2007 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER tires

Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that
you tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and don’t make starts at full throttle.
This helps your engine and other parts of
your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to
shift the transmission to THIRD (3) or, if
necessary, a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often (e.g., under heavy
loads and/or hilly conditions).
Three important considerations have to do
with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to
pull a trailer are all important. It can also depend
on any special equipment that you have on
your vehicle, and the amount of tongue weight the
vehicle can carry. See “Weight of the Trailer
Tongue” later in this section for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming
only the driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all
the required trailering equipment. The weight
of additional optional equipment, passengers and
cargo in the tow vehicle must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight.
370

But let’s say your specic vehicle is equipped with
some of the latest options and you have a front
seat passenger and two rear seat passengers with
some luggage and gear in the vehicle as well.
You may add 300 lbs (136 kg) to the front
axle weight and 400 lbs (181 kg) to the rear axle
weight. Your vehicle now weighs:
Weight is still below 7,200 lbs (3 266 kg) and you
may think that you should subtract 700 additional
pounds (318 kg) from your trailering capacity to
stay within GCWR limits. Your maximum trailer
would only be 7,800 lbs (3 538 kg). You may go
further and think you must limit tongue weight to
less than 1,000 lbs (454 kg) to avoid exceeding
GVWR. But, you must still consider the effect on the
rear axle. Because your rear axle now weighs
3,100 lbs (1 406 kg), you can only put 900 lbs
(408 kg) on the rear axle without exceeding
RGAWR. The effect of tongue weight is about1.5 times the actual weight. Dividing the 900 lbs
(408 kg) by 1.5 leaves you with being able to
handle only 600 lbs (272 kg) of tongue weight.
Since tongue weight is usually at least 10 percent of
total loaded trailer weight, you can expect that the
largest trailer your vehicle can properly handle is
6,000 lbs (2 721 kg).
It is important that you make sure your vehicle
does not exceed any of its ratings — GCWR,
GVWR, RGAWR, Maximum Trailer Rating
or Tongue Weight. The only way to be sure you
are not exceeding any of these ratings is to weigh
your vehicle and trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inated to the
upper limit for cold tires. You’ll nd these numbers
on the Certication label at the rear edge of the
driver’s door. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 356for more information. Then be sure you
don’t go over the GVW limit for your vehicle,
or the GAWR, including the weight of the trailer
tongue. If you use a weight distributing hitch, make
sure you don’t go over the rear axle limit before
you apply the weight distribution spring bars.
374

CAUTION: (Continued)
Do not use the climate control setting
for maximum air because it only
recirculates the air inside your vehicle.
SeeDual Climate Control System on
page 187orDual Automatic Climate
Control System on page 190.
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of
experience. Before setting out for the open road,
you’ll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint
yourself with the feel of handling and braking with
the added weight of the trailer. And always
keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is
now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connection,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving
and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes are working. This lets you
check your electrical connection at the same time.During your trip, check occasionally to be sure
that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are still working.Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead
as you would when driving your vehicle without
a trailer. This can help you avoid situations
that require heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a
good deal longer, you’ll need to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before you can
return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with
one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left, just
move that hand to the left. To move the trailer
to the right, move your hand to the right. Always
back up slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
377

Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 444
Tires............................................................ 448
Winter Tires.............................................. 449
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 450
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 454
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 457
High-Speed Operation............................... 458
Tire Pressure Monitor System................... 459
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 464
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 466
Buying New Tires...................................... 466
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 468
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 469
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 470
Wheel Replacement.................................. 470
Tire Chains............................................... 472
Accessory Inator...................................... 472
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 474
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 474
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools.......... 476
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire....................................... 479Secondary Latch System........................... 484
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...... 488
Spare Tire................................................. 491
Appearance Care........................................ 491
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 491
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 493
Leather...................................................... 494
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces..................................... 494
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 495
Weatherstrips............................................ 495
Washing Your Vehicle............................... 495
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 496
Finish Care............................................... 496
Windshield, Backglass, and
Wiper Blades......................................... 497
Aluminum Wheels...................................... 498
Tires......................................................... 498
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 498
Finish Damage.......................................... 499
Underbody Maintenance............................ 499
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 499
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 500
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
384

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that
make a high-pitched warning sound when the
brake pads are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving, except when you
are pushing on the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon the brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your
vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates can cause a
brake squeal when the brakes are rst applied
or lightly applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and evenly tighten
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to torque
specications inCapacities and Specications
on page 513.
Brake linings should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does
not return to normal height, or if there is a rapid
increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign that
brake service might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, the disc
brakes adjust for wear.
430

Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires
made by a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever
have questions about your tire warranty and where
to obtain service, see your GM Warranty booklet
for details. For additional information refer to
the tire manufacturer’s booklet included with
your vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly
used tires are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and
a serious accident. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 356.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Underinated tires pose the same
danger as overloaded tires. The
resulting accident could cause serious
injury. Check all tires frequently to
maintain the recommended pressure.
Tire pressure should be checked when
your tires are cold. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 457.
Overinated tires are more likely to
be cut, punctured, or broken by a
sudden impact — such as when you
hit a pothole. Keep tires at the
recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents.
If your tread is badly worn, or if your
tires have been damaged, replace them.
SeeHigh-Speed Operation on page 458
for ination pressure adjustment for high
speed driving.
448

Low-Prole Performance Tire
(Trailblazer SS)
If your vehicle has P255/50R20 size tires, they are
classied as low-prole performance tires.
These tires are designed for very responsive
driving on wet or dry pavement. You may
also notice more road noise with low-prole
performance tires and that they tend to
wear faster.
Notice:If your vehicle has low-prole tires,
they are more susceptible to damage from road
hazards or curb impact than standard prole
tires. Tire and/or wheel assembly damage
can occur when coming into contact with road
hazards like, potholes, or sharp edged objects,
or when sliding into a curb. Your GM warranty
does not cover this type of damage. Keep
tires set to the correct ination pressure and,
when possible avoid contact with curbs,
potholes, and other road hazards.
Winter Tires
For cold weather driving conditions you may prefer
to get tires designed for snow or ice, if your
vehicle has P255/50R20 size tires. See your
dealer for details regarding winter tire availability
and proper tire selection. Also, seeBuying New
Tires on page 466.
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 your
original equipment tires.
Winter tires with the same speed rating as your
original equipment tires may not be available
for H, V, W, Y and ZR speed rated tires. If you
choose winter tires with a lower speed rating,
never exceed the tire’s maximum speed capability.
449

Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is molded into the
sidewall. The following illustrations are examples
of a typical P-Metric and a LT-Metric tire sidewall.(A) Tire Size:The tire size code is a combination
of letters and numbers used to dene 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.
(B) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Specication):Original equipment tires designed
to GM’s specic tire performance criteria have
a TPC specication code molded onto the sidewall.
GM’s TPC specications meet or exceed all
federal safety guidelines.
(C) DOT (Department of Transportation):
The Department of Transportation (DOT) code
indicates that the tire is in compliance with
the U.S. Department of Transportation Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards.
(D) Tire Identication Number (TIN):The letters
and numbers following DOT code are the Tire
Identication Number (TIN). The TIN shows
the manufacturer and plant code, tire size, and
date the tire was manufactured. The TIN is molded
onto both sides of the tire, although only one
side may have the date of manufacture.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
450