tire size CHEVROLET CAMARO SS 2010 Owners Manual

Driving Information
Driving for Better
Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
•Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
•Brake gradually and avoid abrupt
stops.
•Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
•When road and weather
conditions are appropriate,
use cruise control, if equipped.
•Always follow posted speed limits
or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
•Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
•Combine several trips into a
single trip.
•Replace the vehicle’s tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire’s sidewall
near the size.
•Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
your safety belt, seeSafety Belts on
page 2-6.
{WARNING
Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other
drivers) are going to be careless
and make mistakes. Anticipate
what they might do and be ready.
In addition:
•Allow enough following
distance between you and
the driver in front of you.
•Focus on the task of driving.
Driver distraction can cause
collisions resulting in injury or
possible death. These simple
defensive driving techniques
could save your life.
8-2 Driving and Operating

Tire and Loading Information
Label
A vehicle specific Tire and
Loading Information label is
attached to the vehicle’s center
pillar (B-pillar). With the driver’s
door open, you will find the label
attached near the door lock post.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.
The Tire and Loading
Information label also shows the
tire size of the original equipment
tires (C) and the recommended
cold tire inflation pressures (D).
For more information on tires and
inflation seeTires on page 9-48
andTire Pressure on page 9-54.
There is also important loading
information on the Certification
label. It tells you the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
and the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for the front
and rear axle. See “Certification
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
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.
4.The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the “XXX” amount
equals 1400 lbs and there will
be five 150 lb passengers in
your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs
(1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
Label Example
Driving and Operating 8-13

Tire Rotation.......................9-61
When It Is Time for
New Tires.........................9-62
Buying New Tires................9-63
Different Size Tires and
Wheels.............................9-65
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading............................9-65
Wheel Alignment and
Tire Balance.....................9-67
Wheel Replacement.............9-67
Tire Chains.........................9-68
If a Tire Goes Flat...............9-69
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit..................9-71
Storing the Tire Sealant
and Compressor Kit...........9-77
Tire Changing.....................9-77
Compact Spare Tire.............9-83
Jump StartingJump Starting.....................9-84
TowingTowing the Vehicle..............9-87
Recreational Vehicle
Towing.............................9-87
Appearance CareExterior Care......................9-88
Interior Care.......................9-92
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer/retailer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition 65
Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this
one, contain and/or emit chemicals
known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems
(including some inside the vehicle),
many fluids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
9-2 Vehicle Care

If you choose to use winter tires:
•Use tires of the same brand and
tread type on all four wheel
positions.
•Use only radial ply tires of the
same size, load range, and
speed rating as the original
equipment tires.
Winter tires with the same speed
rating as your original equipment
tires may not be available for H, V,
W, Y, and ZR speed rated tires.
If you choose winter tires with a lower
speed rating, never exceed the tire’s
maximum speed capability.
Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a
tire is molded into its sidewall.
The examples below show a
typical passenger vehicle tire
and a compact spare tire
sidewall.(A) Tire Size
:The tire size
is a combination of letters and
numbers used to define 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) TPC Spec (Tire
Performance Criteria
Specication)
:Original
equipment tires designed to
GM’s specific tire performance
criteria have a TPC specification
code molded onto the sidewall.
GM’s TPC specifications meet
or exceed all federal safety
guidelines.
(C) 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. Passenger (P-Metric)
Tire Example
Vehicle Care 9-49

(D) Tire Identication Number
(TIN):The letters and numbers
following the DOT (Department
of Transportation) code is the
Tire Identification 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.
(E) Tire Ply Material
:The type
of cord and number of plies in the
sidewall and under the tread.
(F) Uniform Tire Quality
Grading (UTQG)
:Tire
manufacturers are required
to grade tires based on three
performance factors: treadwear,
traction, and temperature
resistance. For more information
seeUniform Tire Quality Grading
on page 9-65.(G) Maximum Cold Ination
Load Limit
:Maximum load
that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed
to support that load.
(A) Tire Ply Material
:The type
of cord and number of plies in the
sidewall and under the tread.
(B) Temporary Use Only
:The
compact spare tire or temporary
use tire has a tread life of
approximately 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) and should not bedriven at speeds over 65 mph
(105 km/h). The compact spare
tire is for emergency use when a
regular road tire has lost air and
gone flat. If your vehicle has a
compact spare tire, seeCompact
Spare Tire on page 9-83andIf a
Tire Goes Flat on page 9-69.
(C) Tire Identication Number
(TIN)
:The letters and numbers
following the DOT (Department
of Transportation) code is the
Tire Identification 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. Compact Spare Tire Example
9-50 Vehicle Care

(E) Tire Ination:The
temporary use tire or compact
spare tire should be inflated
to 60 psi (420 kPa). For more
information on tire pressure
and inflation seeTire Pressure
on page 9-54.
(F) Tire Size
:A combination
of letters and numbers define a
tire’s width, height, aspect ratio,
construction type, and service
description. The letter T as the
first character in the tire size
means the tire is for temporary
use only.
(G) TPC Spec (Tire
Performance Criteria
Specication)
:Original
equipment tires designed to
GM’s specific tire performance
criteria have a TPC specification
code molded onto the sidewall.
GM’s TPC specifications meet
or exceed all federal safety
guidelines.
Tire Designations
Tire Size
The following illustration
shows an example of a typical
passenger vehicle tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
:The United States version of
a metric tire sizing system. The
letter P as the first 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 60, as shown in
item C of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire’s sidewall is
60 percent as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code
:A
letter code is used to indicate the
type of ply construction in the tire.
The letter R means radial ply
construction; the letter D means
diagonal or bias ply construction;
and the letter B means
belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of
the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description
:These
characters represent the load
index and speed rating of the tire.
The load index represents the
load carry capacity a tire is
certified to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a
tire is certified to carry a load.
Vehicle Care 9-51

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 9-62.
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 testingprocedures. The ratings are
molded into the sidewall of the
tire. SeeUniform Tire Quality
Grading on page 9-65.
Vehicle Capacity Weight
:The number of designated
seating positions multiplied by
150 lbs (68 kg) plus the rated
cargo load. SeeVehicle Load
Limits on page 8-12.
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 inflation pressure.
See “Tire and Loading
Information Label” underVehicle
Load Limits on page 8-12.
Tire Pressure
Tires need the correct amount
of air pressure to operate
effectively.
Notice:Do not let anyone
tell you that under-ination or
over-ination is all right. It is
not. If your tires do not have
enough air (under-ination),
you can get the following:
Too much exing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Premature or irregular wear
Poor handling
Reduced fuel economy
If your tires have too much air
(over-ination), you can get
the following:
Unusual wear
Poor handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road
hazards
9-54 Vehicle Care

Tire Pressure for
High-Speed Operation
{WARNING
Driving at high speeds, 100 mph
(160 km/h) or higher, puts an
additional strain on tires. Sustained
high-speed driving causes
excessive heat build up and
can cause sudden tire failure.
You could have a crash and you
or others could be killed. Some
high-speed rated tires require
inflation pressure adjustment for
high speed operation. When speed
limits and road conditions are such
that a vehicle can be driven at high
speeds, make sure the tires are
rated for high speed operation, in
excellent condition, and set to the
correct cold tire inflation pressure
for the vehicle load.Vehicles with 245/45ZR20 103Y,
P245/50ZR19 104W and
275/40ZR20 106Y size tires,
have tires capable of high speed
use. Make sure the tires are inflated
to the recommended cold inflation
pressures before operating the
vehicle at speeds over 100 mph
(160 km/h). SeeVehicle Load Limits
on page 8-12andTire Pressure on
page 9-54.
Tire Pressure Monitor
System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) uses radio and sensor
technology to check tire pressure
levels. The TPMS sensors monitor
the air pressure in your vehicle’s tires
and transmit tire pressure readings
to a receiver located in the vehicle.
Each tire, including the spare
(if provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to
the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on thevehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a
tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them
to the proper pressure. Driving on
a significantly under-inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and
tire tread life, and may affect the
vehicle’s handling and stopping
ability.
9-56 Vehicle Care

When a low tire pressure condition
is detected, the TPMS illuminates
the low tire pressure warning
light located on the instrument
panel cluster.
A DIC warning message to check
the pressure in a specific tire is also
shown on the DIC display screen.
The low tire pressure warning light
and the DIC warning message come
at each ignition cycle until the tires
are inflated to the correct inflation
pressure.The low tire pressure warning
light may come on in cool weather
when the vehicle is first started, and
then turn off as you start to drive.
This could be an early indicator that
the air pressure in the tire(s) are
getting low and need to be inflated
to the proper pressure.
The Tire and Loading Information
label, attached to your vehicle,
shows the size of your vehicle’s
original equipment tires and the
correct inflation pressure for the tires
when they are cold. SeeVehicle
Load Limits on page 8-12, for an
example of the Tire and Loading
Information label and its location on
your vehicle. Also seeTire Pressure
on page 9-54.
Your vehicle’s TPMS can warn you
about a low tire pressure condition
but it does not replace normal tiremaintenance. SeeTire Inspection
on page 9-61,Tire Rotation on
page 9-61andTires on page 9-48.
Notice:Using non-approved tire
sealants could damage the Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
sensors. TPMS sensor damage
caused by using an incorrect tire
sealant is not covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always use the
GM approved tire sealant available
through your dealer/retailer.
Factory-installed Tire Inflator Kits
use a GM approved liquid tire
sealant. Using non-approved tire
sealants could damage the TPMS
sensors. SeeTire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 9-71for
information regarding the inflator
kit materials and instructions.
9-58 Vehicle Care

10. Set all four tires to the
recommended air pressure
level as indicated on the tire
and loading information label.
11. Put the valve caps back on the
valve stems.
The tires air pressure will not
appear on the screen until you start
driving the vehicle.
Tire Inspection
We recommend that you
regularly inspect your vehicle’s
tires, including the spare tire, if
the vehicle has one, for signs of
wear or damage. SeeWhen It Is
Time for New Tires on page 9-62
for more information.
Tire Rotation
Tire rotation is not
recommended if the vehicle
has different size tires on the
front and rear wheels.
Different tire sizes should not be
rotated front to rear. Each tire
and wheel should only be used in
its original front or rear position.
Tire rotation is recommended if
the vehicle has the same size
tires on all four wheel positions.
These tires should be rotated
every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km). See
Scheduled Maintenance on
page 10-2.
The purpose of a regular tire
rotation is to achieve a uniform
wear for all tires on the vehicle.
This will ensure that your vehicle
continues to perform most like it
did when the tires were new.Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate the 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 9-62
andWheel Replacement
on page 9-67.
When rotating the vehicle’s tires,
always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Vehicle Care 9-61