Chevrolet Sonic Owner's Manual: When It Is Time for New Tires

Chevrolet Sonic Owner's Manual / Vehicle Care / Wheels and Tires / When It Is Time for New Tires

Factors such as maintenance, temperatures, driving speeds, vehicle loading, and road conditions affect the wear rate of the tires.

Treadwear indicators are one way to tell when it is time for new tires. Treadwear

Treadwear indicators are one way to tell when it is time for new tires. Treadwear indicators appear when the tires have only 1.6mm (1/16 in) or less of tread remaining. See Tire Inspection and Tire Rotation.

The rubber in tires ages over time. This also applies to the spare tire, if the vehicle has one, even if it is never used. Multiple factors including temperatures, loading conditions, and inflation pressure maintenance affect how fast aging takes place. GM recommends that tires, including the spare if equipped, be replaced after six years, regardless of tread wear. The tire manufacturer date is the last four digits of the DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN) which is molded into one side of the tire sidewall. The first two digits represent the week (01–52) and the last two digits, the year. For example, the third week of the year 2010 would have a four-digit DOT date of 0310.

Vehicle Storage

Tires age when stored normally mounted on a parked vehicle. Park a vehicle that will be stored for at least a month in a cool, dry, clean area away from direct sunlight to slow aging. This area should be free of grease, gasoline, or other substances that can deteriorate rubber.

Parking for an extended period can cause flat spots on the tires that may result in vibrations while driving. When storing a vehicle for at least a month, remove the tires or raise the vehicle to reduce the weight from the tires.

Tire Rotation

Tires should be rotated every 12 000 km (7,500 mi). See Maintenance Schedule. Tires are rotated to achieve a uniform wear for all tires. The first rotation is the most important. Anytime unusual w ...

Buying New Tires

GM has developed and matched specific tires for the vehicle. The original equipment tires installed were designed to meet General Motors Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec) system r ...

Other materials:

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
DRL can make it easier for others to see the front of your vehicle during the day. Fully functional DRL are required on all vehicles first sold in Canada. This indicator light turns on in the instrument cluster when the DRL are on. A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the DRL wo ...

Tire Dismounting and Mounting (Lubricant)
Important: Lubricant should be applied to form a thin, just visible layer, on the bead foot and bead outer areas. There should not be any visible clumps of lubricant. Never use soap or any lubricant net specifically designed for tire assembly. Lubricant ...

Instrument Panel Fuse Block Access Hole Cover Replacement (With AAL)
Instrument Panel Fuse Block Access Hole Cover Replacement Callout Component Name 1 Instrument Panel Fuse Block Access Hole Cover Procedure Grasp the lower edge of the fuse block cover and pull outward disengaging ...

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