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Loading Your Vehicle
TIRE PLACARD
I GWR IGWR FRTI GAWR RR I I I I I I
LBIKg
~~
TIRES
RIMS
INFLATION
COLD PSl/kPa PRESSURE
MFD BY CAM1 AUTOMOTIVE DATE GVWR GAWR FRT CANADA GAWR RR
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label
found on the driver's door lock pillar tells you the
proper size, speed rating and recommended inflation pressures for the tires on your vehicle. It also gives you
important information about the number
of people that
can be in your vehicle and the total weight that you can
carry. This weight is called the vehicle capacity weight
and includes the weight
of all occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory-installed options. The
other label is the Certification label, also found on
the driver's door
lock pillar. It tells you the gross weight
capacity of your vehicle, called the GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR includes th'e weight
of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo. Never
exceed the
GVWR for your vehicle, or the Gross Axle
Weight Rating
(GAWR) for either the front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread it
out. Don't
carry more than 400 lbs. (1 8 1 kg) in your
rear area when four people
are in your two-wheel-drive
vehicle.
If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, don't
carry
more than 200 lbs. (91 kg) in your rear area when
four people are
in your vehicle.
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After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and rear
inflation pressures as shown on the Tire-Loading
Information label. Make certain that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque”
in the Index.
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose
after a time. The wheel could come off and cause
an accident. When
you change a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can
use
a cloth or a paper towel to do this; but be
sure
to use a scraper or wire brush later, if you
need to, to get all the rust or dirt off. (See
“Changing
a Flat Tire” in the Index.) When
It’s Time
for New Tires
One way to tell when it’s
time for new tires
is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires have
only
1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or
less of tread remaining.
You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:
0 You can see the indicators at three or more places
You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s rubber.
0 The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.
0 The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
around the tire.
can’t be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.
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Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and .size of tires you need, look at
the Tire-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification
(TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same
TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service
on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an “MS”
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted or radial)
as your original tires.
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving. If
you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle
may not
handle properly, and
you could have a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage
to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on all wheels.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires
by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.
(This applies only to vehicles sold
in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls
of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal
rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production tires.
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Used Replacement Wheels
L
A CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous.
You can’t know how it’s been used or
how many miles it’s been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause
an accident. If you have to
replace
a wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
NOTICE:
Use tire chains only where legal and only when
you must. Use only SAE Class “S” type chains
that are the proper size for your tires. Install
them on the tires of the drive axle
(four-wheel-drive vehicles can use chains
on
both axles).
Tighten them
as tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them.
If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage
your vehicle.
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