Page 390 of 570
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 447
Tires............................................................ 448
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 449
Tire Terminology and De nitions............... 453
In ation - Tire Pressure............................. 456
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 457
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 459
Buying New Tires...................................... 460
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 461
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 462
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 463
Wheel Replacement.................................. 464
Tire Chains............................................... 465
Accessory In ator...................................... 466
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 468
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 468
Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools (SUV)........................................... 470
Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools (SUT)........................................... 474
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire....................................... 478Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools (SUV)........................................... 485
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools (SUT)........................................... 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
Wood Panels............................................. 495
Speaker Covers........................................ 495
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 495
Weatherstrips............................................ 495
Washing Your Vehicle............................... 495
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 497
Finish Care............................................... 497
Windshield, Backglass, and
Wiper Blades......................................... 498
Aluminum Wheels...................................... 498
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
390
Page 457 of 570
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check
tire pressure. You cannot tell if your tires are
properly in ated simply by looking at them.
Radial tires may look properly in ated even when
they’re underin ated. Check the tire’s in ation
pressure when the tires are cold. Cold means your
vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours
or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem.
Press the tire gage rmly onto the valve to
get a pressure measurement. If the cold tire
in ation pressure matches the recommended
pressure on the tire and loading information label,
no further adjustment is necessary. If the
pressure is low, add air until you reach the
recommended amount.
If you over ll the tire, release air by pushing on
the metal stem in the center of the tire valve.
Recheck the tire pressure with the tire gage.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.
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 459
andWheel Replacement on page 464for
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 to tighten the wheel
nuts. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 468.
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 on page 517.
457
Page 459 of 570
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make 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 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 468.
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.
You need a new tire if any of the following
statements are true:
You can see the indicators at three or more
places around the tire.
You can see cord or fabric showing through
the tire’s rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or
snagged deep enough to show cord or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge, or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage
that cannot be repaired well because of the
size or location of the damage.
459
Page 464 of 570
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.
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.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 468for more
information.
464
Page 468 of 570
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.
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.
468
Page 478 of 570
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
Jack (SUV and SUT)
1. To remove the
center cap, place
the at end of
the wheel wrench in
the slot on the
wheel and carefully
pry the center
cap out.
2. Attach the wheel wrench to the extender.3. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to
loosen the wheel nuts. Do not remove
them yet.
You will now need to jack the vehicle up using
the following instructions.
478
Page 479 of 570
4. Assemble the jack and tools as follows:
Front Flat Tire:Attach the jack handle with
the hook end connected to the hole on
the jack. Slide the wheel wrench onto the jack
handle extension.Rear Flat Tire:Assemble the jack together
with the jack handle and the jack handle
extensions.
5. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise to raise the
jack head to the lifting point.
479
Page 480 of 570
6.Front Flat Tire:Position the jack under the
vehicle on the front lower control arm behind
the at tire.Rear Flat Tire:Place the jack under the
curved rear axle pad. Make sure the jack head
is positioned so that the rear axle pad is
resting securely on the jack head.
{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.
Front Flat Tire – JackRear Flat Tire – Jack
480
