
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 cannot be repaired well because of the
size or location of the damage.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched speci c tires
for your vehicle. The original equipment tires
installed on your vehicle, when it was new,
were designed to meet General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria Speci cation (TPC spec)
system rating. If you need replacement tires,
GM strongly recommends that you get tires with
the same TPC Spec rating. This way, your vehicle
will continue to have tires that are designed to
give the same performance and vehicle safety,
during normal use, as the original tires.
GM’s exclusive TPC Spec system considers over
a dozen critical speci cations that impact the
overall performance of your vehicle, including
brake system performance, ride and handling,
traction control, and tire pressure monitoring
performance. GM’s TPC Spec number is molded
onto the tire’s sidewall by the tire manufacturer.
If the tires have an all-season tread design,
the TPC spec number will be followed by an MS
for mud and snow. SeeTire Sidewall Labeling
on page 399for additional information.
410

{CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose
control while driving. If you mix tires of
different sizes, brands, or types (radial
and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a
crash. Using tires of different sizes,
brands, or types may also cause damage
to your vehicle. Be sure to use the correct
size, brand, and type of tires on all
wheels. It is all right to drive with your
compact spare temporarily, as it was
developed for use on your vehicle. See
Compact Spare Tire on page 434.
{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.
If you must replace your vehicle’s tires with those
that do not have a TPC Spec number, make
sure they are the same size, load range, speed
rating, and construction type (radial and
bias-belted tires) as your vehicle’s original tires.
Your vehicle’s original equipment tires are listed on
the Tire and Loading Information label. This
label is attached to the vehicle’s center pillar
(B-pillar). SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 324,
for more information about the Tire and Loading
Information label and its location on your vehicle.
411

Different Size Tires and Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a different size
than your original equipment wheels and tires,
this may affect the way your vehicle performs,
including its braking, ride and handling
characteristics, stability, and resistance to rollover.
Additionally, if your vehicle has electronic
systems such as, anti-lock brakes, traction control,
and electronic stability control, the performance
of these systems can be affected.
{CAUTION:
If you add different sized wheels, your
vehicle may not provide an acceptable
level of performance and safety if tires not
recommended for those wheels are
selected. You may increase the chance
that you will crash and suffer serious
injury. Only use GM speci c wheel and
tire systems developed for your vehicle,
and have them properly installed by a GM
certi ed technician.SeeBuying New Tires on page 410and
Accessories and Modi cations on page 344for
additional information.
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 (NHTSA), 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 (UTQG)
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.
412

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P215/60R16,
P225/50R17, or P225/50R18 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.
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
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 vehicle’s wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the front tires.
Notice:If your vehicle has P205/65R15 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 front 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.
416

3. Place the tire (D) in the compartment, valve
stem up, with the bolt (E) extending through
the wheel center hole.
4. Place the jack and wheel wrench (D) over the
bolt (E), inside the wheel.
5. Secure by tightening the larger wing nut (B)
onto the bolt (E).
6. Reinstall the tire cover (A).
Storing the Compact Spare Tire
The compact spare tire is for temporary use only.
Store the compact spare tire and tools as
shown in the following diagram.
A. Cover
B. Retainer
C. Spare Tire
D. Wing NutE.
Jack and Wheel
Wrench
F. Bolt
The compact spare is for temporary use only.
Replace the compact spare tire with a full-size tire
as soon as you can. SeeCompact Spare Tire
on page 434.
429

8. Remove the yellow cap.
9. Secure the tire and wheel with the retainer.
10. Re-install the cover.
A. Cover
B. Retainer
C. Flat Tire
D. Wing NutE. Bolt Extension
F. Jack and Wheel
Wrench
G. BoltStoring the Compact Spare Tire
The compact spare tire is for temporary use only.
Store the compact spare tire and tools as
shown in the following diagram.
A. Cover
B. Retainer
C. Flat Tire
D. Wing NutE. Jack, Wheel Wrench
and Bolt Extension
F. Bolt
The compact spare is for temporary use only.
Replace the compact spare tire with a full-size tire
as soon as you can. SeeCompact Spare Tire
on page 434.
431

Storing the Compact Spare Tire
and Tools
The compact spare tire is for temporary use only.
Store the compact spare tire and tools as shown in
the following diagram.
A. Cover
B. Retainer
C. Spare Tire
D. Wing Nut
E. BracketF. Jack, Wheel
Wrench and Bolt
Extension
G. BoltThe compact spare is for temporary use only.
Replace the compact spare tire with a full-size tire
as soon as you can. SeeCompact Spare Tire on
page 434.
Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully in ated
when the vehicle was new, it can lose air after a
time. Check the in ation pressure regularly.
It should be 60 psi (420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare on the vehicle,
stop as soon as possible and make sure the spare
tire is correctly in ated. The compact spare is made
to perform well at speeds up to 65 mph (105 km/h)
for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km), so you
can nish your trip and have the full-size tire
repaired or replaced at your convenience. Of
course, it is best to replace the spare with a full-size
tire as soon as possible. The spare tire will last
longer and be in good shape in case it is needed
again.
Notice:When the compact spare is installed,
do not take your vehicle through an automatic
car wash with guide rails. The compact spare
can get caught on the rails. That can damage
the tire and wheel, and maybe other parts of
your vehicle.
434