How To Choose a Tire

Choices

The GM TPC system makes it easier for you to select the right tires for your vehicle. An identical TPC code located on your new tire's sidewall indicates they meet the same critical performance specifications of GM vehicle original equipment tires.

You may also decide to replace your original tires with new tires that have different handling characteristics than those that came with your vehicle. Ask your GM Goodwrench dealer for help.

Tires are manufactured in a wide array of types and designs, and for every type of vehicle on the road. Getting the best combination of performance and value means understanding the options available to you.

It also means asking the right question

• What kind of vehicle do I drive?
• What is my driving style?
• Rotate your tires regularly.
• Where and how will I use these tires?
• What benefits do I expect from my new tires?

The GM Goodwrench Tire Finder tool is a great place to find the answers.

When to Buy New Tires

The lifespan of your tires depends on how they are used: average driving speed and weather, as well as the types of roads driven on. Eventually, even the toughest tires wear out so knowing when to replace them is an important part of proper vehicle care.

The best way to check your tires is to check the treadwear indicators. These will appear when your tires have only 1.6 mm (2/32 of and inch) or less of tread remaining.

Replace your tires if:

• Treadwear indicators are visible at three or more places around the tire
• Cord or fabric is showing through the tire's rubber
• The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut, snagged deep enough to show cord or fabric
• The tire has a bulge or is split
• The tire is punctured, cut or has other irreparable damage

Wheel (Rim) Replacement
Knowing when to change the entire wheel/rim is also a key element of keeping your tires and vehicle in good shape.

Replace wheel/rim if:

• It is bent, cracked or badly rusted or corroded
• The nuts keep coming loose
• The wheel/rim leaks air

Your GM Goodwrench dealer will know what kind of replacement wheel/rim you will need and when you need it. The replacement wheel should have the same load-carrying capacity, diameter, width and offset, and be mounted the same way as the one it replaces.

Tire Tip!
The wrong wheel/rim can cause problems with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or odometer calibration, headlight aim, as well as bumper height and ground clearance.

Buying New Tires

Ready To Re-tire?
GM Goodwrench Tire Finder is a great tool to help determine the best tires for your vehicle. With so many choices, making your selection can appear daunting at first, but there are simple steps you can take to help make your purchase easier. When you are ready, schedule a service appointment with a GM Goodwrench dealer near you to install your new tires.

What Do You Drive?
Like the vehicles we drive, not all tires are created equally. Light-duty trucks and SUVs for example, need tires that will respond to heavy loads and extreme road conditions. The key is to know exactly what type of vehicle you own and what you use it for.

What Do You Want?
Establish what your driving needs are and the benefits you hope to gain from your new tires. How long will you be driving? What are the road conditions? Are you looking for greater fuel efficiency? Greater traction? These are useful questions to help narrow your focus.

What Was There Before?
Certainly the best way to find replacement tires is to know what was there before. Your new tires should be the same size and feature the same load capacity and speed rating as the original tires. If you cannot read the tire markings on your old tires, consult the tire information placard located inside your vehicle, usually located on the inside edge of the driver's door.

GM Goodwrench Tire Professionals are trained to find the right tires for your vehicle, suited to your driving profile. The best way to insure you get the right tires for your vehicle is by scheduling an appointment with your local GM Goodwrench technician.

Tire Tip!
Always install the same type of tire on all four wheels to ensure proper handling and safety.

Your New Tires

Adjusting to Your New Tires
Like a good pair of new shoes, your new tires will need to be "broken in". Tires are made of many layers of rubber, steel and fabric; time is needed to get these materials into optimal drive quality and maximum performance.

This means being aware of certain tire characteristics during their "break-in period."

Traction
During the tire manufacturing process, a "release lubricant" is applied to help ease the tire out of its mould. Some of this lubricant will remain on the surface of your new tire, affecting traction. This substance will need to be literally "driven off".

Tire Tip!
Be careful when you take your new tires on the road. Every tire requires a break-in period during which handing and traction will be slightly compromised.