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.
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
1 2) 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.
Temperature — A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a speci ed indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly in ated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underin ation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
5-71
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-40
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-37
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-51
Chains, Tire...................................................5-73
Charging System Light....................................3-31
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-35
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-93
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-31
Infants and Young Children...........................1-28
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-38
Older Children.............................................1-26
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-39
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-40
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-42
Top Strap...................................................1-35
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-37
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-34Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-19
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-92
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-90
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-87
Finish Care.................................................5-91
Glass Surfaces............................................5-89
Instrument Panel.........................................5-89
Interior Plastic Components...........................5-89
Leather......................................................5-89
Tires..........................................................5-92
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-93
Vinyl..........................................................5-89
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-90
Weatherstrips..............................................5-90
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades.......5-91
Climate Control System...................................3-20
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-23
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-22
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-27
Coinholder(s)..................................................2-37
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-86
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-15
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
3