Safety Initiatives

GM Tire Safety

Inflation Pressure

(OWNERS MANUAL TEXT SWAP)

The correct air pressure is shown on the tire placard (or sticker) attached to the vehicle door edge, door post, glove box door or fuel door. The tire placard tells you the maximum vehicle load, the cold tire pressures and the tire size recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Tires must be properly inflated. You can't tell when tires are "low," or underinflated, just by looking. Use an accurate tire pressure gauge to determine your tire pressure.

• Check tire inflation pressure (including the spare) at least once a month and before every long trip.
• Tires must be checked when they are cold -- that is, before they have been run no more than one mile (1.6 km).

 

Underinflation

Underinflation is the leading cause of tire failure, so check inflation pressure regularly.

• Changes in outdoor temperature can affect your tire inflation. In colder temperatures, you may need to add air.
• Generally speaking, a tire may lose 1/2 to 1 psi per month.
• Never "bleed" or reduce air pressure when tires are hot. It is normal for pressures to build up as a result of driving.

 

Vehicle Loading

Do not overload your vehicle. In addition to showing the vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold inflation pressure, the tire placard also shows the maximum load of the vehicle.

Tire Inspection

Inspect your tires closely for signs of uneven wear at least once a month. Most likely, the cause can be corrected at your GM or tire dealer. If you find a problem and correct it in time, your tires may be able to continue in service.Certain uneven wear patterns may indicate that the tire has suffered internal structural damage and requires the immediate attention of your GM or tire dealer.

• When the tread is worn down to one-sixteenth of an inch, tires must be replaced.
• Built-in treadwear indicators, or "wear bars," which look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread, will appear on the tire when that point of wear is reached. When you see these wear bars, the tire is worn out and it's time to replace it.
• Inspect your tires frequently. Look for any stones, bits of glass, metal or other foreign objects wedged in the tread. These may work deeper into the tire and cause air loss.
• If any tire continually needs more air, have it taken off the vehicle and checked to find out why it is leaking. Damage to the tire, wheel or valve may be the problem.

Vehicle Conditions

There is a close working relationship between your tires and several mechanical systems in your vehicle. Tires, wheels, brakes, shock absorbers, drive train, steering and suspension systems must all function together to give you a comfortable ride and good tire mileage.

• Balance. An unbalanced wheel and tire assembly may create an annoying vibration when you drive on a smooth road and may result in irregular treadwear.
• Alignment. Misalignment of wheels in the front or rear, improperly operating brakes or shock absorbers, bent wheels, worn bushings and other mechanical problems cause uneven and rapid treadwear and should be corrected by a qualified mechanic.
• Rotation. Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating your tires. Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 7,500 miles (10,000 to 12,000 km). Consult your owner's manual, GM dealer, the tire manufacturer, or your tire dealer for the appropriate pattern for your vehicle.

 

Driving Habits

The way you drive has a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety. So cultivate good driving habits for your own benefit.

General driving tips:

• Observe posted speed limits.
• Avoid fast starts, stops and turns.
• Avoid potholes and objects on the road. Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against the curb when parking. If you strike a curb or a solid object in the road, don't keep driving as if nothing happened. Stop in a safe area, check for visual damage and, ideally, have the tires inspected.

On the highway:

No matter how carefully you drive, there is always a possibility that you may eventually have a puncture and wind up with a flat on the highway.

• Drive slowly to the closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but your safety is more important.
• A GM owner's manual shows, with pictures, exactly how to change a tire. Then drive to a place where the flat tire can be inspected for possible repair or replacement.

Cold weather driving:

• You should check your tire pressures frequently during cold weather and add the necessary air to keep them at recommended levels of inflation at all times.
• Never reduce tire pressures in an attempt to increase traction on snow or ice. It does not work, and your tires may be so seriously underinflated that driving can damage them.

When you're stuck:

The forces created by a rapidly spinning tire can cause an explosion by literally tearing the tire apart. These forces impact the whole tire structure and can rupture the entire casing.

• When stuck on ice, snow, mud or wet grass, the vehicle should be rocked gently back and forth by repeatedly shifting the gear lever from drive to reverse on automatic transmissions, or reverse to second on manual transmissions. This should be done with the least amount of wheel spinning. If that doesn't free the vehicle, get a tow.

Source: Rubber Manufacturers Association

 

 

Content Owner: Richard J. Gratz, Engineering Group Manager, GM Tire-Wheel Systems.