Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
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.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a speci ed government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) 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 signi cantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on speci ed 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.
5-57
Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P195/65R15 or P205/55R16
size tires, don’t use tire chains, there’s not
enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can cause damage
to the brakes, suspension or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the tire chains
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle
and you or others may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the front tires.
Notice:If your vehicle has a tire size other than
P195/65R15 or P205/55R16 size tires, 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 front tires
and 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.
5-60
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-17
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station
(RDS and XM™).................................3-46, 3-55
Finding a Station....................3-37, 3-39, 3-44, 3-54
Finish Care....................................................5-76
Finish Damage...............................................5-77
Five-Speed....................................................2-23
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-68
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-7
Flat Tire........................................................5-61
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-62
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-19
Manual Transaxle........................................5-19
Power Steering...........................................5-30
Windshield Washer......................................5-31
FM Stereo.....................................................3-67
Fog Lamps....................................................3-13
Folding the Seatback........................................ 1-7
Following Distance..........................................4-41
Footnotes................................................6-7, 6-13
Forward Gears...............................................2-22
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-14
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-6Fuel (cont.)
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage.........................................................3-34
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Speci cations.................................. 5-5
System Inspection.......................................6-23
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-81
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-81
G
Gage
Check Gages Warning Light..........................3-33
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-28
Fuel..........................................................3-34
Speedometer..............................................3-22
Tachometer.................................................3-22
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Speci cations............................................... 5-5
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
6