Winter Tires
If you expect to drive on snow or ice covered roads
often, you may want to get winter tires for your vehicle.
All season tires provide good overall performance on
most surfaces but they may not offer the traction
you would like or the same level of performance as
winter tires on snow or ice covered roads.
See your dealer for details regarding winter tire
availability and proper tire selection. Also, seeBuying
New Tires on page 5-68
If you choose to use winter tires:
Use tires of the same brand and tread type on all
four wheel positions.
Use only radial ply tires of the same size, load
range, and speed rating as the original equipment
tires.
Winter tires with the same speed rating as your original
equipment tires may not be available for H, V, W
and ZR speed rated tires. If you choose winter tires with
a lower speed rating, never exceed the tire’s maximum
speed capability.
Tire Sidewall Labelling
Useful information about a tire is molded into its
sidewall. The examples below show a typical passenger
vehicle tire and a compact spare tire sidewall.
(A) Tire Size:The tire size 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.Passenger (P-Metric) Tire Example
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Tire Size
The following illustration shows an example of a typical
passenger vehicle tire size.
(A) Passenger (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 60, as shown in item C of
the illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall is
60 percent 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 speed rating of the tire. The load
index represents the load carry capacity a tire is certi ed
to carry. The load index can range from 1 to 279. The
speed rating is the maximum speed a tire is certi ed
to carry a load. Speed ratings range from A to Z.
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11. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure
level as indicated on the tire and loading information
label.
12. Put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
The spare tire does not have a TPM sensor. If you
replace one of the road tires with the spare, the
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR message will be displayed
on the DIC screen. This message should go off
once you re-install the road tire containing the TPM
sensor. The SERVICE TIRE MONITOR message is also
displayed when the TPM system is malfunctioning.
One or more missing or inoperable TPM sensors will
cause the SERVICE TIRE MONITOR message to
be displayed. See your GM dealer for service.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modi cations to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tire rotation is not recommended if your vehicle has the
following performance tire combinations:
P235/50R17 size tires on the front wheels and
P255/45R17 size tires on the rear wheels.
P235/50R18 size tires on the front wheels and
P255/45R18 size tires on the rear wheels.
Different tire sizes front to rear should not be rotated.
Each tire and wheel should be used only in the position
it is in.
Tire rotation is recommended if your vehicle is equipped
with P235/50R17 size tires on all four wheel positions
or 255/45ZR18 size tires on all four wheel positions.
These tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km)
5-65
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 5-67andWheel Replacement
on page 5-71for 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 6-4.
When rotating P235/50R17 or 255/45ZR18 size tires,
always use the correct rotation pattern shown here.Do not include the compact spare tire in your tire
rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear in ation pressures as shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label.
Vehicles equipped with the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system will need to have the sensors reset after a tire
rotation, seeTire Pressure Monitor System on
page 5-62.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened.
See “Wheel Nut Torque” underCapacities and
Speci cations on page 5-106.
5-66
{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 needed, to get all
the rust or dirt off. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on
page 5-74.
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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{CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control
while driving. If you mix tires of different sizes
(other than those originally installed on your
vehicle) or types (radial and bias-belted tires),
the vehicle may not handle properly, and you
could have a crash. Using tires of different
sizes (other than those originally installed on
your vehicle) may also cause damage to your
vehicle. Be sure to use the correct size and
type tires on all wheels. It is all right to drive
with your compact spare temporarily, it was
developed for use on your vehicle. See
Compact Spare Tire on page 5-84.
{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.
Vehicles equipped with performance tires P235/
50R17 95V (front axle) and P255/45R17 98V (rear axle)
are mounted on wheels with different rim widths. The
front axle tires are mounted on rims 7.5 inches (19.05 cm)
wide and the rear axle tires require wheels with a
minimum rim width of 8 inches (20.32 cm). The original
equipment wheels designed for P255/45R17 98V size
tires are etched with the words REAR ONLY. When
replacing P255/45R17 98V size tires have them mounted
on wheels with a minimum width of 8 inches (20.32 cm)
and marked REAR ONLY. SeeWheel Replacement on
page 5-71.
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Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P255/45R17 98V,
P255/45R18 99W or 255/45ZR18 99Y size tires,
do not use tire chains, there is 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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 is contacting your vehicle, and do
not spin your wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the rear tires only.
Notice:If your vehicle has P235/50R17 95S 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 rear 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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