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Tire Designations
Tire Size
The example shows a typical
passenger vehicle tire size.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
(1) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:
The United States version of a
metric tire sizing system. The
letter "P" as the first character in
the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to
standards set by the U.S. Tire and
Rim Association.
(2) Tire Width
:The 3-digit
number indicates the tire section
width in millimeters from sidewall
to sidewall. (3) Aspect Ratio
:A 2-digit
number that indicates the tire
height-to-width measurements.
For example, if the tire size aspect
ratio is 75, as shown in item (3) of
the illustration, it would mean
that the tire's sidewall is
75 percent as high as it is wide.
(4) Construction Code
:A letter
code is used to indicate the type
of ply construction in the tire. The
letter "R" means radial ply
construction; the letter "D" means
diagonal or bias ply construction.
(5) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of
the wheel in inches.
(6) Service Description
:These
characters represent the load
index and speed rating of the tire.
The load index represents the load
carrying capacity a tire is certified
to carry. The speed rating is the
maximum speed a tire is certified
to carry a load.
Tire Terminology and
Definitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air
inside the tire pressing outward
on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in kPa
(kilopascal) or psi (pounds per
square inch).
Accessory Weight
:The combined
weight of optional accessories.
Some examples of optional
accessories are automatic
transmission, power windows,
power seats, and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship of
a tire's height to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords between the plies and the
tread. Cords may be made from
steel or other reinforcing
materials.
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Vehicle Placard:A label
permanently attached to a vehicle
showing the vehicle capacity
weight and the original equipment
tire size and recommended
inflation pressure. See “Tire and
Loading Information Label” under
Vehicle Load Limits 0240.
Tire Pressure
Tires need the correct amount of
air pressure to operate effectively.
{Warning
Neither tire underinflation nor
overinflation is good.
Underinflated tires, or tires that
do not have enough air, can
result in:
.Tire overloading and
overheating, which could lead
to a blowout.
.Premature or irregular wear.
.Poor handling.
.Reduced fuel economy.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Overinflated tires, or tires that
have too much air, can result in:
.Unusual wear.
.Poor handling.
.Rough ride.
.Needless damage from road
hazards.
The Tire and Loading Information
label on the vehicle indicates the
original equipment tires and the
correct cold tire inflation
pressures. The recommended
pressure is the minimum air
pressure needed to support the
vehicle's maximum load carrying
capacity.
For additional information
regarding how much weight the
vehicle can carry, and an example
of the Tire and Loading
Information label, see Vehicle Load
Limits 0240. How the vehicle is
loaded affects vehicle handling and ride comfort. Never load the
vehicle with more weight than it
was designed to carry.
When to Check
Check the pressure of the tires
once a month or more.
Do not forget the spare tire, if the
vehicle has one. See
Full-Size Spare
Tire 0424 for additional
information.
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type
gauge to check tire pressure.
Proper tire inflation cannot be
determined by looking at the tire.
Check the tire inflation pressure
when the tires are cold, meaning
the vehicle has not been driven for
at least three hours or no more
than 1.6 km (1 mi).
Remove the valve cap from the
tire valve stem. Press the tire
gauge firmly onto the valve to get
a pressure measurement. If the
cold tire inflation pressure
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matches the recommended
pressure on the Tire and Loading
Information label, no further
adjustment is necessary. If the
inflation pressure is low, add air
until the recommended pressure is
reached. If the inflation pressure
is high, press on the metal stem in
the center of the tire valve to
release air.
Re-check the tire pressure with
the tire gauge.
Put the valve caps back on the
valve stems to keep out dirt and
moisture. Use only valve caps
designed for the vehicle by GM.
TPMS sensors could be damaged
and would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.Tire Pressure for
High-Speed Operation
{Warning
Driving at high speeds, 160 km/h
(100 mph) or higher, puts additional
strain on tires. Sustained
high-speed driving causes excessive
heat buildup and can cause sudden
tire failure. This could cause a
crash, and you or others could be
killed. Some high-speed rated tires
require inflation pressure
adjustment for high-speed
operation. When speed limits and
road conditions allow the vehicle to
be driven at high speeds, make sure
the tires are rated for high-speed
operation, are in excellent
condition, and are set to the correct
cold tire inflation pressure for the
vehicle load.Vehicles with tire sizes listed in the
High Speed Operation Inflation
Pressures table require inflation
pressure adjustment when driving the
vehicle at speeds of 160 km/h
(100 mph) or higher. Set the cold tire
inflation pressure to the
corresponding value in the table for
the tire size on the vehicle.
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High Speed Operation Inf lation Pressures
Tire Size Cold Inf lation Pressure kPa (psi)
265/65R18 114T 240 kPa (35 psi)
275/55R20 113V (2WD) 270 kPa (39 psi)
275/55R20 113V (4WD) 260 kPa (38 psi) 275/60R20 115T 240 kPa (35 psi)
275/50R22 111H 270 kPa (39 psi)
Return the tires to the recommended
cold tire inflation pressure when
high-speed driving has ended. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0240 and
Tire Pressure 0400.
Tire Pressure Monitor
System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) uses radio and sensor
technology to check tire pressure
levels. The TPMS sensors monitor the
air pressure in your tires and transmit
tire pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle. Each tire, including the spare (if
provided), should be checked monthly
when cold and inflated to the
inflation pressure recommended by
the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or tire
inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation
pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure
telltale when one or more of your tires
is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread
life, and may affect the vehicle's
handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver's responsibility to
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A Tire and Loading Information label
shows the size of the original
equipment tires and the correct
inflation pressure for the tires when
they are cold. SeeVehicle Load Limits
0 240, for an example of the Tire and
Loading Information label and its
location. Also see Tire Pressure0400.
The TPMS can warn about a low tire
pressure condition but it does not
replace normal tire maintenance. See
Tire Inspection 0406, Tire Rotation
0 406 and
Tires 0393.
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
the 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. See "TPMS
Sensor Matching Process" later in
this section.
.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
0 408.
.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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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. SeeDriver Information Center
(DIC) 0132. 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 0442.
Tires are rotated to achieve a
more 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 0407 and
Wheel Replacement 0411.
Use this rotation pattern when
rotating the tires.
Do not include the spare tire 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. See Tire
Pressure 0400 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0240.
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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) molded
into one side of the tire sidewall. The
last four digits of the TIN indicate the
tire manufactured date. The first two
digits represent the week and the last
two digits, the year. For example, the
third week of the year 2020 would
have a 4-digit DOT date of 0320. Week
01 is the first full week (Sunday
through Saturday) of each year.
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 amonth, 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 0395 for additional
information.
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. However,
if it is necessary to replace only
one axle set of worn tires, place
the new tires on the rear axle. See
Tire Rotation 0406.
{Warning
Tires could explode during
improper service. Attempting to
mount or dismount a tire could
cause injury or death. Only your
(Continued)
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Warning (Continued)
dealer or authorized tire service
center should mount or
dismount the tires.
{Warning
Mixing tires of different sizes
(other than those originally
installed on the vehicle), brands,
tread patterns, or types may
cause loss of vehicle control,
resulting in a crash or other
vehicle damage. Use the correct
size, brand, and type of tire on
all wheels.
{Warning
Using bias-ply tires on the
vehicle may cause the wheel rim
flanges to develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire
and/or wheel could fail suddenly
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
and cause a crash. Use only
radial-ply tires with the wheels
on the vehicle.
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.
Never exceed the winter tires’
maximum speed capability when
using winter tires with a lower
speed rating.
If the vehicle tires must be
replaced with a tire that does not
have a TPC Spec number, make
sure they are the same size, load
range, speed rating, and
construction (radial) as the
original tires.
The Tire and Loading Information
label indicates the original
equipment tires on the vehicle.
See Vehicle Load Limits 0240.Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If wheels or tires are installed that are
a different size than the original
equipment wheels and tires, vehicle
performance, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover
may be affected. If the vehicle has
electronic systems such as antilock
brakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, electronic stability control,
or All-Wheel Drive, the performance
of these systems can also be affected.
{Warning
If different sized wheels are used,
there may not be an acceptable
level of performance and safety if
tires not recommended for those
wheels are selected. This increases
the chance of a crash and serious
injury. Only use GM specific wheel
and tire systems developed for the
vehicle, and have them properly
installed by a GM certified
technician.