Black plate (60,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
10-60 Vehicle Care
on page 10‑57andTire Rotation on
page 10‑58 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 factors
including temperatures, loading
conditions, and inflation pressure
maintenance affect how fast aging
takes place. GM recommends that
tires, including the spare if
equipped, be replaced after
six years, regardless of tread wear.
The tire manufacturer date is the
last four digits of the DOT Tire
Identification Number (TIN) which is
molded into one side of the tire
sidewall. The first two digits
represent the week (01-52) and the
last two digits, the year. For
example, the third week of the year
2010 would have a four-digit DOT
date of 0310.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 10‑45 for
additional information.
GM recommends replacing worn
tires in complete sets of four (six
for dual rear wheels). Uniform
tread depth on all tires will help
Black plate (61,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Vehicle Care 10-61
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. If proper rotation and
maintenance have been done,
all four tires (six for dual rear
wheels) should wear out at
about the same time. SeeTire
Rotation on page 10‑58 for
information on proper tire
rotation. However, if it is
necessary to replace only one
axle set of worn tires, place the
new tires on the rear axle (two
for single rear wheels, four for
dual rear wheels).
{WARNING
Tires could explode during
improper service. Attempting
to mount or dismount a tire
could cause injury or death.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
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. 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
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
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,
Black plate (62,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
10-62 Vehicle Care
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.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor
System on page 10‑53.
The Tire and Loading
Information label indicates the
original equipment tires on the
vehicle. See Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9‑10 for the label
location and more information
about the Tire and Loading
Information label.
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, electronic stability control,
or All-Wheel Drive, 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 10‑60 andAccessories and
Modifications on page 10‑3.
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 car tires. The
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply
to deep tread, winter tires,
compact spare tires, tires with
Black plate (67,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Vehicle Care 10-67
WARNING (Continued)
5. Place wheel blocks on bothsides of the tire at the
opposite corner of the tire
being changed.
When the vehicle has a flat tire (2),
use the following example as a
guide to assist in the placement of
the wheel blocks (1).
1. Wheel Block
2. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how to repair or change a tire.
Tire Changing
Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools
Equipment needed for a cargo van
or a passenger van is in the
passenger side rear corner of the
vehicle.
Remove the retaining wing bolt and
lift it off of the mounting bracket.
Equipment needed for a
15-passenger seating arrangement
is secured on the rear floor on the
passenger side of the vehicle.
Remove the retaining wing bolt and
lift it out of the mounting bracket to
access the equipment.
Black plate (68,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
10-68 Vehicle Care
The tools you will be using include:
1. Jack
2. Hoist Handle
3. Extension(s)
4. Wheel Wrench
5. Jack Handle
The spare tire is mounted in the rear
underbody of the vehicle.
Use the hoist handle, extension(s),
and the wheel wrench to remove the
underbody-mounted spare tire.To lower the spare tire from the
vehicle:
1. Spare Tire
2. Tire/Wheel Retainer
3. Hoist Cable
4. Hoist Assembly
5. Hoist Shaft
6. Hoist Handle and Extension(s)
7. Wheel Wrench
1. Assemble the wheel wrench (7)
to the hoist handle and the
extension(s) (6).
Insert the extension end through
the hole in the rear bumper.
2. Be sure the extension end connects to the hoist shaft. The
chiseled end of the extension is
used to lower the spare tire.
3. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower the
spare tire 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 10‑74.
Black plate (69,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Vehicle Care 10-69
4. When the tire has been lowered,pull it closer to reach the tire
retainer and pull it up through
the wheel opening.
For a vehicle that was
completed from a cab and
chassis, refer to the information
from the body supplier/installer.
The spare tire is a full-size tire,
like the other tires on the
vehicle.
5. Put the spare tire near the flat tire.
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
If the 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. Jack
2. Hoist Handle 3. Extension(s)
4. Wheel Wrench
5. Jack Handle
1. Do a safety check before
proceeding. See If a Tire Goes
Flat on page 10‑65.
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 (1) together with the jack
handle (5), one or two
extension(s) (3), and the wheel
wrench (4).
Rear Flat: Assemble the jack (1)
together with the jack handle (5),
two extensions (3), and the
wheel wrench (4).
Black plate (71,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Vehicle Care 10-71
{WARNING
Raising the vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can
damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help
avoid personal injury and vehicle
damage, be sure to fit the jack lift
head into the proper location
before raising the vehicle.
5. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise to raise the vehicle.
Raise the vehicle far enough off
the ground so there is enough
room for the spare tire to fit.
6. Remove all the wheel nuts.
7. Take the flat tire off of themounting surface.
{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
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
wheel attaches to the vehicle. 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.
8. Remove any rust or dirt from thewheel bolts, mounting surfaces,
and spare wheel.
Black plate (73,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd Edition - 9/25/12
Vehicle Care 10-73
WARNING (Continued)
come off. The wheel nuts should
be tightened with a torque wrench
to the proper torque specification
after replacing. Follow the torque
specification supplied by the
aftermarket manufacturer when
using accessory locking wheel
nuts. SeeCapacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2 for
original equipment wheel nut
torque specifications.
Notice: Improperly tightened
wheel nuts can lead to brake
pulsation and rotor damage. To
avoid expensive brake repairs,
evenly tighten the wheel nuts in
the proper sequence and to the
proper torque specification. See
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2 for the wheel nut
torque specification.
11. Use the wheel wrench to
tighten the nuts firmly. Turn the
wheel wrench clockwise and in
a crisscross sequence, as
shown.
12. Put the wheel cover or the center cap and plastic wheel
nut caps back on. Remove any
wheel blocks.
Have a technician check the
wheel nut tightness of all
wheels with a torque wrench
after the first 160 km (100 mi)
and then 1 600 km (1,000 mi)
after that. Repeat this service
whenever a tire is removed or
serviced. See Capacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2 for
more information.
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools
{WARNING
Storing a jack, a tire, or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these in
the proper place.
1. Put the tire on the ground at the rear of the vehicle with the valve
stem pointed down.