wheel size GMC SIERRA 2004 Owner's Manual

Tire Size
The following examples show the different parts of a
tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:The United States
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter ªPº as
the ®rst character in the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to standards set by the U.S. Tire
and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates the
tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that indicates the
tire height-to-width measurements. For example, if
the tire size aspect ratio is ª75,º as shown in item ªCº of
the illustration, it would mean that the tire's sidewall
is 75% as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The letter
ªRº means radial ply construction; the letter ªDº means
diagonal or bias ply construction; and the letter ªBº
means belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description:The service description
indicates the load range and speed rating of a tire. The
load index can range from 1 to 279. Speed ratings
range from ªAº to ªZº. Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
5-80

(A) Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:The United States
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter ªLTº as
the ®rst two characters in the tire size means a light
truck tire engineered to standards set by the U. S. Tire
and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates the
tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that indicates
the tire height-to-width measurements. For example, if
the tire size aspect ratio is ª75,º as shown in item ªCº of
the illustration, it would mean that the tire's sidewall is
75% as high as it is wide.(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The letter
ªRº means radial ply construction; the letter ªDº means
diagonal or bias ply construction; and the letter ªBº
means belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description:The service description
indicates the load range and speed rating of a tire. The
load index can range from 1 to 279. Speed ratings
range from ªAº to ªZº. The light truck tire size example
above shows dual or single tire con®gurations.Tire Terminology and De®nitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire's height to its
width. Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
5-81

Buying New Tires
To ®nd out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Certi®cation/Tire label or the Tire and Loading
Information label. See
Loading Your Vehicle on
page 4-57, for more information about these labels and
where they can be found on your vehicle.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Speci®cations (TPC
Spec) number on each tire's sidewall. When you get
new tires, GM recommends that you get tires with that
same TPC Spec number. That way your vehicle will
continue to have tires that are designed to give proper
endurance, handling, speed rating, load range,
traction, ride, tire pressure monitoring system
performance and other things during normal service on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an ªMSº (for
mud and snow).
When ever you replace your tires with those not having
a TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same
size, load range, speed rating and construction
type (bias, bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.
{CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control
while driving. If you mix tires of different sizes
or types (radial and bias-belted tires), the
vehicle may not handle properly, and you
could have a crash. Using tires of different
sizes may also cause damage to your vehicle.
Be sure to use the same size and type tires on
all wheels.
Your vehicle may be equipped with a different
size spare than the road tires (those originally
installed on your vehicle). When new, your
vehicle included a spare tire and wheel
assembly with a similar overall diameter as
your vehicle's road tires and wheels, so it is all
right to drive on it. Because this spare was
developed for use on your vehicle, it will not
affect vehicle handling.
5-89

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has dual wheels or P265/75R16,
LT265/75R16 or P265/70R17 size tires, don't
use tire chains. They can damage your vehicle
because there's not enough clearance. Tire
chains used on a vehicle without the
properamount of clearance can cause damage
to thebrakes, suspension or other vehicle
parts. Thearea 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
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
conditions. Follow that manufacturer's
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it's contacting your vehicle, and don't
spin your wheels.
If you do ®nd traction devices that will ®t,
install them on the rear tires.²
Notice:If your vehicle does not have dual wheels
and is equipped with a tire size other than
P265/75R16, LT265/75R16 or P265/70R17, use tire
chains only where legal and only when you
must. Use chains that are the proper size for your
tires. Install them on the tires of the rear axle. Don't
use chains on the tires of the front axle. Tighten
them as tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer's instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until
it stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.
5-94

Spare Tire
Your vehicle, when new, had a fully in¯ated spare tire.
A spare tire may lose air over time, so check its
in¯ation pressure regularly. See
In¯ation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-84andLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-57for information regarding proper tire in¯ation and loading
your vehicle. For instruction on how to remove, install
or store a spare tire, see
Changing a Flat Tire on
page 5-96.
After installing the spare tire on your vehicle, you should
stop as soon as possible and make sure the spare is
correctly in¯ated. Have the damaged or ¯at road
tire repaired or replaced as soon as you can and
installed back onto your vehicle. This way, a spare tire
will be available in case you need it again.
Your vehicle may have a different size spare tire than
the road tires, those originally installed on your vehicle.
This spare tire was developed for use on your vehicle,
so it is all right to drive on it. If your vehicle has
four-wheel-drive and the smaller spare is installed, keep
the vehicle in two-wheel-drive mode as much as
possible.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into ¯ames if you strike a
match or get them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed
space. When you use anything from a container to clean
your vehicle, be sure to follow the manufacturer's
warnings and instructions. And always open your doors
or windows when you are cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
·Gasoline
·Benzene
·Naphtha
·Carbon Tetrachloride
·Acetone
·Paint Thinner
·Turpentine
·Lacquer Thinner
·Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous Ð some more than
others Ð and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
5-116

Single Stage Air Bags.....................................1-74
Single Stage vs. Dual Stage Air Bags................1-73
Six-Speed (VORTECŸ 8100 V8 and
DURAMAXŸ 6600 V8 Engines)...................2-32
Skidding........................................................4-19
Snow Plow....................................................4-64
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips.......................4-41
Spare Tire....................................................5-116
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems....................5-118
Speci®cations, Capacities...............................5-134
Speedometer..................................................3-35
Stalling on an Incline.......................................4-34
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-23
Starting Your V8 Engine..................................2-24
Steering........................................................4-12
Steering in Emergencies..................................4-13
Steering Tips..................................................4-12
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.......................3-128
Step-Bumper Pad..........................................4-103
Stereo RCA Jacks.........................................3-122
Storage Areas................................................2-66
Center Console Storage Area........................2-67
Cupholder(s)...............................................2-66
Front Storage Area......................................2-67
Glove Box..................................................2-66
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire, Jack and Tools.....5-109
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-51
Sun Visors.....................................................2-18
Swing-Out Windows........................................2-18T
Tachometer....................................................3-35
Tailgate.........................................................2-14
Tailgate Removal............................................2-14
Taillamps.......................................................5-71
Taillamps (Chassis Cab Models)........................5-73
Temperature and Compass Display....................2-55
Temperature Display........................................2-58
Testing the Alarm............................................2-20
Theft-Deterrent, Radio....................................3-127
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-19
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-19
Passlock
ž...................................................2-21
TIGHTEN FUEL CAP......................................3-72
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-7
Tire Sidewall Labeling......................................5-76
Tire Size.......................................................5-80
Tire Terminology and De®nitions........................5-81
Tires.............................................................5-76
Buying New Tires........................................5-89
Chains.......................................................5-94
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-96
Dual Tire Operation.....................................5-85
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-95
In¯ation - Tire Pressure................................5-84
Inspection and Rotation................................5-86
Spare Tire................................................5-116
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-90
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