Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13690484) - 2021 - crc - 8/17/20
350 Vehicle Care
when they are cold. SeeVehicle Load Limits
0 222, for an example of the Tire and
Loading Information label and its location.
Also see Tire Pressure 0346.
The TPMS can warn about a low tire
pressure condition but it does not replace
normal tire maintenance. See Tire Inspection
0 351, Tire Rotation 0352 and
Tires 0341.
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 0353.
.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 dealer for service if the
TPMS malfunction light and DIC message
come on and stay 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.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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354 Vehicle Care
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. SeeTire
Sidewall Labeling 0343 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 Rotation0352.
{Warning
Tires could explode during improper
service. Attempting to mount or
dismount a tire could cause injury or
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
death. Only your 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 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
0 222.
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
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Vehicle Care 355
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.
See Buying New Tires 0353 and
Accessories and Modifications 0309.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the
system developed by the United States
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA), which grades
tires by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This applies
only to vehicles sold in the United
States. The grades are molded on the
sidewalls of most passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply to deep
tread, winter tires, compact spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General
Motors passenger cars and light trucks
may vary with respect to these grades,
they must also conform to federal
safety requirements and additional
General Motors Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) standards.
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to
Federal Safety Requirements In Addition
To These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the
tire when tested under controlledconditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1½)
times as well on the government course
as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
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.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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358 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
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 0136.
{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. Shift the vehicle to P (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).
4. Turn off the engine and do not 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
Before changing a flat tire, see “Hands-Free
Operation” underLiftgate 018.
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment needed to change a flat tire
is stored in the rear of the vehicle. The
jacking tools are under the load floor,
secured with velcro straps. The jack is
behind a door in the trim panel on the
driver side.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Vehicle Care 367
Caution
Use of an air wrench or other power
tools with the hoist mechanism is not
recommended and could damage the
system. Use only the tools supplied with
the hoist mechanism.
4. Insert the open end of the extension (7)through the hole in the rear bumper (8)
(hoist shaft access hole).
5. Raise the tire part way upward. Make sure the retainer is seated in the wheel
opening. 6. Raise the tire fully against the underside
of the vehicle by turning the wheel
wrench clockwise until you hear two
clicks or feel it skip twice. The cable
cannot be overtightened.
7. Make sure the tire is stored securely.Push, pull, and then try to turn the tire.
If the tire moves, use the wheel wrench
to tighten the cable.
Repeat this tightness check procedure
when checking the spare tire pressure
according to the scheduled maintenance
information or any time the spare tire is
handled due to service of other
components.
Correctly Stored
Incorrectly Stored
8. Reinstall the spare tire lock.
9. Reinstall the hoist shaft access cover.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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372 Vehicle Care
vehicle has one. Negative (−) will go to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine part or to
a remote negative (−) terminal if the
vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to negative
(−) or you will get a short that would
damage the battery and maybe other
parts too. And do not connect the
negative (−) cable to the negative (−)
terminal on the dead battery because
this can cause sparks.
7. Connect one end of the red positive (+) cable to the remote positive (+) terminal
of the vehicle with the discharged
battery.
8. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect it to the positive (+) terminal of
the good battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one.
9. Connect one end of the black negative (−) cable to the negative (−) terminal of
the good battery. Use a remote negative
(−) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end touch anything
until the next step.
10. Connect the other end of the negative (−) cable to the remote negative (−)
terminal to the discharged battery. 11. Start the vehicle with the good battery
and run the engine for a while.
12. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery. If it will not start after a
few tries, it probably needs service.
Caution
If the jumper cables are connected or
removed in the wrong order, electrical
shorting may occur and damage the
vehicle. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Always connect
and remove the jumper cables in the
correct order, making sure that the cables
do not touch each other or other metal.
Jumper Cable Removal
Reverse the sequence exactly when
removing the jumper cables.
After starting the disabled vehicle and
removing the jumper cables, allow it to idle
for several minutes.
Towing the Vehicle
Caution
Incorrectly towing a disabled vehicle may
cause damage. The damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not
lash or hook to suspension components.
Use the proper straps around the tires to
secure the vehicle. Do not drag a locked
wheel/tire. Use tire skates or dollies
under any locked wheel/tire while
loading the vehicle. Do not use a sling
type lift to tow the vehicle. This could
damage the vehicle.
Caution
Improper use of the tow eye can damage
the vehicle. If equipped, use the tow eye
to load a disabled vehicle onto a flatbed
tow truck from a flat road surface, or to
move the vehicle a short distance. Use
caution and low speeds. The transmission
must be in (N) Neutral when moving the
vehicle.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Vehicle Care 373
GM recommends a flatbed tow truck to
transport a disabled vehicle. Use ramps to
help reduce approach angles, if necessary.
A towed vehicle should have its drive wheels
off the ground. Contact Roadside Assistance
or a professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be towed.
Front Attachment Points
The vehicle is equipped with specific
attachment points to be used to pull the
vehicle onto a flatbed car carrier from a flat
road surface. Do not use these attachment
points to pull the vehicle from snow, mud
or sand.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing
the vehicle behind another vehicle, such as a
motor home. The two most common types
of recreational vehicle towing are dinghy
and dolly towing. Dinghy towing is towing
the vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground. Dolly towing is towing the vehicle
with two wheels on the ground and two
wheels on a dolly.
Follow the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
instructions. See your dealer or trailering
professional for additional advice and
equipment recommendations.
Here are some important things to consider
before recreational vehicle towing:
.Before towing the vehicle, become
familiar with the local laws that apply to
recreational vehicle towing. These laws
may vary by region.
.What is the towing capacity of the
towing vehicle? Be sure to read the tow
vehicle manufacturer's recommendations.
.What is the distance that will be
traveled? Some vehicles have restrictions
on how far and how long they can tow.
.Is the proper towing equipment going to
be used? See your dealer or trailering
professional for additional advice and
equipment recommendations.
.Is the vehicle ready to be towed? Just as
preparing the vehicle for a long trip,
make sure the vehicle is prepared to be
towed.
Caution
Use of a shield mounted in front of the
vehicle grille could restrict airflow and
cause damage to the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. If using a shield, only
use one that attaches to the towing
vehicle.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13690484) - 2021 - crc - 8/17/20
Service and Maintenance 385
Service and Maintenance
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Special Application Services
Special Application Services . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Additional Maintenance and Care
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . 392
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and
Parts
Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Maintenance Replacement Parts . . . . . . 396
Maintenance Records
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
General Information
This maintenance section applies to vehicles
with a gasoline engine. For diesel engine
vehicles, see "Maintenance Schedule" in the
Duramax diesel supplement.
Your vehicle is an important investment.
This section describes the required
maintenance for the vehicle. Follow this
schedule to help protect against major repair
expenses resulting from neglect or
inadequate maintenance. It may also help to
maintain the value of the vehicle if it is
sold. It is the responsibility of the owner to
have all required maintenance performed.
Your dealer has trained technicians who can
perform required maintenance using genuine
replacement parts. They have up-to-date
tools and equipment for fast and accurate
diagnostics. Many dealers have extended
evening and Saturday hours, courtesy
transportation, and online scheduling to
assist with service needs.
Your dealer recognizes the importance of
providing competitively priced maintenance
and repair services. With trained technicians,
the dealer is the place for routine maintenance such as oil changes and tire
rotations and additional maintenance items
like tires, brakes, batteries, and wiper blades.
Caution
Damage caused by improper maintenance
can lead to costly repairs and may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Maintenance intervals, checks,
inspections, recommended fluids, and
lubricants are important to keep the
vehicle in good working condition.
Do not have chemical flushes that are not
approved by GM performed on the
vehicle. The use of flushes, solvents,
cleaners, or lubricants that are not
approved by GM could damage the
vehicle, requiring expensive repairs that
are not covered by the vehicle warranty.
The Tire Rotation and Required Services are
the responsibility of the vehicle owner. It is
recommended to have your dealer perform
these services every 12 000 km/7,500 mi.
Proper vehicle maintenance helps to keep
the vehicle in good working condition,
improves fuel economy, and reduces vehicle
emissions.