tire pressure CHEVROLET BLAZER 1993 Owners Manual

If your engine ever stops while you’re driving, brake normally but don’t
pump your brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to push down. If
your engine stops, you will still have some power brake assist. But you
will use it when you brake. Once the power assist is used up, it may
take longer
to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Your vehicle has an advanced electronic braking system that can help\
keep it
under control.
When you start your vehicle and begin to drive away, you may hear
a
momentary motor or clicking noise. This is the ABS system testing itself.
AM41 5006
Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet. Y\
ou’re driving safely.
Suddenly an animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes. Here’s what happens with ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. The computer sepa\
rately
works the brakes at each front wheel and at the rear wheels. \
The anti-lock
system can change the brake pressure faster than any driver co\
uld. The
computer is programmed to make the
most of available tire and road
conditions. You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
4-1 5

AM440002
I Getting out on the downhill (low) side of a vehicle stopped across an
- , incline is dangerous. If the vehicle rolls over, you could be crushed
or killed. Always get out on the uphill (high) side of the vehicle and
stay well clear of the rollover path. F
Driving In Mud, Sand, Snow, Or Ice
When you drive in mud, snow or sand, your wheels won’t get\
good traction.
You can’t accelerate as quickly, turning is more difficult, and \
you’ll need
longer braking distances.
It’s best to use a low gear when you’re in mud-the deeper the \
mud, the
lower the gear. In really deep mud, the idea is
to keep your vehicle moving
so you don’t get stuck.
When you drive on sand, you’ll sense a change in wheel tra\
ction. But
it will
depend upon how loosely packed the sand is. On loosely packed \
sand (as
on beaches or sand dunes) your tires will tend to sink into the\
sand. This
has an effect on steering, accelerating, and braking. You may want to reduce
the air pressure
in your tires slightly when driving on sand. This will improve
traction.
Hard packed snow and ice offer the worst tire traction. On these surfaces, it’s
very easy to lose control. On wet ice, for example, the tract\
ion is
so poor
that you will have difficulty accelerating. And
if you do get moving, poor
steering and difficult braking can cause you to slide out
of control.
4-33

Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your tires haven’t much tread
or
if the pressure in one or more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is
standing on the road. If you can see reflections from trees, \
telephone poles, or other vehicles, and raindrops “dimple” the water’s s\
urface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens on higher speed roads. There just isn’t a hard
and fast rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow \
down when it is
raining, and be careful.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Turn on your headlights-not just your parking lights-to help ma\
ke you
more visible to others.
Look for hard-to-see vehicles coming from behind. You may want to use
your headlights even in daytime
if it’s raining hard.
Besides slowing down, allow some extra following distance. And \
be
especially careful when you pass another vehicle. Allow yourself\
more
clear room ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted\
by road spray.
If the road spray is so heavy you are actually blinded, drop back.
Don’t pass until conditions improve. Going more slowly is be\
tter than
having an accident.
Use your defogger
if it helps.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See “Tires” in\
the Index.)
4-39

Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you must start when you’re
not fresh-such as after a day’s work-don’t plan to make too many miles
that first part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you can
easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it serviced and maintained,
it’s ready to go. If it needs service, have it done before starting out. Of
course, you’ll find experienced and able service experts
in your vehicle’s
dealerships all across North America. They’ll be ready and w\
illing to help
if
you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
e
e
On
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are all windows clean
inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked all levels?
Lights: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread
good enough for long distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook along your route?
Should you delay your trip a short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
the Road
Unless you are the only driver, it is good to share the driving task with
others. Limit turns behind the wheel to about
100 miles (160 km) or two
hours at a sitting. Then, either change drivers or stop for s\
ome refreshment
like coffee, tea or soft drinks and some limbering up. But do stop and move
around. Eat lightly along the way. Heavier meals tend
to make some people
sleepy.
On two-lane highways or undivided multilane highways that do not have
controlled access, you’ll want to watch for some situations not usually found
on freeways. Examples are: stop signs and signals, shopping cen\
ters with
direct access to the highway, no passing zones and school zones, vehicles
turning left and right
off the road, pedestrians, cyclists, parked vehicles, and
even animals.
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Your Driving and 0% Road
Will you have to make any holes in the body of your vehicle when you
install a trailer hitch?
If you do, then be sure to seal the holes later
when you remove the hitch.
If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide
(CO) from your exhaust can get into your vehicle (see “Carbon
Monoxide” in the Index). Dirt and water can, too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trail\
er. Cross
the safety chains under the tongue of the trailer
so that the tongue will not
drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions about
safety chains may be provided by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation
for attaching safety chains. Always leave just
enough slack
so you can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety chains to
drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 pounds (450 kg) loaded, then it needs
its own brakes-and they must be adequate. Be sure
to read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
Don’t tap into your vehicle’s brake system if the trailer’s brake system will use
more than
0.02 cubic inch (0.3 cc) of fluid from your vehicles master cylinder.
If it does, both braking systems won’t work well. You could even lose your
brakes.
Will the trailer brake parts take 3,000 psi (20 650 kPa) of pressure? If
not, the trailer brake system must not be used with your vehi\
cle.
If everything checks out this far, then make the brake fluid tap at the
port on the master cylinder that sends fluid
to the rear brakes. But don’t
use copper tubing for this.
If you do, it will bend and finally break off.
Use steel brake tubing.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before setting out
for the open road, you’ll want
to get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with
the feel of handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer. And
always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now a good deal
longer and not nearly
so responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform, safety \
chains, electrical
connector, lights, tires and mirror adjustment.
If the trailer has electric brakes,
start your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trail\
er brake controller
by hand to be sure the brakes are working. This lets vou check your
electrical connection at the same time.
4-60

Service & Appearance Care
Replacing Brake System Parts ........................................................................\
.. 6-33
Other Maintenance Items
........................................................................\
........... 6-34
Lubrication
........................................................................\
.................................... 6-35
Electrical System
........................................................................\
......................... 6-37
Battery
........................................................................\
...................................... 6-37
Bulb Replacement
........................................................................\
.................... 6-37
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
........................................................................\
.... 6-43
Exhaust System
........................................................................\
........................... 6-45
Loading Your Vehicle
........................................................................\
.................. 6-46
Tires
........................................................................\
.............................................. 6-48
Inflation-Tire Pressure
........................................................................\
........... 6-49
Tire Inspection and Rotation
........................................................................\
.. 6-52
When It’s Time for New Tires ........................................................................\
6-53
Buying New Tires
........................................................................\
.................... 6-53
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
........................................................................\
.. 6-54
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
............................................................... 6-55
Wheel Replacement
........................................................................\
................. 6-55
Tire Chains
........................................................................\
............................... 6-56
Appearance Care
........................................................................\
........................ 6-57
Cleaning the Inside Of Your Vehicle
............................................................. 6-58
Cleaning the Outside
Of Your Vehicle .......................................................... 6-61
Appearance Care Materials
........................................................................\
........ 6-64
Vehicle Identification Number
........................................................................\
..... 6-65
Service Parts Identification Label
...................................................................... 6-67
Specification Charts ........................................................................\
..................... 6-68
6-2

Loading Your Vehicle
MFD BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP L-4
I
. , .. .-. .. ,. . ,FFECT
CROWN ABOVE.
1
TIRE SIZE
-EL XISPEED RIM PSVKPA (COLD)
SPA
SEE OWNERS MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
K2134
The Certificationflire label is found on the rear edge of the driver's door. The
label shows the size of your original tires and the inflation \
pressures needed
to obtain the gross weight capacity of your vehicle. This is called the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR includes the weight o\
f the vehicle,
all occupants, fuel and cargo.
The Certificationnire label also tells you the maximum weights for the front
and rear axles, called Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). To find out the
actual loads on your front and rear axles, you need to go to\
a weigh station
and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can help you with this. Be sure to
spread out your load equally on both sides of the centerline. \
Never exceed the GVWR
for your vehicle, or the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for either the front or rear axle.
And,
if you do have a heavy load, you should spread it out.
A
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR or the I
maximum front and rear GAWRs. If you do, parts on your vehicl\
e
can break, or
it can change the way your vehicle handles. These
could cause you
to lose control. Also, overloading can shorten the
life of your vehicle.
Using heavier suspension components
to get added durability might not
change your weight ratings. Ask your dealer to help you load your vehicle the
right way.
6-46

Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are dangerous. Overloading your tires can cause overheating as
a result of too
much friction. You could have an air-out and a serious accident.
See “Loading Your Vehicle”
in the Index.
The resulting accident could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended pressure. Tire pressure
should
be checked when your tires are cold,
0 Overinflated tires are more likely to be cut, punctured, or broken
by sudden impact, such as when you hit a pothole. Keep tires
at the recommended pressure.
0 Worn, old tires can cause accidents, If your tread is badly worn,
or if your tires have been damaged, replace them.
Even if it’s legal, don’t drive over 85 mph (135 kmh) if you
have
16 inch tires.
See “Special Tire Inflation”
in this section for more information on
loading
and inflation pressures at speeds above 65 mph (105 kmh).
Underinflated tires pose the same danger as overloaded tires.
Inflation-Tire Pressure
The Certification/Tire label which is on the rear edge of the driver’s door, or
on the incomplete vehicle document in the cab, shows the correct inflation
pressures for your tires, when they’re cold. “Cold” mea\
ns your vehicle has
been sitting for at least three hours or driven no more than a mile.
You can operate some vehicles at reduced inflation pressures only when you’ll
be carrying reduced loads. On those vehicles, the minimum cold \
inflation
pressures for a typical reduced load are printed
on the “Improved Ride Tire
Pressure” label located on the driver’s door. Weigh the v\
ehicle to find the
load on each tire and see the label for the minimum cold inflation pressures
for that load.
6-49

Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or overinflation is all right. It’-
9. If your tires don’t have enough air (underinflation) you can get
Too much flexing
Too much heat
tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
I If your tires have too much air (overinflation), you can get:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazards.
nth
or more. Also, check the
tire pressure of the spare tire.
How to Check: Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire pressure.
Simply looking at the tires will not tell you the pressure, e\
specially if you
have radial tires-which may look properly inflated even
if they’re
underinflated.
If your tires have valve caps, be sure to put them back on. The\
y help
prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
Special Tire Inflation
If you have 16 inch tires on your vehicle, and:
- You’ll be driving for very long at speeds of 66 mph (105 km/h) to 75
mph
(120 km/h) where legal, inflate tires 10 psi (70 kPa) more than
the recommended
cold inflation pressure,
- You’ll be driving for very long at speeds of 76 mph (120 kmih) to 85
mph (135 km/h) where legal, cold inflation pressure should be
increased
by 10 psi (70 kPa) and you must also reduce axle load
capacity by
10%. Do not drive over 85 mph (135 kmlh) even if
it’s legal.
- Inflation pressures should never exceed 10 psi (70 kPa) above the
inflation specified for the maximum
load of the tire.
6-50

Service & Appearance Care
Tire lnspecfion and Rotation
To make your tires last longer, have them inspected and rotated at the
mileages recommended in the Maintenance Schedule. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in the Index.
FRT FRT
L
I I
K2655
Use this rotation pattern,
If your vehicle has front tires with different load ratings or tr\
ead designs (such
as all season vs. on/off road) than the rear tires, don’t rotate \
your tires front
to rear,
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and rear \
inflation pressure
as shown on the CertificationRire label. Make certain that all \
wheel nuts are
properly tightened.
See “Wheel Nut Torque” in the Index.
1 CAUTION
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which it is fastened, can
make the wheel nuts become loose after a time. The wheel could
come
off and cause an accident. When you change a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from places where the wheel attaches
to the vehicle.
In an emergency, you can use a cloth or paper towel to
do this; but
be sure to use a scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to get
I
I all the rust or dirt off. (See ‘Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index.) I
&52