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Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to helpprevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspectbrake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts inthe proper sequence to torque specifications inCapacities and Specifications on page 6-109.
Brake linings should always be replaced as completeaxle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does notreturn to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase inpedal travel. This could be a sign that brake servicemight be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied, with or without thevehicle moving, the brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its manyparts have to be of top quality and work well together ifthe vehicle is to have really good braking. The vehiclewas designed and tested with top-quality brake parts.When parts of the braking system are replaced — forexample, when the brake linings wear down and newones are installed — be sure to get new approvedreplacement parts. If this is not done, the brakes mightnot work properly.
For example, if someone puts in brake linings that arewrong for the vehicle, the balance between the front andrear brakes can change — for the worse. The brakingperformance expected can change in many other ways ifthe wrong replacement brake parts are installed.
Battery
Refer to the replacement number on the original batterylabel when a new battery is needed.
{DANGER:
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer
and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
The battery is under the rear seat cushion. To accessthe battery, seeRear Underseat Fuse Block onpage 6-104. Access to the battery is not necessary tojump start the vehicle. SeeJump Starting on page 6-36.
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{WARNING:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engine is running.
5. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose ormissing insulation. If they do, you could get ashock. The vehicles could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables, here are somebasic things you should know. Positive (+) will go topositive (+) or to a remote positive (+) terminal ifthe vehicle has one. Negative (!) will go to a heavy,unpainted metal engine part or to a remotenegative (!) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to negative (!) or youwill get a short that would damage the batteryand maybe other parts too. And do not connect thenegative (!) cable to the negative (!) terminal onthe dead battery because this can cause sparks.
6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the remotepositive (+) terminal location on the vehicle withthe dead battery. Use a remote positive (+) terminalif the vehicle has one.
7. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect it tothe positive (+) terminal location of the vehicle withthe good battery. Use a remote positive (+)terminal if the vehicle has one.
8. Now connect the black negative (!) cable to thenegative (!) terminal location of the vehicle withthe good battery. Use a remote negative (!) terminalif the vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end of the cable touch anythinguntil the next step. The other end of the negative (!)cable does not go to the dead battery. It goes toa heavy, unpainted metal engine part or to a remotenegative (!) terminal on the vehicle with thedead battery.
9. Connect the other end of the negative (!) cable tothe negative (!) terminal location on the vehicle withthe dead battery. Your vehicle has a remotenegative (!) terminal marked GND (!).
10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and runthe engine for a while.
11. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery.If it will not start after a few tries, it probablyneeds service.
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It is recommended that the vehicle is taken to yourdealer/retailer for service if the headlamps need to bere-aimed. It is possible however, to re-aim theheadlamps as described.
Notice:To make sure the headlamps are aimedproperly, read all the instructions before beginning.Failure to follow these instructions could causedamage to headlamp parts.
The vehicle should:
•Be placed so the headlamps are 25 ft. (7.6 m) from
a light colored wall.
•Have all four tires on a level surface which is level
all the way to the wall.
•Be placed so it is perpendicular to the wall.
•Not have any snow, ice, or mud on it.
•Be fully assembled and all other work stopped while
headlamp aiming is being performed.
•Be normally loaded with a full tank of fuel and one
person or 160 lbs (75 kg) sitting on the driver seat.
•Have all tires properly inflated.
•Have the spare tire is in its original location in the
vehicle.
Headlamp aiming is done with the vehicle’s low-beamheadlamps. The high-beam headlamps will be correctlyaimed if the low-beam headlamps are aimed properly.
To adjust the vertical aim:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 6-11for more information.
2. Find the center line running through the lens of theheadlamp.
3. Record the distance from the ground to the centerline running through the lens of the headlamp.
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9. Make sure that the light from the headlamp ispositioned at the bottom edge of the horizontal tapeline. The lamp on the left (A) shows the correctheadlamp aim. The lamp on the right (B) shows theincorrect headlamp aim.
10. Repeat Steps 7 through 9 for the oppositeheadlamp.
Bulb Replacement
It is recommended that all bulbs be replaced by yourdealer/retailer.
High Intensity Discharge (HID)
Lighting
{WARNING:
The low beam high intensity discharge lighting
system operates at a very high voltage. If you try to
service any of the system components, you could
be seriously injured. Have your dealer/retailer or a
qualified technician service them.
The vehicle may have HID headlamps. After an HIDheadlamp bulb has been replaced, you may notice thatthe beam is a slightly different shade than it wasoriginally. This is normal.
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Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tiresmade by a leading tire manufacturer. If you everhave questions about your tire warranty and whereto obtain service, see your vehicle Warrantybooklet for details. For additional information referto the tire manufacturer.
{WARNING:
•Poorly maintained and improperly used
tires are dangerous.
•Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too muchflexing. You could have an air-out and aserious accident. SeeLoading theVehicle on page 5-18.
WARNING: (Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
•Underinflated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resultingaccident could cause serious injury.Check all tires frequently to maintain therecommended pressure. Tire pressureshould be checked when your tires arecold. SeeInflation - Tire Pressure onpage 6-54.
•Overinflated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured, or broken by a suddenimpact — such as when you hit apothole. Keep tires at the recommendedpressure.
•Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If
your tread is badly worn, or if your tireshave been damaged, replace them.
SeeHigh-Speed Operation on page 6-56forinflation pressure adjustment for high speeddriving.
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Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is molded into itssidewall.
(A) Tire Size:The tire size is a combination ofletters and numbers used to define a particulartire’s width, height, aspect ratio, construction typeand service description. See the “Tire Size”illustration later in this section for more detail.
(B) TPC Spec (Tire Performance CriteriaSpecification):Original equipment tires designedto GM’s specific tire performance criteria havea TPC specification code molded onto the sidewall.GM’s TPC specifications meet or exceed allfederal safety guidelines.
(C) DOT (Department of Transportation):TheDepartment of Transportation (DOT) codeindicates that the tire is in compliance with theU.S. Department of Transportation Motor VehicleSafety Standards.
(D) Tire Identification Number (TIN):The lettersand numbers following the DOT code are theTire Identification Number (TIN). The TIN showsthe manufacturer and plant code, tire size,and date the tire was manufactured. The TIN ismolded onto both sides of the tire, althoughonly one side may have the date of manufacture.
Passenger Car Tire Example
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(B) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord andnumber of plies in the sidewall and under thetread.
(C) Tire Identification Number (TIN):The TireIdentification Number (TIN). The TIN showsthe manufacturer and plant code, tire size, anddate the tire was manufactured. The TIN is moldedonto both sides of the tire, although only oneside may have the date of manufacture.
(D) Maximum Cold Inflation LoadLimit:Maximum load that can be carried and themaximum pressure needed to support thatload. SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 6-54andLoading the Vehicle on page 5-18.
(E) Tire Inflation:The temporary use tire orcompact spare tire should be inflated to 60 psi(420 kPa). For more information on tire pressureand inflation seeInflation - Tire Pressure onpage 6-54andSpare Tire on page 6-90.
(F) Tire Size:A combination of letters andnumbers define a tire’s width, height, aspect ratio,construction type and service description. Theletter T as the first character in the tire size meansthe tire is for temporary use only.
(G) TPC Spec (Tire Performance CriteriaSpecification):Original equipment tires designedto GM’s specific tire performance criteria havea TPC specification code molded onto the sidewall.GM’s TPC specifications meet or exceed allfederal safety guidelines.
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(A) Tire Size:The tire size code is a combinationof letters and numbers used to define a particulartire’s width, height, aspect ratio, constructiontype and service description. See the “Tire Size”illustration later in this section for more detail.
(B) TPC Spec (Tire Performance CriteriaSpecification):Original equipment tires designedto GM’s specific tire performance criteria havea TPC specification code molded onto the sidewall.GM’s TPC specifications meet or exceed allfederal safety guidelines.
(C) Dual Tire Maximum Load:Maximum loadthat can be carried and the maximum pressureneeded to support that load when used in a dualconfiguration.
(D) DOT (Department of Transportation):TheDepartment of Transportation (DOT) codeindicates that the tire is in compliance with theU.S. Department of Transportation Motor VehicleSafety Standards.
(E) Tire Identification Number (TIN):The lettersand numbers following DOT code are the TireIdentification Number (TIN). The TIN showsthe manufacturer and plant code, tire size, anddate the tire was manufactured. The TIN is moldedonto both sides of the tire, although only oneside may have the date of manufacture.
Light Truck Tire Example
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