2010 CHEVROLET EXPRESS flat tire

Tires..............................................................6-60
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................6-61
Tire Terminology and Definitions.....................6-65
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................6-68
Dual Tire Operation.......................................6-70
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................6-70
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................6-72
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................6-75
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................6-78
Buying New Tires.........................................6-79
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................6-80
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................6-81
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................6-82
Wheel Replacement......................................6-82
Tire Chains..................................................6-84
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................6-85
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................6-86
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................6-87
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................6-90
Secondary Latch System...............................6-97
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...........6-100
Spare Tire.................................................6-101
Appearance Care..........................................6-102
Interior Cleaning.........................................6-102
Fabric/Carpet..............................................6-103Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................6-104
Care of Safety Belts....................................6-104
Weatherstrips.............................................6-105
Washing Your Vehicle..................................6-105
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................6-105
Finish Care................................................6-106
Windshield and Wiper Blades.......................6-106
Aluminum Wheels.......................................6-107
Tires.........................................................6-107
Sheet Metal Damage...................................6-107
Finish Damage...........................................6-108
Underbody Maintenance...............................6-108
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................6-108
Vehicle Identication.....................................6-109
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)................6-109
Service Parts Identification Label...................6-109
Electrical System..........................................6-109
Add-On Electrical Equipment.........................6-109
Headlamp Wiring........................................6-110
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................6-110
Fuses and Circuit Breakers..........................6-110
Floor Console Fuse Block............................6-111
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................6-112
Capacities and Specications........................6-116
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-2

Dual Tire Operation
When the vehicle is new, or whenever a wheel, wheel bolt
or wheel nut is replaced, check the wheel nut torque after
100, 1,000 and 6,000 miles (160, 1 600 and 10 000 km)
of driving. For proper wheel nut tightening information,
see “Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare
Tire” later in this section, underChanging a Flat Tire
on page 6-86. Also see “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specications on page 6-116.
The outer tire on a dual wheel setup generally wears
faster than the inner tire. Your tires will wear more
evenly and last longer if you rotate the tires periodically.
SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on page 6-75. Also
seeScheduled Maintenance on page 7-3.
{WARNING:
If you operate your vehicle with a tire that is badly
underinflated, the tire can overheat. An overheated
tire can lose air suddenly or catch fire. You or
others could be injured. Be sure all tires (including
the spare) are properly inflated.
SeeTires on page 6-60andInation - Tire Pressure on
page 6-68for more information on proper tire inflation.
Tire Pressure Monitor System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses radio
and sensor technology to check tire pressure levels.
The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in
your vehicle’s tires and transmit tire pressure readings
to a receiver located in the vehicle.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be
checked monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation
pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label.
(If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the
size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label, you should determine the proper
tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one
or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
6-70

If the vehicle has dual rear wheels and the tread
design for the front tires is different from the dual
rear tires, always use the correct rotation pattern
shown here when rotating the tires. The dual tires
are rotated as a pair and the inside rear tires
become the outside rear tires.
When you install dual wheels, be sure that vent
holes in the inner and outer wheels on each
side are lined up.
Also seeDual Tire Operation on page 6-70for
additional information.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front
and rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label. SeeInation - TirePressure on page 6-68andLoading the Vehicle
on page 5-19. Make certain that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specications on page 6-116.
{WARNING:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches to the
vehicle. In an emergency, you can use a cloth
or a paper towel to do this; but be sure to use a
scraper or wire brush later, if needed, to get all
the rust or dirt off. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on
page 6-86.
If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS), reset the TPMS sensors after
rotating the tires. SeeTire Pressure Monitor
Operation on page 6-72.
Make sure the spare tire is stored securely. Push,
pull, and then try to rotate or turn the tire. If it
moves, tighten the cable. SeeStoring a Flat or
Spare Tire and Tools on page 6-100.
6-77

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.
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, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance, and tire or tire chain
clearance to the body and chassis.
Whenever a wheel, wheel bolt or wheel nut is replaced
on a dual wheel setup, check the wheel nut torque after
100, 1,000 and 6,000 miles (160, 1 600 and 10 000 km)
of driving. For proper torque, see “Wheel Nut Torque”
underCapacities and Specications on page 6-116.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 6-86for 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.
6-83

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, the next part shows how to use the
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
6-85

Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. SeeHazard Warning Flashers
on page 4-3.
{WARNING:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over or fall on you or
other people. You and they could be badly injured
or even killed. Find a level place to change your
tire. To help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever in P (Park).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart while
the vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in the
vehicle.
WARNING: (Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
To be even more certain the vehicle will not move,
you should put blocks at the front and rear of the
tire farthest away from the one being changed.
That would be the tire, on the other side, at the
opposite end of the vehicle.
When the vehicle has a flat tire (B), use the following
example as a guide to assist you in the placement
of wheel blocks (A).
A. Wheel Block
B. Flat Tire
The following information explains how to use the jack
and change a tire.
6-86

Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
If your vehicle has plastic wheel nut caps, loosen
them by turning the wheel wrench counterclockwise.
The wheel nut caps are designed to remain with
the center cap. Remove the center cap.
If the wheel has a smooth center piece, place the chisel
end of the wheel wrench in the slot on the wheel and
gently pry it out.
1. Do a safety check before proceeding. SeeChanging
a Flat Tire on page 6-86for more information.
2. Loosen all the wheel nuts with the wheel wrench.
Do not remove them yet.3. Assemble the jack and tools:
Front Flat:Assemble the jack (A) together with the
jack handle (B), 1 or 2 jack handle extensions (D)
and the wheel wrench (E).
Rear Flat:Assemble the jack (A) together with the
jack handle (B), 2 jack handle extensions (D),
and the wheel wrench (E).
6-90

{WARNING:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which it is
fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose after
time. The wheel could come off and cause an
accident. When changing a wheel, remove any rust
or dirt from places where the wheel attaches to the
vehicle. In an emergency, use a cloth or a paper
towel to do this; but be sure to use a scraper or wire
brush later, if needed, to get all the rust or dirt off.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 6-86.8. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces
and spare 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.
6-94