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Temperature
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
Ccorrespondstoalevelof
performance which all
passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and
Arepresenthigherlevelsof
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 were alignedand balanced at the factory toprovide the longest tire life and bestoverall performance. Adjustments towheel alignment and tire balancingare not necessary on a regularbasis. Consider an alignment checkif there is unusual tire wear or thevehicle is significantly pulling to oneside or the other. Some slight pull tothe left or right, depending on thecrown of the road and/or other roadsurface variations such as troughsor ruts, is normal. If the vehicle isvibrating when driving on a smoothroad, the tires and wheels may needto be rebalanced. See your dealerfor proper diagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent,cracked, or badly rusted orcorroded. If wheel nuts keep comingloose, the wheel, wheel bolts, andwheel nuts should be replaced.If the wheel leaks air, replace it.Some aluminum wheels can berepaired. See your dealer if any ofthese conditions exist.
Yo u r d e a l e r w i l l k n o w t h e k i n d o fwheel that is needed.
Each new wheel should have thesame load-carrying capacity,diameter, width, offset, and bemounted the same way as the one itreplaces.
Replace wheels, wheel bolts, wheelnuts, or Tire Pressure MonitorSystem (TPMS) sensors with newGM original equipment parts.
{Warning
Using the wrong replacement
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel
nuts can be dangerous. It could
(Continued)
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Vehicle Care 337
Warning (Continued)
affect the braking and handling of
the vehicle. Tires can lose air,
and cause loss of control, causing
acrash.Alwaysusethecorrect
wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel
nuts for replacement.
Caution
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.
Used Replacement Wheels
{Warning
Replacing a wheel with a used
one is dangerous. How it has
been used or how far it has been
driven may be unknown. It could
fail suddenly and cause a crash.
When replacing wheels, use a
new GM original equipment
wheel.
Tire Chains
{Warning
If the vehicle has 245/45R18 or
245/40R19 size tires, 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 loss of control and a crash.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for the vehicle's
tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive slow
and readjust or remove the
traction device if it contacts the
vehicle. Do not spin the wheels. If
traction devices are used, install
them on the front tires.
Caution
If the vehicle is equipped with a
tire size other than 245/45R18 or
245/40R19, use tire chains only
where legal and only when
necessary. Use low profile chains
that add no more than 12 mm
thickness to the tire tread and
inner sidewall. Use chains that
are the proper size for the tires.
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338 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
Install them on the tires of the
front axle. Don't use chains on the
tires of the rear axle. Tighten
them as tightly as possible with
the ends securely fastened. Drive
slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer's instructions. If the
chains contact the 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 the vehicle.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blow outwhile driving, especially if the tiresare maintained properly. SeeTires0317.Ifairgoesoutofatire,itismuch more likely to leak out slowly.But if there is ever a blowout, hereare a few tips about what to expectand what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tirecreates a drag that pulls the vehicletoward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip thesteering wheel firmly. Steer tomaintain lane position, and thengently brake to a stop, well off theroad, if possible.
Arearblowout,particularlyonacurve, acts much like a skid andmay require the same correction asused in a skid. Stop pressing theaccelerator pedal and steer tostraighten the vehicle. It may bevery bumpy and noisy. Gently braketo 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
underinflated or flat may cause a
blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
that has been driven on while
severely underinflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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 a tire goes flat, avoid further tireand wheel damage by driving slowlyto a level place, well off the road,if possible. Turn on the hazardwarning flashers. SeeHazardWarning Flashers0166.
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{Warning
Changing a tire can be
dangerous. The vehicle can slip
off the jack and roll over or fall
causing injury or death. Find a
level place to change the tire. To
help prevent the vehicle from
moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatictransmission in P (Park) or amanual transmission in1(First) or R(Reverse).
3. Turn off the engine and donot restart while the vehicleis raised.
4. Do not allow passengers toremain in the vehicle.
5. Place wheel blocks,if equipped, on both sides ofthe tire at the oppositecorner of the tire beingchanged.
This vehicle may come with a jackand spare tire or a tire sealant andcompressor kit. To use the jackingequipment to change a spare tiresafely, follow the instructions below.Then seeTire Changing0346.Touse the tire sealant and compressorkit, seeTire Sealant andCompressor Kit0339.
When the vehicle has a flat tire (2),use the following example as aguide to assist you in the placementof wheel blocks (1), if equipped.
1. Wheel Block (If Equipped)
2. Flat Tire
The following information explainshow to repair or change a tire.
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
{Warning
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed
area with poor ventilation is
dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust
contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death. Never run the
engine in an enclosed area that
has no fresh air ventilation. For
more information, seeEngine
Exhaust0232.
{Warning
Overinflating a tire could cause
the tire to rupture and you or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and follow the tire sealant
and compressor kit instructions
and inflate the tire to its
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Warning (Continued)
recommended pressure. Do not
exceed the recommended
pressure.
{Warning
Storing the tire sealant and
compressor kit 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 the tire
sealant and compressor kit in its
original location.
If this vehicle has a tire sealant andcompressor kit, there may not be aspare tire or tire changingequipment, and on some vehiclesthere may not be a place to storeatire.
The tire sealant and compressorcan be used to temporarily sealpunctures up to 6 mm (0.25 in) in
the tread area of the tire. It can alsobe used to inflate anunderinflated tire.
If the tire has been separated fromthe wheel, has damaged sidewalls,or has a large puncture, the tire istoo severely damaged for the tiresealant and compressor kit to beeffective. SeeRoadside AssistanceProgram0387.
Read and follow all of the tiresealant and compressor kitinstructions.
The kit includes:
1. Sealant Canister Inlet Valve
2. Sealant/Air Hose
3. Base of Sealant Canister
4. Tire Sealant Canister
5. On/Off Button
6. Slot on Top of Compressor
7. Pressure Deflation Button
8. Pressure Gauge
9. Power Plug
10. Air Only Hose
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Tire Sealant
Read and follow the safe handlinginstructions on the label adhered tothe tire sealant canister (4).
Check the tire sealant expirationdate on the tire sealant canister.The tire sealant canister (4) shouldbe replaced before its expirationdate. Replacement tire sealantcanisters are available at your localdealer.
There is only enough sealant to sealone tire. After usage, the tire sealantcanister must be replaced.
Using the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit to Temporarily
Seal and Inflate a
Punctured Tire
When using the tire sealant andcompressor kit during coldtemperatures, warm the kit in aheated environment for five minutes.This will help to inflate the tirefaster.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tireand wheel damage by driving slowlyto a level place. Turn on the hazardwarning flashers. SeeHazardWarning Flashers0166.
SeeIf a Tire Goes Flat0338forother important safety warnings.
Do not remove any objects thathave penetrated the tire.
1. Remove the tire sealantcanister (4) and compressorfrom its storage location. SeeStoring the Tire Sealant andCompressor Kit0346.
2. Remove the air only hose (10)and the power plug (9) from thebottom of the compressor.
3. Place the compressor on theground near the flat tire.
4. Attach the air only hose (10) tothe sealant canister inletvalve (1) by turning it clockwiseuntil tight.
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5. Slide the base of the tiresealant canister (3) into the sloton the top of the compressor(6) to hold it upright.
Make sure the tire valve stemis positioned close to theground so the hose willreach it.
6. Remove the valve stem capfrom the flat tire by turning itcounterclockwise.
7. Attach the sealant/air hose (2)to the tire valve stem by turningit clockwise until tight.
8. Plug the power plug (9) into theaccessory power outlet in thevehicle. Unplug all items fromother accessory power outlets.SeePower Outlets0108.
If the vehicle has an accessorypower outlet, do not use thecigarette lighter.
If the vehicle only has acigarette lighter, use thecigarette lighter.
Do not pinch the power plugcord in the door or window.
9. Start the vehicle. The vehiclemust be running while usingthe air compressor.
10. Press the on/off button (5) toturn the tire sealant andcompressor kit on.
The compressor will injectsealant and air into the tire.
The pressure gauge (8) willinitially show a high pressurewhile the compressor pushesthe sealant into the tire. Oncethe sealant is completelydispersed into the tire, thepressure will quickly drop andstart to rise again as the tireinflates with air only.
11 . I n f l a t e t h e t i r e t o t h erecommended inflationpressure using the pressuregauge (8). The recommendedinflation pressure can be foundon the Tire and LoadingInformation label. SeeTirePressure0325.
The pressure gauge (8) mayread higher than the actual tirepressure while the compressor
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Vehicle Care 343
is on. Turn the compressor offto get an accurate pressurereading. The compressor maybe turned on/off until thecorrect pressure is reached.
Caution
If the recommended pressure
cannot be reached after
approximately 25 minutes, the
vehicle should not be driven
farther. The tire is too severely
damaged and the tire sealant and
compressor kit cannot inflate the
tire. Remove the power plug from
the accessory power outlet and
unscrew the inflating hose from
the tire valve. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program0387.
12. Press the on/off button (5) toturn the tire sealant andcompressor kit off.
The tire is not sealed and willcontinue to leak air until thevehicle is driven and thesealant is distributed in the tire.
Therefore, Steps 13–21 mustbe done immediately afterStep 12.
Be careful while handling thetire sealant and compressor kitas it could be warm afterusage.
13. Unplug the power plug (9) fromthe accessory power outlet inthe vehicle.
14. Turn the sealant/air hose (2)counterclockwise to remove itfrom the tire valve stem.
15. Replace the tire valvestem cap.
16. Remove the tire sealantcanister (4) from the slot on topof the compressor (6).
17. Turn the air only hose (10)counterclockwise to remove itfrom the tire sealant canisterinlet valve (1).
18. Turn the sealant/air hose (2)clockwise onto the sealantcanister inlet valve (1) toprevent sealant leakage.
19. Return the air only hose (10)and power plug (9) back totheir original storage location.
20. If the flat tire was able to inflateto the recommended inflationpressure, remove themaximum speed label from thesealant canister and place it inahighlyvisiblelocation.
Do not exceed the speed onthis label until the damaged tireis repaired or replaced.
21. Return the equipment to itsoriginal storage location in thevehicle.
22. Immediately drive the vehicle8km(5mi)todistributethesealant in the tire.
23. Stop at a safe location andcheck the tire pressure. Referto Steps 1–10 under“Using the