light HUMMER H3 2009 Owners Manual

(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit
number that indicates the tire
height-to-width measurements.
For example, if the tire size
aspect ratio is 75, as shown
in item C of the light truck
(LT-Metric) tire illustration,
it would mean that the tire’s
sidewall is 75 percent 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 R means
radial ply construction; the
letter D means diagonal or
bias ply construction; and the
letter B 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 A to Z.
Tire Terminology and
Denitions
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.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords that is located between the
plies and the tread. Cords may
be made from steel or other
reinforcing materials.Bead
:The tire bead contains
steel wires wrapped by steel
cords that hold the tire onto
the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire
in which the plies are laid at
alternate angles less than
90 degrees to the centerline
of the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure
:The
amount of air pressure in a tire,
measured in pounds per
square inch (psi) or kilopascals
(kPa) before a tire has built
up heat from driving. See
Inflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-51.
Curb Weight
:The weight of a
motor vehicle with standard
and optional equipment including
the maximum capacity of fuel,
oil, and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.
5-48 Service and Appearance Care

DOT Markings:A code molded
into the sidewall of a tire
signifying that the tire is in
compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation
(DOT) motor vehicle safety
standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identication
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also
identify the tire manufacturer,
production plant, brand, and date
of production.
GVWR
:Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating. SeeLoading the Vehicle
on page 4-35.
GAWR FRT
:Gross Axle
Weight Rating for the front axle.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on
page 4-35.
GAWR RR
:Gross Axle
Weight Rating for the rear axle.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on
page 4-35.Intended Outboard Sidewall
:The side of an asymmetrical tire,
that must always face outward
when mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa)
:The metric
unit for air pressure.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
:A tire used on light duty trucks
and some multipurpose
passenger vehicles.
Load Index
:An assigned
number ranging from 1 to 279
that corresponds to the load
carrying capacity of a tire.
Maximum Ination Pressure
:The maximum air pressure
to which a cold tire can be
inated. The maximum air
pressure is molded onto the
sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating
:The load rating for a tire at the
maximum permissible ination
pressure for that tire.Maximum Loaded Vehicle
Weight
:The sum of curb
weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight, and
production options weight.
Normal Occupant Weight
:The number of occupants
a vehicle is designed to seat
multiplied by 150 lbs (68 kg).
SeeLoading the Vehicle
on page 4-35.
Occupant Distribution
:Designated seating positions.
Outward Facing Sidewall
:The side of an asymmetrical tire
that has a particular side that
faces outward when mounted on
a vehicle. The side of the tire
that contains a whitewall,
bears white lettering, or bears
manufacturer, brand, and/or
model name molding that
is higher or deeper than the
same moldings on the
other sidewall of the tire.
Service and Appearance Care 5-49

Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:A tire used on passenger cars
and some light duty trucks
and multipurpose vehicles.
Recommended Ination
Pressure
:Vehicle
manufacturer’s recommended
tire ination pressure as
shown on the tire placard.
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-51andLoading the
Vehicle on page 4-35.
Radial Ply Tire
:A pneumatic
tire in which the ply cords that
extend to the beads are laid
at 90 degrees to the centerline
of the tread.
Rim
:A metal support for a tire
and upon which the tire beads
are seated.
Sidewall
:The portion of a tire
between the tread and the bead.
Speed Rating
:An alphanumeric
code assigned to a tire indicating
the maximum speed at which a
tire can operate.Traction
:The friction between
the tire and the road surface.
The amount of grip provided.
Tread
:The portion of a tire that
comes into contact with the road.
Treadwear Indicators
:Narrow
bands, sometimes called wear
bars, that show across the tread
of a tire when only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) of tread remains.
SeeWhen It Is Time for New
Tires on page 5-58.
UTQGS (Uniform Tire Quality
Grading Standards)
:A tire
information system that provides
consumers with ratings for a
tire’s traction, temperature,
and treadwear. Ratings are
determined by tire manufacturers
using government testing
procedures. The ratings are
molded into the sidewall of the
tire. SeeUniform Tire Quality
Grading on page 5-62.Vehicle Capacity Weight
:The number of designated
seating positions multiplied
by 150 lbs (68 kg) plus the rated
cargo load. SeeLoading the
Vehicle on page 4-35.
Vehicle Maximum Load on
the Tire
:Load on an individual
tire due to curb weight,
accessory weight, occupant
weight, and cargo weight.
Vehicle Placard
:A label
permanently attached to a
vehicle showing the vehicle’s
capacity weight and the
original equipment tire size
and recommended ination
pressure. See “Tire and
Loading Information Label”
underLoading the Vehicle
on page 4-35.
5-50 Service and Appearance Care

Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS is designed to warn
the driver when a low tire pressure
condition exists. TPMS sensors
are mounted onto each tire and
wheel assembly on the vehicle,
excluding the spare tire. The TPMS
sensors monitor the air pressure
in the vehicle’s tires and transmit the
tire pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure condition
is detected, the TPMS illuminates
the low tire pressure warning light
located on the instrument panel
cluster.At the same time, a Driver
Information Center (DIC) message
is displayed on the DIC display
screen. The low tire pressure
warning light and the DIC warning
message come on at each
ignition cycle until the tires are
inated to the correct ination
pressure. For additional information
and details about the DIC operation
and displays seeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-34andDIC
Warnings and Messages on
page 3-37.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather
when the vehicle is rst started, and
then turn off as you start to drive.
This could be an early indicator that
the air pressure in the tire(s) are
getting low and need to be inated
to the proper pressure.A Tire and Loading Information
label, attached to the vehicle, shows
the size of the vehicle’s original
equipment tires and the correct
ination pressure for the vehicle’s
tires when they are cold. See
Loading the Vehicle on page 4-35,
for an example of the Tire and
Loading Information label and its
location on the vehicle. Also see
Inflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-51.
The vehicle’s TPMS can warn you
about a low tire pressure condition
but it does not replace normal
tire maintenance. SeeTire
Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-57andTires on page 5-44.
Notice:Liquid tire sealants
could damage the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS) sensors.
Sensor damage caused by using
a tire sealant is not covered
by your warranty. Do not use
liquid tire sealants.
5-54 Service and Appearance Care

TPMS Malfunction Light
and Message
The TPMS will not function properly
if one or more of the TPMS
sensors are missing or inoperable.
When the system detects a
malfunction, the low tire warning
light ashes for about one minute
and then stays on for the remainder
of the ignition cycle. A DIC warning
message is also displayed. The low
tire warning light and DIC warning
message come on at each ignition
cycle until the problem is corrected.
Some of the conditions that can
cause the malfunction light and
DIC message to come on are:
One of the road tires has been
replaced with the spare tire.
The spare tire does not have a
TPMS sensor. The TPMS
malfunction light and DIC
message should go off once you
re-install the road tire containing
the TPMS sensor.
The TPMS sensor matching
process was started but not
completed or not completed
successfully after rotating the
vehicle’s tires. The DIC message
and TPMS malfunction light
should go off once the TPMS
sensor matching process is
performed successfully.
See “TPMS Sensor Matching
Process” later in this section.
One or more TPMS sensors are
missing or damaged. The DIC
message and the TPMS
malfunction light should go off
when the TPMS sensors are
installed and the sensor
matching process is performed
successfully. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
Replacement tires or wheels do
not match the vehicle’s original
equipment tires or wheels. Tires
and wheels other than those
recommended for the vehicle
could prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. SeeBuying
New Tires on page 5-59.
Operating electronic devices or
being near facilities using radio
wave frequencies similar to the
TPMS could cause the TPMS
sensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioning it
cannot detect or signal a low
tire condition. See your
dealer/retailer for service if the
TPMS malfunction light and
DIC message comes on and
stays on.
Service and Appearance Care 5-55

TPMS Sensor Matching
Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identication code. Any time
you replace one or more of the
TPMS sensors or rotate the
vehicle’s tires, the identication
codes need to be matched to the
new tire/wheel position. The sensors
are matched to the tire/wheel
positions in the following order:
driver side front tire, passenger side
front tire, passenger side rear
tire, and driver side rear tire using a
TPMS diagnostic tool. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
The TPMS sensors can also be
matched to each tire/wheel position
by increasing or decreasing the
tire’s air pressure. If increasing the
tire’s air pressure, do not exceed
the maximum ination pressure
indicated on the tire’s sidewall.
To let air-pressure out of a tire you
can use the pointed end of the
valve cap, a pencil-style air pressure
gage, or a key.You have one minute to match
the rst tire/wheel position,
and ve minutes overall, to match
all four tire/wheel positions. If it
takes longer than one minute, to
match the rst tire and wheel,
or more than ve minutes to match
all four tire and wheel positions,
the matching process stops and you
need to start over.
The TPMS sensor matching
procedure is outlined below:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition switch to
ON/RUN with the engine off.
3. Turn the exterior lamp switch
from AUTO to OFF four times
within three seconds. A double
horn chirp will sound and
the TPMS low tire warning light
starts ashing. The double
horn chirp and ashing TPMS
warning light indicates the
TPMS matching process has
started. The TPMS warning
light should continue ashingthroughout the matching
procedure. The LOW TIRE
message displays on the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
4. Start with the driver side front tire.
5. Remove the valve cap from the
valve cap stem. Activate the
TPMS sensor by increasing or
decreasing the tire’s air pressure
for 10 seconds, then stop and
listen for a single horn chirp.
The single horn chirp should
sound within 15 seconds,
conrming that the sensor
identication code has been
matched to this tire and wheel
position. If you do not hear
the conrming single horn chirp,
turn the ignition switch to
LOCK and start over beginning
with Step 2.
6. Proceed to the passenger side
front tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 5.
7. Proceed to the passenger side
rear tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 5.
5-56 Service and Appearance Care

8. Proceed to the driver side rear
tire, and repeat the procedure
in Step 5.
9. After hearing the conrming horn
chirp for the driver side rear tire,
check to see if the TPMS low tire
warning light and the DIC LOW
TIRE messages have turned off.
If yes, the TPMS sensors have
been relearned. Turn the ignition
switch to LOCK/OFF.
If the low tire warning light and
the SERV TPM message on the
DIC are on after completing
Step 5 for the driver side rear tire,
the sensor relearn process has
not been successful. Turn the
ignition switch to LOCK/OFF and
repeat the matching process
beginning with Step 2.
10. Set all four tires to the
recommended air pressure level
as indicated on the Tire and
Loading Information label.
11. Put the valve caps back on the
valve stems.Tire Inspection and
Rotation
We recommend that you
regularly inspect the vehicle’s
tires, including the spare tire,
for signs of wear or damage.
SeeWhen It Is Time for
New Tires on page 5-58for
more information.
Tires should be rotated
every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km).
SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4.
The purpose of a regular tire
rotation is to achieve a uniform
wear for all tires on the vehicle.
This will ensure that the
vehicle continues to perform
most like it did when the
tires were new.Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate the tires as soon
as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for
damaged tires or wheels.
SeeWhen It Is Time for
New Tires on page 5-58and
Wheel Replacement on
page 5-64.
Make sure the spare tire is
stored securely. Push, pull and
then try to rotate or turn the
tire. If it moves, use the wheel
wrench/hoist shaft to tighten
the cable. SeeChanging a
Flat Tire on page 5-66.
Service and Appearance Care 5-57

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.
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
specied government test
surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
5-62 Service and Appearance Care

4. Use the wheel wrench to tighten
the nuts rmly. Try to move the
tire back and forth slightly to
be sure it is secure.
5. Reinstall the center tire cover
onto the spare or at tire.
6. If the vehicle has a spare tire
cover close the cover and
latch the side latch.To store the jack tool bag and jack:
1. Return the tools to the jack
tool bag.
2. Secure the tool bag to the jack
by securely wrapping the straps
around the jack. Then, slide
the straps through the rings on
the bag and secure.
3. Position the jack and jack tool
bag in the swing-gate.
When reinstalling the jack and
jack tool bag, make sure the jack
base is securely seated behind
the tabs in the swing-gate.4. Reinstall the wing nut retainer to
fasten the jack and tool bag in
the storage compartment.
Make sure that the wing nut
passes through the tool bag and
the jack before tightening it.
5. Turn the wing nut retainer
clockwise to secure.
6. Reinstall the compartment cover
by inserting the locator tabs in
the holes in the swing-gate.
Push the latches down to secure.
Service and Appearance Care 5-79

To store the jack tool bag and jack:
1. Return the tools to the jack
tool bag.
2. Secure the tool bag to the jack
by securely wrapping the straps
around the jack. Then, slide
the straps through the rings on
the bag and secure.
3. Reinstall the wing nut retainer to
fasten the jack and tool bag
under the rear seat.
Make sure that the wing nut
passes through the tool bag and
the jack before tightening it.
4. Turn the wing nut retainer
clockwise to secure.Spare Tire
The vehicle, when new, had a
fully-inated spare tire. A spare tire
may lose air over time, so check
its ination pressure regularly.
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-51andLoading the Vehicle
on page 4-35for information
regarding proper tire ination and
loading your vehicle. For instruction
on how to remove, install or store
a spare tire, seeRemoving the Flat
Tire and Installing the Spare Tire
on page 5-72andStoring a Flat or
Spare Tire and Tools (H3) on
page 5-78orStoring a Flat or Spare
Tire and Tools (H3T) on page 5-80.
After installing the spare tire on
your vehicle, you should stop
as soon as possible and make sure
the spare is correctly inated.The spare tire does not have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System sensor.
You may get a low pressure warning
light. SeeTire Pressure Monitor
Operation on page 5-54. Have the
damaged or at road tire repaired or
replaced as soon as you can.
Do not mix tires and wheels of
different sizes, because they will not
t. Keep your spare tire and its
wheel together.
5-82 Service and Appearance Care