Inflation -- Tire Pressure; When To Check; How To Check; Tire Inspection And Rotation - Pontiac 2003 Montana Owner's Manual

Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Certification/Tire label, which is on the rear edge of
the driver's door, shows the correct inflation pressures
for your tires when they're cold. "Cold" means your
vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours or driven
no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Notice: Don't let anyone tell you that underinflation
or overinflation is all right. It's not. If your tires
don't have enough air (underinflation), you can get
the following:
•
Too much flexing
•
Too much heat
•
Tire overloading
•
Bad wear
•
Bad handling
•
Bad fuel economy
If your tires have too much air (overinflation), you
can get the following:
•
Unusual wear
•
Bad handling
•
Rough ride
•
Needless damage from road hazards
5-58

When to Check

Check your tires once a month or more.
Don't forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60 psi (420 kPa).

How to Check

Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can't tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they're underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and
moisture.

Tire Inspection and Rotation

Tires should be rotated every 7,500 miles (12 500 km).
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your tires
as soon as possible and check wheel alignment. Also
check for damaged tires or wheels. See When It Is Time
for New Tires on page 5-60 and Wheel Replacement
on page 5-63 for more information.
Make sure the spare tire is stored securely. Push, pull,
and then try to rotate or turn the tire, If it moves,
use the folding wrench to tighten the cable. See
Changing a Flat Tire on page 5-67 .