tire size PONTIAC GTO 2006 Owners Manual

The Tire and Loading Information label also shows the
size of the factory installed, original equipment tires (C)
and the recommended cold tire in¯ation pressures (D) for
the maximum vehicle capacity weight. For more
information on tires and in¯ation see
Tires on page 5-51andIn¯ation - Tire Pressure on page 5-58.
There is also important loading information on the
Certi®cation label. It tells you the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for the front and rear axle; see ªCerti®cation
Labelº later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement ªThe combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg
or XXX lbsº on your vehicle placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.4. The resulting ®gure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if
the ªXXXº amount equals 1400 lbs and there will be
®ve 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400-750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight
may not safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load from
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine how this reduces
the available cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
If your vehicle can tow a trailer, see
Towing a
Trailer on page 4-34for important information on
towing a trailer, towing safety rules, and
trailering tips.
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Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modi®cations..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Speci®cations....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
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...................................................5-13
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-19
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-21
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-26
Engine Overheating.......................................5-26Cooling System............................................5-29
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-33
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-34
Brakes........................................................5-35
Battery........................................................5-38
Jump Starting...............................................5-39
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-44
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-46
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-46
Headlamps..................................................5-46
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps..............5-48
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-49
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-50
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-51
Tires..............................................................5-52
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-54
Tire Terminology and De®nitions.....................5-56
In¯ation - Tire Pressure.................................5-59
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-62
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-63
Buying New Tires.........................................5-64
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-65
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-66
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-67
Wheel Replacement......................................5-67
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
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2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

Winter Tires
If you expect to drive on snow or ice covered roads often,
you may want to get winter tires for your vehicle. High
performance tires, like the original equipment tires
installed on your vehicle, are designed for very
responsive driving on wet or dry pavement and may not
offer the traction you would like or the same level of
performance as winter tires on snow or ice covered
roads.
Winter tires, in general, are designed for increased
traction on snow and ice covered roads. With winter
tires, there may be decreased dry road traction,
increased road noise, and shorter tire tread life. After
switching to winter tires, be alert for changes in vehicle
handling and braking.
See your dealer for details regarding winter tire
availability and proper tire selection. Also, see
Buying
New Tires on page 5-63
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 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 speed
capability.
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Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is molded into its
sidewall. The examples below show a typical passenger
vehicle tire and a compact spare tire sidewall.
(A) Tire Size:The tire size is a combination of letters
and numbers used to de®ne a particular tire's width,
height, aspect ratio, construction type, and service
description. See the ªTire Sizeº illustration later in this
section for more detail.(B) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Speci®cation):Original equipment tires designed to
GM's speci®c tire performance criteria have a TPC
speci®cation code molded onto the sidewall. GM's TPC
speci®cations meet or exceed all federal safety
guidelines.
(C) DOT (Department of Transportation):The
Department of Transportation (DOT) code indicates that
the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of
Transportation Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
(D) Tire Identi®cation Number (TIN):The letters and
numbers following DOT (Department of Transportation)
code is the Tire Identi®cation Number (TIN). The
TIN shows the manufacturer and plant code, tire size,
and date the tire was manufactured. The TIN is molded
onto both sides of the tire, although only one side
may have the date of manufacture.
(E) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and number of
plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(F) Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG):Tire
manufacturers are required to grade tires based on three
performance factors: treadwear, traction, and
temperature resistance. For more information see
Uniform Tire Quality Grading on page 5-64.
(G) Maximum Cold In¯ation Load Limit:Maximum
load that can be carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load. Passenger (P-Metric) Tire Example
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(A) Temporary Use Only:The compact spare tire or
temporary use tire has a tread life of approximately
3,000 miles (5 000 km) and should not be driven
at speeds over 65 mph (105 km/h). The compact spare
tire is for emergency use when a regular road tire
has lost air and gone ¯at. If your vehicle has a compact
spare tire, see
Compact Spare Tire on page 5-76andIf a Tire Goes Flat on page 5-68.
(B) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and number of
plies in the sidewall and under the tread.(C) Tire Identi®cation Number (TIN):The letters and
numbers following the DOT (Department of
Transportation) code is the Tire Identi®cation Number
(TIN). The TIN shows the manufacturer and plant code,
tire size, and date the tire was manufactured. The
TIN is molded onto both sides of the tire, although only
one side may have the date of manufacture.
(D) Maximum Cold In¯ation Load Limit:Maximum
load that can be carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load.
(E) Tire In¯ation:The temporary use tire or compact
spare tire should be in¯ated to 60 psi (420 kPa).
For more information on tire pressure and in¯ation see
In¯ation - Tire Pressure on page 5-58.
(F) Tire Size:A combination of letters and numbers
de®ne a tire's width, height, aspect ratio, construction
type and service description. The letter T as the
®rst character in the tire size means the tire is for
temporary use only.
(G) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Speci®cation):Original equipment tires designed to
GM's speci®c tire performance criteria have a TPC
speci®cation code molded onto the sidewall. GM's TPC
speci®cations meet or exceed all federal safety
guidelines. Compact Spare Tire Example
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Tire Size
The following illustration shows an example of a typical
passenger vehicle tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:The United States
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter P 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 60, as shown in item C of the
illustration, it would mean that the tire's sidewall is
60 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:These characters represent
the load range and speed rating of the tire. The load
index represents the load carry capacity a tire is certi®ed
to carry. The load index can range from 1 to 279. The
speed rating is the maximum speed a tire is certi®ed
to carry a load. Speed ratings range from A to Z.
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.
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.
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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.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:A tire used on passenger
cars and some light duty trucks and multipurpose
vehicles.
Recommended In¯ation Pressure:Vehicle
manufacturer's recommended tire in¯ation pressure and
shown on the tire placard. See
In¯ation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-58andLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-29.
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.
See
When It Is Time for New Tires on page 5-62.
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. See
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading on page 5-64.
Vehicle Capacity Weight:The number of designated
seating positions multiplied by 150 lbs (68 kg) plus
the rated cargo load. See
Loading Your Vehicle
on page 4-29.
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
in¯ation pressure. See ªTire and Loading Information
Labelº under
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-29.
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How you load your vehicle affects vehicle handling and ride comfort. When driving with less than the maximum load
capacity allowed for your vehicle, you can set tire in¯ation pressure to the recommended amounts shown in the
following chart. Never load your vehicle with more weight than it was designed to carry.
Tire SizeRecommended Cold Tire In¯ation
Occupant and Cargo Weight:
470 lbs (210 kg) or LessOccupant and Cargo Weight:
Up to 740 lbs (330 kg)
(Vehicle Capacity Weight)
Front Tires Rear Tires Front Tires Rear Tires
245/45ZR17 95W 30 psi (210 kPa) 30 psi (210 kPa) 35 psi (240 kPa) 35 psi (240 kPa)
235/40ZR18 91W 33 psi (230 kPa) 33 psi (230 kPa) 33 psi (230 kPa) 39 psi (270 kPa)
T145/70R17 96M
(Compact Spare)60 psi (420 kPa) 60 psi (420 kPa) 60 psi (420 kPa) 60 psi (420 kPa)
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Do not forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60 psi (420 kPa). For more information about your
vehicle's compact spare tire, see
Compact Spare Tire
on page 5-76.
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can't tell if your tires are properly in¯ated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly in¯ated even when they're underin¯ated. Check
the tire's in¯ation pressure when the tires are cold.
Cold means your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem. Press
the tire gage ®rmly onto the valve to get a pressure
measurement. If the cold tire in¯ation pressure matches
the recommended pressure on the Tire and Loading
Information label, no further adjustment is necessary. If
the in¯ation pressure is low, add air until you reach
the recommended amount.
If you over®ll the tire, release air by pushing on the
metal stem in the center of the tire valve. Recheck the
tire pressure with the tire gage.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and
moisture.
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High Speed Operation
{CAUTION:
Driving at high speeds, 100 mph (160 km/h) or
higher, puts an additional strain on tires.
Sustained high-speed driving causes
excessive heat build up and can cause sudden
tire failure. You could have a crash and you or
others could be killed. Some high-speed rated
tires require in¯ation pressure adjustment for
high speed operation. When speed limits and
road conditions are such that a vehicle can be
driven at high speeds, make sure the tires are
rated for high speed operation, in excellent
condition, and set to the correct cold tire
in¯ation pressure for the vehicle load.Vehicles equipped with 245/45ZR17 95W size tires, do
not require additional air pressure for high-speed
operation. If your vehicle has 235/40ZR18 91W size
tires, use the following chart to determine the cold tire
in¯ation pressure when operating your vehicle under
high-speed conditions.Tire Size: 235/40ZR18 91W Recommended Cold
Tire In¯ation Pressure for High Speed Operation
Occupant and Cargo
Weight:
470 lbs (210 kg) or lessOccupant and Cargo
Weight:
Up to 740 lbs (330 kg)
(Vehicle Capacity
Weight)
Front
TiresRear Tires Front Tires Rear Tires
36 psi
(250 kPa)36 psi
(250 kPa)39 psi
(270 kPa)44 psi
(300 kPa)
When you end high-speed driving, return the tires to the
cold in¯ation pressure shown on the tire and loading
information label.
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After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear in¯ation pressures as shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. Make certain that all wheel
nuts are properly tightened. See ªWheel Nut Torqueº
under
Capacities and Speci®cations on page 5-90.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, you can 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. See
Changing a Flat Tire on
page 5-69
.
When It Is Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it is
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires
have only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) or less of tread
remaining.
You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:
·You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.
·You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire's rubber.
·The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut, or snagged
deep enough to show cord or fabric.
·The tire has a bump, bulge, or split.
·The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
cannot be repaired well because of the size or
location of the damage.
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