tire type CHEVROLET C/K 2003 Owners Manual

4-15
Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don't have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
ªoverdrivingº those conditions. But skids are
always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal. If you have the ªTraction Control
System,º remember: It helps avoid only the acceleration
skid. If you do not have this system, or if the system is
off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled by
easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). See ªDiesel Engine Exhaust Brakeº in the Index
for information about using the exhaust brake on
slippery surfaces. Any sudden changes could cause the
tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize
warning clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed
snow on the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº
-- and
slow down when you have any doubt.

6-60
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more. Also, check the
tire pressure of the spare tire (if equipped).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket
-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can't tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they're underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and
moisture.
Rims and Wheels
Rims and wheels are stamped with a maximum load
and cold inflation rating. Be sure you don't exceed
these limits.
Dual Tire Operation
When the vehicle is new, check the wheel nut tightness
on all wheels with a torque wrench after your first
100 miles (160 km) and then 1,000 miles (1 600 km)
after that. Whenever a wheel, wheel bolt or wheel nut is
removed or serviced, repeat the 100 miles (160 km), and
then 1,000 mile (1 600 km) wheel nut tightness check.
See ªTightening the Wheel Nutsº later in this section
for proper torque values and wheel nut tightening
information.
CAUTION:
If you operate your vehicle with a tire that is
badly underinflated, the tire can overheat. An
overheated tire can lose air suddenly or catch
fire. You or others could be injured. Be sure all
tires (including the spare, if any) are properly
inflated.
See ªTiresº and ªInflation -- Tire Pressureº in the Index
for more information on proper tire inflation.

6-61 When It's Time for New Tires
Replace your tires when the tread depth is down to
1/8 of an inch (3.2 mm) for the front tires, or 1/16 of
an inch (1.6 mm) for a rear tire. Also, you need a new
tire if:

You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire's rubber.

The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.

The tire has a bump, bulge or split.

The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can't be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving. If you mix tires of different types
-- like
radial and bias
-belted tires -- the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a crash. Be
sure to use the same type of tires all around.
When you replace tires, make sure they are the same
size, load range, speed rating and construction type
(bias, bias
-belted or radial) as your original tires.

6-63
Hub-Piloted Type,
8
-HoleHub
-Piloted Type,
10
-Hole
Then, follow the steps below for the wheels you have.
CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or the threads of
the wheel nuts. If you do, the nuts might come
loose. Your wheel could fall off, causing a crash.
Hub-Piloted Wheels, 8-Hole or 10-Hole
The studs and nuts used with these wheels have
right
-hand threads.
1. With intermittent pilot pads, position a pad at
12 o'clock to center the wheel and reduce run
-out.
2. Put the tire and rim assembly on the axle hub. Install
the outer rear tire and rim assembly so that its valve
stem is exactly opposite the valve stem on the inner
tire and rim assembly.
3. Put on the wheel nuts.
4. Finger
-tighten the nuts.
5. Oil the surfaces between the nuts and washers.
Do not oil the studs or the threads of the nut.
6. Tighten the nuts to 400 lb
-ft (542 N´m) if an 8-hole
stud or 480 lb
-ft (650 N´m) if a 10-hole stud. Use the
following diagrams.

6-66 Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rusted.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, replace the wheel. If
the wheel leaks air, replace it.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
CAUTION:
A leaking wheel could fail without warning. A
wheel designed for tubeless tires could be leaking
because it is damaged. Don't use an inner tube or
some other thing to try to stop the leaking. Get a
new wheel of the proper type.
CAUTION:
Without the correct wheel, you may not be able
to stop properly, and you could have other
problems like a tire air
-out. You could have a
collision. If you don't go to your dealer to get a
new wheel, be sure you get the correct one. Each
new wheel should match the original wheel in
load
-carrying capacity, inflation pressure
capacity, diameter, width, offset and mounting
configuration.
Using wheels and tires with higher load-carrying limits
than the original wheels and tires doesn't change the
GAWR or the GVWR of your vehicle.

7-7
Wheel bearing (grease type) service (or every
24 months, whichever occurs first, and whenever
hubs are removed). (23)(46)
Wheels and tires service. (15)
Parking brake service (or every 6 months, whichever
occurs first). (8)
Air intake system service (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs first). (4)(5)(24)
Evaporative Control System service (if equipped) (or
every 24 months, whichever occurs first). (3)(26)

Rear axle air shift motor service. (11)
Air brake service (or every 6 months, whichever
occurs first). (39)
Air brake automatic slack adjuster service
(or every 500 hours, whichever occurs first). (40)
Check air brake relay valve operation and check
for leaks (or every month, or every 300 hours,
whichever occurs first).
Clean air brake application valve (or every 3 months,
or every 300 hours, whichever occurs first); lubricate
linkage.
Air brake chamber service (or every 2 months,
whichever occurs first). (41)Trailer brake hand control valve service (or every
3 months, or every 900 hours, whichever
occurs first). (42)
L18/LB7 Engines Only: Clutch pedal free
travel service. (10)
30,000 Miles (48 000 km)
Gasoline Engine Only: Check Oil Life System.
If engine oil and filter are changed, reset system.
See ªEngine Oilº in the Index. (3)(9)
DURAMAX Diesel Only: Change engine oil
and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs
first). (2)(3)
Check fluid levels (or every 3 months, whichever
occurs first). (1)(6)
DURAMAX Diesel Only: Replace fuel filter.
Chassis lubrication service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first). (12)
Replace fuel filter(s) (or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). (3)
Steering system service. (13)
Front and rear suspension service. (14)
Spring
-to-axle U-bolts and shackle bolts
service. (16)
Exhaust system service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first). (3)(4)(17)
(Continued)

7-9
Wheel bearing (grease type) service (or every
24 months, whichever occurs first, and whenever
hubs are removed). (23)(46)
Inspect door hinge pins and bushings and replace
as necessary.
Steering system service. (13)
Front and rear suspension service. (14)
Spring
-to-axle U-bolts and shackle
bolts service. (16)
Exhaust system service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first). (3)(4)(17)
Wheels and tires service. (15)
Hydraulic brake service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first). (7)(46)
Parking brake service (or every 6 months, whichever
occurs first). (8)
Thermostatically controlled engine cooling fan
service. (4)(20)
Shields and underhood insulation service. (4)(5)(21)
Rear axle air shift motor service. (11)
Air intake system service (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs first). (4)(5)(24)
Evaporative Control System service (if equipped) (or
every 24 months, whichever occurs first). (3)(26)
Air brake service (or every 6 months, whichever
occurs first). (39)
Air brake automatic slack adjuster service
(or every 500 hours, whichever occurs first). (40)
Check air brake relay valve operation and check for
leaks (or every month, or every 300 hours,
whichever occurs first).
Clean air brake application valve (or every 3 months,
or every 300 hours, whichever occurs first); lubricate
linkage.
Air brake chamber service (or every 2 months,
whichever occurs first). (41)
Trailer brake hand control valve service (or every
3 months, or every 900 hours, whichever
occurs first). (42)
L18/LB7 Engines Only: Clutch pedal free
travel service. (10)
50,000 Miles (80 000 km)
DURAMAX Diesel Only: Change engine oil
and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs
first). (2)(3)
Inspect air compressor discharge port (or every
6 months or every 1,800 hours, whichever
occurs first).

7-11
67,500 Miles (108 000 km)
Gasoline Engine Only: Check Oil Life System.
If engine oil and filter are changed, reset system.
See ªEngine Oilº in the Index. (3)(9)
Check fluid levels (or every 3 months, whichever
occurs first). (1)(6)
Chassis lubrication service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first). (12)
Cooling system service. Clean the cooling system
filler cap with clean water, clean the core, pressure
test the cap and the system for proper pressure
capability and inspect condition of cooling and
heater hoses and clamps. Replace hoses if cracked,
swollen or damaged.
Wheel bearing (grease type) service (or every
24 months, whichever occurs first, and whenever
hubs are removed). (23)(46)
Wheels and tires service. (15)
Parking brake service (or every 6 months, whichever
occurs first). (8)
Rear axle air shift motor service. (11)
Air intake system service (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs first). (4)(5)(24)Evaporative Control System service (if equipped) (or
every 24 months, whichever occurs first). (3)(26)

Air brake service (or every 6 months, whichever
occurs first). (39)
Air brake automatic slack adjuster service (or every
500 hours, whichever occurs first). (40)
Check air brake relay valve operation and check
for leaks (or every month, or every 300 hours,
whichever occurs first).
Clean air brake application valve (or every 3 months,
or every 300 hours, whichever occurs first); lubricate
linkage.
Air brake chamber service (or every 2 months,
whichever occurs first). (41)
Trailer brake hand control valve service
(or every 3 months, or every 900 hours,
whichever occurs first). (42)
L18/LB7 Engines Only: Clutch pedal free
travel service. (10)
70,000 Miles (112 000 km)
DURAMAX Diesel Only: Change engine
oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). (2)(3)

7-13
90,000 Miles (144 000 km)

Gasoline Engine Only: Check Oil Life System.
If engine oil and filter are changed, reset system.
See ªEngine Oilº in the Index. (3)(9)

DURAMAX Diesel Only: Change engine
oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). (2)(3)

Check fluid levels (or every 3 months, whichever
occurs first). (1)(6)

DURAMAX Diesel Only: Replace fuel filter.

Chassis lubrication service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first). (12)

Cooling system service. Clean the cooling system
filler cap with clean water, clean the core, pressure
test the cap and the system for proper pressure
capability and inspect condition of cooling and
heater hoses and clamps. Replace hoses if cracked,
swollen or damaged.

Wheel bearing (grease type) service (or every
24 months, whichever occurs first, and whenever
hubs are removed). (23)(46)

Replace fuel filter(s) (or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). (3)
Steering system service. (13)

Front and rear suspension service. (14)

Spring
-to-axle U-bolts and shackle
bolts service. (16)

Exhaust system service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first). (3)(4)(17)

Inspect door hinge pins and bushings and replace
as necessary.

Wheels and tires service. (15)

Hydraulic brake service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first). (7)(46)

Parking brake service (or every 6 months, whichever
occurs first). (8)

C600, C700 and C800 Gasoline Engines Only:
Engine drive belts service (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first). (18)

Thermostatically controlled engine cooling fan
service. (4)(20)

Shields and underhood insulation service. (4)(5)(21)

Rear axle air shift motor service. (11)

Air intake system service (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs first). (4)(5)(24)
(Continued)

7-18
(15) = Adjust tire pressures as indicated on the GVW
Rating label for optimum tire life. See ªTiresº in the
Index for further details. Check tires for excessive or
abnormal wear or damage. Also check for damaged
wheels. Replace wheels and/or tires as needed.
(16) = Check spring
-to-axle U-bolts and shackle
bolts for proper torque. See the service manual for
torque sequence and specifications. When parts are
replaced, the torque must be checked and adjusted
more often during the first 6,000 miles (10 000 km).
Check torque at 500 miles (800 km) and 2,000 miles
(3 000 km) after first use of parts.
(17) = Check complete exhaust system and cab areas
near the exhaust system for broken, damaged, missing or
out
-of-position parts. Also inspect for open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which could
let exhaust fumes seep into the driver compartment.
Needed repairs should be made at once. To help
maintain system integrity, replace exhaust pipes
whenever a new muffler is put on.
(18) = Check all gasoline engine drive belts for cracks,
fraying and wear. Replace as needed.(20) = With the engine off and below normal operating
temperature, check to see that the thermostatically
controlled engine cooling fan can be rotated by hand on
viscous
-operated drives. Replace as needed.
(21) = Check shields and underhood insulation for
damage or looseness. Adjust or replace as needed.
(23) = Wheel bearing service:

Grease type
-- Clean, inspect and lubricate with the
proper wheel bearing grease at designated intervals
or when hubs are removed. See ªRecommended
Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.

Oil
-filled type -- Some wheel bearings are lubricated
by rear axle lubricant. When you have oil
-filled
hubs, use lubricant identical to that used in your rear
axle. Lubricant change intervals are the same for
front and rear axles. However, you must maintain oil
level at the OIL LEVEL mark between change
intervals. See ªRecommended Fluids and
Lubricantsº in the Index.
(24) = Check the air intake system installation to see that
gaskets are seated properly and all hose connections,
fasteners and other components are tight. Tighten
connections and fasteners or replace parts as required.