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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 manufacture 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 0281.
GM recommends replacing worn
tires in complete sets of four.
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. If proper rotation and
maintenance have been done, all
four tires should wear out at
about the same time. See Tire
Rotation 0293. However, if it is
necessary to replace only one axle
set of worn tires, place the new
tires on the rear axle.
Winter tires with the same speed
rating as the original equipment
tires may not be available for H, V,
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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 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 C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under theFederal Motor Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of 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 aligned and
balanced at the factory to provide the
longest tire life and best overall
performance. Adjustments to wheel
alignment and tire balancing are not
necessary on a regular basis. Consider
an alignment check if there is unusual
tire wear or the vehicle is significantly
pulling to one side or the other. Some
slight pull to the left or right,
depending on the crown of the road
and/or other road surface variations such as troughs or ruts, is normal.
If the vehicle is vibrating when driving
on a smooth road, the tires and
wheels may need to be rebalanced.
See your dealer for proper diagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent,
cracked, or badly rusted or corroded.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the
wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts
should be replaced. If the wheel leaks
air, replace it. Some aluminum wheels
can be repaired. See your dealer if any
of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of
wheel that is needed.
Each new wheel should have the same
load-carrying capacity, diameter,
width, offset, and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
Replace wheels, wheel bolts, wheel
nuts, or Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) sensors with new GM original
equipment parts.
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Caution (Continued)
Do not 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 out
while driving, especially if the tires are
maintained properly. SeeTires0279.
If air goes out of a tire, it is much
more likely to leak out slowly. But if
there is ever a blowout, here are a few
tips about what to expect and what
to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire creates
a drag that pulls the vehicle toward
that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly. Steer to maintain lane
position, and then gently brake to a
stop, well off the road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and may
require the same correction as used in
a skid. Stop pressing the accelerator
pedal and steer to straighten the
vehicle. It may be very bumpy and
noisy. Gently brake to 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 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 tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place, well off the road,
if possible. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. See Hazard Warning
Flashers 0163.
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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 a
manual transmission in
1 (First) or R (Reverse).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart while the vehicle
is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in the vehicle.
5. Place wheel blocks, if equipped, on both sides of
the tire at the opposite corner
of the tire being changed. This vehicle may come with a jack
and spare tire or a tire sealant and
compressor kit. To use the jacking
equipment to change a spare tire
safely, follow the instructions below.
Then see
Tire Changing 0308. To use
the tire sealant and compressor kit,
see Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
0 301.
When the vehicle has a flat tire (2),
use the following example as a guide
to assist you in the placement of
wheel blocks (1), if equipped.
1. Wheel Block (If Equipped)
2. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how 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,
see Engine Exhaust 0195.
{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
(Continued)
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Warning (Continued)
inflate the tire to its 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 and
compressor kit, there may not be a
spare tire or tire changing equipment,
and on some vehicles there may not
be a place to store a tire. The tire sealant and compressor can
be used to temporarily seal punctures
up to 6 mm (0.25 in) in the tread area
of the tire. It can also be used to
inflate an underinflated tire.
If the tire has been separated from the
wheel, has damaged sidewalls, or has
a large puncture, the tire is too
severely damaged for the tire sealant
and compressor kit to be effective. See
Roadside Service
0347.
Read and follow all of the tire sealant
and compressor kit instructions.
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
Tire Sealant
Read and follow the safe handling
instructions on the label adhered to
the tire sealant canister (4).
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Check the tire sealant expiration date
on the tire sealant canister. The tire
sealant canister (4) should be replaced
before its expiration date.
Replacement tire sealant canisters are
available at your local dealer.
There is only enough sealant to seal
one tire. After usage, the tire sealant
canister must be replaced.
Using the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit to Temporarily
Seal and Inflate a
Punctured Tire
When using the tire sealant and
compressor kit during cold
temperatures, warm the kit in a
heated environment for five minutes.
This will help to inflate the tire faster.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. SeeHazard Warning
Flashers 0163.
See If a Tire Goes Flat 0300 for other
important safety warnings.
Do not remove any objects that have
penetrated the tire. 1. Remove the tire sealant
canister (4) and compressor from
its storage location. See Storing
the Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit 0307.
2. Remove the air only hose (10) and the power plug (9) from the
bottom of the compressor.
3. Place the compressor on the ground near the flat tire.
4. Attach the air only hose (10) tothe sealant canister inlet
valve (1) by turning it clockwise
until tight.
5. Slide the base of the tire sealant
canister (3) into the slot on the
top of the compressor (6) to hold
it upright.
Make sure the tire valve stem is
positioned close to the ground so
the hose will reach it.
6. Remove the valve stem cap from the flat tire by turning it
counterclockwise.
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7. Attach the sealant/air hose (2) tothe tire valve stem by turning it
clockwise until tight.
8. Plug the power plug (9) into the accessory power outlet in the
vehicle. Unplug all items from
other accessory power outlets.
See Power Outlets 0119.
If the vehicle has an accessory
power outlet, do not use the
cigarette lighter.
If the vehicle only has a cigarette
lighter, use the cigarette lighter.
Do not pinch the power plug
cord in the door or window. 9. Start the vehicle. The vehicle
must be running while using the
air compressor.
10. Press the on/off button (5) to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit on.
The compressor will inject
sealant and air into the tire.
The pressure gauge (8) will
initially show a high pressure
while the compressor pushes the
sealant into the tire. Once the
sealant is completely dispersed
into the tire, the pressure will
quickly drop and start to rise
again as the tire inflates with
air only.
11. Inflate the tire to the recommended inflation pressure
using the pressure gauge (8). The
recommended inflation pressure
can be found on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
Tire Pressure 0286.
The pressure gauge (8) may read
higher than the actual tire
pressure while the compressor is
on. Turn the compressor off to get an accurate pressure reading.
The compressor may be turned
on/off until the correct 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.
See
Roadside Service 0347.
12. Press the on/off button (5) to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit off.
The tire is not sealed and will
continue to leak air until the
vehicle is driven and the sealant
is distributed in the tire.
Therefore, Steps 13–21 must be
done immediately after Step 12.
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Be careful while handling the tire
sealant and compressor kit as it
could be warm after usage.
13. Unplug the power plug (9) from the accessory power outlet in the
vehicle.
14. Turn the sealant/air hose (2) counterclockwise to remove it
from the tire valve stem.
15. Replace the tire valve stem cap.
16. Remove the tire sealant canister (4) from the slot on top
of the compressor (6).
17. Turn the air only hose (10) counterclockwise to remove it
from the tire sealant canister
inlet valve (1).
18. Turn the sealant/air hose (2) clockwise onto the sealant
canister inlet valve (1) to prevent
sealant leakage.
19. Return the air only hose (10) and power plug (9) back to their
original storage location.
20. If the flat tire was able to inflateto the recommended inflation
pressure, remove the maximum
speed label from the sealant
canister and place it in a highly
visible location.
Do not exceed the speed on this
label until the damaged tire is
repaired or replaced.
21. Return the equipment to its original storage location in the
vehicle.
22. Immediately drive the vehicle 8 km (5 mi) to distribute the
sealant in the tire.
23. Stop at a safe location and check the tire pressure. Refer to
Steps 1–10 under “Using the Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit
without Sealant to Inflate a Tire
(Not Punctured).” If the tire pressure has fallen
more than 68 kPa (10 psi) below
the recommended inflation
pressure, stop driving the vehicle.
The tire is too severely damaged
and the tire sealant cannot seal
the tire. See
Roadside Service
0 347.
If the tire pressure has not
dropped more than 68 kPa
(10 psi) from the recommended
inflation pressure, inflate the tire
to the recommended inflation
pressure.
24. Wipe off any sealant from the wheel, tire, or vehicle.
25. Dispose of the used tire sealant canister (4) at a local dealer or in
accordance with local state codes
and practices.
26. Replace it with a new canister available from your dealer.
27. After temporarily sealing a tire using the tire sealant and
compressor kit, take the vehicle
to an authorized dealer within