CHEVROLET TAHOE 2007 3.G Owners 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.(A) Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:The United
States version of a metric tire sizing system. The
letters 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 light truck (LT-Metric) tire
illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall is
75 percent 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
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
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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.
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 wrapped
by steel cords 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 Tire Pressure:The amount of air pressure
in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch
(psi) or kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up
heat from driving. SeeInation - Tire Pressure
on page 515.
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 (DOT)
motor vehicle safety standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identication 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 Your Vehicle on page 407.
GAWR FRT:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the
front axle. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 407.
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GAWR RR:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear
axle. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 407.
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.
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 Ination Pressure:The maximum air
pressure to which a cold tire may be inated.
The maximum air pressure is molded onto
the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating:The load rating for a tire
at the maximum permissible ination 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 lbs (68 kg). SeeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 407.
Occupant Distribution:Designated seating
positions.
Outward Facing Sidewall:The side of an
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 Ination Pressure:Vehicle
manufacturer’s recommended tire ination
pressure as shown on the tire placard. See
Ination - Tire Pressure on page 515andLoading
Your Vehicle on page 407.
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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 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread
remains. SeeWhen It Is Time for New Tires on
page 523.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. SeeUniform
Tire Quality Grading on page 527.
Vehicle Capacity Weight:The number of
designated seating positions multiplied by 150 lbs
(68 kg) plus the rated cargo load. SeeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 407.
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 the vehicle’s capacity weight
and the original equipment tire size and
recommended ination pressure. See “Tire and
Loading Information Label” underLoading
Your Vehicle on page 407.
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Ination - Tire Pressure
Tires need the correct amount of air pressure to
operate effectively.
Notice:Do not let anyone tell you that
under-ination or over-ination is all right. It is
not. If your tires do not have enough air
(under-ination), you can get the following:
Too much exing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Premature or irregular wear
Poor handling
Reduced fuel economy
If your tires have too much air (over-ination),
you can get the following:
Unusual wear
Poor handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazardsA Tire and Loading Information label is attached to
the vehicle’s center pillar (B-pillar), below the
driver’s door lock post (striker). This label lists your
vehicle’s original equipment tires and their
recommended cold tire ination pressures. The
recommended cold tire ination pressure, shown on
the label, is the minimum amount of air pressure
needed to support your vehicle’s maximum load
carrying capacity.
For additional information regarding how much
weight your vehicle can carry, and an example of
the tire and loading information label, seeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 407.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more. Do not
forget to check the spare tire. For additional
information regarding the spare tire, seeSpare Tire
on page 552.
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How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You cannot tell if your tires are properly
inated simply by looking at them. Radial tires may
look properly inated even when they’re
underinated. Check the tire’s ination pressure
when the tires are cold. Cold means your vehicle
has been sitting for at least three hours or driven no
more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem.
Press the tire gage rmly onto the valve to
get a pressure measurement. If the cold tire
ination pressure matches the recommended
pressure on the Tire and Loading Information
label, no further adjustment is necessary. If the
ination pressure is low, add air until you reach the
recommended amount.
If you overll the tire, release air by pushing on
the metal stem in the center of the tire valve.
Recheck the tire pressure with the tire gage.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.
Tire Pressure Monitor System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses
radio and sensor technology to check tire pressure
levels. If your vehicle has this feature, sensors
are mounted on each tire and wheel assembly,
except the spare tire. The TPMS sensors monitor
the air pressure in your vehicle’s tires and
transmit tire pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle.
The TPMS is designed to alert the driver, if a low
tire pressure condition exists. If your vehicle has the
Driver Information Center (DIC), the driver may also
check tire pressure levels using the DIC.
When a low tire pressure condition is detected,
the TPMS will illuminate the low tire pressure
warning symbol located on the instrument panel
cluster. If your vehicle has the DIC feature, a
message to check the pressure in a specic tire
will also appear on the DIC display. The low
tire pressure warning symbol on the instrument
panel cluster and the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
warning message on the DIC display will appear at
each ignition cycle until the tires are inated to
the correct ination pressure.
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For additional information and details about the
DIC operation and displays seeDIC Operation and
Displays (With DIC Buttons) on page 261orDIC
Operation and Displays (Without DIC Buttons)
on page 267andDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 270.
You may notice, during cooler weather conditions,
that the tire pressure monitor light, located on
the instrument panel cluster, and the CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE message will appear when the
vehicle is rst started and then turn off as you
start to drive the vehicle. This could be an early
indicator that the tire pressures are getting low and
need to be inated to the proper pressure.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should
be checked monthly when cold and inated to
the ination pressure recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire
ination pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of
a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire ination pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire ination
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 signicantly
under-inated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale
illuminates, you should stop and check your tires
as soon as possible, and inate them to the
proper pressure. Driving on a signicantly
under-inated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-ination also
reduces fuel 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-ination has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
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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 ash 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 your vehicle to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow
the TPMS to continue to function properly.The CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning message
and low tire pressure light (telltale) will come
on each time the vehicle is started until the tires
are inated to the correct ination pressure.
The Tire and Loading Information label (tire
information placard) shows the size of your
vehicle’s original tires and the correct ination
pressure for your vehicle’s tires when they
are cold. SeeInation - Tire Pressure on
page 515. For the location of the tire and loading
information label, seeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 407.
Your vehicle’s TPMS can alert you about a low
tire pressure condition but it does not replace
normal tire maintenance. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 521andTires on page 507.
Notice:Do not use a tire sealant if your
vehicle has Tire Pressure Monitors. The liquid
sealant can damage the tire pressure monitor
sensors.
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Resetting the TPMS Identication Codes
Each TPMS sensor has a unique identication
code. Any time you rotate your vehicle’s tires or
replace one or more of the TPMS sensors,
the identication codes will need to be matched to
the new tire/wheel position. The sensors are
matched to the tire/wheel positions in the following
order: driver’s side front tire, passengers side
front tire, passengers side rear tire, and driver’s
side rear tire using a TPMS diagnostic tool.
See your GM dealer for service.
The TPMS sensors may also be matched to each
tire/wheel position by increasing or decreasing
the tire’s air pressure. If increasing the tire’s
air pressure, do not exceed the maximum ination
pressure indicated on the tire’s sidewall.
You will have two minutes to match the rst
tire/wheel position, and ve minutes overall to
match all four tire/wheel positions. If it takes longer
than two minutes, to match the rst tire and
wheel, or more than ve minutes to match all four
tire and wheel positions the matching process
stops and you will need to start over.The TPMS sensor matching process is outlined
below:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition switch to RUN with the
engine off.
3. Using the DIC, press the vehicle information
button until the RELEARN TIRE POSITIONS
message displays. If your vehicle does not
have the DIC buttons, press the trip odometer
reset stem located on the instrument panel
cluster until the RELEARN TIRE POSITIONS
message displays.
4. If your vehicle has the DIC buttons, press the
set/reset button. The horn will sound twice to
indicate the TPMS receiver is ready, and
the TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message will
display. If your vehicle does not have the DIC
buttons, press and hold the trip odometer
reset stem until the horn chirps twice and the
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message is
displayed.
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5. Start with the driver’s side front tire.
6. Remove the valve cap from the valve cap
stem. Activate the TPMS sensor by
increasing or decreasing the tire’s air pressure
for ve seconds, or until a horn chirp
sounds. The horn chirp, which make take up
to 30 seconds to sound, conrms that the
sensor identication code has been matched
to this tire and wheel position. To decrease
air-pressure out of a tire you can use the
pointed end of the valve cap, a pencil-style air
pressure gage, or a key.
7. Proceed to the passenger’s side front tire, and
repeat the procedure in Step 6.
8. Proceed to the passenger’s side rear tire, and
repeat the procedure in Step 6.9. Proceed to the driver’s side rear tire, and
repeat the procedure in Step 6.
10. After hearing the conrming horn chirp for the
driver’s side rear tire, the horn chirp will sound
two more times to signal the tire learning
mode is no longer active. Turn the ignition
switch to LOCK.
11. Set all four tires to the recommended air
pressure level as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
12. Put the valve caps back on the valve stems
The spare tire does not have a TPMS sensor.
If you replace one of the road tires with the spare,
the SERVICE TIRE MONITOR message will be
displayed on the DIC screen. This message should
go off once you re-install the road tire containing
the TPMS sensor.
520