CHEVROLET SSR 2006 1.G Owners Manual

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
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 indoorlaboratory 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 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 on your vehicle were aligned
and balanced carefully at the factory to give you the
longest tire life and best overall performance.
Adjustments to wheel alignment and tire balancing will
not be necessary on a regular basis. However, if
you notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pulling to
one side or the other, the alignment may need to
be checked. If you notice your vehicle vibrating when
driving on a smooth road, your tires and wheels
may need to be rebalanced. See your dealer for
proper diagnosis.
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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.
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{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could
come off and cause a crash. 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 you need to, to get all the
rust or dirt off.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or the
threads of the wheel nuts. If you do, the wheel
nuts might come loose and the wheel could
fall off, causing a crash.
{CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become
loose and even come off. This could lead to a
crash. Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts. If
you have to replace them, be sure to get new
GM original equipment wheel nuts.
Notice:Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead
to brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specication.
5-65

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.
5-66

If a Tire Goes Flat
Your vehicle has no spare tire, no tire changing
equipment and no place to store a tire.
It is unusual for a tire to blow out while you are 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 flat tire will create 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.
A rear blow out, particularly on a curve, acts much like
a skid and may require the same correction you
would 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 flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage by
driving slowly to a level place and stopping. Then do this:
1. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
2. Park your vehicle. If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake firmly and put the
shift lever in PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 2-23for additional information. If your vehicle
has a manual transmission, move the shift lever to
REVERSE (R) and set the parking brake firmly. See
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission) on
page 2-25for additional information.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Inspect the flat 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 7-6.
5-67

If the flat tire is due to a slow leak caused by a nail or
other similar road hazard, the tire inflator 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 flat tire is then inflated 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, inflate the
tire up to the standard operating pressure as shown on
the tire and loading information label. This label is
attached to the vehicle’s B-pillar below the driver’s door
latch. SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-57.
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 inflator kit
seeTire Inator Kit on page 5-68.
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 7-6.Tire Inator Kit
Your vehicle has a tire inflator kit. There is no jack or
spare tire. The kit uses a liquid tire sealant and air
to seal small punctures in the tread area of the tire. Be
sure to read and follow all the tire inflator kit
instructions. The kit includes the following:
A. Air Compressor
B. Tire Sealant
Canister
C. Air Compressor
Accessory PlugD. On/Off Switch
E. Air Pressure Gage
F. Air Compressor
Inflator Hose
Sealant Filling Hose
5-68

If the flat tire is due to a slow leak caused by a nail or
other similar road hazard, the tire inflator kit may
be used to temporarily repair the damaged tire.
After temporarily repairing a tire with the tire inflator kit,
take your vehicle to an authorized GM dealer to
have the tire inspected and repaired.
Accessing the Tire Inator Kit
To access the tire inflator kit, do the following:
1. Locate the tire inflator kit, which is on the driver’s
side of the vehicle, behind the seat back.
2. Remove the tire inflator kit cover by loosening the
two screw fasteners.
Tire Sealant
The kit contains a liquid sealant that when injected into
a flat tire, may temporarily repair nail holes or cuts
in the tread area of the tire. The tire sealant cannot
repair tire damage caused while driving on a flat tire or
a tire that has had a “blow out” or a tire that has
punctures in the sidewall areas. The tire sealant solution
can be used only once on a single tire.
Check the tire sealant expiration date on the sealant
canister. The sealant may not be as effective beyond the
expiration date. If needed, see your GM dealer for a
replacement canister.
After temporarily repairing a tire using the tire sealant,
take your vehicle to an authorized GM dealer to have the
tire inspected and repaired.
Using the Tire Inator Kit
To use the tire inflator kit, do the following:
1. Place the inflator kit on the ground and unwrap the
sealant filling hose from the compressor.
2. Remove the air compressor accessory plug from
the unit. To do this, pull the top portion of the
wrapped cord out first, then the bottom, then unsnap
the plug. Do not insert the plug into an accessory
outlet yet.
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3. Remove the valve stem cap from the flat tire by
turning it counterclockwise.
If an object, such as a nail, has penetrated the tire,
do not remove it.
4. Attach the sealant filling hose (A) onto the tire valve
stem. Turn it clockwise until it is tight.
Make sure the inflator kit on/off switch (B) is in the
O (off) position.5. Plug the air compressor accessory plug (C) into
an accessory power outlet in the vehicle. See
Accessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-19for
more information.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine in a closed-in place or with
the climate control system off can cause
deadly carbon monoxide (CO). SeeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-26.
6. Start the vehicle. SeeStarting the Engine on
page 2-17for more information. The vehicle must be
running while using the air compressor.
{CAUTION:
Inating something too much can make it
explode, and you or others could be injured.
Be sure to read the inator instructions, and
inate the tire to its recommended pressure.
Do not exceed 36 psi (248 kPa).
5-70

7. Move the inflator kit switch to the I (on) position.
The inflator kit will force sealant and air into the
tire. Sealant may leak from the puncture hole until
the vehicle is driven and the hole has sealed.
8. Make sure there is a proper connection between
the tire valve stem and the sealant filling hose by
looking at the air pressure gage. If there is not
a pressure reading while the compressor is running,
the connection between the inflator kit and the
tire is bad.
Check the attachment between the sealant filling
hose and the tire valve stem.
9. Inflate the tire up to the recommended inflation
pressure, found on the Tire and Loading
Information label located on the vehicle’s center
pillar (B-pillar) below the vehicle’s door latch,
using the air pressure gage on the top of the unit
as a guide.
The pressure gage reading is slightly high while the
compressor is on. Turn the compressor off to get
an accurate pressure reading.Notice:If the recommended pressure cannot be
reached after 15 minutes, the vehicle should not be
driven farther. Damage to the tire is severe and
the sealant will not be effective. Remove the
air compressor plug from the accessory power
outlet and unscrew the inating hose from the tire
valve. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 7-6.
10. Move the inflator kit switch to the O (off) position
once the correct tire pressure is obtained.
11. Turn off the engine.
12. Unplug the air compressor accessory plug from the
accessory power outlet in the vehicle.
13. Disconnect the sealant filling hose from the tire
valve stem, by turning it counterclockwise, and
replace the tire valve stem cap.
Be careful when handling the tire inflator
components as they may be hot after usage.
14. Wrap the sealant filling hose around the air
compressor channel to stow it in its original location.
15. Stow the air compressor accessory plug back in the
air compressor. To do this, wrap the air compressor
accessory plug, snap in the plug, and then push
in the bottom and then the top of the wrapped
air compressor accessory plug.
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16. If the flat tire was able
to inflate to the
recommended inflation
pressure, remove
the maximum speed
label from the
sealant canister.
Place it in a highly visible location such as the
inside of the upper left corner of the windshield or
to the face of the radio/clock.
The maximum speed label reminds you to drive
cautiously and not to exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) until
you have the damaged tire inspected and repaired.
{CAUTION:
Storing the tire inator kit 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 the tire inator kit in the
proper place.
17. Return the equipment to the proper storage location
behind the driver’s seatback.
5-72