Noise Control System................................. 531
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.............................................. 531
Bulb Replacement....................................... 532
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 532
Headlamps................................................ 533
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Daytime Running Lamps........................ 534
Roof Marker Lamps................................... 535
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
and Cargo Lamp.................................... 537
Pickup Box Identi cation and Fender
Marker Lamps........................................ 538
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps...................................... 539
License Plate Lamp................................... 541
Replacement Bulbs................................... 541
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 542
Tires............................................................ 543
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 544
Tire Terminology and De nitions............... 548
In ation - Tire Pressure............................. 551
Dual Tire Operation................................... 552Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 553
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 555
Buying New Tires...................................... 556
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 558
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 559
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 560
Wheel Replacement.................................. 560
Tire Chains............................................... 562
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 563
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 564
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools.......... 566
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire....................................... 571
Secondary Latch System........................... 580
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...... 584
Spare Tire................................................. 588
Appearance Care........................................ 589
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 589
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 590
Leather...................................................... 591
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces..................................... 591
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 592
Weatherstrips............................................ 592
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
466
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 555
andWheel Replacement on page 560for
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 wheel wrench/hoist shaft to tighten
the cable. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 564.
If your vehicle has dual rear wheels, also see
Dual Tire Operation on page 552.The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The
rst rotation is the most important. SeeScheduled
Maintenance (Gasoline Engine) on page 617.
If your vehicle has single rear wheels and the
tread design for your front tires is the same as your
rear tires, use the rotation pattern shown here
when rotating your tires.
553
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel
could come off and cause an accident.
When you change a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from 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. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on
page 564.
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. Some
commercial truck tires
may not have treadwear
indicators.
555
Each new wheel should have the same
load-carrying capacity, diameter, width, offset
and be mounted the same way as the one
it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel
bolts or wheel nuts, replace them only with
new GM original equipment parts. This way,
you will be sure to have the right wheel, wheel
bolts and wheel nuts for your vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels,
wheel bolts, or wheel nuts on your vehicle
can be dangerous. It could affect the
braking and handling of your vehicle,
make your tires lose air and make you
lose control. You could have a collision in
which you or others could be injured.
Always use the correct wheel, wheel bolts,
and wheel nuts for replacement.Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake cooling,
speedometer or odometer calibration,
headlamp aim, bumper height, vehicle ground
clearance, and tire or tire chain clearance
to the body and chassis.
Whenever a wheel, wheel bolt or wheel nut is
replaced on a dual wheel setup, check the wheel
nut torque after 100, 1,000 and 6,000 miles
(160, 1 600 and 10 000 km) of driving. For proper
torque, see “Wheel Nut Torque” underCapacities
and Speci cations on page 609.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 564for more
information.
561
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 damage to your vehicle, drive
slowly, readjust or remove the device if it
is contacting your vehicle, and do not
spin your 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 is equipped with a tire size other
than P265/75R16, LT265/75R16, P265/70R17
or P275/55R20, 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. Don’t 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.
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 at tire will create a drag
that pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take
your foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel rmly. Steer to maintain lane
position, and then gently brake to a stop well out
of the traffic lane.
563
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 at, the next part shows how to
use the jacking equipment to change a at
tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel
damage by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on
your hazard warning ashers. SeeHazard Warning
Flashers on page 212for more information.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The
vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over
or fall on you or other people. You and
they could be badly injured or even killed.
Find a level place to change your tire. To
help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake rmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift
lever in PARK (P), or shift a manual
transmission to FIRST (1) or
REVERSE (R).
CAUTION: (Continued)
564