1981 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO ground clearance

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Compact Spare
The-compact spare tire is designed to.save-space in your trunk, and its lighter
weight makes it easier to install if a flat tire occurs. The lighter weight also
helps
improve fuel economy.
If you have a flat tire, follow the japking .instructions in this manual, while keeping these points in mind:
• Check the tire inflation pressure as soon as practical after installing the
spare (we suggest you use a pOcket-type high-pressure inflation gage) and
adjust to 415
kPa (60 psi). The tire pressure should be checked at least
monthly and kept at 415 kPa (60 psi) while the tire is stored.
c"""'.M~llijIW.9u~ use at speeds over 50 mph (80 km/h) is not recommended.
NOTICE: -Bec~us~ this tire is, smaller than the standard tire,-vehicle ground clearance is reduced. Avoid driving over obstacles, -and do 'not take your car through an automatic car wash -while _ the spare is installed. The car may catch on the equipment, possibly resulting in property damage.
• You can expect tread ,life up to 3,660 rhiles(4800 kilometers), depending onJqact~ondi~ions and your driving ~~bits. To conserve tire tread life, returri the -spare to _ the storage area as soon as the standard tire _ can be
repaired or replaced.
•
Because the compact spare was specifically designed for your car, it should not be used on any.other vehicle.
• The
compact spare tire and wheel are cfesigned for use with each other.
The comp,,:ct spare tire should not be mounted on any other type of wheel,
and the compact spare wheel should not have any other type of tire mounted on it. Also, do not try to use wheel covers or trim rings on the
compact spare wheel since they will not fit. If such use is attempted,
damage to these items or other vehicle components may occur.
• Do not use tire chains with your compact spare tire. Because of the smaller
tire size, a tire ChaiR will not fit properly. This could cause damage to the car and result in loss of the chain.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When replacing tires with those not having a TPC Spec. No., you should use
the same size,
load range, and constructiontype (bias, bias-bened, or radial)
as the original tires on your
vehicle . Although ~ is not generaly recommended ,
some alpha-size and metric-size tires can be interchanged. (For size
equivalency, contact your Chevrolet
dealer or a tire dealer) . A different size or
type of tire may affect ride,
handling, speedometer /odometer calibration,
vehicle ground clearance , and tire or tire chain clearance to the body or
chassis .
II replacing only a single tire, it should be paired on the same axle with the least worn tire of the other three.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
The following information relates to the tire grading system developed by the
National Highway Traffic Safety' Adminlslration which will grade tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.
TREADWEAR
The treadwear 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, the tire graded 150 would wear one and a haij (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 significanlly from the norm due to variations in driving habits , service practices and. differences in road characteristics and climate.
TRACTION -A, B,C
. T~~tr~ction grades, from highest to lowest are: A, B, and C. They represent
the ' fiie'sability 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: Thetr.ction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight-ahead) traction tests and· doellnot include cornerillg (turning) tractlon.
TEMPERATURE -A, B, C
The ·temperature grades are A (the highest), B, andC, representing the tire's
resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditio 'ns 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 car
tires must meet under the Federat 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 Ihis tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinllaiion, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible lire failure.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A wheel of the wrong size or type may adversely affect wheel and bearing life,
brake coo~ng, speedometer /odometer calibration, stopping abiUty, headlight
aim , bumper height, vehicle ground clearance , and tire or tire chain clearance
to
.the body and chassis. Replacement with USed. wheels is not advised: they
may have been treated harshly or have very high mileage, and could fail
without warning.
You can get wheels from your dealer.
CAUTION: Before installing whee .. , remove any buildup of corrOsion on the wheel mounting surfaee, and brake drum or brake disc mounllng surface, by scraping and wire brushing. Installing wheels without good metal-to-metal corrtact at the. mounting surfaces can cause wheel nuts to loosen, which can lirter allow • wheel to come off while the vehicle is moving, poJ$ibly cau~ng loss _otCQlltroi . lAIIo ~ the " Wheel Nut Torque " Caution in "In Case of Emergency ," Section 3 01 thi& manual
Warranty
Tires are warranted by the tire manufacturers. Warranty information is included in the manufacturer 's warranty folder furnished with your vehicle .
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