tire size PONTIAC VIBE 2007 Owners Manual

Tire and Loading Information Label
A vehicle specic Tire and Loading Information
label is attached to the vehicle’s center pillar
(B-pillar). With the driver’s door open you will nd
the label attached below the door lock post (striker).
The Tire and Loading Information label shows the
number of occupant seating positions (A), and the
maximum vehicle capacity weight (B) in kilograms
and pounds.This weight includes the weight of all occupants,
cargo, and all nonfactory-installed options.
The Tire and Loading Information label also shows
the tire size of the original equipment tires (C), and
the recommended cold tire ination pressures (D).
For more information on tires and ination seeTires
on page 322andInation - Tire Pressure on
page 329.
There is also important loading information on the
Certication label. It tells you the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for the front and rear axle. See
“Certication Label” later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your
vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.Label Example
254

Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 321
Tires............................................................ 322
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 323
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 326
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 329
Tire Pressure Monitor System................... 330
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 333
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 335
Buying New Tires...................................... 336
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 337
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 338
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 339
Wheel Replacement.................................. 340
Tire Chains............................................... 341
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 342
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 343
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools.......... 344
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire............................................. 346
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...... 351
Compact Spare Tire.................................. 354Appearance Care........................................ 354
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 354
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 356
Leather...................................................... 356
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces..................................... 357
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 357
Weatherstrips............................................ 358
Washing Your Vehicle............................... 358
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 358
Finish Care............................................... 358
Windshield, Backglass, and
Wiper Blades......................................... 359
Aluminum Wheels...................................... 359
Tires......................................................... 360
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 360
Finish Damage.......................................... 361
Underbody Maintenance............................ 361
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 361
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 362
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
270

Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is molded into its
sidewall. The examples below show a typical
passenger car tire and a compact spare tire
sidewall.(A) Tire Size:The tire size is a combination of
letters and numbers used to dene a particular
tire’s width, height, aspect ratio, construction type
and service description. See the “Tire Size”
illustration later in this section for more detail.
(B) DOT (Department of Transportation):The
Department of Transportation (DOT) code
indicates that the tire is in compliance with the
U.S. Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards.
(C) Tire Identication Number (TIN):The letters
and numbers following DOT code are the Tire
Identication Number (TIN). The TIN shows
the manufacturer and plant code, tire size, and
date the tire was manufactured. The TIN is molded
onto both sides of the tire, although only one
side may have the date of manufacture.
(D) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and
number of plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
Passenger Car Tire Example
323

(B) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and
number of plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(C) Tire Identication Number (TIN):The Tire
Identication Number (TIN). The TIN shows
the manufacturer and plant code, tire size, and
date the tire was manufactured. The TIN is molded
onto both sides of the tire, although only one
side may have the date of manufacture.
(D) Maximum Cold Ination Load
Limit:Maximum load that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed to support that
load. SeeCompact Spare Tire on page 354and
Loading Your Vehicle on page 253.
(E) Tire Ination:The temporary use tire or
compact spare tire should be inated to 60 psi
(420 kPa). For more information on tire pressure
and ination seeInation - Tire Pressure on
page 329.
(F) Tire Size:A combination of letters and
numbers dene a tire’s width, height, aspect ratio,
construction type and service description. The
letter T as the rst character in the tire size means
the tire is for temporary use only.Tire Size
The following illustration shows an example of a
typical passenger car 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 70, as
shown in item C of the illustration, it would mean
that the tire’s sidewall is 70% as high as it is wide.
325

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 329andLoading
Your Vehicle on page 253.
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 335.
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 338.
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 253.
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 253.
328

When It Is Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it
is time for new tires is
to check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires
have only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) or less of tread
remaining.You need a new tire if any of the following
statements are true:You can see the indicators at three or more
places around the tire.
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 cannot be repaired well because of the
size or location of the damage.
335

Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched specic tires for
your vehicle. If you need replacement tires,
GM strongly recommends that you get tires that
are the same size, brand, load range, speed rating,
and construction type (radial and bias-belted
tires) as your vehicle’s original tires. This way, your
vehicle will continue to have tires that are
designed to give the same performance and
vehicle safety, during normal use, as the original
tires. SeeTire Sidewall Labeling on page 323
for additional information.
{CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose
control while driving. If you mix tires of
different sizes, brands, or types (radial
and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a
crash. Using tires of different sizes,
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
brands, or types may also cause damage
to your vehicle. Be sure to use the correct
size, brand, and type of tires on all
wheels. It is all right to drive with your
compact spare temporarily, as it was
developed for use on your vehicle. See
Compact Spare Tire on page 354.
{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.
336

Your vehicle’s original equipment tires are listed
on the Tire and Loading Information Label.
This label is attached to the vehicle’s center pillar
(B-pillar). SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 253,
for more information about the Tire and Loading
Information Label.
Different Size Tires and Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a different size
than your original equipment wheels and tires,
this may affect the way your vehicle performs,
including its braking, ride and handling
characteristics, stability, and resistance to rollover.
Additionally, if your vehicle has electronic
systems such as, anti-lock brakes, traction control,
and electronic stability control, the performance
of these systems can be affected.
{CAUTION:
If you add different sized wheels, your
vehicle may not provide an acceptable
level of performance and safety if tires not
recommended for those wheels are
selected. You may increase the chance
that you will crash and suffer serious
injury. Only use GM specic wheel and
tire systems developed for your vehicle,
and have them properly installed by a GM
certied technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 336and
Accessories and Modications on page 272for
additional information.
337

Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You cannot know how it has
been used or how far it has 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
Notice:Use tire chains only where legal and
only when you must. Use only SAE Class
“S” type chains that are the proper size for
your tires. Install them on the front tires
and tighten them as tightly as possible with
the ends securely fastened. Drive slowly
and follow the chain manufacturer’s
instructions. If you can hear the chains
contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until
it stops. Driving too fast or spinning the
wheels with chains on will damage your
vehicle.
341

Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully inated
when your vehicle was new, it can lose air
after a time. Check the ination pressure regularly.
It should be 60 psi (420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare on your vehicle,
you should stop as soon as possible and make
sure your spare tire is correctly inated. The
compact spare is made to perform well at speeds
up to 50 mph (80 km/h), so you can nish your
trip and have your full-size tire repaired or replaced
where you want. Of course, it is best to replace
your spare with a full-size tire as soon as you can.
Your spare will last longer and be in good shape
in case you need it again.
Notice:When the compact spare is installed,
do not take your vehicle through an automatic
car wash with guide rails. The compact
spare can get caught on the rails. That can
damage the tire and wheel, and maybe
other parts of your vehicle.
Do not use your compact spare on other vehicles.
And do not mix your compact spare tire or
wheel with other wheels or tires. They will not t.
Keep your spare tire and its wheel together.Notice:Tire chains will not t your compact
spare. Using them can damage your vehicle
and can damage the chains too. Do not use tire
chains on your compact spare.
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Your vehicle’s interior will continue to look its
best if it is cleaned often. Although not always
visible, dust and dirt can accumulate on your
upholstery. Dirt can damage carpet, fabric, leather,
and plastic surfaces. Regular vacuuming is
recommended to remove particles from your
upholstery. It is important to keep your upholstery
from becoming and remaining heavily soiled.
Soils should be removed as quickly as possible.
Your vehicle’s interior may experience extremes of
heat that could cause stains to set rapidly.
Lighter colored interiors may require more frequent
cleaning. Use care because newspapers and
garments that transfer color to your home
furnishings may also transfer color to your
vehicle’s interior.
354