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.
5-65
Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
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
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.
Accessory In¯ator
Your vehicle may be equipped with an air in¯ator
system. You can in¯ate things like basketballs and
bicycle tires. Also, you can use it to bring your tire
pressure up to the proper pressure. It is not designed to
in¯ate large objects which will require more than ®ve
minutes to in¯ate, such as an air mattress.
The air in¯ator is located in
the rear compartment on
the driver's side of the
vehicle behind an
access cover.
Pull the tab on the cover to access the in¯ator.
The air in¯ator kit may be located in the glove box. The
kit includes a 22 ft (6.7 m) hose with three nozzle
adapters.
5-68
Environmental Concerns..................................4-17
Erasing HomeLinkžButtons..............................2-50
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Exit Lighting...................................................3-17
Express Down Window....................................2-21
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-28
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station
(RDS and XMŸ).........................3-66, 3-78, 3-93
Finding a Station............................3-64, 3-76, 3-91
Finish Care....................................................5-88
Finish Damage...............................................5-89
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-121
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-70
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-71
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-35
Windshield Washer......................................5-36
FM Stereo....................................................3-119
Fog Lamps....................................................3-16
Following Distance..........................................4-63
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-31, 5-46Front Axle......................................................5-47
Front Storage Area.........................................2-51
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage.........................................................3-45
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Speci®cations.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-45
Fuel Information..............................................3-48
FUEL LEVEL LOW.........................................3-57
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-93
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-92
G
Gage
Check Gages Warning Light..........................3-44
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-37
Fuel..........................................................3-45
Oil Pressure...............................................3-41
Speedometer..............................................3-32
Tachometer.................................................3-33
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-35
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-47
6
