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 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 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
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
speci ed government test
surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
5-62 Service and Appearance Care
{WARNING
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.
Temperature – A, B, C
The temperature grades are
A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance
to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled
conditions on a speci ed indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause
the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure.The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which
all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
{WARNING
The temperature grade for this
tire is established for a tire
that is properly in ated and
not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underin ation, or
excessive loading, either
separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and
Tire Balance
The tires and wheels on your
vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give
you the longest tire life and best
overall performance. Adjustments to
wheel alignment and tire balancing
will not be necessary on a regular
basis. However, if you notice
unusual tire wear or your vehicle
pulling to one side or the other,
the alignment might need to
be checked. If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving on a
smooth road, the tires and wheels
might need to be rebalanced.
See your dealer/retailer for
proper diagnosis.
Service and Appearance Care 5-63
Tire Chains
{CAUTION
If your vehicle has LT285/75R16
or P265/65R18 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.
(Continued)
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 has a
tire size other than LT285/75R16
or P265/65R18 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.
Service and Appearance Care 5-65
J
Jump Starting......................5-34
K
Keyless Entry System............ 2-3
Keys.................................... 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall..........5-45
Lamp
Malfunction Indicator.........3-30
Lamps
Dome .............................3-16
Dome Lamp Override........3-16
Off-Road .........................3-14
Reading..........................3-16
Lap-Shoulder Belt................1-20
LATCH System for Child
Restraints........................1-34
License Plate Lamps............5-43Light
Airbag Readiness.............3-25
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning..............3-28
Brake System Warning......3-27
Charging System..............3-27
Cruise Control..................3-33
Highbeam On...................3-33
Oil Pressure.....................3-32
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator.......................3-26
Safety Belt Reminders.......3-24
Security...........................3-33
StabiliTrak
®/Traction
Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...............3-29
Tire Pressure...................3-30
Up-Shift...........................3-27
Lighting
Exit................................3-16
Lights
Exterior Lamps.................3-11
Flash-to-Pass..................... 3-7
High/Low Beam Changer..... 3-7
On Reminder...................3-13Loading Your Vehicle............4-35
Locking Rear Axle................. 4-8
Lockout Protection................. 2-7
Locks
Door ................................. 2-5
Lockout Protection.............. 2-7
Power Door....................... 2-6
Programmable Automatic
Door Locks.................... 2-6
Rear Door Security Locks.... 2-6
Loss of Control....................4-12
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children......................1-34
Luggage Carrier...................2-48
Lumbar
Manual Controls................. 1-4
Power Controls.................. 1-4
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required
Services........................ 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill................ 6-9
At Least Once a Month....... 6-9
At Least Once a Year.......6-10
i-6 INDEX
Traction
Control System (TCS)......... 4-7
StabiliTrak
®System............ 4-6
Trailer
Recommendations............4-53
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic................5-18
Fluid, Manual...................5-20
Up-Shift Light...................3-27
Transmission Operation,
Automatic........................2-19
Transmission Operation,
Manual............................2-22
Trip Odometer.....................3-24
Truck-Camper Loading
Information......................4-39
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals............................. 3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever................................ 3-6
U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading...........................5-62
Universal Home Remote
System...........................2-42
Operation........................2-43
Up-Shift Light......................3-27
V
Vehicle
Control............................. 4-3
Loading...........................4-35
Parking Your....................2-31
Running While Parked.......2-32
Symbols.............................. iii
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy............................7-16
Vehicle Identi cation
Number (VIN)...................5-90
Service Parts Identi cation
Label...........................5-90
Ventilation Adjustment...........3-21
Visors.................................2-11
W
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators........................3-22
Warnings
DIC Warnings and
Messages....................3-37
Hazard Warning Flashers.... 3-5
Safety and Symbols.............. iii
Wheels
Alignment and Tire
Balance.......................5-63
Different Size...................5-61
Replacement....................5-64
Where to Put the Restraint....1-32
Windows.............................. 2-9
Power .............................2-10
Windshield
Backglass, and Wiper
Blades, Cleaning...........5-87
Washer............................. 3-8
Washer Fluid....................5-30
INDEX i-11