Chevrolet Sonic Owner's Manual: 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 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:
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System)
The LATCH system secures a child restraint during driving or in a crash. LATCH
attachments on the child restraint are used to attach the child restraint to the
anchors in the vehicle. The LATCH system is designed to make installation of a child
restraint easier.
In order to use the LATCH syst ...
Turning the System On or Off
/VOL (Power/Volume): Press to turn
the system on and off.
Automatic Switch-Off
If the infotainment system is on after the ignition is turned off, the system
will turn off automatically after 10 minutes.
Volume Control
/VOL (Power/Volume): Turn to adjust
the volume.
(Phone/Mute): For ve ...
Body Side Upper Front Applique Replacement
Body Side Upper Front Applique Replacement
Callout
Component Name
Caution: Refer to Exterior Trim Emblem Removal Caution.
Preliminary Procedure
Open either the left front or right front door in order to access ...
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