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DRIVING AND OPERATING 293
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Thenapply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
7. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more often
when pulling a trailer. . Things that
are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission
fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system, and brake system. It is
a good idea to inspect these before
and during the trip. Check periodically to see that all hitch
nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
(PLUG-IN Only)
The vehicle is neither designed nor
intended to tow a trailer.
Trailer Towing
(Gasoline Only)
Before pulling a trailer, three
important considerations have to do
with weight:
.
Weight of the trailer.
. Weight of the trailer tongue.
. Total weight on your vehicle's
tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
454 kg (1,000 lb). But even that can be
too heavy.
Safe trailering requires monitoring the
weight, speed, altitude, road grades,
outside temperature, the dimensions of the front of the trailer, and how
frequently the vehicle is used to pull a
trailer. Take into consideration any
special equipment on the vehicle, and
the amount of tongue weight the
vehicle can carry. See
“Weight of the
Trailer Tongue ”later in this section
for more information.
Trailer weight rating (TWR) is
calculated assuming the tow vehicle
has the driver, a front seat passenger,
and all required trailering equipment.
Weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers, and cargo in
the tow vehicle must be subtracted
from the trailer weight rating.
Ask your dealer for trailering
information or advice, or write us at
our Customer Assistance Offices. See
Customer Assistance Offices 0410.Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue weight load (1) of any
trailer is very important because it is
also part of the vehicle weight. The
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes
the curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo carried in it, and the people who
will be riding in the vehicle, as well as
trailer tongue weight. Vehicle options,
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294 DRIVING AND OPERATING
equipment, passengers, and cargo in
the vehicle reduce the amount of
tongue weight the vehicle can carry,
which will also reduce the trailer
weight the vehicle can tow. SeeVehicle
Load Limits 0213.
In general, trailer tongue weight (1)
should be 10–15% and fifth-wheel or
gooseneck kingpin weight should be
15–25% of the loaded trailer
weight (2). Some specific trailer types,
such as boat trailers, fall outside of
this range. Refer to the trailer owner’s
manual for the recommended trailer
tongue weight. In all cases, do not
exceed the maximum loads for the
vehicle series and hitch type. After loading the trailer, weigh the
trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, adjustments
might be made by moving some items
around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's
Tires
Be sure the vehicle's tires are inflated
to the upper limit for cold tires. These
numbers can be found on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
Vehicle
Load Limits 0213. Make sure not to go
over the GVW limit for the vehicle,
including the weight of the trailer
tongue.
Towing Equipment
Hitches
Use the correct hitch equipment. See
your dealer or a hitch dealer for
assistance.
. The rear bumper on the vehicle is
not intended for hitches. Do not
attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use
only a frame-mounted hitch that
does not attach to the bumper. .
The frame mounted hitch must be
compatible with aluminum.
. Will any holes be made in the
body of the vehicle when the
trailer hitch is installed? If so, seal
the holes when the hitch is
removed. If the holes are not
sealed, dirt, water, and deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) from the
exhaust can get into the vehicle.
See Engine Exhaust 0230.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer. Cross the safety
chains under the tongue of the trailer
to help prevent the tongue from
contacting the road if it becomes
separated from the hitch. Leave
enough slack so the rig can turn.
Never allow safety chains to drag on
the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does the trailer have its own brakes?
Be sure to read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brakes so
they are installed, adjusted, and
maintained properly.
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296 VEHICLE CARE
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . 311
Cooling System (Gasoline Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Cooling System (PLUG-IN Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323 Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . 324
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . 327
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . 328
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . 331
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . 331
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . 335
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340 All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Tire Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . 349
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 357
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
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VEHICLE CARE 323
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will not
work well. That could lead to a
crash. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the proper sequence to torque
specifications. See
Capacities and
Specifications 0404.
Brake pads should be replaced as
complete sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does
not return to normal height, or if
there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign that brake
service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement parts.
If this is not done, the brakes may not
work properly. The braking
performance expected can change in
many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are installed
or if parts are improperly installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir is
filled with GM approved DOT 3 (for
gasoline only vehicles) or DOT 4 (for
PLUG-IN vehicles) brake fluid as
indicated on the reservoir cap. See
Engine Compartment Overview 0300
for the location of the reservoir.
Checking Brake Fluid
With the vehicle in P (Park) on a level
surface, the brake fluid level should be
between the minimum and maximum
marks on the brake fluid reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down:
. Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the fluid
level goes back up.
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340 VEHICLE CARE
FusesUsage
F70 –
F71 –
F72 –
F73 –
F74 –
F75 –
Relays Usage
R1 Rear seat power outlet
R2 Fuel pump
R3 Run/CrankWheels and Tires
Tires
Every new GM vehicle has
high-quality tires made by a
leading tire manufacturer. See the
warranty manual for information
regarding the tire warranty and
where to get service. For
additional information refer to the
tire manufacturer.
{Warning
.Poorly maintained and
improperly used tires are
dangerous.
.Overloading the tires can
cause overheating as a
result of too much flexing.
There could be a blowout
and a serious crash. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0213.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Underinflated tires pose
the same danger as
overloaded tires. The
resulting crash could cause
serious injury. Check all
tires frequently to
maintain the
recommended pressure.
Tire pressure should be
checked when the tires
are cold.
.Overinflated tires are more
likely to be cut, punctured,
or broken by a sudden
impact —such as when
hitting a pothole. Keep
tires at the recommended
pressure.
.Worn or old tires can
cause a crash. If the tread
is badly worn,
replace them.
(Continued)
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VEHICLE CARE 341
Warning (Continued)
.Replace any tires that have
been damaged by impacts
with potholes, curbs, etc.
.Improperly repaired tires
can cause a crash. Only
the dealer or an authorized
tire service center should
repair, replace, dismount,
and mount the tires.
.Do not spin the tires in
excess of 56 km/h
(35 mph) on slippery
surfaces such as snow,
mud, ice, etc. Excessive
spinning may cause the
tires to explode.
See Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation 0349 for inflation
pressure adjustment for
high-speed driving.
All-Season Tires
This vehicle may come with all-season
tires. These tires are designed to
provide good overall performance on
most road surfaces and weather
conditions. Original equipment tires
designed to GM's specific tire
performance criteria have a TPC
specification code molded onto the
sidewall. Original equipment
all-season tires can be identified by
the last two characters of this TPC
code, which will be “MS.”
Consider installing winter tires on the
vehicle if frequent driving on snow or
ice-covered roads is expected.
All-season tires provide adequate
performance for most winter driving
conditions, but they may not offer the
same level of traction or performance
as winter tires on snow or ice-covered
roads. See Winter Tires 0341.
Winter Tires
This vehicle was not originally
equipped with winter tires. Winter
tires are designed for increased
traction on snow and ice-covered
roads. Consider installing winter tires on the vehicle if frequent driving on
ice or snow covered roads is expected.
See your dealer for details regarding
winter tire availability and proper tire
selection. Also, see
Buying New Tires
0 355.
With winter tires, there may be
decreased dry road traction, increased
road noise, and shorter tread life.
After changing to winter tires, be alert
for changes in vehicle handling and
braking.
If using winter tires:
. Use tires of the same brand and
tread type on all four wheel
positions.
. Use only radial ply tires of the
same size, load range, and speed
rating as the original equipment
tires.
Winter tires with the same speed
rating as the original equipment tires
may not be available for H, V, W, Y,
and ZR speed rated tires. If winter
tires with a lower speed rating are
chosen, never exceed the tire's
maximum speed capability.
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342 VEHICLE CARE
Low-Profile Tires
If the vehicle has 245/45R19, 245/
40R20, or 245/40ZR20 size tires,
they are classified as low-profile
tires.Caution
Low-profile tires are more
susceptible to damage from road
hazards or curb impact than
standard profile tires. Tire and/or
wheel assembly damage can occur
when coming into contact with
road hazards like potholes, or sharp
edged objects, or when sliding into
a curb. The warranty does not cover
this type of damage. Keep tires set
to the correct inflation pressure and
when possible, avoid contact with
curbs, potholes, and other road
hazards.
Summer Tires
This vehicle may come with high
performance summer tires. These tires
have a special tread and compound that are optimized for maximum dry
and wet road performance. This
special tread and compound will have
decreased performance in cold
climates, and on ice and snow. It is
recommended that winter tires be
installed on the vehicle if frequent
driving at temperatures below
approximately 5 °C (40 °F) or on ice or
snow covered roads is expected. See
Winter Tires
0341.
Caution
High performance summer tires
have rubber compounds that lose
flexibility and may develop surface
cracks in the tread area at
temperatures below −7 °C (20 °F).
Always store high performance
summer tires indoors and at
temperatures above −7 °C (20 °F)
when not in use. If the tires have
been subjected to −7 °C (20 °F) or
less, let them warm up in a heated
space to at least 5 °C (40 °F) for
24 hours or more before being
installed or driving a vehicle on
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
which they are installed. Do not
apply heat or blow heated air
directly on the tires. Always inspect
tires before use. SeeTire Inspection
0 353.
Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is
molded into its sidewall. The
examples show a typical passenger
vehicle tire and a compact spare
tire sidewall.
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VEHICLE CARE 343
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire Example
(1) Tire Size:The tire size is a
combination of letters and
numbers used to define a
particular tire's width, height,
aspect ratio, construction type,
and service description. See the
“Tire Size ”illustration later in this
section.
(2) TPC Spec (Tire Performance
Criteria Specification)
:Original
equipment tires designed to GM's
specific tire performance criteria
have a TPC specification code molded onto the sidewall. GM's
TPC specifications meet or exceed
all federal safety guidelines.
(3) DOT (Department of
Transportation)
:The
Department of Transportation
(DOT) code indicates that the tire
is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
DOT Tire Date of Manufacture
:
The last four digits of the TIN
indicate the tire manufactured
date. 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.
(4) Tire Identification Number
(TIN)
:The letters and numbers
following the DOT (Department of
Transportation) code are the Tire
Identification Number (TIN). The
TIN shows the manufacturer and
plant code, tire size, and date the
tire was manufactured. The TIN is molded onto both sides of the tire,
although only one side may have
the date of manufacture.
(5) Tire Ply Material
:The type
of cord and number of plies in the
sidewall and under the tread.
(6) Uniform Tire Quality
Grading (UTQG)
:Tire
manufacturers are required to
grade tires based on three
performance factors: treadwear,
traction, and temperature
resistance. For more information
see Uniform Tire Quality Grading
0 357.
(7) Maximum Cold Inf lation
Load Limit
:Maximum load that
can be carried and the maximum
pressure needed to support
that load.