
Note:
The vehicle will remain in
NEUTRAL (N) for 15 minutes before
PARK (P) will be engaged automatically.
Windows
Use specific detergents and clean cloths
to prevent scratching or altering the
transparency.
Caution!
Wipe the rear window inside gently with a
cloth following the direction of the filaments
to avoid damaging the heating device.
Front Headlights
Use a soft cloth soaked in water and
detergent for washing vehicles.
Note:
Never use aromatic substances (e.g.
gasoline) or ketones (e.g. acetone) for
cleaning the plastic lenses of the
headlights.
When cleaning with a pressure
washer, keep the pressure washer at
least eight inches (20 cm) away from the
headlights.
243
Engine Compartment
At the end of every winter, wash the
engine compartment thoroughly, taking
care not to aim the jet of water directly at
the electronic control units or at the
windshield wiper motors. Have this
operation performed at a specialized
workshop.
Note:
The washing should take place
with the engine cold and the ignition
device in the STOP position. After the
washing operation, make sure that the
various protections (e.g. rubber caps and
guards) have not been removed or
damaged.
INTERIORS
Periodically check the cleanliness of the
interior, beneath the mats, which could
cause oxidation of the sheet metal.
Seats And Fabric Parts
Remove dust with a soft brush or a
vacuum cleaner. It is advised to use a
moist brush on velvet upholstery. Rub the
seats with a sponge moistened with a
solution of water and neutral detergent.
Leather Seats
Remove the dry dirt with a chamois or
slightly damp cloth, without exerting too
much pressure.
Remove any liquid or grease stains using
an absorbent dry cloth, without rubbing.
Then clean with a soft cloth or buckskin
cloth dampened with water and mild
soap. If the stain persists, use specific
products and observe the instructions
carefully.
Note:
Never use alcohol. Make sure that
the cleaning products used contain no
alcohol or alcohol derivatives, even in
small quantities.
Plastic And Coated Parts
Clean interior plastic parts with a damp
cloth (if possible made from microfiber),
and a solution of water and neutral,
non-abrasive detergent.
To clean oily or persistent stains, use
specific products free from solvents and
designed to maintain the original
appearance and color of the components.
Remove any dust using a microfiber
cloth, if necessary moistened with water.
The use of paper tissues is not
recommended as these may leave
residues.
Genuine Leather Parts
Use only water and mild soap to clean
these parts. Never use alcohol or
alcohol-based products.
Before using a specific product for
cleaning interiors, make sure that it does
not contain alcohol and/or alcohol based
substances.
Carbon Fiber Parts
To eliminate small scratches and marks
on the carbon, contact your authorized
dealer. An improperly performed
operation may irreparably damage the
carbon.
244
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
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