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maintain correct tire pressure, even if
under-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped
with a TPMS malfunction indicator to
indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then
remain continuously illuminated. This
sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long
as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be
able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation
of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle toensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function
properly.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
0 282.
See Radio Frequency Statement 0334.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS). The TPMS is
designed to warn the driver when a
low tire pressure condition exists.
TPMS sensors are mounted onto each
tire and wheel assembly, excluding the
spare tire and wheel assembly. The
TPMS sensors monitor the air
pressure in the tires and transmit the
tire pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure condition is
detected, the TPMS illuminates the
low tire pressure warning light located
on the instrument cluster. If the
warning light comes on, stop as soon
as possible and inflate the tires to the
recommended pressure shown on the
Tire and Loading Information label.
See Vehicle Load Limits 0160.
A message to check the pressure in a
specific tire displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The low tire
pressure warning light and the DIC
warning message come on at each
ignition cycle until the tires are
inflated to the correct inflation
pressure. Using the DIC, tire pressure
levels can be viewed. For additional
information and details about the DIC
operation and displays see Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0117.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather when
the vehicle is first started, and then
turn off as the vehicle is driven. This
could be an early indicator that the air
pressure is getting low and needs to
be inflated to the proper pressure.
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A Tire and Loading Information label,
attached to your vehicle, shows the
size of the original equipment tires
and the correct inflation pressure for
the tires when they are cold. See
Vehicle Load Limits0160, for an
example of the Tire and Loading
Information label and its location.
Also see Tire Pressure 0279.
The TPMS can warn about a low tire
pressure condition but it does not
replace normal tire maintenance. See
Tire Inspection 0285, Tire Rotation
0 285 and
Tires 0272.
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
the GM approved tire sealant
available through your dealer or
included in the vehicle.
TPMS Malfunction Light and
Message
The TPMS will not function properly if
one or more of the TPMS sensors are
missing or inoperable. When the
system detects a malfunction, the low
tire pressure warning light flashes for
about one minute and then stays on
for the remainder of the ignition cycle.
A DIC warning message also displays.
The malfunction light and DIC
warning message come on at each
ignition cycle until the problem is
corrected. Some of the conditions that
can cause these to come on are:
.
One of the road tires has been
replaced with the spare tire. The
spare tire does not have a TPMS
sensor. The malfunction light and
DIC message should go off after
the road tire is replaced and the
sensor matching process is
performed successfully. See “TPMS
Sensor Matching Process ”later in
this section.
. The TPMS sensor matching
process was not done or not
completed successfully after
rotating the tires. The malfunction light and the DIC message should
go off after successfully
completing the sensor matching
process.
. One or more TPMS sensors are
missing or damaged. The
malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off when the
TPMS sensors are installed and
the sensor matching process is
performed successfully. See your
dealer for service.
. Replacement tires or wheels do
not match the original equipment
tires or wheels. Tires and wheels
other than those recommended
could prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. See Buying
New Tires 0287.
. Operating electronic devices or
being near facilities using radio
wave frequencies similar to the
TPMS could cause the TPMS
sensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioning
properly it cannot detect or signal a
low tire pressure condition. See your
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dealer for service if the TPMS
malfunction light and DIC message
comes on and stays on.
Tire Fill Alert (If Equipped)
This feature provides visual and
audible alerts outside the vehicle to
help when inflating an underinflated
tire to the recommended cold tire
pressure.
When the low tire pressure warning
light comes on:1. Park the vehicle in a safe, level place.
2. Set the parking brake firmly.
3. Place the vehicle in P (Park).
4. Add air to the tire that is underinflated. The turn signal
lamp will flash.
When the recommended
pressure is reached, the horn
sounds once and the turn signal
lamp will stop flashing and
briefly turn solid. Repeat these steps for all
underinflated tires that have
illuminated the low tire pressure
warning light.{Warning
Overinflating a tire could cause the
tire to rupture and you or others
could be injured. Do not exceed the
maximum pressure listed on the
tire sidewall. See
Tire Sidewall
Labeling 0275 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0160.
If the tire is overinflated by more than
35 kPa (5 psi), the horn will sound
multiple times and the turn signal
lamp will continue to flash for several
seconds after filling stops. To release
and correct the pressure, while the
turn signal lamp is still flashing,
briefly press the center of the valve
stem. When the recommended
pressure is reached, the horn
sounds once. If the turn signal lamp does not flash
within 15 seconds after starting to
inflate the tire, the tire fill alert has
not been activated or is not working.
If the hazard warning flashers are on,
the tire fill alert visual feedback will
not work properly.
The TPMS will not activate the tire fill
alert properly under the following
conditions:
.
There is interference from an
external device or transmitter.
. The air pressure from the inflation
device is not sufficient to inflate
the tire.
. There is a malfunction in
the TPMS.
. There is a malfunction in the horn
or turn signal lamps.
. The identification code of the
TPMS sensor is not registered to
the system.
. The battery of the TPMS sensor
is low.
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If the tire fill alert does not operate
due to TPMS interference, move the
vehicle about 1 m (3 ft) back or
forward and try again. If the tire fill
alert feature is not working, use a tire
pressure gauge.
TPMS Sensor Matching Process
—Auto Learn Function
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identification code. The identification
code needs to be matched to a new
tire/wheel position after rotating the
tires or replacing one or more of the
TPMS sensors. When a tire is
installed, the vehicle must be
stationary for about 20 minutes before
the system recalculates. The following
relearn process takes up to
10 minutes, driving at a minimum
speed of 20 km/h (12 mph). A dash (-)
or pressure value will display in the
DIC. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) 0117. A warning message
displays in the DIC if a problem
occurs during the relearn process.
Tire Inspection
We recommend that the tires,
including the spare tire, if the
vehicle has one, be inspected for
signs of wear or damage at least
once a month.
Replace the tire if:
.The indicators at three or more
places around the tire can
be seen.
.There is cord or fabric showing
through the tire's rubber.
.The tread or sidewall is
cracked, cut, or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.
.The tire has a bump, bulge,
or split.
.The tire has a puncture, cut,
or other damage that cannot
be repaired well because of the
size or location of the damage.
Tire Rotation
Tires should be rotated every
12 000 km (7,500 mi). See
Maintenance Schedule 0308.
Tires are rotated to achieve a
uniform wear for all tires. The first
rotation is the most important.
Anytime unusual wear is noticed,
rotate the tires as soon as
possible, check for proper tire
inflation pressure, and check for
damaged tires or wheels. If the
unusual wear continues after the
rotation, check the wheel
alignment. See When It Is Time for
New Tires 0286 and
Wheel Replacement 0290.
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Use this rotation pattern when
rotating the tires.
If the vehicle has a compact spare
tire, do not include it in the tire
rotation.
Adjust the front and rear tires to
the recommended inflation
pressure on the Tire and Loading
Information label after the tires
have been rotated. SeeTire
Pressure 0279 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0160.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. See Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0282. Check that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See
“Wheel
Nut Torque ”under Capacities and
Specifications 0321.
{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 a
crash. 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 a scraper or
wire brush later to remove all
rust or dirt.
Lightly coat the inner diameter of
the wheel hub opening with wheel
bearing grease after a wheel
change or tire rotation to prevent
corrosion or rust buildup. Do not get grease on the 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 conditions affect the
wear rate of the tires.
Treadwear indicators are one way to
tell when it is time for new tires.
Treadwear indicators appear when the
tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in) or
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less of tread remaining. SeeTire
Inspection 0285 and
Tire Rotation 0285.
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. To
identify the age of a tire, use the tire
manufacture date which 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 0275.
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 0285. However, if it is
necessary to replace only one axle
set of worn tires, place the new
tires on the rear axle.
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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 laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperaturecan 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 the
Federal 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.
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Replace wheels, wheel bolts, wheel
nuts, or Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) sensors with new GM 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 a
crash. Always use the correct 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
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.
Use another type of traction device
only if its manufacturer(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
recommends it for the vehicle's tire
size combination and road
conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive slowly
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 rear tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blow out
while driving, especially if the tires are
maintained properly. If air goes out of
a tire, it is much more likely to leak
out slowly. SeeTires0272 for
additional information. But if there
ever is 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