tires CHEVROLET SSR 2003 1.G Owner's Guide

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 specied 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 Vehicle 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 inated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underination, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
If you notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pulling
one way or the other, the alignment may need to
be reset. If you notice your vehicle vibrating when
driving on a smooth road, your wheels may need to
be rebalanced.
5-61

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 (except some
aluminum wheels, which can sometimes be repaired).
See your dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted
the same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel
bolts or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM
original equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to
have the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for your vehicle.{CAUTION:
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 clearance to the
body and chassis.
5-62

Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your 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
{CAUTION:
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
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. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, re-adjust or remove the
device if it is contacting your vehicle, and do
not spin your wheels. If you do nd traction
devices that will t, install them on the
rear tires.
5-64

If a Tire Goes Flat
Your vehicle has no spare tire, no tire changing
equipment and no place to store a tire.
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. See
Tires on page 5-51. If air goes out of a tire, it’s much
more likely to leak out slowly. But if you should
ever have a “blow out” here are a few tips about what to
expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel rmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blow out, particularly on a curve, acts much like
a skid and may require the same correction you’d
use in a skid. In any rear blow out, remove your foot
from the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control
by steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel damage by
driving slowly to a level place and stopping. Then do this:
1. Turn on the hazard warning ashers.
2. Set the parking brake rmly.
3. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).4. Turn off the engine.
5. Inspect the at tire.
If the tire has been separated from the wheel or has
damaged sidewalls or large tears that allow rapid
air loss, call a tire repair facility. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-5.
If the at tire is due to a slow leak caused by a nail or
other similar road hazard, the tire inator kit may be used
to repair the damaged tire temporarily. The kit uses a
liquid tire sealant to seal small punctures in the tread
area of the tire. The at tire is then inated to at least
26 psi (179 kPa) and driven to evenly distribute the tire
sealant. The tire pressure is checked after driving for a
maximum of 10 minutes to see if the slow leak has been
stopped. If the tire pressure is 19 psi (131 kPa) or more,
inate the tire up to the standard operating pressure as
shown on the tire and loading information label found on
center pillar near the door latch or on the rear edge of the
driver’s door. SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-56.
You should have the damaged tire repaired as soon as
possible. The tire sealant is a temporary repair only.
For more information regarding the tire inator kit
seeTire Inator Kit on page 5-66.
Notice:If the tire pressure has dropped below
19 psi (131 kPa), the vehicle should not be driven.
Damage to the tire may be severe and the sealant
will not be effective. Contact Roadside Assistance,
seeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-5.
5-65

Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s nish is to keep it
clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.
Do not wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.
Use a car washing soap. Do not use strong soaps
or chemical detergents. Be sure to rinse the vehicle well,
removing all soap residue completely. You can get
GM-approved cleaning products from your dealer. See
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials on page 5-79.
Do not use cleaning agents that are petroleum based,
or that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agents
should be ushed promptly and not allowed to dry on the
surface, or they could stain. Dry the nish with a soft,
clean chamois or an all-cotton towel to avoid surface
scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter
your vehicle.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle through an
automatic car wash that does not have enough
clearance for the wide rear tires and wheels, you
could damage your vehicle. Verify with the manager
of the car wash that your vehicle will t before
entering the car wash or use a touchless car wash.
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a car
washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses.
Follow instructions under “Washing Your Vehicle.”
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by
hand may be necessary to remove residue from the
paint nish. You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from your dealer. SeeVehicle Care/Appearance
Materials on page 5-79.
Your vehicle has a “basecoat/clearcoat” paint nish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat paint
nish.
Notice:Machine compounding or aggressive
polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint nish may
damage it. Use only non-abrasive waxes and
polishes that are made for a basecoat/clearcoat
paint nish on your vehicle.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage your vehicle’s nish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If
necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
5-76

Cleaning Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with tire cleaner.
Notice:Using petroleum-based tire dressing
products on your vehicle may damage the paint
nish and/or tires. When applying a tire dressing,
always wipe off any overspray from all painted
surfaces on your vehicle.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Original manufacturer replacement parts will provide the
corrosion protection while maintaining the warranty.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the nish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your GM dealer. Larger areas
of nish damage can be corrected in your GM dealer’s
body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are not
removed, corrosion and rust can develop on the
underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, oor pan,
and exhaust system even though they have corrosion
protection.
At least every spring, ush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and debris can collect. Dirt packed in close areas of
the frame should be loosened before being ushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can
do this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on the vehicle. This damage can
take two forms: blotchy, ring-shaped discolorations,
and small, irregular dark spots etched into the
paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, GM will
repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs rst.
5-78

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals specied
to help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as
shown in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant
to perform these underhood checks at each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-14for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-24for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper uid if necessary.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-32for further
details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inspection and Ination Check
Visually inspect your tires for wear and make sure
tires are inated to the correct pressures. SeeTires
on page 5-51for further details.
At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety
belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
6-9

B
Backing Up....................................................4-47
Battery..........................................................5-36
Battery Not Charging.......................................3-45
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-6
Battery Rundown Protection.............................3-15
Battery Voltage Too High.................................3-45
Battery Voltage Too Low..................................3-45
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-22
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-10
Brake
Parking......................................................2-19
System Inspection.......................................6-14
System Warning Light..................................3-28
Brake Adjustment............................................5-35
Brake Fluid....................................................5-33
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-35
Brake Wear...................................................5-35
Brakes..........................................................5-33
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-14
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-43
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-47
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps.........................................5-44
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-43
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-42Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Headlamps.................................................5-43
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-48
Taillamps....................................................5-46
Buying New Tires...........................................5-59
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canada — Customer Assistance......................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-6
Capacities and Specications............................5-90
Carbon Monoxide.....................2-9, 2-22, 4-26, 4-38
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-75
Your CD Player...........................................3-81
Your CDs ...................................................3-81
Cargo Area Rails............................................2-35
Cargo Cover..................................................2-32
Cargo Cover Ajar............................................3-45
Cargo Cover Storage System...........................2-35
Cargo Net System..........................................2-36
Cargo Tie Downs............................................2-35
CD Messages........................................3-68, 3-80
Center Console Fuse Block..............................5-82
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-31
Center Console Switchbank..............................3-16
2

Certication/Tire Label.....................................4-35
Chains, Tire...................................................5-64
Change Trans (Transmission) Fluid....................3-46
Charging System Light....................................3-27
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-30
Gages Warning Light...................................3-36
Check Engine Light.........................................3-30
Check Oil Level..............................................3-46
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-34
Checking Coolant............................................5-26
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-14
Checking the Automatic Transmission
Fluid Level.................................................5-23
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-78
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-25
Infants and Young Children...........................1-22
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-31
Older Children.............................................1-20
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-33Child Restraints (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint in the Passenger
Seat Position...........................................1-36
Top Strap...................................................1-29
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-31
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-17
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-73
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-75
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-78
Weatherstrips..............................................5-75
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-77
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-76
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-73
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-75
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-75
Cleaning Leather............................................5-74
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-75
Cleaning the Windshield and Wiper Blades.........5-77
Cleaning Tires................................................5-78
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-74
Climate Control System...................................3-18
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-21
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-12
3

T
Tachometer....................................................3-24
Tailgate........................................................... 2-9
Taillamps.......................................................5-46
TCS Warning Light..........................................3-29
Temperature Knob...........................................3-18
Testing the Alarm............................................2-13
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-80
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-12
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-12
Passlock
®...................................................2-14
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-4
Tire Inator Kit Storage....................................5-72
Tire Sealant...................................................5-67
Tire Sidewall Labeling......................................5-52
Tire Size.......................................................5-53
Tire Terminology and Denitions........................5-54
Tires.............................................................5-51
Buying New Tires........................................5-59
Chains.......................................................5-64
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-65
Ination -- Tire Pressure...............................5-56
Inspection and Rotation................................5-57
Tire Inator Kit............................................5-66Tires (cont.)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-60
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-61
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-62
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-58
Tlat (Tonneau Latch) Hall Switch Fault...............3-50
Tonn (Tonneau) Hall Switch Fault......................3-51
Tonn (Tonneau) Latd (Latched) Switch Fault.......3-51
Top Strap......................................................1-29
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-31
Torque Lock...................................................2-21
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-42
Towing
Loading Your Vehicle...................................4-31
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-31
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-38
Your Vehicle...............................................4-30
Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-8
Control System Warning Light.......................3-29
Traction Active................................................3-51
Trailer
Recommendations.......................................4-38
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-46
14