flat tire CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2013 2.G Owner's Manual

Black plate (57,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Vehicle Care 10-57
Anytime unusual wear is
noticed, rotate the tires as soon
as possible, check for proper tire
inflation pressure, and check for
damaged tires or wheels. If the
unusual wear continues after
the rotation, check the wheel
alignment. SeeWhen It Is Time
for New Tires on page 10‑58
and Wheel Replacement on
page 10‑62.
Use this rotation pattern when
rotating the tires. Do not include the spare tire in
the tire rotation.
Adjust the front and rear tires
to the recommended inflation
pressure on the Tire and
Loading Information label after
the tires have been rotated. See
Tire Pressure on page 10‑51
and
Vehicle Load Limits on
page 9‑15.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. See Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation on
page 10‑53.
Check that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel
Nut Torque” underCapacities
and Specifications on
page 12‑2.
{WARNING
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
Lightly coat the center of the
wheel hub with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel change or
tire rotation to prevent corrosion
or rust build-up. Do not get
grease on the flat wheel
mounting surface or on the
wheel nuts or bolts.

Black plate (58,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
10-58 Vehicle Care
When It Is Time for New
Tires
Factors, such as maintenance,
temperatures, driving speeds,
vehicle loading, and road conditions
affect the wear rate of the tires.
Treadwear indicators are one way to
tell when it is time for new tires.
Treadwear indicators appear when
the tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in)
or less of tread remaining.
Some commercial truck tires may
not have treadwear indicators.See
Tire Inspection on page 10‑56
and Tire Rotation on page 10‑56 for
additional information.
The rubber in tires ages over time.
This also applies to the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, even if it is
never used. Multiple factors
including temperatures, loading
conditions, and inflation pressure
maintenance affect how fast aging
takes place. GM recommends that
tires, including the spare if
equipped, be replaced after six
years, regardless of tread wear. The
tire manufacturer date is the last
four digits of the DOT Tire
Identification Number (TIN) which is
molded into one side of the tire
sidewall. The first two digits
represent the week (01-52) and the
last two digits, the year. For
example, the third week of the year
2010 would have a four-digit DOT
date of 0310.
Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normally
mounted on a parked vehicle. Park
a vehicle that will be stored for at
least a month in a cool, dry, clean
area away from direct sunlight to
slow aging. This area should be free
of grease, gasoline or other
substances that can deteriorate
rubber.
Parking for an extended period can
cause flat spots on the tires that
may result in vibrations while
driving. When storing a vehicle for
at least a month, remove the tires or
raise the vehicle to reduce the
weight from the tires.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specific tires for the vehicle. The
original equipment tires installed
were designed to meet General
Motors Tire Performance Criteria
Specification (TPC Spec)
system rating. When

Black plate (62,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
10-62 Vehicle Care
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature–A, B, C
The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance
to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level of
performance which all
passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and
A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum
required by law. Warning: The
temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance
The tires and wheels were aligned
and balanced at the factory to
provide the longest tire life and best
overall performance. Adjustments to
wheel alignment and tire balancing
will not be necessary on a regular
basis. However, check the
alignment if there is unusual tire
wear or if the vehicle is pulling to
one side or the other. If the vehicle vibrates when driving on a smooth
road, the tires and wheels might
need to be rebalanced. See your
dealer for proper diagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent,
cracked, or badly rusted or
corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming
loose, the wheel, wheel bolts, and
wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it.
Some aluminum wheels can be
repaired. See your dealer if any of
these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of
wheel that is needed.
Each new wheel should have the
same load-carrying capacity,
diameter, width, offset, and be
mounted the same way as the one it
replaces.
Replace wheels, wheel bolts, wheel
nuts, or Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS) sensors with new
GM original equipment parts.

Black plate (64,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
10-64 Vehicle Care
Notice:If the vehicle has P265/
70R17 size tires, use tire chains
only where legal and only when
necessary. Use chains that are
the proper size for the tires.
Install them on the rear tires only.
Do not use chains on the front
tires.
Tighten them as tightly as
possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow
the chain manufacturer's
instructions. If the chains contact
the 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 the
vehicle.If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while driving, especially if the tires
are maintained properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it is much more likely to
leak out slowly. But if there ever is a
blowout, here are a few tips about
what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction as
used in a skid. Stop pressing the
accelerator pedal and steer to
straighten the vehicle. It may be
very bumpy and noisy. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road,
if possible.{WARNING
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has
been driven on while severely
underinflated or flat may cause a
blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
that has been driven on while
severely underinflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized
tire service center repair or
replace the flat tire as soon as
possible.
{WARNING
Lifting a vehicle and getting
under it to do maintenance or
repairs is dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and
training. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, it is designed only for
(Continued)

Black plate (65,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Vehicle Care 10-65
WARNING (Continued)
changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could
be badly injured or killed if the
vehicle slips off the jack. If a jack
is provided with the vehicle, only
use it for changing a flat tire.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place, well off the road,
if possible. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. See Hazard
Warning Flashers on page 6‑5.
{WARNING
Changing a tire can be
dangerous. The vehicle can slip
off the jack and roll over or fall
causing injury or death. Find a
level place to change the tire. To
help prevent the vehicle from
moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever in P (Park).
3. For vehicles with four-wheel-drive with a
N (Neutral) transfer case
position, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive
gear —not in N (Neutral).
4. Turn off the engine and do not restart while the vehicle
is raised.
5. Do not allow passengers to remain in the vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
6. Place wheel blocks on bothsides of the tire at the
opposite corner of the tire
being changed.
When the vehicle has a flat tire (B),
use the following example as a
guide to assist in the placement of
the wheel blocks (A).
A. Wheel Block
B. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how to use the jack and change
a tire.

Black plate (66,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
10-66 Vehicle Care
Tire Changing
Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools
The jack and the wheel blocks are
located under a cover near the
passenger side rear seat.
Rear Seat (Passenger Side) JackCover
1. Remove the jack cover by turning the two wing nuts
one-quarter turn
counterclockwise and pulling the
jack cover off.
A. Wheel Blocks
B. Jack Knob
C. Wing Nut
D. Retaining Hook
E. Jack
F. Mounting Bracket
2. Turn the jack knob (B) on the jack counterclockwise to release
the jack (E) from the mounting
bracket (F). 3. Turn the wing nut (C)
counterclockwise to remove the
wheel blocks (A) attached to the
jack (E). Place the wheel blocks
where needed as indicated in
previously in this section.
The tools for changing a flat tire are
located in the passenger side
top-box storage unit.
To remove the tools:
1. Open the top door on the passenger side top-box storage
unit. Use the ignition/door key to
unlock it if it is locked. See
Top-Box Storage on page 4‑2 for
more information.
2. Remove the black pouch from the storage box.

Black plate (68,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
10-68 Vehicle Care
5. Turn the wheel wrenchcounterclockwise to lower the
spare tire to the ground.
Continue to turn the wheel
wrench until the spare tire can
be pulled out from under the
vehicle.
If the spare tire does not lower to
the ground, the secondary latch
is engaged causing the tire not
to lower. See Secondary Latch
System on page 10‑75 for more
information.6. Use the wheel wrench hook to pull the hoist cable closer to
assist in reaching the spare tire.
7. Tilt the tire with slack in the
cable to access the tire/wheel
retainer.
Separate the retainer from the
guide pin by sliding the retainer
up the pin while pressing down
on the latch. When the retainer
is separated from the guide pin,
tilt the retainer and pull it through
the center of the wheel along
with the cable and guide pin.
8. Put the spare tire near the flat tire.

Black plate (69,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Vehicle Care 10-69
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
A. Jack
B. Wheel Blocks
C. Jack Handle
D. Jack Handle Extensions
E. Wheel Wrench
1. Do a safety check beforeproceeding. See If a Tire Goes
Flat on page 10‑64 for more
information.
2. To remove the center cap, place the chiseled end of the wheel
wrench in the slot on the wheel
and gently pry the cap out.
3. Use the wheel wrench to loosenall the wheel nuts. Turn the
wheel wrench counterclockwise
to loosen the wheel nuts. Do not
remove the wheel nuts yet.
Jacking Locations (Overall View)
A. Front Position
B. Rear Position

Black plate (70,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
10-70 Vehicle Care
{WARNING
Getting under a vehicle when it is
lifted on a jack is dangerous.
If the vehicle slips off the jack,
you could be badly injured or
killed. Never get under a vehicle
when it is supported only by
a jack.
{WARNING
Raising the vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can
damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help
avoid personal injury and vehicle
damage, be sure to fit the jack lift
head into the proper location
before raising the vehicle.4. Position the jack under the
vehicle as shown.Front Position Front Tire Flat:
If the flat tire is
on a front tire of the vehicle, use
the jack handle and only one
jack handle extension. Attach
the wheel wrench to the jack
handle extension. Attach the
jack handle to the jack (A).
Position the jack on the frame
behind the flat tire near the front
body mount, as shown. Turn the
wheel wrench clockwise to raise
the vehicle. Raise the vehicle far
enough off the ground so there
is enough room for the spare tire
to clear the ground.

Black plate (71,1)Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 8/27/12
Vehicle Care 10-71
Rear Position
Rear Tire Flat: If the flat tire is
on a rear tire of the vehicle, use
the jack handle (B) and both jack
handle extensions (C). Attach
the wheel wrench (D) to the jack
handle extensions (C). Attach
the jack handle (B) to the
jack (A). Use the jacking pad (E)
provided on the rear axle. Turn
the wheel wrench (D) clockwise
to raise the vehicle. Raise the
vehicle far enough off the
ground so there is enough room
for the spare tire to clear the
ground.5. Remove all the wheel nuts.
6. Take off the flat tire.
{WARNING
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
7. Remove any rust or dirt from thewheel bolts, mounting surfaces,
and spare wheel.
8. Install the spare tire.