winter tires CHEVROLET IMPALA 2009 9.G Owners Manual

Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between the
tires and the road, creating less traction or grip. Wet ice
can occur at about 32°F (0°C) when freezing rain
begins to fall, resulting in even less traction. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads can be
treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the condition. Accelerate
gently so traction is not lost. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the surface under
the tires slick, so there is even less traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate too
fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface
under the tires even more.If the vehicle has theTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-8, it improves the ability to accelerate on
slippery roads, but slow down and adjust your driving to
the road conditions. When driving through deep snow,
turn off the traction control system to help maintain
vehicle motion at lower speeds.
TheAntilock Brake System (ABS) on page 4-5improves
vehicle stability during hard stops on a slippery roads,
but apply the brakes sooner than when on dry
pavement.
Allow greater following distance on any slippery road
and watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can occur on
otherwise clear roads in shaded areas. The surface
of a curve or an overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped, on slippery surfaces.
4-17

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, antilock 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 5-69andAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3for additional information.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which
grades tires by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This applies only to
vehicles sold in the United States. The grades are
molded on the sidewalls of most passenger car
tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver, or temporary use spare
tires, tires with nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors
passenger cars and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they must also conform
to federal safety requirements and additional
General Motors Tire Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
5-71

Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-101
Carbon Monoxide
Engine Exhaust...........................................2-30
Trunk.........................................................2-12
Winter Driving.............................................4-17
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-92
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-77
Center Console Storage...................................2-43
Center Seat...................................................1-10
Chains, Tire...................................................5-74
Charging System Light....................................3-30
Check
Engine Lamp..............................................3-36
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-95
Child Restraints
Infants and Young Children...........................1-37
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-45
Older Children.............................................1-34
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-50
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center
Front Seat Position...................................1-53
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-54
Systems.....................................................1-41
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-43Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-19
Circuit Breakers..............................................5-97
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-94
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-93
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-90
Finish Care.................................................5-93
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-91
Interior.......................................................5-89
Leather......................................................5-91
Tires
..........................................................5-95
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-95
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-92
Weatherstrips..............................................5-92
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-94
Climate Control System...................................3-20
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-23
Clock, Setting.................................................3-64
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-12
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-88
Compass.......................................................3-47
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-16
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Convenience Net............................................2-43
Coolant
Engine.......................................................5-28
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-34
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-34
3

W
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators...............3-24
Warnings
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-49
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-6
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-73
Different Size..............................................5-71
Replacement...............................................5-73
When It Is Time for New Tires..........................5-68
Where to Put the Child Restraint.......................1-43
Windows.......................................................2-14
Power ........................................................2-15Windshield
Washer........................................................ 3-9
Washer Fluid..............................................5-35
Wiper Blade Replacement.............................5-51
Wiper Blades, Cleaning................................5-94
Wiper Fuses...............................................5-97
Wipers......................................................... 3-8
Winter Driving................................................4-17
X
XM Radio Messages.......................................3-81
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System................3-96
Y
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................... 6-2
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