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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 5-63
andWheel Replacement on page 5-67for
more information.
When rotating your tires, always use the correct
rotation pattern shown here.
Do not include the compact spare tire in the tire
rotation.After the tires have been rotated, adjust the
front and rear inflation pressures as shown on the
tire and loading information label. SeeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 4-18for an example of
the tire and loading information label and where
it is located on your vehicle. Make certain that
all wheel nuts are properly tightened. See “Wheel
Nut Torque” underCapacities and Specifications
on page 5-99.
{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 5-70.
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When It Is Time for New Tires
Various factors, such as maintenance, temperatures,
driving speeds, vehicle loading, and road conditions
influence when you need 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.You need new tires 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.
The rubber in tires degrades over time, even if they are
not being used. This is also true for the spare tire, if
your vehicle has one. Multiple conditions affect how fast
this aging takes place, including temperatures, loading
conditions, and inflation pressure maintenance. With
proper care and maintenance tires will typically wear out
before they degrade due to age. If you are unsure
about the need to replace your tires as they get older,
consult the tire manufacturer for more information.
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Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched specific tires for your
vehicle. If you need replacement tires, GM strongly
recommends that you get tires that are the same size,
brand, load range, speed rating, and construction
type (radial and bias-belted tires) as your vehicle’s
original tires. This way, your vehicle will continue to have
tires that are designed to give the same performance
and vehicle safety, during normal use, as the original
tires. SeeTire Sidewall Labeling on page 5-51for
additional information.
GM recommends replacing tires in sets of four. This
is because uniform tread depth on all tires will help
keep your vehicle performing most like it did when the
tires were new. Replacing less than a full set of tires can
affect the braking and handling performance of your
vehicle. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on page 5-61.{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 all wheels.
It is all right to drive with your compact spare
temporarily, as it was developed for use on your
vehicle. SeeCompact Spare Tire on page 5-78.
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Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum selection width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the Unites 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.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
1⁄2) 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.
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.
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The following information will tell you how to use the
jack and change a tire.
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The compact spare tire and tools you will need are
located in the trunk.
A. Jack
B. Wheel WrenchC. Jack Handle
D. Screwdriver
1. Open the trunk or liftgate. SeeTrunk on page 2-9
orLiftgate (Hatchback) on page 2-11for more
information.
2. Lift the trim cover.
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3. Remove the foam tray.
4. Remove the jack, the jack handle and the wheel
wrench from the foam tray.5. Turn the retainer counterclockwise and remove it
from the compact spare.
6. Remove the compact spare tire. SeeCompact
Spare Tire on page 5-78for more information.
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Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. Do a safety check before proceeding. SeeChanging
a Flat Tire on page 5-70for more information.
2. If your vehicle has wheel covers, loosen the four
plastic caps by hand or by using the wheel
wrench. The plastic nuts do not come off of the
cover.
3. Remove the wheel cover using the flat end of the
jack handle. Pry along the edge of the wheel cover
until it comes off.
Store the wheel cover in the cargo area until you
have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
4. Use the wheel wrench to loosen all the wheel nuts.
Do not remove them yet.
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5. Locate the notch in the frame near each wheel
which the jack head fits in.
6. Position the jack and raise the jack head until it fits
firmly into the notch in the vehicle’s frame nearest
the flat tire.
7. Put the compact spare tire near you. Hatchback
Sedan
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