2012 CHEVROLET SILVERADO Owners Manual

Black plate (67,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-67
.Operating electronic devices or
being near facilities using radio
wave frequencies similar to the
TPMS could cause the TPMS
sensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioning
properly, it cannot detect or signal a
low tire condition. See your dealer
for service if the TPMS malfunction
light and DIC message come on
and stay on.
TPMS Sensor Matching
Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identification code. The identification
code needs to be matched to a
new tire/wheel position after rotating
the vehicle’ s tires or replacing one
or more of the TPMS sensors.
Also, the TPMS sensor matching
process should be performed after
replacing a spare tire with a road
tire containing the TPMS sensor. The malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off at the next
ignition cycle. The sensors are
matched to the tire/wheel positions,
using a TPMS relearn tool, in the
following order: driver side front tire,
passenger side front tire, passenger
side rear tire, and driver side rear.
See your dealer for service or to
purchase a relearn tool.
There are two minutes to match
the first tire/wheel position, and
five minutes overall to match all
four tire/wheel positions. If it takes
longer, the matching process stops
and must be restarted.
The TPMS sensor matching
process is:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with
the engine off. 3. Press the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter's LOCK
and UNLOCK buttons at the
same time for approximately
five seconds. The horn sounds
twice to signal the receiver is
in relearn mode and TIRE
LEARNING ACTIVE message
displays on the DIC screen.
If the vehicle does not have
RKE, press the Driver
Information Center (DIC) vehicle
information button until the
PRESSVTO RELEARN TIRE
POSITIONS message displays.
The horn sounds twice to signal
the receiver is in relearn mode
and TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
message displays on the DIC
screen.

Black plate (68,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
10-68 Vehicle Care
If the vehicle does not have RKE
or DIC buttons, press the trip
odometer reset stem located on
the instrument panel cluster until
the PRESS
VTO RELEARN
TIRE POSITIONS message
displays. The horn sounds twice
to signal the receiver is in
relearn mode and TIRE
LEARNING ACTIVE message
displays on the DIC screen.
4. Start with the driver side front tire.
5. Place the relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve
stem. Then press the button to
activate the TPMS sensor.
A horn chirp confirms that the
sensor identification code has
been matched to this tire and
wheel position. 6. Proceed to the passenger side
front tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 5.
7. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 5.
8. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the procedure
in Step 5. The horn sounds
two times to indicate the sensor
identification code has been
matched to the driver side rear
tire, and the TPMS sensor
matching process is no longer
active. The TIRE LEARNING
ACTIVE message on the DIC
display screen goes off.
9. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK/OFF.
10. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure
level as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
Tire Inspection
We recommend that the tires,
including the spare tire, if the
vehicle has one, be inspected
for signs of wear or damage at
least once a month.
Replace the tire if:
.The indicators at three or
more places around the tire
can be seen.
.There is cord or fabric
showing through the tire's
rubber.
.The tread or sidewall is
cracked, cut, or snagged
deep enough to show cord or
fabric.
.The tire has a bump, bulge,
or split.
.The tire has a puncture, cut,
or other damage that cannot
be repaired well because of
the size or location of the
damage.

Black plate (69,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-69
Tire Rotation
Tires should be rotated
every 12 000 km (7,500 mi).
SeeMaintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3.
Tires are rotated to achieve a
uniform wear for all tires.
The first rotation is the most
important.
Any time unusual wear is
noticed, rotate the tires as soon
as possible and check the
wheel alignment. Also check
for damaged tires or wheels.
See When It Is Time for New
Tires on page 10‑71 andWheel
Replacement on page 10‑77.
If your vehicle has dual rear
wheels, also see Dual Tire
Rotation on page 10‑71.
Use this rotation pattern when
rotating the tires if the vehicle
has single rear wheels.Use this rotation pattern when
rotating the tires if the vehicle
has dual rear wheels (except
polished forged aluminum
wheels).
Vehicles with polished forged
aluminum dual wheels have
three unique wheels; a front, a
rear outer and a rear inner.
These wheels cannot be rotated
to another position, however,
they can be rotated from left to
right to the same position.

Black plate (70,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
10-70 Vehicle Care
Use this rotation pattern when
rotating the tires if the vehicle
has polished forged aluminum
dual rear wheels. The spare
wheel can be used in any
position and can be rotated
with the rear inner wheels.
When installing dual wheels,
check that the vent holes in the
inner and outer wheels on each
side are lined up.Adjust the front and rear tires
to the recommended inflation
pressure on the Tire and
Loading Information label
after the tires have been
rotated. See
Tire Pressure on
page 10‑62 andVehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑17.
Check that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel
Nut Torque” underCapacities
and Specifications on
page 12‑2.
{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.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
In an emergency, a cloth or a
paper towel can be used;
however, use a scraper or wire
brush later to remove all rust
or dirt.
Lightly coat the center of the
wheel hub with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel change or
tire rotation to prevent corrosion
or rust build-up. Do not get
grease on the flat wheel
mounting surface or on the
wheel nuts or bolts.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS), if the vehicle
has one. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor Operation on
page 10‑65.

Black plate (71,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-71
Check that the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, is stored
properly. Push, pull, and then
try to rotate or turn the tire.
If it moves, tighten the cable.
See“Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools” underTire Changing
on page 10‑80.
Dual Tire Rotation
When the vehicle is new,
or whenever a wheel, wheel
bolt, or wheel nut is replaced,
check the wheel nut torque after
160, 1 600, and 10 000 km
(100, 1,000, and 6,000 mi) of driving.
For proper torque and wheel nut
tightening information, see
“Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools” underTire Changing on
page 10‑80. The outer tire on a dual wheel setup
generally wears faster than the
inner tire. Tires last longer and wear
more evenly if they are rotated.
See
Tire Inspection on page 10‑68
and Tire Rotation on page 10‑69.
Also see Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3.
{WARNING
If the vehicle is operated with a
tire that is underinflated, the tire
can overheat. An overheated tire
can lose air suddenly or catch
fire. You or others could be
injured. Properly inflate all tires,
including the spare.
See Tire Pressure on page 10‑62,
for information on proper tire
inflation.
When It Is Time for
New Tires
Factors, such as maintenance,
temperatures, driving speeds,
vehicle loading, and road conditions
affect the wear rate of the tires.
Treadwear indicators are one way
to tell when it is time for new tires.
Treadwear indicators appear
when the tires have only 1.6 mm
(1/16 in) or less of tread remaining.
Some commercial truck tires may
not have treadwear indicators.

Black plate (72,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
10-72 Vehicle Care
SeeTire Inspection on page 10‑68
and Tire Rotation on page 10‑69 for
additional information.
The rubber in tires ages over time.
This also applies to the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, even if it is
never used. Multiple conditions
including temperatures, loading
conditions, and inflation pressure
maintenance affect how fast aging
takes place. Tires will typically
need to be replaced due to wear
before they may need to be
replaced due to age. Consult the tire
manufacturer for more information
on when tires should be replaced.
Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normally
mounted on a parked vehicle.
Park a vehicle that will be stored for
at least a month in a cool, dry, clean
area away from direct sunlight to
slow aging. This area should be
free of grease, gasoline or other
substances that can deteriorate
rubber. Parking for an extended period can
cause flat spots on the tires that
may result in vibrations while
driving. When storing a vehicle for
at least a month, remove the tires
or raise the vehicle to reduce the
weight from the tires.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specific tires for the vehicle.
The original equipment tires
installed were designed to meet
General Motors Tire Performance
Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
system rating. When replacement
tires are needed, GM strongly
recommends buying tires with the
same TPC Spec rating.
GM's exclusive TPC Spec system
considers over a dozen critical
specifications that impact the
overall performance of the
vehicle, including brake system
performance, ride and handling,
traction control, and tire pressure
monitoring performance. GM's TPC
Spec number is molded onto the
tire's sidewall near the tire size.
If the tires have an all‐season tread
design, the TPC Spec number will
be followed by MS for mud and
snow. See
Tire Sidewall Labeling on
page 10‑55 for additional
information.
GM recommends replacing all the
tires at the same time. Uniform
tread depth on all tires will help to
maintain the performance of the
vehicle. Braking and handling
performance may be adversely
affected if all the tires are not
replaced at the same time.
See Tire Inspection on page 10‑68
and Tire Rotation on page 10‑69 for
information on proper tire rotation.

Black plate (73,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-73
{WARNING
Tires could explode during
improper service. Attempting
to mount or dismount a tire
could cause injury or death.
Only your dealer or authorized
tire service center should
mount or dismount the tires.
{WARNING
Mixing tires of different sizes,
brands, or types may cause loss
of control of the vehicle, resulting
in a crash or other vehicle
damage. Use the correct size,
brand, and type of tires on all
wheels.
This vehicle may have a different
size spare than the road tires
originally installed on the vehicle. (Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
When new, the vehicle included a
spare tire and wheel assembly
with a similar overall diameter as
the road tires and wheels, so it is
all right to drive on it. The spare
tire was developed for use on this
vehicle and will not affect vehicle
handling.
{WARNING
Using bias-ply tires on the
vehicle may cause the wheel
rim flanges to develop cracks
after many miles of driving.
A tire and/or wheel could fail
suddenly and cause a crash.
Use only radial-ply tires with
the wheels on the vehicle.
If the vehicle tires must be replaced
with a tire that does not have a TPC
Spec number, make sure they are
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and construction (radial) as
the original tires.
Vehicles that have a tire pressure
monitoring system could give an
inaccurate low‐pressure warning
if non‐TPC Spec rated tires are
installed. See Tire Pressure Monitor
System on page 10‑64.
The Tire and Loading Information
label indicates the original
equipment tires on the vehicle.
See Vehicle Load Limits on
page 9‑17 for the label location
and more information about the
Tire and Loading Information label.

Black plate (74,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
10-74 Vehicle Care
Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If wheels or tires are installed that
are a different size than the original
equipment wheels and tires, vehicle
performance, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover
may be affected. If the vehicle has
electronic systems such as antilock
brakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, and electronic stability
control, the performance of these
systems can also be affected.
{WARNING
If different sized wheels are used,
there may not be an acceptable
level of performance and safety
if tires not recommended for
those wheels are selected.
This increases the chance of
a crash and serious injury.
Only use GM specific wheel and
tire systems developed for the
vehicle, and have them properly
installed by a GM certified
technician.
See Buying New Tires on
page 10‑72 andAccessories and
Modifications on page 10‑3 for
additional information.
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width.
For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), which grades tires
by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance.
This applies only to vehicles
sold in the United States.
The grades are molded on
the sidewalls of most passenger