Page 459 of 542

Black plate (69,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-69
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
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 Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum
required by law. Warning: 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 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 if any of these
conditions exist.
Your dealer 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.
Page 460 of 542

Black plate (70,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
10-70 Vehicle Care
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.
See If a Tire Goes Flat on
page 10‑71 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
If your vehicle is a Hybrid, see the
Hybrid Supplement for more
information.
{WARNING
If your vehicle has P265/65R18 or
P275/55R20 size tires, do not use
tire chains. They can damage
your vehicle because 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 your vehicle and
you or others may be injured in a
crash.
(Continued)
Page 461 of 542

Black plate (71,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-71
WARNING (Continued)
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or
remove the device if it is
contacting your vehicle, and do
not spin your vehicle's wheels.
If you do find traction devices that
will fit, install them on the rear
tires.Notice:
If your vehicle has P265/
70R17 size tires, use tire chains
only where legal and only when
you must. Use chains that are the
proper size for your vehicle's
tires. Install them on the rear
tires only.
Do not use chains on the front
tires.
Tighten them as tightly as
possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow
the chain manufacturer's
instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle,
stop and retighten them. If the
contact continues, slow down
until it stops. Driving too fast or
spinning the wheels with chains
on will damage your vehicle.
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 off the
road, if possible.
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
Page 462 of 542

Black plate (72,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
10-72 Vehicle Care
be very bumpy and noisy, but you
can still steer. Gently brake to a
stop, well off the road, if possible.
{WARNING
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has
been driven on while severely
under-inflated or flat may cause a
blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
that has been driven on while
severely under-inflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized
tire service center repair or
replace the flat tire as soon as
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 your vehicle is a hybrid, see the
hybrid supplement for more
information.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place, well off the road,
if possible. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. See Hazard
Warning Flashers on page 6‑5.
{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. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle with
a N (Neutral) transfer case
position, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive
gear —not in N (Neutral).
(Continued)
Page 463 of 542

Black plate (73,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-73
WARNING (Continued)
4. Turn off the engine and donot restart while the vehicle
is raised.
5. Do not allow passengers to remain in the vehicle.
6. Put the wheel 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.
Tire Changing
Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools
The equipment you will need to
change a flat tire is stored under the
storage tray, which is located on the
driver side trim panel (over the rear
wheelhouse).
Regular Wheelbase Shown,
Extended Wheelbase Similar
1. Remove the tray to access the tools by pulling up on the finger
depression under the jack
symbol.
Page 464 of 542
Black plate (74,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
10-74 Vehicle Care
2. Remove the wing nut (B) used toretain the tool bag by turning it
counterclockwise.
3. Turn the knob (A) on the jack counterclockwise to release the
jack and wheel blocks from the
bracket.
4. Remove the wheel blocks and the wheel block retainer by
turning the wing nut (C)
counterclockwise. The tools you will be using include
the following:
A. Jack
B. Wheel Blocks
C. Jack Handle
D. Jack Handle Extensions
E. Wheel Wrench
To access the spare tire, refer to the
following graphics and instructions:A. Hoist Assembly
B. Hoist Shaft
C. Hoist Shaft Access Cover/Hole
D. Jack Handle Extensions
E. Wheel Wrench
F. Hoist Cable
G. Tire/Wheel Retainer
H. Spare Tire (Valve Stem
Pointed Down)
I. Hoist Shaft Access Hole
Page 465 of 542

Black plate (75,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-75
J. Hoist End of Extension Tool
K. Spare Tire Lock
1. Open the hoist shaft accessdoor (C) on the bumper to
access the spare tire lock (K).
2. To remove the spare tire lock, insert the ignition key, turn it
clockwise and then pull it
straight out.
3. Assemble the two jack handleextensions (D) and wheel
wrench (E) as shown.
4. Insert the open end of theextension (J) through the hole in
the rear bumper (I) (hoist shaft
access hole).
Be sure the hoist end (J) of the
extension (D) connects to the
hoist shaft (B). The ribbed
square end of the extension is
used to lower the spare tire. 5. Turn the wheel wrench (E)
counterclockwise to lower the
spare tire (H) to the ground.
Continue to turn the wheel
wrench until the spare tire can
be pulled out from under the
vehicle.
If the spare tire does not lower to
the ground, the secondary latch
is engaged causing the tire not
to lower. See Secondary Latch
System on page 10‑85 for more
information.
Page 466 of 542
Black plate (76,1)Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual - 2011
10-76 Vehicle Care
6. Use the wheel wrench hook thatallows you to pull the hoist cable
towards you, to assist in
reaching the spare tire.7. Tilt the tire toward the vehiclewith some slack in the cable to
access the tire/wheel retainer.
Separate the retainer from the
guide pin by sliding the retainer
up the pin while pressing down
on the latch.Once the retainer is separated
from the guide pin, tilt the
retainer and pull it through the
center of the wheel along with
the cable and latch.
8. Put the spare tire near the flat tire.