2010 Pontiac Vibe Owner's Manual - Page 240

9-56 Vehicle Care The vehicle needs new tires if any of the following statements are true: pressure maintenance. With proper care and maintenance tires typically wear out before they degrade due to age. If you are unsure about the need to replace the tires as they get older, consult the tire manufacturer for more information. When It Is Time for New Tires Various factors, such as maintenance, temperatures, driving speeds, vehicle loading, and road conditions influence when you need new tires. • You can see the indicators at three or more places around the tire. • You can see cord or fabric showing through the tire's rubber. • The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut, or snagged deep enough to show cord or fabric. Buying New Tires GM has developed and matched specific tires for the vehicle. If you need replacement tires, GM strongly recommends that you get tires that are the same size, brand, load range, speed rating, and construction type (radial and bias-belted tires) as the vehicle's original tires. This way, the vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed to give the same performance and vehicle safety, during normal use, as the original tires. See Tire Sidewall Labeling on page 9-44 for additional information. • The tire has a bump, bulge, or split. • The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage that cannot be repaired well because of the size or location of the damage. The rubber in tires degrades over time, even if they are not being used. This is also true for the spare tire, if the vehicle has one. Multiple conditions affect how fast this aging takes place, including temperatures, loading conditions, and inflation One way to tell when it is time for new tires is to check the treadwear indicators, which appear when the tires have only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or less of tread remaining.