1999 GMC C-SERIES tire type

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4-14
Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don't have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer and
constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not ªoverdrivingº
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are
usually best handled by easing your foot off the
accelerator pedal.Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). See ªDiesel Engine Exhaust Brakeº in the Index
for information about using the exhaust brake on
slippery surfaces. Any sudden changes could cause the
tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize
warning clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed
snow on the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº
-- and
slow down when you have any doubt.
If you have the anti
-lock braking system, remember: It
helps avoid only the braking skid. If you do not have
anti
-lock, then in a braking skid (where the wheels are
no longer rolling), release enough pressure on the brakes
to get the wheels rolling again. This restores steering
control. Push the brake pedal down steadily when you
have to stop suddenly. As long as the wheels are rolling,
you will have steering control.
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6-48 Muffler/Catalytic Converter Assemblies
(Diesel Engines)
Some vehicles equipped with a Caterpillar
diesel engine
utilize a catalytic converter
-muffler assembly. If your
vehicle is equipped with a catalytic converter
-muffler,
some special procedures may need to be followed when
servicing your vehicle. Consult your GM Truck dealer
who is an authorized Caterpillar

engine dealer
for service.
To determine your vehicle's muffler type, examine the
muffler outer housing. If your system is a catalytic
converter
-muffler type, the housing will be stamped
with the CAT logo.
Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see
your GM Warranty booklet for details.
CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.

Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much friction.
You could have an air
-out and a serious
accident. See ªLoading Your Vehicleº in
the Index.

Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.

Overinflated tires are more likely to be cut,
punctured or broken by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.

Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
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6-49 Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Certification/Tire label, which is on the driver's
door, shows the correct inflation pressures for your tires
when they're cold. ªColdº means your vehicle has been
sitting for at least three hours or driven no more than
1 mile (1.6 km).
NOTICE:
Don't let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It's not. If your tires
don't have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:

Too much flexing

Too much heat

Tire overloading

Bad wear

Bad handling

Bad fuel economy.
NOTICE: (Continued)
NOTICE: (Continued)
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:

Unusual wear

Bad handling

Rough ride

Needless damage from road hazards.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more. Also, check the
tire pressure of the spare tire.
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket
-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can't tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they're underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.
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6-51 When It's Time for New Tires
Replace your tires when the tread depth is down to
1/8 of an inch (3.2 mm) for the front tires, or 1/16 of
an inch (1.6 mm) for a rear tire. Also, you need a new
tire if:

You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire's rubber.

The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.

The tire has a bump, bulge or split.

The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can't be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.
CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving. If you mix tires of different types
-- like
radial and bias
-belted tires -- the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a crash.
Be sure to use the same type of tires all around.
When you replace tires, make sure they are the same
size, load range, speed rating and construction type
(bias, bias
-belted or radial) as your original tires.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned at the
factory to give you the longest tire life and best
overall performance.
Proper front wheel alignment must be maintained in
order to ensure efficient steering, good directional
stability, and prevent abnormal tire wear. If you notice
unusual tire wear or your vehicle is pulling one way or
the other, the alignment may need to be reset. If you
notice your vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth
road, your wheels may need to be balanced.
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6-53
Then, follow the steps below for the wheels you have.
Cast
-Type Wheel
1. Put the tire and rim assembly on the axle hub.
2. Install the rim spacer at the rear.
3. Install the outer rear tire and rim assembly so that its
valve stem is exactly opposite the valve stem on the
inner tire and rim assembly.
4. Install the rim clamps and nuts. Position
them properly.
NOTICE:
If you tighten a nut when a rim clamp is not
positioned properly, it can damage the rim and
also cause the wheel to wobble in operation. Be
sure to position the rim clamps properly before
you go on to the next step.
5. Finger-tighten the nuts. Be sure that all of the wheel
clamps are seated all the way around the wheel.
6. Tighten all of the nuts using the following diagram.
Be sure to use the one that matches your wheels.
7. Now repeat Step 6, but this time tighten the nuts to
200 lb
-ft (271 N´m) of torque.
8. Turn the wheel and measure along the sidewall to see
how much wheel run
-out there is. There should be
no more than 1/8 inch (3 mm) on the front wheels
and 3/16 inch (5 mm) on the rear wheels. If there is
too much wheel run
-out, you can try loosening the
nuts on the side where there is the most run
-out and
tightening the opposite nuts. When you finally have
the tire running true, tighten all of the nuts to
200 lb
-ft (271 N´m).
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6-57
CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastened, can make the 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 the places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency,
you can use a cloth or 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.
How Often to Check
Wheel tightness is so important you should have a
technician check nut tightness on all wheels with a
torque wrench every 1,000 miles (1 600 km).
When your vehicle is new or when a wheel or fastener is
new you should have a technician tighten the wheel
stud and rim clamp nuts, with a torque wrench, at
100, 500 and 1,000 miles (160, 800 and 1 600 km).
The reason for this is that the clamping system has to
seat before the fasteners will stay tightened.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rusted.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, replace the wheel.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
CAUTION:
A leaking wheel could fail without warning. A
wheel designed for tubeless tires could be leaking
because it is damaged. Don't use an inner tube or
some other thing to try to stop the leaking. Get a
new wheel of the proper type.
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7-7

Replace air conditioning filter dryer (or every
18 months, whichever occurs first, and whenever
refrigerant charge is lost for any reason).

Wheels and tires service. (15)

Hydraulic brake service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first). (7)

Hydraulic brake caliper service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first). (22)

Hydraulic parking brake service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first). (8)

Clutch pedal free travel service. (10)

Clean air brake application valve (or every 3 months,
or every 300 hours, whichever occurs first);
lubricate linkage.
21,000 Miles (35 000 km)

Engine oil and filter service. (3)(9)

Check fluid levels (or every 3 months, whichever
occurs first). (1)(2)(6)
24,000 Miles (40 000 km)

Engine oil and filter service. (3)(9)

Check fluid levels (or every 3 months, whichever
occurs first). (1)(2)(6)
Chassis lubrication service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first). (12)

Lubricate door hinge pins and rollers with engine oil.

Wheel bearing (grease type) service (or every
24 months, whichever occurs first, and whenever
hubs are removed). (23)

Wheels and tires service. (15)

Hydraulic brake service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first). (7)

Hydraulic parking brake service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first). (8)

Engine drive belts service (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first). (18)

Clutch pedal free travel service. (10)

Throttle linkage service. (19)

Thermostatically controlled engine cooling
fan service. (4)(20)

Shields and underhood insulation service. (4)(5)(21)

Air intake system service (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs first). (4)(5)(24)

Thermostatically controlled air cleaner service
(or every 24 months, whichever occurs first).
(3)(4)(25)

(Continued)
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7-10 45,000 Miles (75 000 km)

Engine oil and filter service. (3)(9)

Check fluid levels (or every 3 months, whichever
occurs first). (1)(2)(6)

Steering system service. (13)

Front and rear suspension service. (14)

Spring
-to-axle U-bolts and shackle bolts service. (16)

Exhaust system service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first). (3)(4)(17)

Air brake service (or every 6 months, whichever
occurs first). (39)
48,000 Miles (80 000 km)

Engine oil and filter service. (3)(9)

Check fluid levels (or every 3 months, whichever
occurs first). (1)(2)(6)

Chassis lubrication service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first). (12)

Lubricate door hinge pins and rollers with engine oil.

Wheel bearing (grease type) service (or every
24 months, whichever occurs first, and whenever
hubs are removed). (23)

Wheels and tires service. (15)

Hydraulic brake service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first). (7)
Hydraulic parking brake service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first). (8)

Engine drive belts service (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first). (18)

Clutch pedal free travel service. (10)

Throttle linkage service. (19)

Thermostatically controlled engine cooling
fan service. (4)(20)

Shields and underhood insulation service. (4)(5)(21)

Air intake system service (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs first). (4)(5)(24)

Thermostatically controlled air cleaner service (or
every 24 months, whichever occurs first).
(3)(4)(25)

Evaporative Control System service (if equipped) (or
every 24 months, whichever occurs first). (3)(26)

Rear axle air shift motor service. (11)
Check air brake relay valve operation and check for
leaks (or every month, or every 300 hours,
whichever occurs first).
Air brake chamber service (or every 2 months,
whichever occurs first). (41)
Trailer brake hand control valve service (or every
3 months, or 900 hours, whichever occurs first). (42)
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