2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU tire size

The Tire and Loading Information label also gives you
the size and recommended ination pressure for
the factory-installed, original equipment tires on your
vehicle. For more information on tires and ination see
Tires on page 5-50andInation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-57.
There is also important loading information on the
Certication label. It tells you the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for the front and rear axle; see “Certication
Label” later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX
pounds” on your vehicle placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.4. The resulting gure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the
“XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be ve
150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight
may not safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load from
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine how this reduces
the available cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
If your vehicle can tow a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 4-40for important information on towing a
trailer, towing safety rules, and trailering tips.
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(A) Tire Size:The tire size code is a combination
of letters and numbers used to dene a particular tire’s
width, height, aspect ratio, construction type and
service description. See the “Tire Size” illustration later
in this section for more detail.
(B) Tire Performance Criteria Specication
(TPC Spec):Original equipment tires designed to
GM’s specic tire performance criteria have a TPC
specication code molded onto the sidewall. GM’s
TPC specications meet or exceed all federal safety
guidelines.
(C) Department of Transportation (DOT):The
Department of Transportation (DOT) code indicates that
the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of
Transportation Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
(D) Tire Identication Number (TIN):The letters and
numbers following DOT code are the Tire Identication
Number (TIN). The TIN shows the manufacturer
and plant code, tire size, and date the tire was
manufactured. The TIN is molded onto both sides of the
tire, although only one side may have the date of
manufacture.
(E) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and number of
plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
Passenger Car Tire Example
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(A) Temporary Use Only:The compact spare tire or
temporary use tire has a tread life of approximately
3,000 miles (5 000 km) and should not be driven
at speeds over 65 mph (105 km/h). The compact spare
tire is for emergency use when a regular road tire
has lost air and gone at. SeeCompact Spare Tire on
page 5-77andIf a Tire Goes Flat on page 5-65.
(B) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and number
of plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(C) Tire Identication Number (TIN):The Tire
Identication Number (TIN). The TIN shows the
manufacturer and plant code, tire size, and date the
tire was manufactured. The TIN is molded onto
both sides of the tire, although only one side may
have the date of manufacture.
(D) Maximum Cold Ination Load Limit:Maximum
load that can be carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load. SeeCompact Spare Tire
on page 5-77andLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-34.(E) Tire Ination:The temporary use tire or compact
spare tire should be inated to 60 psi (420 kPa).
For more information on tire pressure and ination
seeInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-57.
(F) Tire Size:A combination of letters and numbers
dene a tire’s width, height, aspect ratio, construction
type and service description. The letter “T” as the
rst character in the tire size means the tire is for
temporary use only.
(G) Tire Performance Criteria Specication
(TPC Spec):Original equipment tires designed to
GM’s specic tire performance criteria have a TPC
specication code molded onto the sidewall. GM’s
TPC specications meet or exceed all federal safety
guidelines.
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Tire Size
The following illustration shows an example of a typical
passenger car tire size.
(A) P-Metric Tire:The United States version of a
metric tire sizing system. The letter “P” as the
rst character in the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to standards set by the U. S.
Tire and Rim Association.(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates the
tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that indicates
the tire height-to-width measurements. For example, if
the tire size aspect ratio is “70,” as shown in item “C”
of the illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall is
70% as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The letter
“R” means radial ply construction; the letter “D” means
diagonal or bias ply construction; and the letter “B” means
belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description:These characters represent
the load range and the speed rating of a tire. The load
range represents the load carrying capacity a tire is
certied to carry. The load index can range from 1 to 279.
The speed rating is the maximum speed a tire is certied
to carry a load. Speed ratings range from “A” to “Z”.
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UTQGS:Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards,
a tire information system that provides consumers with
ratings for a tire’s traction, temperature and treadwear.
Ratings are determined by tire manufacturers using
government testing procedures. The ratings are molded
into the sidewall of the tire. SeeUniform Tire Quality
Grading on page 5-61.
Vehicle Capacity Weight:The number of designated
seating positions multiplied by 150 lbs. (68 kg) plus
the rated cargo load. SeeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-34.
Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire:Load on an
individual tire due to curb weight, accessory weight,
occupant weight and cargo weight.
Vehicle Placard:A label permanently attached to
a vehicle showing the original equipment tire size and
recommended ination pressure. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 4-34.
Ination - Tire Pressure
The tire and loading information label, shows the correct
ination pressures for your tires when they’re cold.
“Cold” means your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-34, for the location
of your vehicle’s tire and loading information label.Notice:Don’t let anyone tell you that underination
or overination is all right. It’s not. If your tires
don’t have enough air (underination), you can get
the following:
Too much exing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy
If your tires have too much air (overination),
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.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be
at 60 psi (420 kPa).
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Don’t include the compact spare tire in your tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear ination pressures as shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. Make certain that all wheel
nuts are properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque”
underCapacities and Specications on page 5-96.
{CAUTION:
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 Is 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:
You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.
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.
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Buying New Tires
To nd out what kind and size of tires your vehicle
needs, look at the tire and loading information label.
For more information about this label and its location on
your vehicle, seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-34.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specication (TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new
tires, GM recommends that you get tires 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, load range, 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.{CAUTION:
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. It’s all right to drive with your
compact spare temporarily, it was developed
for use on your vehicle. See “Compact Spare
Tire” in the index.
{CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle,
the wheel rim anges could develop cracks
after many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel
could fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only
radial-ply tires with the wheels on your vehicle.
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Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P215/60R16 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
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 P205/65R15 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.
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