flat tire GMC SIERRA 1500 2012 Owner's Manual

Black plate (68,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
10-68 Vehicle Care
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. SeeTireInspection on page 10‑65
andTire
Rotation on page 10‑65 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

Black plate (72,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
10-72 Vehicle Care
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.
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.

Black plate (73,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Vehicle Care 10-73
{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 10‑75 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 (75,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Vehicle Care 10-75
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
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.

Black plate (76,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
10-76 Vehicle Care
Turn on the hazard warning
flashers. SeeHazard Warning
Flashers on page 6‑5.
{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

Black plate (79,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Vehicle Care 10-79
5. Pull the spare tire out from underthe 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 beforeproceeding. See If a Tire Goes
Flat on page 10‑75 for more
information.2. If the vehicle has wheel nut
caps, loosen them by turning the
wheel wrench counterclockwise.
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.

Black plate (80,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
10-80 Vehicle Care
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.

Black plate (81,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Vehicle Care 10-81
Front Position - All Other ModelsPosition the jack under the
vehicle, as shown. If the flat tire
is on the front of the vehicle (all
other models), position the jack
on the frame behind the flat tire.Rear Position –1500 Models
5. If the flat tire is on the rear, for 1500 models position the jack
under the rear axle about 5 cm
(2 in) inboard of the shock
absorber bracket.Rear Position –All Other Models
For all other models, position the
jack under the rear axle between
the spring anchor and the shock
absorber bracket.
If a snow plow has been added
to the front of the vehicle, lower
the snow plow fully before
raising the vehicle.

Black plate (82,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
10-82 Vehicle Care
Make sure that the jack head is
positioned so that the rear axle
is resting securely between
the grooves that are on the
jack head.
{WARNING
Getting under a vehicle when it is
lifted on a jack is dangerous.
If the vehicle slips off the jack,
you could be badly injured or
killed. Never get under a vehicle
when it is supported only by
a jack.
{WARNING
Raising the vehicle with the
jack improperly positioned can
damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help
avoid personal injury and vehicle
damage, be sure to fit the jack lift
head into the proper location
before raising the vehicle.6. Turn the wheel wrench
clockwise to raise the vehicle.
Raise the vehicle far enough off
the ground so there is enough
room for the spare tire to fit
under the wheel well.7. Remove all the wheel nuts andtake off the flat tire.
{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. 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.

Black plate (84,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
10-84 Vehicle Care
{WARNING
Wheel nuts that are improperly or
incorrectly tightened can cause
the wheels to become loose or
come off. The wheel nuts should
be tightened with a torque wrench
to the proper torque specification
after replacing. Follow the torque
specification supplied by the
aftermarket manufacturer when
using accessory locking wheel
nuts. SeeCapacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2 for
original equipment wheel nut
torque specifications.
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 specification. See
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2 for the wheel nut
torque specification.
13. Tighten the nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence, as
shown, by turning the wheel
wrench clockwise.
For vehicles with dual wheels,
have a technician check the wheel
nut tightness of all wheels with
a torque wrench after the first
160 km (100 mi) and then 1600 km
(1,000 mi) after that. Repeat this
service whenever you have
a tire removed or serviced. See
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2 for more information.
When reinstalling the regular wheel
and tire, also reinstall either the
center cap, or bolt-on hub cap,
depending on what the vehicle is
equipped with. For center caps, place the cap on the wheel and tap
it into place until it seats flush with
the wheel. The cap only goes on
one way. Be sure to line up the
tab on the center cap with the
indentation on the wheel. For
bolt-on hub caps, align the plastic
nut caps with the wheel nuts and
then tighten by hand. Then use the
wheel wrench to tighten.
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools
{WARNING
Storing a jack, a tire, 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 all these in
the proper place.
Notice: Storing an aluminum
wheel with a flat tire under your
vehicle for an extended period
of time or with the valve stem