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Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum selection width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the Unites 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.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based
on the wear rate of the tire when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified 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 significantly 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 specified
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.
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Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The tools you will be using to change a flat tire
are shown below. Refer to your vehicle model to
access the spare tire and tools.
A. Jack
B. Wheel WrenchC. Jack Handle
D. Screwdriver
Wagon Models
For wagon models, do the following to access the
spare tire and tools:
1. Open the liftgate. SeeLiftgate on page 99for
more information.
2. Fold the floor cover by pulling the handle
upward.
3. Lift the floor tray.
4. Release the prop from its retainer and put the
prop into the slot.
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5. Turn the retainer on the compact spare tire
counterclockwise and remove the retainer.
6. Remove the compact spare tire. SeeCompact
Spare Tire on page 334for more information.7. To access the tools, pull the strap on the tool
box cover upward. The tools are located
inside the foam tray.
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Hatchback Models
For hatchback models, do the following to access
the spare tire and tools:
1. Open the liftgate. SeeLiftgate on page 99for
more information.
2. Remove the trim cover by pulling up on the tab.
3. Remove the foam tray that contains the tools.
4. Turn the retainer on the compact spare tire
counterclockwise and remove the retainer.5. Remove the compact spare tire. SeeCompact
Spare Tire on page 334for more information.
6. Remove the jack by turning the jack retainer,
located on the right side of the jack,
counterclockwise to release it. The jack is
located in the trunk, in front of the compact
spare tire.
7. Then remove the jack handle and the wheel
wrench. The jack handle and the wheel
wrench are located inside the foam tray.
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Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. If your vehicle has wheel covers, use the jack
handle to begin loosening the wheel covers.
Using the flat end of the jack handle or
the screwdriver, pry along the edge of the
wheel cover until it comes off.
2. Use the wheel wrench to loosen all the wheel
nuts. Do not remove them yet.3. Locate the notch near each wheel in the
frame which the jack head fits in.
Position the jack and raise the jack head until
it fits firmly into the notch in the vehicle’s
frame nearest the flat tire.
4. Put the compact spare tire near you.
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5. Insert the jack handle into the jack and the
wheel wrench onto the end of the jack handle.
{CAUTION:
Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked
up is dangerous. If the vehicle slips off
the jack you could be badly injured or
killed. Never get under a vehicle when it is
supported only by a jack.
{CAUTION:
Raising your vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can damage the
vehicle and even make the vehicle fall.
To help avoid personal injury and vehicle
damage, be sure to t the jack lift head
into the proper location before raising
the vehicle.
6. Raise the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench
clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off
the ground so there is enough room for
the compact spare tire to fit underneath the
wheel well.
7. Remove all of the wheel nuts by turning them
counterclockwise.
8. Remove the flat tire.
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{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts
to which it is fastened, can make the
wheel nuts become loose after time.
The wheel could come off and cause an
accident. When you change a wheel,
remove any rust or dirt from the 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.
9. Remove any rust or
dirt from the wheel
bolts, mounting
surfaces and
spare wheel.10. Place the compact spare tire on the
wheel-mounting surface.{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts.
If you do, the nuts might come loose.
Your wheel could fall off, causing a
serious accident.
11. Install the wheel nuts with the rounded end of
the nuts toward the wheel. Tighten each nut
by hand clockwise until the wheel is held
against the hub.
12. Lower the vehicle by turning the wheel
wrench counterclockwise. Lower the jack
completely.
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{CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly
tightened wheel nuts can cause the wheel
to come loose and even come off. This
could lead to an accident. Be sure to use
the correct wheel nuts. If you have to
replace them, be sure to get new
GM original equipment wheel nuts. Stop
somewhere as soon as you can and have
the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to
the proper torque speci cation. See
Capacities and Specifications on page 352
for wheel nut torque speci cation.
Notice:Improperly tightened wheel nuts can
lead to brake pulsation and rotor damage.
To avoid expensive brake repairs, evenly
tighten the wheel nuts in the proper sequence
and to the proper torque speci cation. See
Capacities and Specifications on page 352for
the wheel nut torque speci cation.13. Tighten the wheel
nuts firmly in a
crisscross sequence,
as shown.
Notice:Wheel covers will not t on your
compact spare. If you try to put a wheel cover
on the compact spare, you could damage
the cover or the spare.
Do not try to put a wheel cover on your compact
spare tire. It will not fit. Store the wheel cover
in the cargo area until you have the flat tire
repaired or replaced.
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