tires PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2007 Owner's Guide

Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched specic tires for
your vehicle. The original equipment tires installed
on your vehicle, when it was new, were designed to
meet General Motors Tire Performance Criteria
Specication (TPC spec) system rating. If you need
replacement tires, GM strongly recommends that
you get tires with the same TPC Spec rating. This
way, your vehicle will continue to have tires that are
designed to give the same performance and vehicle
safety, during normal use, as the original tires.
GM’s exclusive TPC Spec system considers over a
dozen critical specications that impact the overall
performance of your vehicle, including brake
system performance, ride and handling, traction
control, and tire pressure monitoring performance.
GM’s TPC Spec number is molded onto the tire’s
sidewall by the tire manufacturer. If the tires have
an all-season tread design, the TPC spec number
will be followed by a MS, for mud and snow. See
Tire Sidewall Labeling on page 286for additional
information.{CAUTION:
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 may
not handle properly, and you could have
a crash. Using tires of different sizes,
brands, or types may also cause damage
to your vehicle. Be sure to use the correct
size, brand, and type of tires on your
vehicle’s wheels.
{CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle,
the wheel rim anges could develop
cracks after many miles of driving. A tire
and/or wheel could fail suddenly, causing
a crash. Use only radial-ply tires with the
wheels on your vehicle.
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If you must replace your 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 your vehicle’s original tires.
Your vehicle’s original equipment tires are listed
on the Tire and Loading Information label.
This label is attached to the vehicle’s center pillar
(B-pillar). SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 226,
for more information about the Tire and Loading
Information label.
Different Size Tires and Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a different size
than your original equipment wheels and tires, this
may affect the way your vehicle performs, including
its braking, ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover. Additionally,
if your vehicle has electronic systems such as,
anti-lock brakes, traction control, and electronic
stability control, the performance of these systems
can be affected.
{CAUTION:
If you add different sized wheels, your
vehicle may not provide an acceptable
level of performance and safety if tires
not recommended for those wheels are
selected. You may increase the chance
that you will crash and suffer serious
injury. Only use GM specic wheel and
tire systems developed for your vehicle,
and have them properly installed by a
GM certied technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 296and
Accessories and Modications on page 235
for additional information.
297

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.
Warning:The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
298

Temperature – A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest),
B, and C, representing the tire’s resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specied indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under
the Federal Motor Vehicle 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 inated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underination, 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 on your vehicle were aligned
and balanced carefully at the factory to give you
the longest tire life and best overall performance.
Adjustments to wheel alignment and tire
balancing will not be necessary on a regular basis.
However, if you notice unusual tire wear or your
vehicle pulling to one side or the other, the
alignment may need to be checked. If you notice
your vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth
road, your tires and wheels may 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 (except some aluminum wheels, which can
sometimes be repaired). See your dealer if any of
these conditions exist.
299

Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same
load-carrying capacity, diameter, width, offset
and be mounted the same way as the one
it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel
bolts or wheel nuts, replace them only with
new GM original equipment parts. This way,
you will be sure to have the right wheel, wheel
bolts and wheel nuts for your vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels,
wheel bolts, or wheel nuts on your vehicle
can be dangerous. It could affect the
braking and handling of your vehicle,
make your tires lose air and make you
lose control. You could have a collision
in which you or others could be injured.
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 clearance to the body
and chassis.
{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 a crash. 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 you need to, to get all the rust or
dirt off.
300

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
Do not use tire chains. There is not
enough clearance. Tire chains used on a
vehicle without the proper amount of
clearance can cause damage to the brakes,
suspension, or other vehicle parts. The
area 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 conditions. Follow
that manufacturer’s instructions. To help
avoid damage to your vehicle, drive slowly,
re-adjust or remove the device if it is
contacting your vehicle, and do not spin
your wheels. If you do nd traction devices
that will t, install them on the rear tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
Your vehicle has a tire inator kit. There is no
spare tire, no tire changing equipment, and
no place to store a tire.
It is unusual for a tire to blow out while you are
driving, especially if you maintain your tires
properly. SeeTires on page 284. If air goes out
of a tire, it is much more likely to leak out slowly.
But, if you should ever have a blow out, here are
a few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your
foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the steering
wheel rmly. Steer to maintain lane position,
and then gently brake to a stop well out of the
traffic lane.
A rear blow out, particularly on a curve, acts much
like a skid and may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any rear blow out,
remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. Get
the vehicle under control by steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may be very bumpy
and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road if possible.
302

Tires
To clean the tires, use a stiff brush with tire
cleaner.
Notice:Using petroleum-based tire dressing
products on your vehicle may damage the
paint nish and/or tires. When applying a tire
dressing, always wipe off any overspray
from all painted surfaces on your vehicle.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion material to parts
repaired or replaced to restore corrosion
protection.
Original manufacturer replacement parts will
provide the corrosion protection while maintaining
the warranty.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in
the nish should be repaired right away. Bare
metal will corrode quickly and may develop into
major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with
touch-up materials available from your dealer.
Larger areas of nish damage can be corrected in
your dealer’s body and paint shop.
322

If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
since your last oil change. Remember to reset the
oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 252 for information
on resetting the system.
+A good time to check your brakes is during
tire rotation. See Brake System Inspection
on page 352.
5,000 Miles (8 000 km)
❑Vehicles with Driver Information Center (DIC):
The Engine Oil Life System will tell you when
to change the engine oil and lter. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 252.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote *)
❑Vehicles without Driver Information Center:
Change engine oil and lter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 293for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
10,000 Miles (16 000 km)
❑Vehicles with Driver Information Center (DIC):
The Engine Oil Life System will tell you when
to change the engine oil and lter. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 252.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote *)
❑Vehicles without Driver Information Center:
Change engine oil and lter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 293for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
15,000 Miles (24 000 km)
❑Vehicles with Driver Information Center (DIC):
The Engine Oil Life System will tell you when
to change the engine oil and lter. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 252.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote *)
❑Vehicles without Driver Information Center:
Change engine oil and lter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
338

❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary,
replace the lter. If vehicle is driven in
dusty/dirty conditions, inspect lter at every
engine oil change. SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter
on page 254for more information.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 293for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
20,000 Miles (32 000 km)
❑Vehicles with Driver Information Center (DIC):
The Engine Oil Life System will tell you when
to change the engine oil and lter. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 252.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote *)
❑Vehicles without Driver Information Center:
Change engine oil and lter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 293for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
25,000 Miles (40 000 km)
❑Vehicles with Driver Information Center (DIC):
The Engine Oil Life System will tell you when
to change the engine oil and lter. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 252.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote *)
❑Vehicles without Driver Information Center:
Change engine oil and lter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 293for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
339

30,000 Miles (48 000 km)
❑Vehicles with Driver Information Center (DIC):
The Engine Oil Life System will tell you when
to change the engine oil and lter. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 252.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote *)
❑Vehicles without Driver Information Center:
Change engine oil and lter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary,
replace the lter. If vehicle is driven in
dusty/dirty conditions, inspect lter at every
engine oil change. SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter
on page 254for more information.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 293for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
35,000 Miles (56 000 km)
❑Vehicles with Driver Information Center (DIC):
The Engine Oil Life System will tell you when
to change the engine oil and lter. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 252.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote *)❑Vehicles without Driver Information Center:
Change engine oil and lter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 293for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
40,000 Miles (64 000 km)
❑Vehicles with Driver Information Center (DIC):
The Engine Oil Life System will tell you when
to change the engine oil and lter. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 252.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote *)
❑Vehicles without Driver Information Center:
Change engine oil and lter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs rst).An Emission
Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 293for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
340