(F) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord andnumber of plies in the sidewall and underthe tread.
(G) Single Tire Maximum Load:Maximum loadthat can be carried and the maximum pressureneeded to support that load when used as asingle. For information on recommendedtire pressure seeInflation - Tire Pressure onpage 6-54.
Tire Size
The following illustration shows an example of atire size.
(A) P-Metric Tire:The United States version of ametric tire sizing system. The letter P as thefirst character in the tire size means a passengervehicle tire engineered to standards set by theU. S. Tire and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicatesthe tire section width in millimeters from sidewallto sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number thatindicates the tire height-to-width measurements.For example, if the tire size aspect ratio is60, as shown in item C of the illustration, it wouldmean that the tire’s sidewall is 60 percent ashigh as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used toindicate the type of ply construction in the tire.The letter R means radial ply construction;the letter D means diagonal or bias plyconstruction; and the letter B means belted-biasply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel ininches.
(F) Service Description:These charactersrepresent the load index and speed rating of thetire. The load index represents the load carrycapacity a tire is certified to carry. The speedrating is the maximum speed a tire is certified tocarry a load.
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•The TPMS sensor matching process was started
but not completed or not completed successfullyafter rotating the vehicle’s tires. The DIC messageand TPMS malfunction light should go off oncethe TPMS sensor matching process is performedsuccessfully. See “TPMS Sensor Matching Process”later in this section.
•One or more TPMS sensors are missing or
damaged. The DIC message and the TPMSmalfunction light should go off when the TPMSsensors are installed and the sensor matchingprocess is performed successfully. See yourdealer/retailer for service.
•Replacement tires or wheels do not match your
vehicle’s original equipment tires or wheels.Tires and wheels other than those recommendedfor your vehicle could prevent the TPMS fromfunctioning properly. SeeBuying New Tires onpage 6-64.
•Operating electronic devices or being near facilities
using radio wave frequencies similar to the TPMScould cause the TPMS sensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioning it cannot detect or signala low tire condition. See your dealer/retailer forservice if the TPMS malfunction light and DIC messagecomes on and stays on.
TPMS Sensor Matching Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique identification code.Any time you rotate your vehicle’s tires or replace one ormore of the TPMS sensors, the identification codeswill need to be matched to the new tire/wheel position.The sensors are matched to the tire/wheel positionsin the following order: driver side front tire, passengerside front tire, passenger side rear tire, and driverside rear tire using a TPMS diagnostic tool. See yourdealer/retailer for service.
The TPMS sensors can also be matched to eachtire/wheel position by increasing or decreasing the tire’sair pressure. If increasing the tire’s air pressure, donot exceed the maximum inflation pressure indicated onthe tire’s sidewall.
To decrease air-pressure out of a tire you can use thepointed end of the valve cap, a pencil-style air pressuregage, or a key.
You have two minutes to match the first tire/wheelposition, and five minutes overall to match all fourtire/wheel positions. If it takes longer than two minutes,to match the first tire and wheel, or more than fiveminutes to match all four tire and wheel positions thematching process stops and you need to start over.
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Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable onthe tire sidewall between tread shoulder andmaximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
The following information relates to the systemdeveloped by the United States National HighwayTraffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), whichgrades tires by treadwear, traction, andtemperature performance. This applies only tovehicles sold in the United States. The grades aremolded on the sidewalls of most passenger cartires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)system does not apply to deep tread, winter-typesnow tires, space-saver, or temporary usespare tires, tires with nominal rim diameters of10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to somelimited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motorspassenger cars and light trucks may vary withrespect to these grades, they must also conformto federal safety requirements and additionalGeneral Motors Tire Performance Criteria (TPC)standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative ratingbased on the wear rate of the tire when testedunder controlled conditions on a specifiedgovernment test course. For example, a tiregraded 150 would wear one and a half (1.5) timesas well on the government course as a tiregraded 100. The relative performance of tiresdepends upon the actual conditions of their use,however, and may depart significantly fromthe norm due to variations in driving habits, servicepractices, and differences in road characteristicsand climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, areAA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’sability to stop on wet pavement as measuredunder controlled conditions on specifiedgovernment test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.A tire marked C may have poor tractionperformance.
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{WARNING:
Storing the tire sealant and compressor kit or
other equipment in the passenger compartment of
the vehicle could cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could strike someone.
Store the tire sealant and compressor kit in its
original location.
If this vehicle has a tire sealant and compressor kit,there may not be a spare tire, tire changing equipment,and on some vehicles there may not be a place tostore a tire.
The tire sealant and compressor can be used totemporarily seal punctures up to1⁄4inch (6 mm) in thetread area of the tire. It can also be used to inflatean under inflated tire.
If the tire has been separated from the wheel, hasdamaged sidewalls, or has a large puncture, the tire istoo severely damaged for the tire sealant andcompressor kit to be effective. SeeRoadside Service onpage 8-7.
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7. Start the vehicle. The vehicle must be running whileusing the air compressor.
8. Turn the selector switch (B) clockwise to theSealant + Air position.
9. Press the on/off (A) button to turn the tire sealantand compressor kit on.
The compressor will inject sealant and air intothe tire.
The pressure gage (D) will initially show a highpressure while the compressor pushes the sealantinto the tire. Once the sealant is completelydispersed into the tire, the pressure will quicklydrop and start to rise again as the tire inflates withair only.
10. Inflate the tire to the recommended inflationpressure using the pressure gage (D). Therecommended inflation pressure can be foundon the Tire and Loading Information label.SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 6-54.
The pressure gage (D) may read higher than theactual tire pressure while the compressor is on.Turn the compressor off to get an accurate pressurereading. The compressor may be turned on/offuntil the correct pressure is reached.
Notice:If the recommended pressure cannot bereached after approximately 25 minutes, the vehicleshould not be driven farther. The tire is tooseverely damaged and the tire sealant andcompressor kit cannot inflate the tire. Remove thepower plug from the accessory power outletand unscrew the inflating hose from the tire valve.SeeRoadside Service on page 8-7.
11. Press the on/off button (A) to turn the tire sealantand compressor kit off.
The tire is not sealed and will continue to leak airuntil the vehicle is driven and the sealant isdistributed in the tire, therefore, Steps 12 through18 must be done immediately after Step 11.
Be careful while handling the tire sealant andcompressor kit as it could be warm after usage.
12. Unplug the power plug (G) from the accessorypower outlet in the vehicle.
13. Turn the sealant/air hose (F) counterclockwise toremove it from the tire valve stem.
14. Replace the tire valve stem cap.
15. Replace the sealant/air hose (F), and the powerplug (G) back in their original location.
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16. If the flat tire was ableto inflate to therecommended inflationpressure, removethe maximum speedlabel from the sealantcanister and placeit in a highly visiblelocation. The label is areminder not toexceed 55 mph(90 km/h) until thedamaged tire isrepaired or replaced.
17. Return the equipment to its original storage locationin the vehicle.
18. Immediately drive the vehicle 5 miles (8 km) todistribute the sealant in the tire.
19. Stop at a safe location and check the tire pressure.Refer to Steps 1 through 11 under “Using the TireSealant and Compressor Kit without Sealant toInflate a Tire (Not Punctured).”
If the tire pressure has fallen more than 10 psi(68 kPa) below the recommended inflation pressure,stop driving the vehicle. The tire is too severelydamaged and the tire sealant cannot seal the tire.SeeRoadside Service on page 8-7.
If the tire pressure has not dropped more than10 psi (68 kPa) from the recommended inflationpressure, inflate the tire to the recommendedinflation pressure.
20. Wipe off any sealant from the wheel, tire, andvehicle.
21. Dispose of the used sealant canister and sealant/airhose (F) assembly at a local dealer/retailer or inaccordance with local state codes and practices.
22. Replace it with a new canister available from yourdealer/retailer.
23. After temporarily sealing a tire using the tire sealantand compressor kit, take the vehicle to an authorizeddealer/retailer within a 100 miles (161 km) of drivingto have the tire repaired or replaced.
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Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create achemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon andattack painted surfaces on the vehicle. This damage cantake two forms: blotchy, ring-shaped discolorations,and small, irregular dark spots etched into thepaint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, we willrepair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces ofnew vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,whichever occurs first.
Vehicle Identification
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
This legal identifier is in the front corner of theinstrument panel, on the driver side. It can be seenthrough the windshield from outside. The VIN alsoappears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Partslabels and certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The eighth character in the VIN is the engine code.This code identifies the vehicle’s engine, specifications,and replacement parts. See “Engine Specifications”underCapacities and Specifications on page 6-109forthe vehicle’s engine code.
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Service Parts Identification Label
This label, on the spare tire cover, has the followinginformation:
•Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
•Model designation
•Paint information
•Production options and special equipment
Do not remove this label from the vehicle.
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Do not add anything electrical to thevehicle unless you check with your dealer/retailerfirst. Some electrical equipment can damagethe vehicle and the damage would not be coveredby the vehicle’s warranty. Some add-on electricalequipment can keep other components fromworking as they should.
Add-on equipment can drain the vehicle battery, even ifthe vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting toadd anything electrical to the vehicle, seeServicingYour Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 2-72andAddingEquipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle onpage 2-73.
Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring system has four individual fuses.An electrical overload will cause the lamps to go onand off, or in some cases to remain off. If this happens,have the headlamp wiring checked right away.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is protected by an internalcircuit breaker. If the wiper motor overheats due toheavy snow, the wipers will stop until the motor coolsand will then restart.
A fuse powers the wiper motor. If the fuse blows, thereis an electrical problem. Be sure to have it fixed.
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