Noise Control System................................. 332
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.............................................. 332
Bulb Replacement....................................... 334
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 334
Headlamps................................................ 334
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps....................................... 336
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) ... 336
Taillamps................................................... 337
Replacement Bulbs................................... 338
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 338
Tires............................................................ 340
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 341
Tire Terminology and Definitions............... 345
Inflation - Tire Pressure............................. 348Dual Tire Operation................................... 350
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 351
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 353
Buying New Tires...................................... 353
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 355
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 356
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 357
Wheel Replacement.................................. 357
Tire Chains............................................... 359
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 360
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 360
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools.......... 362
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire....................................... 365
Secondary Latch System........................... 371
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...... 375
Spare Tire................................................. 376
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
284
Tire Size
The following examples show the different parts of
a tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:The United States
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter P
as the first character in the tire size means a
passenger vehicle tire engineered to standards set
by the U.S. Tire and Rim Association.(A) Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:The United
States version of a metric tire sizing system. The
letters LT as the first two characters in the tire size
means a light truck tire engineered to standards set
by the U.S. Tire and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates
the tire section width in millimeters from sidewall
to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that
indicates the tire height-to-width measurements.
For example, if the tire size aspect ratio is 75, as
shown in item C of the light truck (LT-Metric) tire
illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall is
75 percent as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire.
The letter R means radial ply construction;
the letter D means diagonal or bias ply
construction; and the letter B means belted-bias
ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel
in inches.
(F) Service Description:The service description
indicates the load range and speed rating of a
tire. The load index can range from 1 to 279.
Speed ratings range from A to Z.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
344
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km).
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your
tires as soon as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for damaged tires or wheels.
SeeWhen It Is Time for New Tires on page 353
andWheel Replacement on page 357for
more information.
Make sure the spare tire is stored securely. Push,
pull, and then try to rotate or turn the tire. If it
moves, use the ratchet/wheel wrench to tighten the
cable. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 360.
If your vehicle has dual rear wheels, also seeDual
Tire Operation on page 350.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The
first rotation is the most important. SeeScheduled
Maintenance (Gasoline Engine) on page 399.If your vehicle has single rear wheels, always use
the correct rotation patterns shown here when
rotating your vehicle’s tires. Do not include
the spare tire in the tire rotation, if the spare
tire/wheel assembly does not match your vehicle’s
road tires and wheels in size and type.
Single Rear Wheels
351
GM’s exclusive TPC Spec system considers over
a dozen critical specifications 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 a MS,
for mud and snow. SeeTire Sidewall Labeling on
page 341for additional information.
{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 your
vehicle’s wheels.
{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 259, for more
information about the Tire and Loading
Information label.
354
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
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 353and
Accessories and Modi cations on page 286for
additional information.
355
Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has dual wheels or P245/
75R16 or LT245/75R16 size tires, do not
use tire chains. They can damage your
vehicle because 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. To help avoid
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
damage to your vehicle, drive slowly,
readjust, or remove the device if it is
contacting your vehicle, and do not spin
the vehicle’s wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the rear tires.
Notice:If your vehicle does not have dual
wheels and has a tire size other than P245/
75R16 or LT245/75R16, use tire chains only
where legal and only when you must. Use
chains that are the proper size for your tires.
Install them on the tires of the rear axle. Do not
use chains on the tires of the front axle. 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.
359
3. Turn the ratchet counterclockwise to lower the
spare tire to the ground. If the spare tire does
not lower to the ground, the secondary
latch is engaged causing the tire not to lower.
SeeSecondary Latch System on page 371.4. When the tire has been lowered, pull the tire
toward you so you can reach the tire retainer
and pull it up through the wheel opening.
If you have a vehicle which was completed from a
cab and chassis, refer to the information from
the body supplier/installer.
The spare tire is a full-size tire, like the other tires
on your vehicle.
364
Do not mix tires and wheels of different sizes,
because they will not fit. Keep your spare tire and
its wheel together. If your vehicle has a spare
tire that does not match your vehicle’s original road
tires and wheels in size and type, do not include
the spare tire in the tire rotation.
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Your vehicle’s interior will continue to look its
best if it is cleaned often. Although not always
visible, dust and dirt can accumulate on your
upholstery. Dirt can damage carpet, fabric, leather,
and plastic surfaces. Regular vacuuming is
recommended to remove particles from your
upholstery. It is important to keep your upholstery
from becoming and remaining heavily soiled.
Soils should be removed as quickly as possible.
Your vehicle’s interior may experience extremes of
heat that could cause stains to set rapidly.
Lighter colored interiors may require more frequent
cleaning. Use care because newspapers and
garments that transfer color to your home
furnishings may also transfer color to your
vehicle’s interior.When cleaning your vehicle’s interior, only use
cleaners specifically designed for the surfaces
being cleaned. Permanent damage may result
from using cleaners on surfaces for which
they were not intended. Use glass cleaner only on
glass. Remove any accidental over-spray from
other surfaces immediately. To prevent over-spray,
apply cleaner directly to the cleaning cloth.
Notice:If you use abrasive cleaners when
cleaning glass surfaces on your vehicle, you
could scratch the glass and/or cause damage
to the rear window defogger. When cleaning
the glass on your vehicle, use only a soft cloth
and glass cleaner.
Many cleaners contain solvents that may become
concentrated in your vehicle’s breathing space.
Before using cleaners, read and adhere to all safety
instructions on the label. While cleaning your
vehicle’s interior, maintain adequate ventilation by
opening your vehicle’s doors and windows.
Dust may be removed from small buttons and
knobs using a small brush with soft bristles.
377