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 specified 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 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.
356
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
specified 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 inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The tires and wheels on your vehicle were aligned
and balanced carefully at the factory to give you
the longest tire life and best overall performance.
Adjustments to wheel alignment and tire
balancing will not be necessary on a regular basis.
However, if you notice unusual tire wear or your
vehicle pulling to one side or the other, the
alignment may need to be checked. If you notice
your vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth
road, your tires and wheels may need to be
rebalanced. See your dealer for proper diagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly
rusted or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming
loose, the wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts should
be replaced. If the wheel leaks air, replace it
(except some aluminum wheels, which can
sometimes be repaired). See your dealer if any of
these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same
load-carrying capacity, diameter, width, offset and
be mounted the same way as the one it replaces.
357
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are
driving, especially if you maintain your vehicle’s
tires properly. If air goes out of a tire, it is
much more likely to leak out slowly. But if you
should ever have a blowout, here are a few tips
about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag
that pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your
foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to maintain lane
position, and then gently brake to a stop well out
of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much
like a skid and may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any rear blowout
remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. Get
the vehicle under control by steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may be very bumpy
and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road if possible.{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous
without the appropriate safety equipment
and training. The jack provided with your
vehicle is designed only for changing a
at tire. If it is used for anything else, you
or others could be badly injured or killed
if the vehicle slips off the jack. Use the
jack provided with your vehicle only for
changing a at tire.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use the
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel
damage by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on
your vehicle’s hazard warning flashers. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 146for more
information.
360
A
Accessories and Modifications..................... 286
Accessory Power Outlet(s).......................... 158
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle............................ 97
Additives, Fuel............................................ 289
Add-On Electrical Equipment....................... 387
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine............................. 302
Air Conditioning........................................... 159
Airbag
Off Light.................................................. 170
Passenger Status Indicator....................... 172
Readiness Light....................................... 169
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic
Module (SDM).......................................... 430
Airbag System............................................... 78
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle......................... 97
Airbag Off Switch....................................... 86
How Does an Airbag Restrain?.................. 84
Passenger Sensing System....................... 89
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle....... 96
What Makes an Airbag Inflate?.................. 84Airbag System (cont.)
What Will You See After an
Airbag Inflates?...................................... 84
When Should an Airbag Inflate?................. 82
Where Are the Airbags?............................. 80
All-Wheel Drive........................................... 330
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System.................... 238
AM-FM Radio.............................................. 189
Antenna, Fixed Mast................................... 226
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................... 233
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light....... 176
Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels.................................... 382
Care of Safety Belts................................ 380
Chemical Paint Spotting........................... 384
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.............. 381
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 377
Fabric/Carpet........................................... 378
Finish Care.............................................. 381
Finish Damage......................................... 383
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.................................... 379
Sheet Metal Damage............................... 383
Tires........................................................ 383
Underbody Maintenance........................... 384
439
Appearance Care (cont.)
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials.......... 385
Washing Your Vehicle.............................. 380
Weatherstrips........................................... 380
Windshield and Wiper Blades................... 382
Ashtray(s).................................................... 159
Audio System(s).......................................... 187
AM-FM Radio.......................................... 189
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.......... 224
Care of Your CD Player........................... 226
Care of Your CDs.................................... 226
Chime Level Adjustment........................... 226
Fixed Mast Antenna................................. 226
Radio with Cassette and CD.................... 198
Radio with CD......................................... 192
Radio with Six-Disc CD............................ 211
Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS).................. 189
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS).................. 188
Theft-Deterrent Feature............................ 223
Understanding Radio Reception............... 224
Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................................ 303
Operation................................................. 125B
Battery........................................................ 323
Run-Down Protection............................... 158
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................... 250
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)................. 233
Emergencies............................................ 235
Parking.................................................... 128
System Warning Light.............................. 175
Brakes........................................................ 319
Braking....................................................... 232
Braking in Emergencies............................... 235
Break-In, New Vehicle................................. 120
Bulb Replacement....................................... 334
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL).............................................. 336
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps..................................... 336
Halogen Bulbs......................................... 334
Headlamps............................................... 334
Replacement Bulbs.................................. 338
Taillamps.................................................. 337
Buying New Tires........................................ 353
440
C
Calibration................................................... 134
California Fuel............................................. 289
California Proposition 65 Warning................ 286
Canadian Owners........................................... 3
Capacities and Specifications...................... 393
Carbon Monoxide......................132, 254, 266
Care of
Safety Belts............................................. 380
Your Cassette Tape Player....................... 224
Your CD Player........................................ 226
Your CDs ................................................. 226
Cargo Door Relocking................................. 109
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).... 336
Center Passenger Position,
Safety Belts........................................ 33, 34
Chains, Tire................................................. 359
Charging System Light................................ 174
Check
Engine Light............................................ 178
Gages Warning Light............................... 185
Checking Things Under the Hood................ 294
Chemical Paint Spotting.............................. 384Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems............................. 47
Infants and Young Children........................ 44
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children....... 54
Older Children........................................... 41
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Center Seat Position.............................. 66
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Outside Seat Position or the
Second Row Center Seat Position .......... 63
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position................. 68, 72
Where to Put the Restraint........................ 51
Chime Level Adjustment .............................. 226
Cigarette Lighter.......................................... 159
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels.................................... 382
Exterior Lamps/Lenses............................. 381
Fabric/Carpet........................................... 378
Finish Care.............................................. 381
Inside of Your Vehicle .............................. 377
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.................................... 379
Tires........................................................ 383
441
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner................................... 302
Finish Damage............................................ 383
Fixed Mast Antenna.................................... 226
Flashers, Hazard Warning........................... 146
Flash-to-Pass.............................................. 149
Flat Tire...................................................... 360
Flat Tire, Changing...................................... 360
Flat Tire, Storing......................................... 375
Fluid
Automatic Transmission............................ 303
Power Steering........................................ 317
Windshield Washer.................................. 318
Front Axle................................................... 331
Fuel............................................................ 288
Additives.................................................. 289
California Fuel.......................................... 289
E85 (85% Ethanol)................................... 290
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.............. 294
Filling Your Tank...................................... 292
Fuels in Foreign Countries....................... 291
Gage....................................................... 186
Gasoline Octane...................................... 288
Gasoline Specifications............................ 288
Regulator................................................. 124Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block............. 390
Floor Console Fuse Block........................ 388
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...................... 387
Windshield Wiper..................................... 387
G
Gage
Check Gages Warning Light..................... 185
Engine Coolant Temperature.................... 178
Fuel......................................................... 186
Oil Pressure............................................. 182
Speedometer........................................... 168
Voltmeter Gage........................................ 175
Gasoline
Octane..................................................... 288
Specifications........................................... 288
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.......... 423
H
Hazard Warning Flashers............................ 146
Headlamp Wiring......................................... 387
444
LATCH System
Child Restraints......................................... 54
Light
Airbag Off................................................ 170
Airbag Readiness..................................... 169
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning............. 176
Brake System Warning............................. 175
Change Engine Oil................................... 183
Charging System..................................... 174
Check Gages Warning............................. 185
Cruise Control.......................................... 184
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator............ 185
Highbeam On.......................................... 185
Malfunction Indicator................................ 178
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............ 172
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder.............. 169
Reduced Engine Power............................ 184
Safety Belt Reminder............................... 168
Security................................................... 183
StabiliTrak
®Indicator................................ 177
StabiliTrak®Not Ready............................. 177
Tow/Haul Mode........................................ 185
Lighting
Entry........................................................ 157
Exit.......................................................... 157Loading Your Vehicle................................... 259
Locking Rear Axle....................................... 235
Lockout Protection....................................... 110
Locks
Cargo Door Relocking.............................. 109
Door........................................................ 108
Lockout Protection................................... 110
Power Door............................................. 109
Rear Door Security Locks........................ 110
Loss of Control........................................... 243
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services.................... 402
At Each Fuel Fill...................................... 406
At Least Once a Month............................ 406
At Least Once a Year.............................. 407
At the First 100, 1,000 and 6,000 Miles
(160, 1 600 and 10 000km).................. 406
Introduction.............................................. 396
Maintenance Footnotes............................ 403
Maintenance Record................................ 413
Maintenance Requirements...................... 396
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts............................... 411
446