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258 Vehicle Care
of reasons, including the installationof replacement or alternate tires orwheels on the vehicle that preventthe TPMS from functioning properly.Always check the TPMS malfunctiontelltale after replacing one or moretires or wheels on your vehicle toensure that the replacement oralternate tires and wheels allow theTPMS to continue to functionproperly.
SeeTire Pressure MonitorOperation0258.
SeeRadio FrequencyStatement0317.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
This vehicle may have a TirePressure Monitor System (TPMS).The TPMS is designed to warn thedriver when a low tire pressurecondition exists. TPMS sensors aremounted onto each tire and wheelassembly, excluding the spare tireand wheel assembly. The TPMSsensors monitor the air pressure in
the tires and transmit the tirepressure readings to a receiverlocated in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure conditionis detected, the TPMS illuminatesthe low tire pressure warning lightlocated on the instrument cluster.If the warning light comes on, stopas soon as possible and inflate thetires to the recommended pressureshown on the Tire and LoadingInformation label. SeeVehicle LoadLimits0178.
The low tire pressure warning lightcomes on at each ignition cycle untilthe tires are inflated to the correctinflation pressure.
The low tire pressure warning lightmay come on in cool weather whenthe vehicle is first started, and thenturn off as the vehicle is driven. This
could be an early indicator that theair pressure is getting low and mustbe inflated to the proper pressure.
ATire and Loading Information labelshows the size of the originalequipment tires and the correctinflation pressure for the tires whenthey are cold. SeeVehicle LoadLimits0178,foranexampleoftheTire and Loading Information labeland its location. Also seeTirePressure0256.
The TPMS can warn about a lowtire pressure condition but it doesnot replace normal tiremaintenance. SeeTire Inspection0260,Tire Rotation0261andTires0248.
Caution
Tire sealant materials are not all
the same. A non-approved tire
sealant could damage the TPMS
sensors. TPMS sensor damage
caused by using an incorrect tire
sealant is not covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always use only
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Vehicle Care 259
Caution (Continued)
the GM approved tire sealant
available through your dealer or
included in the vehicle.
TPMS Malfunction Light
The TPMS will not function properlyif one or more of the TPMS sensorsare missing or inoperable. When thesystem detects a malfunction, thelow tire warning light flashes forabout one minute and then stays onfor the remainder of the ignitioncycle. The malfunction light comeson at each ignition cycle until theproblem is corrected. Some of theconditions that can cause this tocome on are:
.One of the road tires has beenreplaced with the spare tire. Thespare tire does not have aTPMS sensor. The malfunctionlight should go off after the roadtire is replaced and the sensormatching process is performed
successfully. See "TPMS SensorMatching Process" later in thissection.
.The TPMS sensor matchingprocess was not done or notcompleted successfully afterrotating the tires. Themalfunction light should go offafter successfully completing thesensor matching process. See"TPMS Sensor MatchingProcess" later in this section.
.One or more TPMS sensors aremissing or damaged. Themalfunction light should go offwhen the TPMS sensors areinstalled and the sensormatching process is performedsuccessfully. See your dealer forservice.
.Replacement tires or wheels donot match the original equipmenttires or wheels. Tires and wheelsother than those recommendedcould prevent the TPMS fromfunctioning properly. SeeBuyingNew Tires0263.
.Operating electronic devices orbeing near facilities using radiowave frequencies similar to theTPMS could cause the TPMSsensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioningproperly, it cannot detect or signal alow tire condition. See your dealerfor service if the TPMS malfunctionlight comes on and stays on.
TPMS Sensor Matching
Process
Each TPMS sensor has a uniqueidentification code. The identificationcode needs to be matched to a newtire/wheel position after rotating thetires or replacing one or more of theTPMS sensors. The TPMS sensormatching process should also beperformed after replacing a sparetire with a road tire containing theTPMS sensor. The malfunction lightshould go off at the next ignitioncycle. The sensors are matched tothe tire/wheel positions, using aTPMS relearn tool, in the followingorder: driver side front tire,passenger side front tire, passengerside rear tire, and driver side rear.
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262 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
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, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
ascraperorwirebrushlaterto
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.
When It Is Time for New
Tires
Factors such as maintenance,temperatures, driving speeds,vehicle loading, and road conditionsaffect the wear rate of the tires.
Treadwear indicators are one way totell when it is time for new tires.Treadwear indicators appear whenthe tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in)or less of tread remaining.SeeTire Inspection0260andTireRotation0261.
The rubber in tires ages over time.This also applies to the spare tire,if the vehicle has one, even if it isnever used. Multiple factorsincluding temperatures, loadingconditions, and inflation pressuremaintenance affect how fast agingtakes place. GM recommends thattires, including the spare ifequipped, be replaced after sixyears, regardless of tread wear. The
tire manufacture date is the last fourdigits of the DOT Tire IdentificationNumber (TIN) which is molded intoone side of the tire sidewall. Thefirst two digits represent the week(01–52) and the last two digits, theyear. For example, the third week ofthe year 2010 would have afour-digit DOT date of 0310.
Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normallymounted on a parked vehicle. Parkavehiclethatwillbestoredforatleast a month in a cool, dry, cleanarea away from direct sunlight toslow aging. This area should be freeof grease, gasoline, or othersubstances that can deterioraterubber.
Parking for an extended period cancause flat spots on the tires thatmay result in vibrations whiledriving. When storing a vehicle forat least a month, remove the tires orraise the vehicle to reduce theweight from the tires.
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Vehicle Care 265
most passenger car tires. The
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply
to deep tread, winter tires,
compact spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production
tires.
While the tires available on
General Motors passenger cars
and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they
must also conform to federal
safety requirements and
additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AATemperature A
All Passenger Car Tires Must
Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements In Addition To
These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test
course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and
one-half (1Ω) times as well on
the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and
differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from
highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on
specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
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
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266 Vehicle Care
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
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.
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276 Vehicle Care
The jump start negative post andpositive post are on the dischargedbattery on the driver side of thevehicle.
The jump start positive post andnegative post are on the battery ofthe vehicle providing the jump start.
The positive jump start connectionfor the discharged battery is under atrim cover. Open the cover toexpose the terminal.
1. Check the other vehicle.It must have a 12-volt batterywith a negative ground system.
Caution
If the other vehicle does not have
a12-voltsystemwithanegative
ground, both vehicles can be
damaged. Only use a vehicle that
has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump starting.
2. Position the two vehicles sothat they are not touching.
3. Set the parking brake firmlyand put the shift lever inP(Park) with an automatictransmission, or Neutral with amanual transmission. SeeShifting Into Park (AutomaticTr a n s m i s s i o n )0187with anautomatic transmission, orParking0189with a manualtransmission.
Caution
If any accessories are left on or
plugged in during the jump
starting procedure, they could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible, turn
off or unplug all accessories on
either vehicle when jump starting.
4. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.Turn off all lights andaccessories in both vehicles,except the hazard warningflashers if needed.
{Warning
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{Warning
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded.
Use a flashlight if you need more
light.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
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280 Vehicle Care
Dolly Towing from the Front
The vehicle can be towed from thefront using a dolly. To tow thevehicle using a dolly:
1. Attach the dolly to the towvehicle following the dollymanufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto thedolly.
3. Put an automatic transmissionin P (Park) or a manualtransmission into 1 (First) gear.
4. Set the parking brake andremove the key.
5. Clamp the steering wheel in astraight-ahead position with aclamping device designed fortowing.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
7. Release the parking brake.
Dolly Towing from the Rear
Caution
To w i n g t h e v e h i c l e f r o m t h e r e a r
could damage it. Also, repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Never have the
vehicle towed from the rear.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory.Use a de-icing agent only whenabsolutely necessary, and have thelocks greased after using. SeeRecommended Fluids andLubricants0300.
Washing the Vehicle
To p r e s e r v e t h e v e h i c l e ' s f i n i s h ,wash it often and out of directsunlight.
Caution
Do not use petroleum-based,
acidic, or abrasive cleaning
agents as they can damage the
vehicle's paint, metal, or plastic
parts. If damage occurs, it would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from
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286 Vehicle Care
Speaker Covers
Va c u u m a r o u n d a s p e a k e r c o v e rgently, so that the speaker will notbe damaged. Clean spots with waterand mild soap.
Coated Moldings
Coated moldings should be cleaned.
.When lightly soiled, wipe with asponge or soft, lint-free clothdampened with water.
.When heavily soiled, use warmsoapy water.
Fabric/Carpet/Suede
Start by vacuuming the surfaceusing a soft brush attachment. If arotating vacuum brush attachment isbeing used, only use it on the floorcarpet. Before cleaning, gentlyremove as much of the soil aspossible:
.Gently blot liquids with a papertowel. Continue blotting until nomore soil can be removed.
.For solid soils, remove as muchas possible prior to vacuuming.
To c l e a n :
1. Saturate a clean, lint-freecolorfast cloth with water.Microfiber cloth isrecommended to prevent linttransfer to the fabric or carpet.
2. Remove excess moisture bygently wringing until water doesnot drip from the cleaning cloth.
3. Start on the outside edge of thesoil and gently rub toward thecenter. Fold the cleaning clothto a clean area frequently toprevent forcing the soil in to thefabric.
4. Continue gently rubbing thesoiled area until there is nolonger any color transfer fromthe soil to the cleaning cloth.
5. If the soil is not completelyremoved, use a mild soapsolution followed only by plainwater.
If the soil is not completelyremoved, it may be necessary touse a commercial upholsterycleaner or spot lifter. Test a smallhidden area for colorfastness beforeusing a commercial upholstery
cleaner or spot lifter. If ringformation occurs, clean the entirefabric or carpet.
After cleaning, use a paper towel toblot excess moisture.
Cleaning High Gloss Surfaces
and Vehicle Information and
Radio Displays
Use a microfiber cloth on high glosssurfaces or vehicle displays. First,use a soft bristle brush to removedirt that can scratch the surface.Then gently clean by rubbing with amicrofiber cloth. Never use windowcleaners or solvents. Periodicallyhand wash the microfiber clothseparately, using mild soap. Do notuse bleach or fabric softener. Rinsethoroughly and air dry beforenext use.
Caution
Do not attach a device with a
suction cup to the display. This
may cause damage and would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.