Replacing less than a full set of
tires can affect the braking and
handling performance of your
vehicle. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 5-47for
information on proper tire
rotation.
{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 5-81.
{CAUTION
If you use bias-ply tires on the
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 the 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.
Vehicles that have a tire
pressure monitoring system
could give an inaccurate
low-pressure warning if non-TPC
Spec rated tires are installed
on your vehicle. Non-TPCSpec rated tires may give a
low-pressure warning that is
higher or lower than the proper
warning level you would get with
TPC Spec rated tires. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor System on
page 5-42.
Your vehicle’s original equipment
tires are listed on the Tire and
Loading Information Label.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on
page 4-16, for more information
about the Tire and Loading
Information Label and its location
on your vehicle.
Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are
a different size than your original
equipment wheels and tires, this
could affect the way your vehicle
performs, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover.
5-50 Service and Appearance Care
Additionally, if your vehicle has
electronic systems such as anti-lock
brakes, rollover airbags, 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 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 5-49
andAccessories and Modifications
on page 5-3for additional
information.
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 nominalrim 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 speci ed 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 signi cantly from the
Service and Appearance Care 5-51
Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION
Putting a used wheel on the
vehicle is dangerous. You cannot
know how it has been used or
how far it has been driven. It
could fail suddenly and cause a
crash. If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{CAUTION
Do not use tire chains. 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 the vehicle and you or
others may be injured in a crash.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on the
vehicle and tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer’s instructions. To
help avoid damage to the vehicle,
drive slowly, readjust or remove
the device if it is contacting the
vehicle, and do not spin the
vehicle’s wheels. If you do nd
traction devices that will t, install
them on the front tires.
5-54 Service and Appearance Care
2. Flip the carpet cutout that is
located through the hole of
the storage compartment.
3. Attach the lug wrench into the
hoist shaft.
4. Turn the lug wrench
counterclockwise to lower the
spare tire to the ground. Continue
turning the wrench until the
spare tire can be pulled out
from under the vehicle.5. Tilt the retainer and slip it
through the wheel opening
to remove the spare tire from
the cable.
6. Turn the wrench clockwise to
raise the cable back up after
removing the spare tire.
Do not store a full-size or a at
road tire under the vehicle.
SeeStoring a Flat or Spare
Tire and Tools on page 5-78.
To continue changing the at tire,
seeRemoving the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire on
page 5-72.If the spare tire will not lower, the
secondary latch could be engaged.
Do the following to check
the cable:
1. Check under the vehicle to see if
the cable is visible.
2. If it is not visible, seeSecondary
Latch System on page 5-76.
If it is visible, rst try to tighten
the cable by turning the lug
wrench clockwise until you hear
two clicks or feel it skip twice.
You cannot over-tighten
the cable.
Service and Appearance Care 5-71
8. Make sure the metal tube is
centered at the striker. Push
the tube toward the front of the
vehicle.
9. Close the liftgate and make sure
it is latched properly.
Storing the Tools
A. Tool Bag
B. Wing Bolt
C. Jack
Put back all tools as they were
stored in the jack storage
compartment and put the
compartment cover back on.
1. Ensure that the bottom of the
jack is facing toward you.
2. Turn the jack (C) on its side
and place down on the
holding bracket.3. Reinstall the wing bolt (B) by
turning clockwise.
4. To replace the cover, line up the
tab at the front of the cover with
the notch in the cover opening.
Push the cover in place and
make sure that the rear clips
are in the slots and push
the cover closed.
Store the center cap or the plastic
bolt-on wheel covers until a full
size tire is put back on the vehicle.
When you replace the compact
spare with a full-size tire, reinstall
the bolt-on wheel covers or the
center cap. Hand-tighten them over
the wheel nuts, using the lug
wrench.
5-80 Service and Appearance Care