tire size CHEVROLET IMPALA 2012 9.G User Guide

Black plate (49,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-49
The rubber in tires ages over time.
This also applies for the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, even if it is
never used. Multiple conditions
including temperatures, loading
conditions, and inflation pressure
maintenance affect how fast aging
takes place. Tires will typically
need to be replaced due to wear
before they may need to be
replaced due to age. Consult the
tire manufacturer for more
information on when tires should
be replaced.
Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normally
mounted on a parked vehicle. Park
a vehicle that will be stored for at
least a month in a cool, dry, clean
area away from direct sunlight to
slow aging. This area should be free
of grease, gasoline, or other
substances that can deteriorate
rubber.Parking for an extended period can
cause flat spots on the tires that
may result in vibrations while
driving. When storing a vehicle for
at least a month, remove the tires or
raise the vehicle to reduce the
weight from the tires.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and
matched specific tires for the
vehicle. The original equipment
tires installed were designed to
meet General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria
Specification (TPC Spec)
system rating. When
replacement tires are needed,
GM strongly recommends
buying tires with the same
TPC Spec rating.
GM's exclusive TPC Spec
system considers over a dozen
critical specifications that
impact the overall performance
of the vehicle, including brake
system performance, ride and
handling, traction control, and
tire pressure monitoring
performance. GM's TPC Spec
number is molded onto the tire's
sidewall near the tire size. If the
tires have an all‐season tread
design, the TPC Spec number
will be followed by MS for mud
and snow. See
Tire Sidewall
Labeling on page 10‑36 for
additional information.

Black plate (50,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
10-50 Vehicle Care
GM recommends replacing all
the tires at the same time.
Uniform tread depth on all
tires will help to maintain the
performance of the vehicle.
Braking and handling
performance may be adversely
affected if all the tires are not
replaced at the same time. See
Tire Inspection on page 10‑47
andTire Rotation on page 10‑47
for information on proper tire
rotation.
{WARNING
Tires could explode during
improper service. Attempting to
mount or dismount a tire could
cause injury or death. Only your
dealer or authorized tire service
center should mount or dismount
the tires.
{WARNING
Mixing tires of different sizes,
brands, or types may cause
loss of control of the vehicle,
resulting in a crash or other
vehicle damage. Use the
correct size, brand, and type
of tires on all wheels.
{WARNING
Using bias-ply tires on the
vehicle may cause the wheel
rim flanges to develop cracks
after many miles of driving.
A tire and/or wheel could fail
suddenly and cause a crash.
Use only radial-ply tires with
the wheels on the vehicle. If the vehicle tires must be
replaced with a tire that does not
have a TPC Spec number, make
sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating, and
construction (radial) as the
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.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor
System on page 10‑43.
The Tire and Loading
Information label indicates the
original equipment tires on the
vehicle. See Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9‑11 for the label
location and more information
about the Tire and Loading
Information label.

Black plate (51,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-51
Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If wheels or tires are installed that
are a different size than the original
equipment wheels and tires, vehicle
performance, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover
may be affected. If the vehicle has
electronic systems such as antilock
brakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, and electronic stability
control, the performance of these
systems can also be affected.
{WARNING
If different sized wheels are used,
there may not be an acceptable
level of performance and safety if
tires not recommended for those
wheels are selected. This
increases the chance of a crash
and serious injury. Only use GM
specific wheel and tire systems(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
developed for the vehicle, and
have them properly installed by a
GM certified technician.
See Buying New Tires on
page 10‑49 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. 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.

Black plate (54,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
10-54 Vehicle Care
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 loss of
control and a crash.
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for the vehicle's
tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive slow
and readjust or remove the
traction device if it contacts the
vehicle. Do not spin the wheels.
If traction devices are used, install
them on the front tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blow out
while driving, especially if the tires
are maintained properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it is much more likely to
leak out slowly. But if there ever is a
blowout, here are a few tips about
what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates 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 off the
road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction as
used in a skid. Stop pressing the
accelerator pedal and steer to
straighten the vehicle. It may be
very bumpy and noisy. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road,
if possible.{WARNING
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has
been driven on while severely
underinflated or flat may cause a
blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
that has been driven on while
severely underinflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized
tire service center repair or
replace the flat tire as soon as
possible.

Black plate (61,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-61
Notice:Wheel covers will not fit
on the 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.
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. See Compact
Spare Tire on page 10‑63. Use this
as a guide for storing the compact
spare tire and tools.

Black plate (62,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
10-62 Vehicle Care
Compact Spare TireA. Cover
B. Retainer
C. Compact Spare Tire
D. Wing Nut
E. Jack
F. Wheel Wrench
G. Extension Protector
H. Foam Holder
I. Bolt ScrewFull-Size Flat Tire

Black plate (63,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-63
A. 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
If this is a police vehicle, see
“Compact Spare Tire”in the Impala
Police Package Supplement for
compact spare tire information.
{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
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
crash and you or others could be
injured. Use only one compact
spare tire at a time.
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 mi), 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 the compact
spare. See Tire Pressure Monitor
System on page 10‑43. 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.

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
INDEX i-11
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
TaillampsBulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . 13-4
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . 2-12 Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Tires Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-54
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-56
Compact Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-54
Inflation Monitor System . . . . 10-44
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Pressure Monitor System . . . 10-43
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38 Tires (cont.)
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-53
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-53
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Towing
Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . . 9-43
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . 10-67
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-67
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . 9-30
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Transmission
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Transportation Program,
Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-8 Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Turn Signal Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
U
Uniform Tire QualityGrading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
Universal Remote System . . . . . 5-43 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Using This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
V
Vehicle
Canadian Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
IdentificationNumber (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Reminder Messages . . . . . . . . . . 5-37

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Impala Owner Manual - 2012
i-12 INDEX
Vehicle (cont.)Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-67
Vehicle Care Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Vehicle Identification Service Parts IdentificationLabel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Ventilation, Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
W
Warning Brake System Light . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv Cautions and Danger . . . . . . . . . . . .iv
Hazard Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Washer Fluid Messages . . . . . . . 5-37 Wheels
Alignment and Tire
Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-53
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-53
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Where to Put the Restraint . . . . 3-43
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16 Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Windshield
Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 10-24