Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see your GM Warranty booklet for details. For additional information refer to the tire manufacturer's booklet included with your vehicle's Owner's Manual.
Caution: Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are dangerous.
• Overloading your tires can cause overheating as a result of too much friction.
You could have an air-out and a serious accident. See
Loading the Vehicle
. • Underinflated tires pose the same danger as overloaded tires. The resulting
accident could cause serious injury. Check all tires frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked when your tires are cold. See
Inflation - Tire Pressure
. • Overinflated tires are more likely to be cut, punctured or broken by a
sudden impact -- such as when you hit a pothole. Keep tires at the recommended
pressure. • Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your tread is badly worn, or if
your tires have been damaged, replace them.
Notice: If the vehicle has low-profile tires, they are more susceptible to damage from road hazards or curb impact than standard profile tires. Tire and/or wheel assembly damage can occur when coming into contact with road hazards like, potholes, or sharp edged objects, or when sliding into a curb. The vehicle warranty does not cover this type of damage. Keep tires set to the correct inflation pressure and, when possible avoid contact with curbs, potholes, and other road hazards.
Winter Tires
If you expect to drive on snow or ice covered roads often, you may want to get winter tires for your vehicle. High performance tires, like the original equipment tires installed on your vehicle, are designed for very responsive driving on wet or dry pavement and may not offer the traction you would like or the same level of performance as winter tires on snow or ice covered roads. If you choose to use winter tires:
| • | Use tires of the same brand and tread type on all four wheel positions. |
| • | Use only radial ply tires of the same size as your original equipment tires. |
See your Pontiac dealer for details regarding winter tire availability and proper tire selection. Also, see Buying New Tires .
Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is molded into its sidewall. The examples below show a typical passenger car tire and a compact spare tire sidewall.
Passenger Car Tire Example
(A) 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 later in this section for more detail.
(B) Department of Transportation (DOT): The Department of Transportation (DOT) code indicates that the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
(C) Tire Identification Number (TIN): The letters and numbers following DOT code are the Tire Identification Number (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.
(D) Tire Ply Material: The type of cord and number of plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(E) Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG): Tire manufacturers are required to grade tires based on three performance factors: treadwear, traction and temperature resistance. For more information see Uniform Tire Quality Grading .
(F) 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 Inflation - Tire Pressure and Loading the Vehicle .
Compact Spare Tire Example
(A) Temporary Use Only: The compact spare tire or temporary use tire has a tread life of approximately 3,000 miles (5 000 km) and should not be driven at speeds over 65 mph (105 km/h). The compact spare tire is for emergency use when a regular road tire has lost air and gone flat. See Compact Spare Tire and If a Tire Goes Flat .
(B) Tire Ply Material: The type of cord and number of plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(C) Tire Identification Number (TIN): The Tire Identification Number (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.
(D) Maximum Cold Inflation Load Limit: Maximum load that can be carried and the maximum pressure needed to support that load. See Compact Spare Tire and Loading the Vehicle .
(E) Tire Inflation: The temporary use tire or compact spare tire should be inflated to 60 psi (420 kPa). For more information on tire pressure and inflation see Inflation - Tire Pressure .
(F) Tire Size : A combination of letters and numbers define a tire's width, height, aspect ratio, construction type and service description. The letter "T" as the first character in the tire size means the tire is for temporary use only.
Tire Size
The following illustration shows an example of a typical passenger car tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire: The United States metric tire sizing system uses the letter "P" to designate a passenger vehicle tire. The European metric tire sizing system does not use the letter "P" to designate a passenger vehicle tire.
(B) Tire Width: The three-digit number indicates the tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio: A two-digit number that indicates the tire height-to-width measurements. For example, if the tire size aspect ratio is "70," as shown in item "C" of the illustration, it would mean that the tire's sidewall is 70% as high as it is wide.
(D) 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; and the letter "B" means belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter: Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description: These characters represent the load range and the speed rating of a tire. The load range represents the load carry capacity a tire is certified to carry. The speed rating is the maximum speed a tire is certified to carry a load. Speed ratings range from "A" to "Z".
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 pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).Accessory Weight: This means the combined weight of optional accessories. Some examples of optional accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, 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 that is located between the plies and the tread. Cords may be made from steel or other reinforcing materials.
Bead: The tire bead contains steel wires that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire: A pneumatic tire in which the plies are laid at alternate angles, less than 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread.
Cold Inflation Pressure: The amount of air pressure in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa), before a tire has built up heat from driving. See Inflation - Tire Pressure .
Curb Weight: This means the weight of a motor vehicle with standard and optional equipment including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant, but without passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings: A code molded into the sidewall of a tire signifying that the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation motor vehicle safety standards. The DOT code includes the Tire Identification Number (TIN), an alphanumeric designator which can also identify the tire manufacturer, production plant, brand and date of production.
GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, see Loading the Vehicle .
GAWR FRT: Gross Axle Weight Rating for the front axle, see Loading the Vehicle .
GAWR RR: Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear axle, see Loading the Vehicle .
Intended Outboard Sidewall: The side of an asymmetrical tire that must always face outward when mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa): The metric unit for air pressure. There are 6.9 kPa's to one psi.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire: A tire used on light duty trucks and some multipurpose passenger vehicles.
Load Index: An assigned number ranging from 1 to 279 that corresponds to the load carrying capacity of a tire.
Maximum Inflation Pressure: The maximum cold inflation pressure to which a tire may be inflated.
Maximum Load Rating: The load rating for a tire at the maximum permissible inflation pressure for that tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight: The sum of curb weight; accessory weight; vehicle capacity weight; and production options weight.
Normal Occupant Weight: The number of occupants a vehicle is designed to seat multiplied by 150 pounds (68 kg). See Loading the Vehicle .
Occupant Distribution: Designated seating positions.
Outward Facing Sidewall: The side of a asymmetrical tire that has a particular side that faces outward when mounted on a vehicle. The side of the tire that contains a whitewall, bears white lettering or bears manufacturer, brand and or model name molding that is higher or deeper than the same moldings on the other sidewall of the tire.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire: A tire used on passenger cars and some light duty trucks and multipurpose vehicles.
Recommended Inflation Pressure: Vehicle manufacturer's recommended tire inflation pressure shown on the tire placard. See Inflation - Tire Pressure and Loading the Vehicle .
Radial Ply tire: A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread.
Rim: A metal support for a tire and upon which the tire beads are seated.
Sidewall: The portion of a tire between the tread and the bead.
Speed Rating: An alphanumeric code assigned to a tire indicating the maximum speed at which a tire can operate.
Traction: The friction between the tire and the road surface. The amount of grip provided.
Tread: The portion of a tire that comes into contact with the road.
Treadwear Indicators: Narrow bands, sometimes called "wear bars," that show across the tread of a tire when only 2/32 inch of tread remains. See When It Is Time for New Tires .
Tread Width: The width of the tire's tread.
UTQGS: Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards, a tire information system that provides consumers with ratings for a tire's traction, temperature and treadwear. Ratings are determined by tire manufacturers using government testing procedures. The ratings are molded into the sidewall of the tire. See Uniform Tire Quality Grading .
Vehicle Capacity Weight: The number of designated seating positions multiplied by 150 pounds (68 kg) plus the rated cargo load. See Loading the Vehicle .
Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire: Load on an individual tire due to curb weight, accessory weight, occupant weight and cargo weight.
Vehicle Placard: A label permanently attached to a vehicle showing original equipment tire size and the recommended cold inflation pressure. See Loading the Vehicle .
