Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 395
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 less of tread remaining. Some
commercial truck tires may not have
treadwear indicators. SeeTire
Inspection 0392 and
Tire Rotation 0392 for additional
information.
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 forat 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
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
Vehicle Care 399
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 oneside 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.
{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.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
400 Vehicle Care
Whenever a wheel, wheel bolt,
or wheel nut is replaced on a dual
wheel setup, check the wheel nut
torque after 160,1 600, and
10 000 km (100,1,000, and
6,000 mi) of driving. For proper
torque, see“Wheel Nut Torque”
under Capacities and Specifications
0 454.
See If a Tire Goes Flat 0401 for
more information.
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 LT275/65R18,
275/60R20, LT275/65R20,
or 275/50R22 size tires, do not
use tire chains. If the vehicle is a
1500 Series with LT265/70R17
size tires, do not use tire chains.
They can damage the vehicle
because 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 you to lose control of the
vehicle, and you or others may be
injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on the
vehicle's tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
manufacturer's instructions. To
help avoid damage to the vehicle,
drive slowly, readjust, or remove
the device if it is contacting the
vehicle, and do not spin the
vehicle's wheels.
If you do find traction devices that
will fit, install them on the rear
tires.
Caution
Use tire chains only where legal
and only when necessary. Use
chains that are the proper size
for the tires. If the vehicle has
265/70R17 or 265/65R18 size
tires, they may be installed on the
tires of the rear axle only. If the
vehicle is a dual rear wheel model
and has LT235/80R17 tires,
chains may be installed on the
tires of the rear axle only. If the(Continued)
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
Vehicle Care 401
Caution (Continued)
vehicle has 255/70R17,
LT245/75R17, or LT275/70R18
size tires, they may be installed
on the tires of the front and rear
axle. If the vehicle is a 2500
Series with LT265/70R17 size
tires, chains may be installed on
the tires of both the front and rear
axle. Tighten them as tightly as
possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow
the chain manufacturer's
instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting 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 blowout
while driving, especially if the tires
are maintained properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it is much more likely toleak out slowly. 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 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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
402 Vehicle Care
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. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers 0166.
{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 the shift lever inP (Park).
3. For vehicles with four-wheel drive with an N (Neutral)
transfer case position, be
sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear —not in
N (Neutral).
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
4. Turn off the engine and donot restart while the vehicle
is raised.
5. Do not allow passengers to remain in the vehicle.
6. Place wheel blocks, if equipped, on both sides of
the tire at the opposite
corner of the tire being
changed.
When the vehicle has a flat tire (2),
use the following example as a
guide to assist in the placement of
the wheel blocks (1), if equipped.
1. Wheel Block (If Equipped)
2. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how to use the jack and change
a tire.
Tire Changing
Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools
1. Jack
2. Jack Knob
3. Tool Kit
4. Wing Nut Retaining Tool Kit
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 405
All Other Models
Tilt the retainer and pull it
through the center of the wheel
along with the cable and
spring.
8. Put the spare tire near the flat tire.
9. If equipped with a spare tirecable remove the cable from
the spare tire by passing the
clip through the looped end of
the cable.
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
Use the following pictures and
instructions to remove the flat tire
and raise the vehicle.
1. Jack
2. Wheel Blocks
3. Jack Handle
4. Jack Handle Extensions
5. Wheel Wrench
The tools you will be using include
the jack (1), the wheel blocks (2),
the jack handle (3), the jack handle
extensions (4), and the wheel
wrench (5).
1. Do a safety check before proceeding. See If a Tire Goes
Flat 0401.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 407
Front Position—1500 Models
Front Position —All Other Models 4. If the flat tire is on the front of
the vehicle, position the jack
under the bracket attached to
the vehicle's frame, behind the
flat tire, as shown.
Rear Position —1500 Models
5. If the flat tire is on the rear, position the jack under the rear
axle about 5 cm (2 in) inboard
of the shock absorber bracket.
Rear Position All Other Models
For all other models, position
the jack under the rear axle
between the spring anchor and
the shock absorber bracket.
If a snow plow has been added
to the front of the vehicle, lower
the snow plow fully before
raising the vehicle.
Make sure that the jack head is
positioned so that the rear axle
is resting securely between the
grooves that are on the
jack head.
Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13337620) - 2020 - CTC - 1/27/20
408 Vehicle Care
{Warning
Getting under a vehicle when it is
lifted on a jack is dangerous.
If the vehicle slips off the jack,
you could be badly injured or
killed. Never get under a vehicle
when it is supported only by
a jack.
{Warning
Raising the vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can
damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help
avoid personal injury and vehicle
damage, be sure to fit the jack lift
head into the proper location
before raising the vehicle.
6. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise to raise the vehicle.
Raise the vehicle far enough
off the ground so there is
enough room for the spare tire
to fit under the wheel well.
7. Remove all the wheel nuts andtake off the flat tire.
{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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
cloth or a paper towel can be
used; however, use a scraper
or wire brush later to remove
all rust or dirt.
8. Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting
surfaces, and spare wheel.
9. Install the spare tire.