wheel size BUICK RAINIER 2004 Owner's Manual

Tire Size
The following examples show the different parts of
a tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:The United States
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter “P” as
the rst character in the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to standards set by the U.S.
Tire and Rim Association.(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 “75,” as shown in item “C”
of the illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall
is 75% 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:The service description
indicates the load range and speed rating of a tire.
The load index can range from 1 to 279. Speed ratings
range from “A” to “Z”. Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
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(A) Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:The United States
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter “LT” as
the rst two characters in the tire size means a light
truck tire engineered to standards set by the U. S.
Tire and Rim Association.
(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 “75,” as shown in item “C”
of the illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall
is 75% 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:The service description
indicates the load range and speed rating of a tire. The
load index can range from 1 to 279. Speed ratings
range from “A” to “Z”. The light truck tire size example
above shows dual or single tire congurations.Tire Terminology and Denitions
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. Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
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Buying New Tires
To nd out what kind and size of tires you need, look
at the Certication/Tire label or the Tire and Loading
Information label. For examples of these labels and
their location on your vehicle, seeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-46.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specication (TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new tires,
General Motors recommends that you get tires with
that same TPC Spec number. That way your vehicle will
continue to have tires that are designed to give proper
endurance, handling, speed rating, load range, traction,
ride and other things during normal service on your
vehicle. If your tires have an all-season tread design,
the TPC number will be followed by an “MS”
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type
(bias, bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.{CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control
while driving. If you mix tires of different sizes
or types (radial and bias-belted tires) the
vehicle may not handle properly, and you
could have a crash. Using tires of different
sizes may also cause damage to your vehicle.
Be sure to use the same size and type tires
on all wheels.
{CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim anges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel
could fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only
radial-ply tires with the wheels on your vehicle.
5-71

Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used
or how far it’s been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause a crash. If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
Don’t use tire chains. There’s not enough
clearance. Tire chains used on a vehicle
without the proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes, suspension or
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
other vehicle parts. The area damaged by
the tire chains could cause you to lose
control of your vehicle and you or others
may be injured in a crash. Use another type
of traction device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on your vehicle and
tire size combination and road conditions.
Follow that manufacturer’s instructions.
To help avoid damage to your vehicle, drive
slowly, readjust or remove the device if it’s
contacting your vehicle, and don’t spin your
wheels. If you do nd traction devices that
will t, install them on the rear tires.
5-75

Setting Preset Stations....................3-59, 3-71, 3-86
Setting the Time.............................................3-56
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)..........3-60, 3-71, 3-87
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-99
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-27
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-28
Skidding........................................................4-15
Snow Plow....................................................4-53
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips.......................4-33
Spare Tire.....................................................5-92
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems.....................5-94
Specications, Capacities...............................5-113
Speedometer..................................................3-29
Stalling on an Incline.......................................4-27
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-21
Steering........................................................4-11
Steering in Emergencies..................................4-12
Steering Tips..................................................4-11
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.......................3-113
Stereo RCA Jacks.........................................3-107
Storage Areas
Convenience Net.........................................2-43
Front Storage Area......................................2-41
Glove Box..................................................2-40
Luggage Carrier..........................................2-42Storage Areas (cont.)
Overhead Console.......................................2-40
Rear Floor Storage Lid.................................2-43
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...............5-90
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-44
Sun Visors.....................................................2-17
Sunglasses Storage Compartment.....................2-41
Sunroof.........................................................2-45
T
Tachometer....................................................3-29
Taillamps
Turn Signal Lamps......................................5-54
Testing the Alarm............................................2-18
Theft-Deterrent, Radio....................................3-112
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-17
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-17
Passlock
®...................................................2-19
Throttle, Adjustable..........................................2-22
TIGHTEN FUEL CAP......................................3-55
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-7
Tire Sidewall Labeling......................................5-59
Tire Size.......................................................5-63
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