2004 SATURN L-SERIES tires
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(A) Tire Size:The tire size code is a combination of
letters and numbers used to de ne 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 Speci cation (TPC
Spec):Original equipment tires designed to GM’s
speci c tire performance criteria have a TPC speci cation
code molded onto the sidewall. GM’s TPC speci cations
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 Identi cation Number (TIN):The letters and
numbers following DOT code are the Tire Identi cation
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.
Passenger Car Tire Example
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(E) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and number of
plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(F) Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG):Tire
manufacturers are required to grade tires based on three
performance factors: treadwear, traction and
temperature resistance. For more information see
Uniform Tire Quality Grading on page 5-65.
(G) Maximum Cold In ation Load Limit:Maximum
load that can be carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load. For more information on
recommended tire pressure seeIn ation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-61andLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-34.
Compact Spare 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 5-81andIf a Tire Goes Flat on page 5-69.
(B) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and number of
plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(C) Tire Identi cation Number (TIN):The Tire
Identi cation 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 In ation Load Limit:Maximum
load that can be carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load. SeeCompact Spare Tire
on page 5-81andLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-34.(E) Tire In ation:The temporary use tire or compact
spare tire should be in ated to 60 psi (420 kPa).
For more information on tire pressure and in ation see
In ation - Tire Pressure on page 5-61.
(F) Tire Size:A combination of letters and numbers
de ne 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 Speci cation (TPC
Spec):Original equipment tires designed to GM’s
speci c tire performance criteria have a TPC speci cation
code molded onto the sidewall. GM’s TPC speci cations
meet or exceed all federal safety guidelines.
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Load Index:An assigned number ranging from 1 to
279 that corresponds to the load carrying capacity of
a tire.
Maximum In ation Pressure:The maximum air
pressure to which a cold tire may be in ated. The
maximum air pressure is molded onto the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating:The load rating for a tire at the
maximum permissible in ation pressure for that tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight:The sum of curb
weight; accessory weight; vehicle capacity weight;
and production options weight.
Normal Occupant Weight:The number of occupants
a vehicle is designed to seat multiplied by 150 pounds
(68 kg). SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-34.
Occupant Distribution:Designated seating positions.
Outward Facing Sidewall:The side of a asymmetrical
tire that has a particular side that faces outward
when mounted on a vehicle. The side of the tire that
contains a whitewall, bears white lettering or bears
manufacturer, brand and or model name molding that is
higher or deeper than the same moldings on the
other sidewall of the tire.Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:A tire used on passenger
cars and some light duty trucks and multipurpose
vehicles.
Recommended In ation Pressure:Vehicle
manufacturer’s recommended tire in ation pressure and
shown on the tire placard. SeeIn ation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-61andLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-34.
Radial Ply tire:A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords
that extend to the beads are laid at 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Rim:A metal support for a tire and upon which the tire
beads are seated.
Sidewall:The portion of a tire between the tread and
the bead.
Speed Rating:An alphanumeric code assigned to a
tire indicating the maximum speed at which a tire
can operate.
Traction:The friction between the tire and the road
surface. The amount of grip provided.
Tread:The portion of a tire that comes into contact
with the road.
Treadwear Indicators:Narrow bands, sometimes
called “wear bars,” that show across the tread of a tire
when only 2/32 inch of tread remains. SeeWhen It
Is Time for New Tires on page 5-64.
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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 5-65.
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 in ation pressure. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 4-34.
In ation - Tire Pressure
The tire and loading information label, shows the correct
in ation 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). See
Loading 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 underin ation
or overin ation is all right. It’s not. If your tires
don’t have enough air (underin ation), 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 (overin ation), you
can get the following:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazards
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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).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can’t tell if your tires are properly in ated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly in ated even when they’re underin ated. Check
the tire’s in ation pressure when the tires are cold.
Cold means your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem. Press
the tire gage rmly onto the valve to get a pressure
measurement. If the cold tire in ation pressure matches
the recommended pressure on the Tire and Loading
Information label, no further adjustment is necessary. If
the in ation pressure is low, add air until you reach
the recommended amount.
If you over ll the tire, release air by pushing on the
metal stem in the center of the tire valve. Recheck the
tire pressure with the tire gage.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km).
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your tires as
soon as possible and check wheel alignment. Also
check for damaged tires or wheels. SeeWhen It Is Time
for New Tires on page 5-64andWheel Replacement
on page 5-67for more information.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The rst rotation
is the most important. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4for scheduled rotation intervals.
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When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Don’t include the compact spare tire in your tire rotation.
If you are towing your Saturn vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground, the transaxle and tire
maintenance should be scheduled by mileage
accumulated through both driving and towing, not to
driven (odometer) mileage. Tire wear will re ect actual
“rolling” mileage and may be greater than expected
for the current odometer mileage.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear in ation pressures as shown on the Tire-Loading
Information label. Make certain that all wheel bolts
are properly tightened. See “Wheel Bolt Torque” under
Capacities and Speci cations on page 5-98.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel bolts
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.
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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.
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 Speci cation (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.
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