spare tire GMC SIERRA 2011 User Guide

Black plate (75,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-75
{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, use a cloth or a
paper towel to do this; but be sure
to use a scraper or wire brush
later, if needed, to get all the rust
or dirt off. SeeIf a Tire Goes Flat
on page 10‑84.
Lightly coat the center of the
wheel hub with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel change or
tire rotation to prevent corrosion
or rust build-up. Do not get
grease on the flat wheel
mounting surface or on
the wheel nuts or bolts.
If your vehicle has a Tire
Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS), reset the TPMS
sensors after rotating the tires.
See Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation on page 10‑69. Make sure the spare tire, if your
vehicle has one, is stored
securely. Push, pull, and then
try to rotate or turn the tire.
If it moves, tighten the cable.
See
“Storing a Flat or Spare
Tire and Tools” underTire
Changing on page 10‑86.
Dual Tire Rotation
When the vehicle is new,
or whenever a wheel, wheel
bolt or wheel nut is replaced,
check the wheel nut torque
after 160, 1 600 and 10 000 km
(100, 1,000 and 6,000 miles) of
driving. For proper torque and
wheel nut tightening information,
see “Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools” underTire Changing on
page 10‑86.

Black plate (76,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-76 Vehicle Care
The outer tire on a dual wheel
setup generally wears faster than
the inner tire. Your tires will wear
more evenly and last longer if you
rotate the tires periodically, seeTire
Inspection on page 10‑73 andTire
Rotation on page 10‑73. Also see
Scheduled Maintenance on
page 11‑2.
{WARNING
If you operate your vehicle with a
tire that is badly underinflated, the
tire can overheat. An overheated
tire can lose air suddenly or catch
fire. You or others could be
injured. Be sure all tires (including
the spare) are properly inflated.
See Tire Pressure on page 10‑66,
for information on proper tire
inflation.
When It Is Time for New
Tires
Various factors, such as
maintenance, temperatures,
driving speeds, vehicle loading,
and road conditions influence
when you need new tires.
One way to tell when it is time for
new tires is to check the treadwear
indicators, which 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.
See
Tire Inspection on page 10‑73
and Tire Rotation on page 10‑73
for additional information.
The rubber in tires ages over time.
This is also true for the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, even if it is
not being used. Multiple conditions
affect how fast this aging takes
place, including temperatures,
loading conditions, and inflation
pressure maintenance. 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.

Black plate (78,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-78 Vehicle Care
GM recommends replacing tires in
sets of four. This is because uniform
tread depth on all tires will help
keep the vehicle performing most
like it did when the tires were new.
Replacing less than a full set of
tires can affect the braking and
handling performance of the vehicle.
SeeTire Inspection on page 10‑73
and Tire Rotation on page 10‑73 for
information on proper tire rotation.
{WARNING
Tires could explode during
improper service. Attempting to
mount or dismount a tire could
cause injury or death. Only your
dealer or authorized tire service
center should mount or dismount
the tires.
{WARNING
Mixing tires could cause you
to lose control while driving.
If you mix tires of different sizes,
brands, or types (radial and
bias-belted tires), the vehicle
might not handle properly, and
you could have a crash. Using
tires of different sizes, brands,
or types could also cause
damage to the vehicle. Be sure
to use the same size, brand,
and type of tires on all wheels.
This vehicle may have a different
size spare than the road tires
(those originally installed on the
vehicle). When new, the vehicle
included a spare tire and wheel
assembly with a similar overall
diameter as the vehicle's road
tires and wheels, so it is all right
to drive on it. Because this spare
was developed for use on the
vehicle, it will not affect vehicle
handling.
{WARNING
Using bias-ply tires on the
vehicle may cause the wheel
rim flanges to develop cracks
after many miles of driving.
A tire and/or wheel could fail
suddenly and cause a crash.
Use only radial-ply tires with
the wheels on the vehicle.
If you must replace the vehicle's
tires with those that do not have
a TPC Spec number, make sure
they are the same size, load range,
speed rating, and construction type
(radial and bias‐belted tires) as the
vehicle's original tires.

Black plate (80,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-80 Vehicle Care
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 QualityGrading (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.
All Passenger Car Tires Must
Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements In Addition To
These Grades.
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 (1½) 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.

Black plate (86,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-86 Vehicle Care
Tire Changing
Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools
Crew Cab
A. Wing Nut Retaining Tool Kit
B. Tool Kit
C. Wheel Blocks
D. Jack
E. Jack Knob
F. Wing Nut Retaining Wheel Blocks
Regular Cab
A. Wing Nut Retaining Tool Kit
B. Tool Kit
C. Wheel Blocks
D. Jack
E. Jack Knob
F. Wing Nut Retaining Wheel BlocksExtended Cab
A. Wing Nut Retaining Tool Kit
B. Tool Kit
C. Wheel Blocks
D. Jack
E. Jack Knob

Black plate (87,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-87
For regular cab models, the
equipment you will need is
behind the passenger seat.
For extended and crew cab
models, the equipment is on the
shelf behind the passenger side
second row seat.
1. Turn the knob on the jackcounterclockwise to lower the
jack head to release the jack
from its holder.
2. Remove the wheel blocks and the wheel block retainer
by turning the wing nut
counterclockwise.
3. Remove the wing nut used to retain the storage bag and tools
by turning it counterclockwise.
You will use the jack handle
extensions and the wheel wrench
to remove the underbody-mounted
spare tire.
A. Spare Tire (Valve Stem Pointed Down)
B. Hoist Assembly
C. Hoist Cable
D. Tire/Wheel Retainer
E. Hoist Shaft
F. Hoist End of Extension Tool
G. Hoist Shaft Access Hole
H. Wheel Wrench
I. Jack Handle Extensions
J. Spare Tire Lock (If equipped) 1. Open the spare tire lock cover
on the bumper and use the
ignition key to remove the spare
tire lock (J). To remove the spare
tire lock, insert the ignition key
turn and pull straight out.
2. Assemble the wheel wrench (H)and the two jack handle
extensions (I) as shown.

Black plate (88,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-88 Vehicle Care
3. Insert the hoist end (openend) (F) of the extension through
the hole (G) in the rear bumper.
Do not use the chiseled end of
the wheel wrench.
Be sure the hoist end of the
extension (F) connects to the
hoist shaft (E). The ribbed
square end of the extension is
used to lower the spare tire.
4. Turn the wheel wrench (H) counterclockwise to lower
the spare tire to the ground.
Continue to turn the wheel wrench until the spare tire can
be pulled out from under the
vehicle.
5. Pull the spare tire out from under the 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.
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 10‑84 for more
information.

Black plate (91,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-91
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 you have added a snow plow
to the front of your vehicle, lower
the snow plow fully before
raising the vehicle.
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 jacked up 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.

Black plate (92,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-92 Vehicle Care
{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, use a cloth or
a paper towel to do this; but be
sure to use a scraper or wire
brush later, if needed, to get all
the rust or dirt off. SeeIf a Tire
Goes Flat on page 10‑84.
8. Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting surfaces,
and spare wheel.
9. Install the spare tire.
{WARNING
Never use oil or grease on bolts
or nuts because the nuts might
come loose. The vehicle's wheel
could fall off, causing a crash.
10. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end of the
nuts toward the wheel.
11. Tighten each wheel nut by hand. Then use the wheel
wrench to tighten the nuts
until the wheel is held against
the hub.
12. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower
the vehicle. Lower the jack
completely.

Black plate (94,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-94 Vehicle Care
When you reinstall the regular
wheel and tire, you must also
reinstall either the center cap,
or bolt-on hub cap, depending
on what your 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
pointing up can damage the
wheel. Always stow the wheel
with the valve stem pointing
down and have the wheel/tire
repaired as soon as possible.
Store the tire under the rear of the
vehicle in the spare tire carrier.
A. Flat or Spare Tire (Valve Stem Pointed Down)
B. Hoist Assembly
C. Hoist Cable
D. Tire/Wheel Retainer
E. Hoist Shaft
F. Hoist End of Extension Tool
G. Hoist Shaft Access Hole
H. Wheel Wrench
I. Jack Handle Extensions
J. Spare Tire Lock (If Equipped)