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Before You Go Off-Roading
.Have all necessary maintenance and servicework done.
.Make sure there is enough fuel, that fluid levels arewhere they should be, and that the spare tire, if thevehicle has one, is fully inflated.
.Be sure to read all the information aboutall-wheel-drive vehicles in this manual.
.Make sure all underbody shields, if the vehicle hasthem, are properly attached.
.Know the local laws that apply to off-roading whereyou will be driving or check with law enforcementpeople in the area.
.Be sure to get the necessary permission if you willbe on private land.
If you think you will need some more ground clearanceat the front of your vehicle, you can remove the frontfascia lower air dam. The air dam is held in place bytwo bolts and 10 snaps accessible from underneaththe front fascia.
To remove the air dam:
1. Remove the two outboard air dam bolts.
2. With a flat!blade tool, disengage the snaps.
3. After the bolts are removed and the snaps aredisengaged, push forward on the air dam untilit is free.
Notice:Operating your vehicle for extended periodswithout the front fascia lower air dam installed cancause improper air flow to the engine. Always besure to replace the front fascia air dam when youare finished off-road driving.
After off-roading, be sure to reinstall the air dam:
1. Line up the snaps and push the air dam rearwardto engage the snaps.
2. Install the two outboard bolts.
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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
specified 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. It should
be noted that the temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation,
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 andbalanced carefully at the factory to give you the longesttire life and best overall performance. Adjustments towheel alignment and tire balancing will not benecessary on a regular basis. However, if you noticeunusual tire wear or your vehicle pulling to one side orthe other, the alignment might need to be checked.If you notice your vehicle vibrating when driving on asmooth road, the tires and wheels might need to berebalanced. See your dealer/retailer for properdiagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badlyrusted or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose,the wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts should bereplaced. If the wheel leaks air, replace it (except somealuminum wheels, which can sometimes be repaired).See your dealer/retailer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer/retailer will know the kind of wheelyou need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carryingcapacity, diameter, width, offset, and be mounted thesame way as the one it replaces.
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If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts,wheel nuts, or Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)sensors, replace them only with new GM originalequipment parts. This way, you will be sure to havethe right wheel, wheel bolts, wheel nuts, and TPMSsensors for your vehicle.
{WARNING:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts,
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air and make you
lose control. You could have a collision in which
you or others could be injured. Always use the
correct wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for
replacement.
Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause problemswith bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer orodometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,vehicle ground clearance, and tire or tire chainclearance to the body and chassis.
SeeChanging a Flat Tireon page 7!80for moreinformation.
Used Replacement Wheels
{WARNING:
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
{WARNING:
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. Use another type of traction device only if
its manufacturer recommends it for use on the
(Continued)
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WARNING: (Continued)
scraper or wire brush later, if needed, to get
all the rust or dirt off. SeeChanging a
Flat Tire on page 7!80.
7. Remove any rust or dirtfrom the wheel bolts,mounting surfaces, andspare wheel.
{WARNING:
Never use oil or grease on bolts or nuts because
the nuts might come loose. The vehicle's wheel
could fall off, causing a crash.
8. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded endof the nuts toward the wheel after mounting thespare tire.
9. Tighten each wheel nut by hand. Then use thewheel wrench to tighten the nuts until the wheel isheld against the hub.
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