spare tire GMC SIERRA 2005 Owner's Manual

Your vehicle has one
double-sided key for the
ignition and all door
locks as well as the spare
tire hoist lock, if equipped.
If you ever lose your keys, your dealer will be able to
assist you with obtaining replacements.
Notice:If you ever lock your keys in your vehicle,
you may have to damage the vehicle to get in.
Be sure you have spare keys.
If you ever do get locked out of your vehicle, call the
GM Roadside Assistance Center. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-5. If your vehicle is
equipped with the OnStar
®system with an active
subscription and you lock your keys inside the vehicle,
OnStar
®may be able to send a command to unlock
your vehicle. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-64
for more information.
Remote Keyless Entry System
If equipped, the remote keyless entry system operates
on a radio frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
2-4

To reinstall the lower air dam, do the following:
1. Line up each push-pin
with its intended
retainer and push the
washer portion of
the push-pin toward
the retainer until it locks
into place.
2. Push the at end of the
push-pin toward the
retainer until it
locks into place,
making sure each
is secure.Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out. For
example, be sure to have all necessary maintenance
and service work done. Check to make sure all
underbody shields (if so equipped) are properly
attached. Be sure you read all the information about
your four-wheel-drive vehicle in this manual. Is
there enough fuel? Is the spare tire fully inated? Are
the uid levels up where they should be? What are the
local laws that apply to off-roading where you will be
driving? If you do not know, you should check with law
enforcement people in the area. Will you be on
someone’s private land? If so, be sure to get the
necessary permission.
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road
Driving
There are some important things to remember about
how to load your vehicle.
The heaviest things should be on the load oor and
forward of your rear axle. Put heavier items as far
forward as you can.
Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on
the off-road terrain does not toss things around.
4-22

Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
uid (don’t overll), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt,
cooling system and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual, and the Index will help you nd
them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to
review these sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle is equipped with one of the following wiring
harnesses for towing a trailer or hauling a slide-in
camper.
Basic Trailer Wiring
All regular, extended cab and crew cab pickups have an
eight-wire trailer towing harness.For vehicles not equipped with heavy duty trailering, the
harness is clipped to the vehicle’s frame behind the
spare tire mount. The harness requires the installation
of a trailer connector, which is available through
your dealer.
If your trailer is equipped with electric brakes, you can
get a jumper harness (electric trailer brake control)
with a trailer battery feed fuse from your dealer.
If you need to tow a light-duty trailer with a standard
four-way round pin connector, you can also get an
adapter form your dealer.
4-92

Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
and Cargo Lamp.......................................5-67
Pickup Box Identication and Fender
Marker Lamps...........................................5-69
Taillamps.....................................................5-69
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-71
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-72
Tires..............................................................5-72
Tire Sidewall Labelling...................................5-74
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-77
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-79
Dual Tire Operation.......................................5-82
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-83
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-85
Buying New Tires.........................................5-86
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-87
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-88
Wheel Replacement......................................5-88
Tire Chains..................................................5-90
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-91
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-92
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-93
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire..........................................5-97Secondary Latch System..............................5-105
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...........5-109
Spare Tire.................................................5-112
Appearance Care..........................................5-112
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-113
Vinyl.........................................................5-114
Leather......................................................5-114
Instrument Panel.........................................5-115
Interior Plastic Components..........................5-115
Glass Surfaces...........................................5-115
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-115
Weatherstrips.............................................5-115
Washing Your Vehicle..................................5-116
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-116
Finish Care................................................5-116
Windshield and Wiper Blades.......................5-117
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-117
Tires.........................................................5-118
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-118
Finish Damage...........................................5-118
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-119
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-119
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-119
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

A 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 4-50.
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 5-112.
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.
5-80

Operating your vehicle with a light load means:
The total weight of occupants in your vehicle is less
than the total seating capacity number your vehicle
was designed to carry multiplied by 150 lbs (68 kg).
The total seating capacity number is on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
No more than 200 lbs (91 kg) of cargo, which must
be secured in the cargo area.
No trailer is attached to your vehicle.
You have not added any additional equipment to
your vehicle, like a truck cap or tool box.
The vehicle load capacity and the rear axle load
capacity are reduced when the tire pressure is lowered
to the amount recommended for improved ride.
Before operating your vehicle with passengers or cargo
greater than a light-load, you must inate the rear
tires to the recommended cold tire pressure shown on
the Tire and Loading Information Label. SeeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 4-50.
Dual Tire Operation
When the vehicle is new, or whenever a wheel, wheel
bolt or wheel nut is replaced, check the wheel nut torque
after 100, 1,000 and 6,000 miles (160, 1 600 and
10 000 km) of driving. For proper torque and wheel nut
tightening information, seeRemoving the Spare Tire
and Tools on page 5-93.
The outer tire on a dual wheel setup generally wears
faster than the inner tire. Your tires will wear more
evenly and last longer if you rotate the tires periodically,
seeTire Inspection and Rotation on page 5-83. Also
seeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
{CAUTION:
If you operate your vehicle with a tire that is
badly underinated, the tire can overheat. An
overheated tire can lose air suddenly or catch
re. You or others could be injured. Be sure all
tires (including the spare) are properly inated.
SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-79, for
information on proper tire ination.
5-82

Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km).
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your tires as
soon as possible and check wheel alignment. Also
check for damaged tires or wheels. SeeWhen It Is Time
for New Tires on page 5-85andWheel Replacement
on page 5-88for more information.
Make sure the spare tire is stored securely. Push, pull,
and then try to rotate or turn the tire. If it moves,
use the wheel wrench/hoist shaft to tighten the cable.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-92.
If your vehicle has dual rear wheels, also seeDual Tire
Operation on page 5-82.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The rst rotation
is the most important. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4.If your vehicle has single rear wheels and the tread
design for your front tires is the same as your rear tires,
use the rotation pattern shown here when rotating
your tires. If your vehicle is an SS model, the spare tire
is not designed to be used in the tire rotation.
5-83

Buying New Tires
To nd out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Certication/Tire label. SeeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-50, for more information about this
Certication/Tire label and where it can be found on
your vehicle.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had a
Tire Performance Criteria Specications (TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new tires,
GM 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).
Whenever you 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.
Your vehicle may be equipped with a different
size spare than the road tires (those originally
installed on your vehicle). When new, your
vehicle included a spare tire and wheel
assembly with a similar overall diameter as
your vehicle’s road tires and wheels, so it is all
right to drive on it. Because this spare was
developed for use on your vehicle, it will not
affect vehicle handling.
5-86

{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.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.
(This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signicantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
5-87

The following information will tell you next how to use
the jack and change a tire.
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
Regular Cab and Crew Cab (Except 1500 Crew Cab)
5-93