flat tire CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2012 2.G Owner's Manual

Black plate (66,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
10-66 Vehicle Care
A Tire and Loading Information label
shows the size of the original
equipment tires and the correct
inflation pressure for the tires when
they are cold. SeeVehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑17, for an example
of the Tire and Loading Information
label and its location. Also see Tire
Pressure on page 10‑62.
The TPMS can warn about a
low tire pressure condition but it
does not replace normal tire
maintenance. See Tire Inspection
on page 10‑68, Tire Rotation on
page 10‑69 andTires on
page 10‑54.
Notice: Tire sealant materials are
not all the same. A non-approved
tire sealant could damage the
TPMS sensors. TPMS sensor
damage caused by using an
incorrect tire sealant is not
covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use only the
GM-approved tire sealant
available through your dealer
or included in the vehicle.TPMS Malfunction Light and
Message
The TPMS will not function properly
if one or more of the TPMS sensors
are missing or inoperable. When the
system detects a malfunction, the
low tire pressure warning light
flashes for about one minute and
then stays on for the remainder of
the ignition cycle. A DIC warning
message also displays. The
malfunction light and DIC warning
message come on at each ignition
cycle until the problem is corrected.
Some of the conditions that can
cause these to come on are:
.One of the road tires has been
replaced with the spare tire.
The spare tire does not have a
TPMS sensor. The malfunction
light and the DIC message
should go off after the road tire
is replaced and the sensor
matching process is performed
successfully. See "TPMS Sensor
Matching Process" later in this
section.
.The TPMS sensor matching
process was not done or
not completed successfully
after rotating the tires.
The malfunction light and the
DIC message should go off after
successfully completing the
sensor matching process.
See "TPMS Sensor Matching
Process" later in this section.
.One or more TPMS sensors
are missing or damaged.
The malfunction light and the
DIC message should go off
when the TPMS sensors are
installed and the sensor
matching process is performed
successfully. See your dealer
for service.
.Replacement tires or wheels do
not match the original equipment
tires or wheels. Tires and wheels
other than those recommended
could prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. See Buying
New Tires on page 10‑72.

Black plate (70,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
10-70 Vehicle Care
Use this rotation pattern when
rotating the tires if the vehicle
has polished forged aluminum
dual rear wheels. The spare
wheel can be used in any
position and can be rotated
with the rear inner wheels.
When installing dual wheels,
check that the vent holes in the
inner and outer wheels on each
side are lined up.Adjust the front and rear tires
to the recommended inflation
pressure on the Tire and
Loading Information label
after the tires have been
rotated. See
Tire Pressure on
page 10‑62 andVehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑17.
Check that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel
Nut Torque” underCapacities
and Specifications on
page 12‑2.
{WARNING
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 changing a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from places where
the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
In an emergency, a cloth or a
paper towel can be used;
however, use a scraper or wire
brush later to remove all rust
or dirt.
Lightly coat the center of the
wheel hub with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel change or
tire rotation to prevent corrosion
or rust build-up. Do not get
grease on the flat wheel
mounting surface or on the
wheel nuts or bolts.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS), if the vehicle
has one. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor Operation on
page 10‑65.

Black plate (71,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-71
Check that the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, is stored
properly. Push, pull, and then
try to rotate or turn the tire.
If it moves, tighten the cable.
See“Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools” underTire Changing
on page 10‑80.
Dual Tire Rotation
When the vehicle is new,
or whenever a wheel, wheel
bolt, or wheel nut is replaced,
check the wheel nut torque after
160, 1 600, and 10 000 km
(100, 1,000, and 6,000 mi) of driving.
For proper torque and wheel nut
tightening information, see
“Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools” underTire Changing on
page 10‑80. The outer tire on a dual wheel setup
generally wears faster than the
inner tire. Tires last longer and wear
more evenly if they are rotated.
See
Tire Inspection on page 10‑68
and Tire Rotation on page 10‑69.
Also see Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3.
{WARNING
If the vehicle is operated with a
tire that is underinflated, the tire
can overheat. An overheated tire
can lose air suddenly or catch
fire. You or others could be
injured. Properly inflate all tires,
including the spare.
See Tire Pressure on page 10‑62,
for information on proper tire
inflation.
When It Is Time for
New Tires
Factors, such as maintenance,
temperatures, driving speeds,
vehicle loading, and road conditions
affect the wear rate of the tires.
Treadwear indicators are one way
to tell when it is time for new tires.
Treadwear indicators appear
when the tires have only 1.6 mm
(1/16 in) or less of tread remaining.
Some commercial truck tires may
not have treadwear indicators.

Black plate (72,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
10-72 Vehicle Care
SeeTire Inspection on page 10‑68
and Tire Rotation on page 10‑69 for
additional information.
The rubber in tires ages over time.
This also applies to 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 10‑55 for additional
information.
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 10‑68
and Tire Rotation on page 10‑69 for
information on proper tire rotation.

Black plate (76,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
10-76 Vehicle Care
Temperature–A, B, C
The temperature grades are
A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance
to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause
the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum
required by law. Warning: The
temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance
The tires and wheels were aligned
and balanced at the factory to
provide the longest tire life and best
overall performance. Adjustments to
wheel alignment and tire balancing
will not be necessary on a regular
basis. However, check the
alignment if there is unusual tire
wear or if the vehicle is pulling to
one side or the other. If the vehicle
vibrates when driving on a smooth
road, the tires and wheels might
need to be rebalanced. See your
dealer for proper diagnosis.

Black plate (77,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-77
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent,
cracked, or badly rusted or
corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming
loose, the wheel, wheel bolts and
wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it.
Some aluminum wheels can be
repaired. See your dealer if any of
these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of
wheel that is needed.
Each new wheel should have the
same load-carrying capacity,
diameter, width, offset and be
mounted the same way as the
one it replaces.
Replace wheels, wheel bolts, wheel
nuts, or Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS) sensors with new
GM original equipment parts.{WARNING
Using the wrong replacement
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel
nuts can be dangerous. It could
affect the braking and handling of
the vehicle. Tires can lose air,
and cause loss of control, causing
a crash. 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. Whenever a wheel, wheel bolt,
or wheel nut is replaced on a dual
wheel setup, check the wheel nut
torque after 160, 1 600 and
10 000 km (100, 1,000 and 6,000 mi)
of driving. For proper torque,
see
“Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2.
See If a Tire Goes Flat on
page 10‑79 for more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{WARNING
Replacing a wheel with a used
one is dangerous. How it has
been used or how far it has been
driven may be unknown. It could
fail suddenly and cause a crash.
When replacing wheels, use a
new GM original equipment
wheel.

Black plate (79,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-79
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
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.
{WARNING
Lifting a vehicle and getting
under it to do maintenance or
repairs is dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
training. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, it is designed only for
changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could
be badly injured or killed if the
vehicle slips off the jack. If a jack
is provided with the vehicle, only
use it for changing a flat tire.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place, well off the road,
if possible. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. See Hazard
Warning Flashers on page 6‑5.

Black plate (80,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
10-80 Vehicle Care
{WARNING
Changing a tire can be
dangerous. The vehicle can slip
off the jack and roll over or fall
causing injury or death. Find a
level place to change the tire.
To help prevent the vehicle from
moving:1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission in P (Park) or
a manual transmission in
1 (First) or R (Reverse).
3. For four-wheel-drive vehicles, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive
gear –not in N (Neutral).
4. Turn off the engine and do not restart while the
vehicle is raised.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
5. Do not allow passengers toremain in the vehicle.
6. Place wheel blocks on both sides of the tire at the
opposite corner of the tire
being changed.
When the vehicle has a flat tire (B),
use the following example as a
guide to assist in the placement of
the wheel blocks (A).
A. Wheel Block
B. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how to use the jack and change
a tire.
Tire Changing
Removing the Spare Tire
and Tools
Crew Cab
A. Wing Nut Retaining Tool Kit
B. Tool Kit
C. Wheel Blocks
D. Jack
E. Jack Knob
F. Wing Nut Retaining Wheel Blocks

Black plate (83,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-83
Continue to turn the wheel
wrench until the spare tire can
be pulled out from under the
vehicle.
5. Pull the spare tire out from under the vehicle.
6. Tilt the tire toward the vehiclewith some slack in the cable to
access the tire/wheel retainer.
Tilt the retainer and pull it
through the center of the wheel
along with the cable and spring.
7. Put the spare tire near the flat tire.
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
Use the following pictures and
instructions to remove the flat tire
and raise the vehicle.
A. Jack
B. Wheel Blocks
C. Jack Handle
D. Jack Handle Extension
E. Wheel Wrench The tools you will be using include
the jack (A), the wheel blocks (B),
the jack handle (C), the jack handle
extensions (D), and the wheel
wrench (E).
1. Do a safety check before
proceeding. See If a Tire Goes
Flat on page 10‑79 for more
information.
2. If the vehicle has wheel nut
caps, loosen them by turning the
wheel wrench counterclockwise.

Black plate (84,1)Chevrolet Silverado Owner Manual - 2012
10-84 Vehicle Care
If the vehicle has a center cap
with wheel nut caps, the wheel
nut caps are designed to stay
with the center cap after they are
loosened. Remove the entire
center cap.
If the wheel has a smooth center
cap, place the chisel end of the
wheel wrench in the slot on the
wheel, and gently pry it out.
3. Use the wheel wrench and turn itcounterclockwise to loosen the
wheel nuts. Do not remove the
wheel nuts yet.Front Position - 1500 Models
4. Position the jack under the vehicle, as shown. If the flat tire
is on the front of the vehicle
(1500 Model vehicles), position
the jack under the bracket
attached to the vehicle's frame,
behind the flat tire.