tire size CHEVROLET OPTRA 5 2007 1.G Owners Manual

Tire and Loading Information LabelA vehicle specific tire and loading information label
shows the seating capacity and the maximum
load your vehicle can properly carry. This label
also contains your vehicle’s original equipment tire
size and the recommended tire inflation pressure.
For more information on tires and inflation see
Tires on page 303andInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 311. The tire and loading information label
is attached inside the glove box of the five door
hatchback model. The tire and loading information
label for the wagon is attached to the vehicle’s
center pillar, below the driver’s door latch.
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.
Label Example–5DoorHatchback
Label Example – Wagon
237

Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
(Hatchback)............................................ 296
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
(Wagon)................................................. 297
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps
(Hatchback)............................................ 298
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps (Wagon)........................ 299
Taillamps, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps
(Hatchback)............................................ 300
License Plate Lamp................................... 301
Replacement Bulbs................................... 301
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 302
Tires............................................................ 303
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 304
Tire Terminology and Definitions............... 307
Inflation - Tire Pressure............................. 311
Tire Pressure Monitor System................... 312
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 316
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 317Buying New Tires...................................... 318
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 319
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 320
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 321
Wheel Replacement.................................. 322
Tire Chains............................................... 323
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 324
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 324
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools.......... 326
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire............................................. 329
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...... 333
Compact Spare Tire.................................. 334
Appearance Care........................................ 335
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 335
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 337
Leather...................................................... 338
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces..................................... 338
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 339
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
246

Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is molded into its
sidewall. The examples below show a typical
passenger car 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) 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.
(C) Tire Identication Number (TIN):The letters
and numbers following DOT code are 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.
Passenger Car Tire Example
304

(B) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and
number of plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(C) Tire Identication Number (TIN):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. SeeCompact Spare Tire on page 334
andLoading Your Vehicle on page 236.
(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 seeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 311.
(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.Tire Size
The following illustration shows an example of a
typical passenger car 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.
306

(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that
indicates the tire height-to-width measurements.
For example, if the tire size aspect ratio is 70,
as shown in item C of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire’s sidewall is 70% 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 range and the speed rating
of a tire. The load range 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. Speed ratings range from A to Z.Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire
pressing outward on each square inch of the
tire. Air pressure is expressed in pounds
per square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined
weight of optional accessories. Some examples
of optional accessories are, automatic
transmission/transaxle, power steering, power
brakes, power windows, power seats, and
air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire’s height
to its width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is located
between the plies and the tread. Cords may be
made from steel or other reinforcing materials.
Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
307

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 317.
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 testing procedures. The ratings are
molded into the sidewall of the tire. SeeUniform
Tire Quality Grading on page 320.Vehicle Capacity Weight:The number of
designated seating positions multiplied by
150 lbs (68 kg) plus the rated cargo load.
SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 236.
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” underLoading
Your Vehicle on page 236.
310

How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check
tire pressure. You cannot tell if your tires are
properly inflated simply by looking at them. Radial
tires may look properly inflated even when they
are under-inflated. Check the tire’s inflation
pressure when the tires are cold. Cold means your
vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours
or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem.
Press the tire gage firmly onto the valve to
get a pressure measurement. If the cold tire
inflation pressure matches the recommended
pressure on the Tire and Loading Information
label, no further adjustment is necessary. If the
inflation pressure is low, add air until you reach
the recommended amount.
If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on
the metal stem in the center of the tire valve.
Re-check the tire pressure with the tire gage.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.
Tire Pressure Monitor System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses
radio and sensor technology to check tire pressure
levels. If your vehicle has this feature, sensors
are mounted onto each tire and wheel assembly,
except for the spare tire. 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 the vehicle 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.)
312

When a low tire pressure condition is detected,
the TPMS illuminates the low tire pressure warning
symbol on the instrument panel cluster.
The low tire pressure warning symbol comes on at
each ignition cycle until the tires are inflated to
the correct inflation pressure.
The 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 tire pressures are
getting low and need to be inflated to the
proper pressure.
A 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 your vehicle’s tires when they
are cold. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 236,
for an example of the tire information label and
its location on your vehicle. Also seeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 311.Your vehicle’s TPMS system can warn you about
a low tire pressure condition but it does not
replace normal tire maintenance. SeeTire
Inspection and Rotation on page 316andTires
on page 303.
Notice:Do not use a tire sealant if your
vehicle has Tire Pressure Monitors. The liquid
sealant can damage the tire pressure monitor
sensors.
The TPMS will not function properly if one or more
of the TPMS sensors are missing or inoperable.
See your dealer for service if all TPMS sensors are
installed and the low tire pressure warning light
comes on and stays on.
314

Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications on page 352.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When
you change a wheel, remove any rust or
dirt from places where the wheel attaches
to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can
use a cloth or a paper towel to do this;
but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush
later, if needed, to get all the rust or dirt
off. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 324.
When It Is Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it
is time for new tires is
to check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires
have only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) or less of tread
remaining.
You need a new tire 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.
317

Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need,
look at the tire and loading information label
attached to your vehicle. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 236for a label example and
where it is attached to your vehicle.
Make sure the replacements are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type
(bias, bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.
{CAUTION:
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
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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.
SeeCompact Spare Tire on page 334.
{CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle,
the wheel rim anges 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 your vehicle.
318