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Driving and Operating 209
2. Turn the steering wheel aboutone-eighth of a turn, until the right front
tire contacts the pavement edge.
3. Turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three control
systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not rolling.
.Steering or Cornering Skid —too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires
to slip and lose cornering force.
.Acceleration Skid —too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions,
and by not overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow these
suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the accelerator pedal
and steer the way you want the vehicle
to go. The vehicle may straighten out. Be
ready for a second skid if it occurs.
.Slow down and adjust your driving
according to weather conditions. Stopping
distance can be longer and vehicle control
can be affected when traction is reduced
by water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to recognize
warning clues —such as enough water,
ice, or packed snow on the road to make
a mirrored surface —and slow down
when you have any doubt.
.Try to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle
speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only
the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving
Four-wheel-drive vehicles can be used for
off-road driving. Vehicles without four-wheel
drive and vehicles not equipped with All
Terrain (AT) or On-Off Road (OOR) tires must
not be driven off-road except on a level,
solid surface. For contact information about
the original equipment tires, see the
warranty manual.
One of the best ways for successful off-road
driving is to control the speed.
{Warning
When driving off-road, bouncing and
quick changes in direction can easily
throw you out of position. This could
cause you to lose control and crash. You
and your passengers should always wear
seat belts.
Before Driving Off-Road
.Have all necessary maintenance and
service work completed.
.Fuel the vehicle, fill fluid levels, and check
inflation pressure in all tires, including the
spare, if equipped.
.Read all the information about
four-wheel-drive vehicles in this manual.
.Know the local laws that apply to off-road
driving.
Loading the Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
{Warning
.Unsecured cargo on the load floor can
be tossed about when driving over
rough terrain. You or your passengers
can be struck by flying objects. Secure
the cargo properly. (Continued)
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Driving and Operating 317
MeasurementHeight Example 1500 (mm)
H1 1 000
H2 1 060
H2−H1 60
(H2−H1)/3 20
H2−[(H2−H1)/3] 1 040
Tires
.Do not tow a trailer while using a
compact spare tire on the vehicle.
.Tires must be properly inflated to support
loads while towing a trailer. SeeTires
0 369 for instructions on proper tire
inflation.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the vehicle
and the trailer, and attach the chains to the
holes on the trailer hitch platform.
Instructions about safety chains may be
provided by the hitch manufacturer or by
the trailer manufacturer.
If the trailer being towed weighs up to
2 271 kg (5,000 lb) with a factory-installed
step bumper, safety chains may be attached to the attaching points on the bumper;
otherwise, safety chains should be attached
to holes on the trailer hitch.
Cross the safety chains under the tongue of
the trailer to help prevent the tongue from
contacting the road if it becomes separated
from the hitch. Always leave just enough
slack so the combination can turn. Never
allow safety chains to drag on the ground.Trailer Brakes
Loaded trailers over 900 kg (2,000 lb) must
be equipped with brake systems and with
brakes for each axle. Trailer braking
equipment conforming to Canadian
Standards Association (CSA) requirement
CAN3-D313, or its equivalent, is
recommended.
State or local regulations may require
trailers to have their own braking system if
the loaded weight of the trailer exceeds
certain minimums that can vary from state
to state. Read and follow the instructions for
the trailer brakes so they are installed,
adjusted, and maintained properly. Never
attempt to tap into your vehicle's hydraulic
brake system. If you do, both the vehicle
anti-lock brakes and the trailer brakes may
not function, which could result in a crash.Trailer Wiring Harness
The seven-pin trailer connector is mounted
in the bumper. This connector can be
plugged into a seven-pin universal
heavy-duty trailer connector available
through your dealer.
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Vehicle Care 335
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 336
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . 336
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 339
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 345
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . 345
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Brake Pad Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356 Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 361
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . 365
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . 367
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 372
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Tire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 376
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . 377 Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 382
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . 384
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . 384
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 385
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 398
Towing the Vehicle
Transporting a Disabled Vehicle . . . . . . . 401
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 402
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 406
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413
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Vehicle Care 371
Passenger/Spare Tire
(1) Tire Size:The tire size is a
combination of letters and numbers
used to define a particular tire's width,
height, aspect ratio, construction type,
and service description. See the "Tire
Size" illustration in this section.
(2) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Specification)
:Original equipment tires
designed to GM's specific tire
performance criteria have a TPC
specification code molded onto the
sidewall. GM's TPC specifications meet
or exceed all federal safety guidelines. (3) DOT (Department of
Transportation)
:The Department of
Transportation (DOT) code indicates that
the tire is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards.
DOT Tire Date of Manufacture
:The last
four digits of the Tire Identification
Number 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.
(4) Tire Identification Number (TIN):
The letters and numbers following the
DOT code are the TIN. The TIN shows
the manufacturer and plant code, tire
size, and date the tire was
manufactured. The TIN is molded onto
both sides of the tire, although only
one side may have the date of
manufacture. (5) Tire Ply Material
:The type of cord
and number of plies in the sidewall and
under the tread.
(6) Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG)
:Tire manufacturers are
required to grade tires based on three
performance factors: tread wear,
traction, and temperature resistance.
For more information, see Uniform Tire
Quality Grading 0384.
(7) Maximum Cold Inflation Load
Limit
:Maximum load that can be
carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load. For
information on recommended tire
pressure see Tire Pressure 0374 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0215.
(8) Temporary Use Only
:Only use a
temporary spare tire until the road tire
is repaired and replaced. This spare tire
should not be driven on over 112 km/h
(70 mph), or 88 km/h (55 mph) when
pulling a trailer, with the proper
inflation pressure. See Full-Size Spare
Tire 0398.
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Vehicle Care 375
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, if the vehicle
has one. SeeFull-Size Spare Tire 0398
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 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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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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376 Vehicle Care
High Speed Operation Inflation Pressures
Tire Size Cold Inflation Pressure kPa (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
0 215 and
Tire Pressure 0374.
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 energy
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 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
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Vehicle Care 377
your vehicle to ensure that the replacement
or alternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function properly.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor Operation 0377.
See Radio Frequency Statement 0435.
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
0 215.
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. If the vehicle has DIC
buttons, tire pressure levels can be viewed.
For additional information and details about
the DIC operation and displays, see Driver
Information Center (DIC) 0124.
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.
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. See Vehicle Load Limits
0 215, for an example of the Tire and
Loading Information label and its location.
Also see Tire Pressure 0374. The TPMS can warn about a low tire
pressure condition but it does not replace
normal tire maintenance. See
Tire Inspection
0 380, Tire Rotation 0381, and Tires0369.
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:
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378 Vehicle Care
.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. SeeBuying
New Tires 0382.
.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.
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
0370 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0215.
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.