winter tires CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER 2009 1.G Owners Manual

Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between the
tires and the road, creating less traction or grip. Wet ice
can occur at about 32°F (0°C) when freezing rain begins
to fall, resulting in even less traction. Avoid driving on wet
ice or in freezing rain until roads can be treated with salt
or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the condition. Accelerate
gently so traction is not lost. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the surface under
the tires slick, so there is even less traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate too
fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface
under the tires even more.
TheAntilock Brake System (ABS) on page 4-5improves
vehicle stability during hard stops on a slippery roads, but
apply the brakes sooner than when on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance on any slippery road
and watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can occur on
otherwise clear roads in shaded areas. The surface
of a curve or an overpass can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped, on slippery surfaces.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a serious situation. Stay
with the vehicle unless there is help nearby. If possible,
use theRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-7.
To get help and keep everyone in the vehicle safe:
Turn on theHazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the vehicle.
This may cause exhaust gases to get inside.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
Clear away snow from around the base of
your vehicle, especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
Check again from time to time to be sure
snow does not collect there.
CAUTION: (Continued)
4-30

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
the Vehicle.................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-6
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-18
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-22
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-24
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-25
Cooling System............................................5-28
Engine Coolant.............................................5-29
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-34
Engine Overheating.......................................5-35Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-36
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-37
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-38
Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-43
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-48
Rear Axle.......................................................5-49
Four-Wheel Drive
............................................5-50
Front Axle......................................................5-51
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-52
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-52
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-52
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps...................5-53
License Plate Lamp......................................5-54
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-54
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-55
Tires..............................................................5-58
Winter Tires.................................................5-59
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-60
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-62
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-65
High-Speed Operation...................................5-66
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-67
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Low-Prole Performance Tire
If your vehicle has P255/50R20 size tires, they are
classied as low-prole performance tires. These
tires are designed for very responsive driving on
wet or dry pavement. You may also notice more
road noise with low-prole performance tires and
that they tend to wear faster.
Notice:If the vehicle has low-prole tires,
they are more susceptible to damage from road
hazards or curb impact than standard prole
tires. Tire and/or wheel assembly damage can
occur when coming into contact with road
hazards like, potholes, or sharp edged objects,
or when sliding into a curb. The vehicle
warranty does not cover this type of damage.
Keep tires set to the correct ination pressure
and, when possible avoid contact with curbs,
potholes, and other road hazards.
Winter Tires
For cold weather driving conditions you may prefer to
get tires designed for snow or ice, if your vehicle has
P255/50R20 size tires. See your dealer for details
regarding winter tire availability and proper tire
selection. Also, seeBuying New Tires on page 5-75.
If you choose to use winter tires:
Use tires of the same brand and tread type on all
four wheel positions.
Use only radial ply tires of the same size, load
range, and speed rating as your original equipment
tires.
Winter tires with the same speed rating as your original
equipment tires may not be available for H, V, W, Y
and ZR speed rated tires. If you choose winter tires with
a lower speed rating, never exceed the tire’s maximum
speed capability.
5-59

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
The following information relates to the
system developed by the United States National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
which grades tires by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This applies only to
vehicles sold in the United States. The grades are
molded on the sidewalls of most passenger car
tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver, or temporary use
spare tires, tires with nominal rim diameters
of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.While the tires available on General Motors
passenger cars and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they must also conform
to federal safety requirements and additional
General Motors Tire Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specied
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 signicantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices, and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
5-78

Tire
Pressure Light.............................................3-39
Tire Sealant
Storing.......................................................5-92
Tires.............................................................5-58
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning........................5-115
Buying New Tires........................................5-75
Chains.......................................................5-81
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-93
Cleaning...................................................5-115
Different Size..............................................5-77
High-Speed Operation..................................5-66
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-82
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-65
Inspection and Rotation................................5-73
Installing the Spare Tire................................5-97
Pressure Monitor Operation...........................5-69
Pressure Monitor System..............................5-67
Removing the Flat Tire.................................5-97
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...............5-94
Secondary Latch System............................5-103
Spare Tire................................................5-109
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools..........5-106
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit...................5-83
Tire Sidewall Labeling..................................5-60Tires (cont.)
Tire Terminology and Denitions....................5-62
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-78
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-80
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-80
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-74
Winter Tires................................................5-59
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-40
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-48
Your Vehicle...............................................4-40
Traction
StabiliTrak®System....................................... 4-6
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-25
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-26
Trip Odometer................................................3-30
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-78
Universal Home Remote System.......................2-48
Operation...................................................2-49
13

V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-3
Loading......................................................4-33
Running While Parked..................................2-39
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Customization, DIC..............................3-56
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy..................7-17
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)............................................5-117
Service Parts Identication Label..................5-117
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-26
Visors...........................................................2-16
Voltmeter Gage..............................................3-35
W
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators...............3-28
Warnings
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-51
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-6
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-80
Different Size..............................................5-77
Replacement...............................................5-80Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-42
Windows.......................................................2-14
Power ........................................................2-15
Windshield
Backglass, and Wiper Blades, Cleaning........5-114
Washer........................................................ 3-9
Washer Fluid..............................................5-38
Wiper Blade Replacement.............................5-55
Wiper Fuses.............................................5-118
Wipers......................................................... 3-9
Windshield, Rear Washer/Wiper........................3-10
Winter Driving................................................4-30
Winter Tires...................................................5-59
X
XM Radio Messages.......................................3-84
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System..............3-111
Y
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................... 6-2
14