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 specified
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 significantly 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 specified
government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
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.
9-66 Vehicle Care
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 the vehicle
were aligned and balanced carefully
at the factory to give 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 there
is unusual tire wear or the vehicle
pulls to one side or the other, the
alignment should be checked. If the
vehicle vibrates when driving on a
smooth road, the tires and wheels
might need to be rebalanced.
See your dealer/retailer for proper
diagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent,
cracked, or badly rusted or corroded.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose,
the wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel
nuts should be replaced. If the wheel
leaks air, replace it (except some
aluminum wheels, which can
sometimes be repaired). See your
dealer/retailer if any of these
conditions exist.
Your dealer/retailer will know the
kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have
the same load-carrying capacity,
diameter, width, offset, and be
mounted the same way as the
one it replaces.
Vehicle Care 9-67
If you need to replace any of the
wheels, wheel bolts, wheel nuts,
or Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) sensors, replace them only
with new GM original equipment
parts. This way, you will be sure to
have the right wheel, wheel bolts,
wheel nuts, and TPMS sensors for
the 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 problems with bearing
life, brake cooling, speedometer
or odometer calibration, headlamp
aim, rear differential, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance,
and tire or tire chain clearance to
the body and chassis.
SeeIf a Tire Goes Flat on page 9-69
for more information.
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
vehicle and tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer’s instructions.
(Continued)
9-68 Vehicle Care
WARNING (Continued)
To help avoid damage to the
vehicle, drive slowly, re-adjust
or remove the device if it is
contacting the vehicle, and do not
spin the wheels. If you do find
traction devices that will fit, install
them on the rear tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while you are driving, especially if
you maintain your vehicle’s tires
properly. If air goes out of a tire, it is
much more likely to leak out slowly.But if you should ever have a
blowout, here are a few tips about
what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop well out of
the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and may
require the same correction you
would use in a skid. In any rear
blowout remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle
under control by steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can
still steer. Gently brake to a stop,
well off the road if possible.
{WARNING
Lifting a vehicle and getting under
it to do maintenance or repairs is
dangerous without the appropriate
safety equipment and training. If a
jack is provided with the vehicle, it
is designed only for changing a
flat tire. If it is used for anything
else, you or others could be badly
injured or killed if the vehicle slips
off the jack. If a jack is provided
with the vehicle, only use it for
changing a flat tire.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further
tire and wheel damage by
driving slowly to a level place.
Vehicle Care 9-69
6. Route the strap provided, as
shown, to secure the flat tire.
The compact spare tire is for
temporary use only. Replace the
compact spare with a full-size tire
as soon as possible.
Compact Spare Tire
{WARNING
Driving with more than one
compact spare tire at a time could
result in loss of braking and
handling. This could lead to a
crash and you or others could be
injured. Use only one compact
spare tire at a time.
If this vehicle has a compact spare
tire it was fully inflated when the
vehicle was new, however, it can
lose air after a time. Check the
inflation pressure regularly. It should
be 60 psi (420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare on
the vehicle, stop as soon as possible
and make sure the spare tire is
correctly inflated. The compact spare
is made to perform well at speeds up
to 65 mph (105 km/h) for distances
up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km), so you
can finish your trip and have thefull-size tire repaired or replaced at
your convenience. Of course, it is
best to replace the spare with a
full-size tire as soon as possible.
The spare tire will last longer and be
in good shape in case it is needed
again.
Notice:When the compact spare
is installed, do not take the vehicle
through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact
spare can get caught on the rails
which can damage the tire, wheel
and other parts of the vehicle.
Do not use the compact spare on
other vehicles.
Do not mix the compact spare tire
or wheel with other wheels or tires.
They will not fit. Keep the spare tire
and its wheel together.
Notice:Tire chains will not t
the compact spare. Using them
can damage the vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Do not use
tire chains on the compact spare.
Vehicle Care 9-83
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield
with glass cleaner.
Clean the rubber blades using a lint
free cloth or paper towel soaked with
windshield washer fluid or a mild
detergent. Wash the windshield
thoroughly when cleaning the blades.
Bugs, road grime, sap, and a buildup
of vehicle wash/wax treatments may
cause wiper streaking. Replace the
wiper blades if they are worn or
damaged.
Wipers can be damaged by:
•Extreme dusty conditions
•Sand and salt
•Heat and sun
•Snow and ice, without proper
removal
Tires
Use a stiff brush with tire cleaner to
clean the tires.
Notice:Using petroleum-based
tire dressing products on the
vehicle may damage the paint
nish and/or tires. When applying
a tire dressing, always wipe off
any overspray from all painted
surfaces on the vehicle.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion
material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion
protection.
Original manufacturer replacement
parts will provide the corrosion
protection while maintaining
the vehicle warranty.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep
scratches in the finish should be
repaired right away. Bare metal will
corrode quickly and may develop into
major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be
repaired with touch-up materials
available from your dealer/retailer.
Larger areas of finish damage can be
corrected in your dealer’s/retailer’s
body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow
removal and dust control can collect
on the underbody. If these are not
removed, corrosion and rust can
develop on the underbody parts such
as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and
exhaust system even though they
have corrosion protection.
Vehicle Care 9-91
At your General Motors dealer/
retailer, you can be certain that
you will receive the highest level
of service available. Your dealer
/retailer has specially trained service
technicians, uses genuine GM
replacement parts, as well as, up to
date tools and equipment to ensure
fast and accurate diagnostics.
The proper replacement parts,
fluids, and lubricants to use are
listed inRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 10-7and
Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 10-9. We recommend the use
of genuine parts from your dealer/
retailer.
Rotation of New Tires
Tire rotation is not recommended if
the vehicle has different size tires
on the front and rear wheels. If tire
rotation is recommended for the
vehicle, to maintain ride, handling,
and performance of the vehicle,
it is important that the first rotation
service for new tires be performed
when they have 8 000 to 13 000 km
(5,000 to 8,000 miles). SeeTire
Rotation on page 9-61.Scheduled
Maintenance
When the Change Engine Oil
Soon Message Displays
Change engine oil and filter.
SeeEngine Oil on page 9-10.
An Emission Control Service.
When the Change Engine Oil
Soon message displays, service is
required for the vehicle as soon as
possible, within the next 1 000 km/
600 miles. If driving under the best
conditions, the engine oil life system
might not indicate the need for
vehicle service for more than a year.
The engine oil and filter must be
changed at least once a year and the
oil life system must be reset. Your
dealer/retailer has trained service
technicians who will perform this
work and reset the system.If the engine oil life system is reset
accidentally, service the vehicle
within 5 000 km/3,000 miles since
the last service. Reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on
page 9-13.
When the Change Engine Oil
Soon message displays, certain
services, checks, and inspections
are required. The services described
for MaintenanceIshould be
performed at every engine oil
change. The services described
for MaintenanceIIshould be
performed when:
•MaintenanceIwas performed
the last time the engine oil was
changed.
•It has been 10 months or more
since the Change Engine Oil
Soon message has displayed
or since the last service.
10-2 Service and Maintenance
MaintenanceI
•
Change engine oil and filter.
SeeEngine Oil on page 9-10.
An Emission Control Service.
•Engine coolant level check. See
Engine Coolant on page 9-19.
•Windshield washer fluid level
check. SeeWasher Fluid on
page 9-26.
•Tire inflation check. SeeTire
Pressure on page 9-54.
•Tire wear inspection. SeeTire
Inspection on page 9-61.
•If tire rotation is recommended
for the vehicle, rotate tires.
SeeTire Rotation on page 9-61.
•Fluids visual leak check (or every
12 months, whichever occurs
first). A leak in any system must
be repaired and the fluid level
checked.
•Engine air cleaner filter
inspection (vehicles driven
in dusty conditions only).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter
on page 9-16.
•Brake system inspection (or
every 12 months, whichever
occurs first).
MaintenanceII
•
Perform all services described in
MaintenanceI.
•Steering and suspension
inspection. Visual inspection
for damaged, loose, or missing
parts or signs of wear.
•Engine cooling system
inspection. Visual inspection of
hoses, pipes, fittings, and clamps
and replacement, if needed.
•Windshield wiper blade
inspection for wear, cracking, or
contamination and windshield
and wiper blade cleaning,
if contaminated. SeeExterior
Care on page 9-88. Worn
or damaged wiper blade
replacement. SeeWiper Blade
Replacement on page 9-33.
•Body hinges and latches,
key lock cylinders, folding
seat hardware, and sunroof
(if equipped) lubrication.
SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 10-7.
More frequent lubrication may be
required when vehicle is exposed
to a corrosive environment.
Applying silicone grease on
weatherstrips with a clean cloth
makes them last longer, seal
better, and not stick or squeak.
Service and Maintenance 10-3