tire size CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2011 2.G User Guide

Black plate (63,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-63
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 10‑78.
Vehicle Capacity Weight
:
The number of designated
seating positions multiplied by
68 kg (150 lbs) plus the rated
cargo load. See Vehicle Load
Limits
on page 9‑23.
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 9‑23.
Tire Pressure
Tires need the correct amount
of air pressure to operate
effectively.
Notice:Do not let anyone tell
you that under‐inflation or
over‐inflation is all right. It is
not. If your tires do not have
enough air (under‐inflation),
you can get the following:
.Tire overloading and
over-heating which could
lead to a blowout.
.Premature or
irregular wear.
.Poor handling.
.Reduced fuel economy.
If your tires have too much air
(over‐inflation), you can get
the following:
.Unusual wear.
.Poor handling.
.Rough ride.
.Needless damage from
road hazards.
A vehicle-specific Tire and
Loading Information label
is attached to your vehicle.
This label shows your vehicle's
original equipment tires and the
correct inflation pressures for
your tires when they are cold.

Black plate (64,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
10-64 Vehicle Care
The recommended cold tire
inflation pressure, shown on the
label, is the minimum amount of
air pressure needed to support
your vehicle's maximum
load-carrying capacity.
For additional information
regarding how much weight
your vehicle can carry, and
an example of the Tire and
Loading Information label,
seeVehicle Load Limits
on
page 9‑23
. How you load your
vehicle affects vehicle handling
and ride comfort. Never load
your vehicle with more weight
than it was designed to carry. When to Check
Check your tires once a month
or more.
Do not forget to check the
pressure of the spare tire, if your
vehicle has one. See
Full-Size
Spare Tire
on page 10‑95for
additional information.
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type
gauge 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 1.6 km (1 mile). Remove the valve cap from the
tire valve stem. Press the tire
gauge 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 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.
Recheck the tire pressure with
the tire gauge.
Be sure to put the valve caps
back on the valve stems. They
help prevent leaks by keeping
out dirt and moisture.

Black plate (65,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-65
Tire Pressure for
High-Speed Operation
{WARNING
Driving at high speeds, 160 km/h
(100 mph) 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 P265/70R17 or
P275/55R20 size tires require
inflation pressure adjustment
when driving the vehicle at speeds
of 160 km/h (100 mph) or higher.
Set the cold tire inflation pressure
to 20 kPa (3 psi) above the
recommended cold tire pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label.
When you end this high‐speed
driving, return the tires to the cold
inflation pressure shown on the
Tire and Loading Information label.
See
Vehicle Load Limits
on
page 9‑23and Tire Pressureon
page 10‑63.
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 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.)

Black plate (67,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-67
Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and
Industry Canada
SeeRadio Frequency Statementon
page 13‑18for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission
(FCC) rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-210/220/310.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS is designed to warn the
driver when a low tire pressure
condition exists. TPMS sensors are
mounted onto each tire and wheel
assembly, excluding the spare tire
and wheel assembly. The TPMS
sensors monitor the air pressure in
the vehicle's tires and transmits the
tire pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure
condition is detected, the TPMS
will illuminate the low tire pressure
warning symbol located on the
instrument panel cluster. If the
warning light comes on, stop
as soon as possible and inflate
the tires to the recommended
pressure shown on the tire loading
information label. See Vehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑23.
At the same time a message to
check the pressure in a specific tire
appears on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) display. The low tire
pressure warning light and the DIC
warning message come on at each
ignition cycle until the tires are inflated to the correct inflation
pressure. If your vehicle has DIC
buttons, tire pressure levels can be
viewed by the driver. For additional
information and details about the
DIC operation and displays see
Driver Information Center (DIC)on
page 5‑34and Tire Messageson
page 5‑51.
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.
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.

Black plate (71,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-71
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).
SeeScheduled 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 your vehicle
continues to perform most like it
did when the tires were new.
Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate your 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 10‑74and Wheel
Replacement
on page 10‑80.
If your vehicle has dual rear
wheels, also see Dual Tire
Rotation
on page 10‑73.
If your vehicle has single rear
wheels and the tread design
for the front tires is the same as
the rear tires, use the rotation
pattern shown here when
rotating the tires.

Black plate (75,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-75
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 your vehicle.
The original equipment tires
installed on your vehicle, when it
was new, were designed to meet
General Motors Tire Performance
Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
system rating. If you need
replacement tires, GM strongly
recommends that you get tires
with the same TPC Spec rating.
This way, your vehicle will continue
to have tires that are designed to
give the same performance and
vehicle safety, during normal use,
as the original tires.GM's exclusive TPC Spec
system considers over a dozen
critical specifications that impact
the overall performance of your
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 an MS for mud and
snow. See
Tire Sidewall Labeling
on
page 10‑56for additional
information.
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.

Black plate (76,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
10-76 Vehicle Care
Replacing less than a full set of
tires can affect the braking and
handling performance of your
vehicle. SeeTire Inspection
on
page 10‑71and Tire Rotationon
page 10‑71for 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,
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
brands, or types (radial and
bias-belted tires), the vehicle
might not handle properly, and
you could have a crash. Using
tires of different sizes, brands,
or types could also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be sure
to use the same size, brand, and
type of tires on all wheels.
Your vehicle may have a different
size spare than the road tires
(those originally installed on your
vehicle). When new, your vehicle
included a spare tire and wheel
assembly with a similar overall
diameter as your vehicle's road
tires and wheels, so it is all right
to drive on it. Because this spare
was developed for use on your
vehicle, it will not affect vehicle
handling.
{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.

Black plate (77,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-77
Vehicles that have a tire pressure
monitoring system may give an
inaccurate low‐pressure warning
if non‐TPC Spec-rated tires
are installed on your vehicle.
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 10‑65.
Your vehicle's original equipment
tires are listed on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9‑23for 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 10‑75and Accessories and
Modificationson page 10‑3for
additional information.

Black plate (81,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-81
Tire Chains
{WARNING
If your vehicle has dual wheels
or P265/65R18, P275/55R20 or
LT265/70R17 size tires, do not
use tire chains. They can damage
your vehicle because 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 your 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 your
vehicle and tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust,
or remove the device if it is
contacting your vehicle, and do
not spin your vehicle's wheels.
If you do find traction devices that
will fit, install them on the rear
tires.
Notice: If your vehicle does
not have dual wheels and has a
tire size other than P265/65R18,
P275/55R20 or LT265/70R17, use
tire chains only where legal and
only when you must. Use chains
that are the proper size for your
tires. Install them on the tires of
the rear axle. Do not use chains
on the tires of the front axle.
Tighten them as tightly as
possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and
follow the chain manufacturer's instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle,
stop and retighten them. If the
contact continues, slow down
until it stops. Driving too fast or
spinning the wheels with chains
on will damage your vehicle.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while you are driving, especially if
you maintain your vehicle's tires
properly. If air goes out of a tire, it is
much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have 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 out of
the traffic lane.

Black plate (95,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-95
Full-Size Spare Tire
Your vehicle, when new, had a
fully-inflated spare tire. A spare
tire may lose air over time, so
check its inflation pressure regularly.
SeeTire Pressure
on page 10‑63andVehicle Load Limitson
page 9‑23for information regarding
proper tire inflation and loading your
vehicle. For instruction on how to
remove, install or store a spare tire,
see “Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare” and“Storing a
Flat or Spare Tire and Tools” under
Tire Changing on page 10‑83. Notice:
If the vehicle has
four-wheel drive and the different
size spare tire is installed on the
vehicle, do not drive in four-wheel
drive until you can have your flat
tire repaired and/or replaced.
You could damage the vehicle,
and the repair costs would not
be covered by your warranty.
Never use four-wheel drive when
the different size spare tire is
installed on the vehicle.
Your vehicle may have a different
size spare tire than the road tires
originally installed on your vehicle.
This spare tire was developed for
use on your vehicle, so it is all right
to drive on it. If your vehicle has
four-wheel drive and the different
size spare tire is installed, keep the
vehicle in two-wheel drive. After installing the spare tire on your
vehicle, you should stop as soon as
possible and make sure the spare
tire is correctly inflated. Have the
damaged or flat road tire repaired or
replaced as soon as you can and
installed back onto your vehicle.
This way, the spare tire will be
available in case you need it again.
Do not mix tires and wheels of
different sizes, because they will
not fit. Keep your spare tire and its
wheel together. If your vehicle has a
spare tire that does not match your
vehicle's original road tires and
wheels in size and type, do not
include the spare in the tire rotation.