wheel size CHEVROLET IMPALA 2011 9.G Owners Manual

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
10-2 Vehicle Care
When It Is Time for NewTires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-52
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-53
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-55
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-55
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-57
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-58
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-59
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . 10-68Jump Starting
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-70
Towing
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 10-74
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-74
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-76
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-80
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-84
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:

Black plate (41,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-41
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 carrying capacity a tire is certified to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a
tire is certified to carry a load.
Tire Terminology and
Definitions
Air Pressure:The amount of
air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of
the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in psi (pounds per
square inch) or kPa (kilopascal).
Accessory Weight
:This
means the combined weight
of optional accessories.
Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic
transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows,
power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship
of a tire's height to its width.

Black plate (51,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-51
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 at least once
a month.
Always remove the tires if any of
the following statements
are true:
.You can see the indicators at
three or more places around
the tire.
.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 cannot
be repaired well because of
the size or location of the
damage.
Tire Rotation
Tires should be rotated every
12 000 km (7,500 miles). See
Scheduled Maintenance on
page 11‑2.
The purpose of a regular tire
rotation is to achieve a uniform
wear for all tires on the vehicle.
This will ensure that the 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.
See
When It Is Time for New
Tires on page 10‑52 andWheel
Replacement on page 10‑57.
When rotating the vehicle's tires,
always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Do not include the compact
spare tire in the tire rotation.

Black plate (54,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
10-54 Vehicle Care
GM recommends replacing tires
in sets of four. This is because
uniform tread depth on all tires
will help keep your vehicle
performing most like it did when
the tires were new. Replacing
less than a full set of tires can
affect the braking and handling
performance of your vehicle.
SeeTire Inspection on
page 10‑51 andTire Rotation on
page 10‑51 for information on
proper tire rotation.
{WARNING
Tires could explode during
improper service. You or others
could be injured or killed if you
attempt to mount or dismount a
tire. Only your dealer or an
authorized tire service center
should mount and dismount
the tires.
{WARNING
Mixing tires could cause you
to lose control while driving.
If you mix tires of different
sizes, brands, or types (radial
and bias-belted tires), the
vehicle may not handle
properly, and you could have
a crash. Using tires of different
sizes, brands, or types may
also cause damage to your
vehicle. Be sure to use the
correct size, brand, and type
of tires on all wheels. It is all
right to drive with your
compact spare temporarily, as
it was developed for use on
your vehicle. See Compact
Spare Tire on page 10‑68.{WARNING
If you use bias-ply tires on the
vehicle, the wheel rim flanges
could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire
and/or wheel could fail
suddenly, causing a crash.
Use only radial-ply tires with
the wheels on the vehicle.
If you must replace your
vehicle's tires with those that do
not have a TPC Spec number,
make sure they are the same
size, load range, speed rating,
and construction type (radial and
bias‐belted tires) as your
vehicle's original tires.
Vehicles that have a tire
pressure monitoring system
could give an inaccurate
low‐pressure warning if
non‐TPC Spec rated tires are
installed on your vehicle.

Black plate (55,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-55
Non‐TPC Spec rated tires may
give a low‐pressure warning
that is higher or lower than the
proper warning level you would
get with TPC Spec rated tires.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor
System on page 10‑46.
Your vehicle's original
equipment tires are listed on the
Tire and Loading Information
label. See Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9‑12 for more
information about the Tire and
Loading Information label and its
location on your vehicle.
Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a
different size than your original
equipment wheels and tires, this
could 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, rollover airbags, traction
control, and electronic stability
control, the performance of these
systems can be affected.
{WARNING
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 specific wheel and
tire systems developed for your
vehicle, and have them properly
installed by a GM certified
technician.
See Buying New Tires on
page 10‑53 andAccessories and
Modifications on page 10‑3 for
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.

Black plate (58,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
10-58 Vehicle Care
If you need to replace any of the
wheels, wheel bolts, wheel nuts,
or Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) sensors, replace them only
with new GM original equipment
parts. This way, you will be sure to
have the right wheel, wheel bolts,
wheel nuts, and TPMS sensors for
the vehicle.
{WARNING
Using the wrong replacement
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel
nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the
braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air
and make you lose control. You
could have a collision in which
you or others could be injured.
Always use the correct wheel,
wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for
replacement.Notice:
The wrong wheel can
also cause problems with bearing
life, brake cooling, speedometer
or odometer calibration,
headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance, and tire
or tire chain clearance to the
body and chassis.
See If a Tire Goes Flat on
page 10‑59 for more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{WARNING
Putting a used wheel on the
vehicle is dangerous. You cannot
know how it has been used or
how far it has been driven.
It could fail suddenly and cause a
crash. If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{WARNING
Do not use tire chains. There is
not enough clearance. Tire chains
used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes,
suspension or other vehicle parts.
The area damaged by the tire
chains could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle and you or
others may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on the
vehicle and tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions.
(Continued)

Black plate (66,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
10-66 Vehicle Care
Notice:Improperly tightened
wheel nuts can lead to brake
pulsation and rotor damage. To
avoid expensive brake repairs,
evenly tighten the wheel nuts in
the proper sequence and to the
proper torque specification. See
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2 for the wheel nut
torque specification.
11. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence
as shown. Notice:
Wheel covers will not fit
on your vehicle's compact spare.
If you try to put a wheel cover on
the compact spare, the cover or
the spare could be damaged.
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools
{WARNING
Storing a jack, a tire, or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these in
the proper place.
After the compact spare tire has
been installed on the vehicle, store
the flat tire in the trunk. When storing a full-size tire, use the
extension with the extension
protector, located in the foam
holder, to help avoid wheel surface
damage.
To store a full-size tire:
1. Install the tools in their original
location in the trunk area and
secure.
2. Place the tire valve stem facing down and the protector/guide
placed through a wheel bolt hole
and threaded onto the bolt
screw.
3. Remove the protector and attach the retainer securely
4. Store the cover as far forward as possible.

Black plate (67,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-67
When storing a compact spare tire
in the trunk, put the protector back
in the foam holder.
The compact spare is for temporary
use only. Replace the compact
spare tire with a full-size tire as
soon as you can. SeeCompact
Spare Tire on page 10‑68. Use this
as a guide for storing the compact
spare tire and tools.
Compact Spare Tire A. Cover
B. Retainer
C. Compact Spare Tire
D. Wing Nut
E. Jack
F. Wheel Wrench
G. Extension Protector
H. Foam Holder
I. Bolt Screw

Black plate (68,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
10-68 Vehicle Care
Full-Size Flat TireA. Retainer
B. Full-Size Flat Tire
C. Protective Guide
D. Extension Bolt Screw
E. Wing Nut
F. Jack
G. Wheel Wrench
H. Foam Holder
I. Bolt Screw
Compact Spare Tire
{WARNING
Driving with more than one
compact spare tire at a time could
result in loss of braking and
handling. This could lead to a
crash and you or others could be
injured. Use only one compact
spare tire at a time.

Black plate (69,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-69
Although the compact spare tire
was fully inflated when the
vehicle was new, it can lose air
after a time. Check the inflation
pressure regularly. It should be
420 kPa (60 psi).
After installing the compact spare
on the vehicle, you should stop as
soon as possible and make sure
the spare tire is correctly inflated.
The compact spare is made to
perform well at speeds up to
105 km/h (65 mph) for distances up
to 5 000 km (3,000 miles), so you
can finish your trip and have the
full-size tire repaired or replaced
where you want. You must calibrate
the tire inflation monitor system
after installing or removing thecompact spare. See
Tire Pressure
Monitor System on page 10‑46.
The system may not work correctly
when the compact spare is installed
on the vehicle. Of course, it's best to
replace the spare with a full-size tire
as soon as you can. The spare will
last longer and be in good shape in
case you need it again.
Notice: When the compact spare
is installed, do not take the
vehicle through an automatic car
wash with guide rails. The
compact spare can get caught on
the rails which can damage the
tire, wheel and other parts of the
vehicle. Do not use the compact spare on
other vehicles.
And do not mix the compact spare
tire or wheel with other wheels or
tires. They will not fit. Keep the
spare tire and its wheel together.
Notice:
Tire chains will not fit the
compact spare. Using them can
damage the vehicle and can
damage the chains too.
Do not use tire chains on the
compact spare.