Page 483 of 584
{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.
Your vehicle may be equipped with a different
size spare than the road tires (those originally
installed on your vehicle). When new, your
vehicle included a spare tire and wheel
assembly with a similar overall diameter as
your vehicle’s road tires and wheels, so it is all
right to drive on it. Because this spare was
developed for use on your vehicle, it will not
affect vehicle handling.
{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.
5-87
Page 484 of 584

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.
5-88
Page 487 of 584

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has dual wheels or P265/75R16,
LT265/75R16, P265/70R17 or P275/55R20 size
tires, don’t use tire chains. They can damage
your vehicle because 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 rear tires.
Notice:If your vehicle does not have dual wheels
and is equipped with a tire size other than
P265/75R16, LT265/75R16, P265/70R17 or
P275/55R20, use tire chains only where legal and
only when you must. Use chains that are the proper
size for your tires. Install them on the tires of the
rear axle. Don’t use chains on the tires of the front
axle. 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.
5-91
Page 572 of 584

E
Easy Exit Seat...............................................2-72
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-123
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-123
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......5-123
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-123
Electronic Transfer Case..................................2-44
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-50
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-25
Battery.......................................................5-52
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-48
Coolant......................................................5-35
Coolant Heater............................................2-26
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-46
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-18
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-53
Fan Noise..................................................5-46
Oil .............................................................5-20
Overheating................................................5-38
Starting......................................................2-24
ENGINE COOLANT HOT.................................3-66
Engine Hour Meter Display...............................3-35
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-23
ENGINE OVERHEATED..................................3-66Entry Lighting.................................................3-18
Environmental Concerns..................................4-25
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Exit Lighting...................................................3-18
Express Down Windows..................................2-18
Extended Cab........................................1-56, 2-14
Extended Cab and Crew Cab...........................1-53
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-31
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
F
Fifth Wheel and Gooseneck Trailering................4-89
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-25
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station
(RDS and XM™).......................3-79, 3-90, 3-104
Finding a Station..................3-74, 3-77, 3-88, 3-102
Finish Care..................................................5-118
Finish Damage.............................................5-120
Five-Speed (VORTEC™ 4300 V6 and
4800 V8 Engines)........................................2-32
Five-Speed (VORTEC™ 6000 V8 Engine)...........2-31
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-130
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-92
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-93
6