tires CHEVROLET C/K 2003 User Guide

4-28
If you don't have a traction system, accelerate gently.
Try not to break the gentle traction. If you accelerate too
fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface
under the tires even more.

Whatever your braking system, allow greater
following distance on any slippery road.

Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine
until you hit a spot that's covered with ice. On an
otherwise clear road, ice patches may appear in
shaded areas where the sun can't reach: around
clumps of trees, behind buildings or under bridges.
Sometimes the surface of a curve or an overpass may
remain icy when the surrounding roads are clear. If
you see a patch of ice ahead of you, brake before you
are on it. Try not to brake while you're actually on
the ice, and avoid sudden steering maneuvers.If You're Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a
serious situation. You should probably stay with your
vehicle unless you know for sure that you are near help
and you can hike through the snow. Here are some
things to do to summon help and keep yourself and your
passengers safe:

Turn on your hazard flashers.

4-30
If you have a diesel engine, you may have to run it at a
higher speed to get enough heat. Then, shut the engine
off and close the window almost all the way to preserve
the heat. Start the engine again and repeat this only
when you feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But
do it as little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you
can. To help keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle
and do some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or
so until help comes.Loading Your Vehicle
There is a GVW Rating label on your vehicle that shows
how much weight it may properly carry. It also 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 Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR).

5-26
Engine Fan Noise
Your vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When
the clutch is engaged, the fan spins faster to provide
more air to cool the engine. In most everyday driving
conditions, the clutch is not fully engaged. This
improves fuel economy and reduces fan noise. Under
heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing and/or high outside
temperatures, the fan speed increases when the clutch
engages. So you may hear an increase in fan noise.
This is normal and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping or making extra shifts. It is merely
the cooling system functioning properly. The fan will
slow down when additional cooling is not required and
the clutch disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start the
engine. It will go away as the fan clutch disengages.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It's unusual for a tire to ªblow outº while you're driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it's much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a ªblowout,º here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create 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 out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you'd use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop
-- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place and turn on your
hazard warning flashers. The next part tells you what
to do.

5-28
If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice
or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you don't want to spin your
wheels too fast. The method known as ªrockingº can
help you get out when you're stuck, but you must
use caution.
CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transmission or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you're
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don't
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transmission back
and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If your vehicle
has traction control, you should turn your traction
control system off. See ªTraction Control Systemº in the
Index. Then shift back and forth between REVERSE (R)
and a forward gear (or with a manual transmission,
between FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and
REVERSE (R)), spinning the wheels as little as
possible. Release the accelerator pedal while you shift,
and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the
transmission is in gear. By slowly spinning your wheels
in the forward and reverse directions, you will cause a
rocking motion that may free your vehicle. If that
doesn't get you out after a few tries, you may need to be
towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.

6-
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-4 Fuel (Gasoline Engine)
6
-5 Diesel Fuel Requirements and Fuel System
6
-15 Fuels in Foreign Countries (Gasoline Engines)
6
-15 Filling Your Tank
6
-17 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-18 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-20 Noise Control System
6
-21 Engine Oil (Gasoline Engines)
6
-27 Engine Oil (Caterpillar
Diesel Engines)
6
-27 Engine Oil (DURAMAX Diesel)
6
-30 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-32 Automatic Transmission Fluid
6
-32 Manual Transmission Fluid
6
-34 Rear Axle
6
-34 Rear Axle Shift Motor (Option)
6
-35 Engine Coolant
6
-38 Engine Coolant (Caterpillar
Diesel Engine)6
-38 Surge Tank Pressure Cap
6
-39 Power Steering Fluid
6
-40 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-41 Brakes
6
-52 Battery
6
-54 Other Service Items
6
-58 Tires
6
-67 Appearance Care
6
-68 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-71 Cleaning the Outside Your Vehicle
6
-75 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-76 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-76 Service Statement
6
-77 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-77 Electrical System
6
-86 Capacities and Specifications
6
-90 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-44 Four-Wheel Disc Brakes (Hydraulic Only)
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Four-Wheel and Six-Wheel Drum Brakes
(Air Only)
The brake drums should be removed and inspected each
time the tires are removed for rotation or changing.
When you have the front brakes replaced, have the rear
brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.

6-58
Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see
your General Motors Warranty booklet for details.
CAUTION:
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 ªLoading Your Vehicleº in
the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. 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.

Overinflated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.

Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.

6-59 Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The GVW Rating label, which is on the driver's door,
shows the correct inflation pressures for your tires
when they're cold. ªColdº means your vehicle has
been sitting for at least three hours or driven no more
than 1 mile (1.6 km).
NOTICE:
Don't let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It's not. If your tires
don't have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:

Too much flexing

Too much heat

Tire overloading

Bad wear

Bad handling

Bad fuel economy
NOTICE: (Continued)
NOTICE: (Continued)
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:

Unusual wear

Bad handling

Rough ride

Needless damage from road hazards

6-60
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more. Also, check the
tire pressure of the spare tire (if equipped).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket
-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can't tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they're underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and
moisture.
Rims and Wheels
Rims and wheels are stamped with a maximum load
and cold inflation rating. Be sure you don't exceed
these limits.
Dual Tire Operation
When the vehicle is new, check the wheel nut tightness
on all wheels with a torque wrench after your first
100 miles (160 km) and then 1,000 miles (1 600 km)
after that. Whenever a wheel, wheel bolt or wheel nut is
removed or serviced, repeat the 100 miles (160 km), and
then 1,000 mile (1 600 km) wheel nut tightness check.
See ªTightening the Wheel Nutsº later in this section
for proper torque values and wheel nut tightening
information.
CAUTION:
If you operate your vehicle with a tire that is
badly underinflated, the tire can overheat. An
overheated tire can lose air suddenly or catch
fire. You or others could be injured. Be sure all
tires (including the spare, if any) are properly
inflated.
See ªTiresº and ªInflation -- Tire Pressureº in the Index
for more information on proper tire inflation.

6-61 When It's Time for New Tires
Replace your tires when the tread depth is down to
1/8 of an inch (3.2 mm) for the front tires, or 1/16 of
an inch (1.6 mm) for a rear tire. Also, you need a new
tire if:

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
can't be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving. If you mix tires of different types
-- like
radial and bias
-belted tires -- the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a crash. Be
sure to use the same type of tires all around.
When you replace tires, make sure they are the same
size, load range, speed rating and construction type
(bias, bias
-belted or radial) as your original tires.