2007 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO traction control

When It Is Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it
is 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 cannot be repaired well because of the
size or location of the damage.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched specic 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 Specication (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 specications 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 350for additional information.
364

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 277,
for more information about the Tire and Loading
Information Label and its location on your vehicle.
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 specic wheel and
tire systems developed for your vehicle,
and have them properly installed by a
GM certied technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 364and
Accessories and Modications on page 296
for additional information.
366

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.
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 specied
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 signicantly 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 specied
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.
367

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P225/55R17 or
P235/50R18 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 manufacturer’s instructions.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 front tires.
Notice:If your vehicle has a tire size other
than P225/55R17 or P235/50R18 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.
370

Light (cont.)
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder.............. 173
Safety Belt Reminder............................... 173
Security................................................... 184
TCS Warning Light.................................. 179
Tire Pressure........................................... 180
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..... 179
Lighting
Delayed Entry.......................................... 160
Delayed Exit............................................ 160
Entry........................................................ 160
Parade Dimming...................................... 161
Loading Your Vehicle................................... 277
Lockout Protection....................................... 100
Locks
Automatic Door Lock................................ 100
Door.......................................................... 98
Lockout Protection................................... 100
Power Door............................................... 99
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock..... 100
Loss of Control........................................... 260
Lumbar
Manual Controls.......................................... 9M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services.................... 409
At Each Fuel Fill...................................... 412
At Least Once a Month............................ 412
At Least Once a Year.............................. 413
Introduction.............................................. 404
Maintenance Footnotes............................ 410
Maintenance Record................................ 418
Maintenance Requirements...................... 404
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.... 416
Owner Checks and Services.................... 412
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants....... 415
Scheduled Maintenance........................... 406
Using....................................................... 405
Your Vehicle and the Environment............ 404
Malfunction Indicator Light........................... 181
Manual Lumbar Controls................................. 9
Manual Passenger Seat.................................. 8
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages................... 195
450

Tires (cont.)
Inspection and Rotation............................ 362
Installing the Spare Tire........................... 375
Pressure Monitor System......................... 358
Removing the Flat Tire............................. 375
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools......... 373
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools..... 382
Tire Sidewall Labeling.............................. 350
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 354
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.................... 367
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance........... 368
Wheel Replacement................................. 368
When It Is Time for New Tires................. 364
Towing
Recreational Vehicle................................. 282
Towing a Trailer....................................... 284
Your Vehicle............................................. 282
Traction
Control System (TCS).............................. 254
Control System Warning Light.................. 179
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic....................................... 317
Transaxle Operation, Automatic................... 113
Trunk.......................................................... 101
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................... 150
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................... 149U
Understanding Radio Reception................... 241
Uniform Tire Quality Grading....................... 367
Universal Home Remote System........129, 130
Operation........................................131, 136
V
Vehicle
Control..................................................... 250
Damage Warnings....................................... 5
Loading.................................................... 277
Symbols...................................................... 5
Vehicle Customization, DIC......................... 203
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data
Recorders................................................ 434
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).......................................... 394
Service Parts Identication Label.............. 394
Ventilation Adjustment.................................. 168
Visors.......................................................... 104
455