18 Inch Accessory Wheels Available Through GM Accessories

This bulletin is being revised to update the models to 2008. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 05-03-10-017A (Section 03 -- Suspension).

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide a reference guide for the technician to upgrade a vehicle from factory wheels and tires to 18" wheels and tires, which are available through GM Accessories. This guide will cover tires, wheels, vehicle modifications, and warranty Information.

GM offers one tire, the Goodyear Fortera HL P245/60R18 104S ALS, to be used in conjunction with the 18" accessory wheels. The Goodyear Fortera tire has a Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) spec of #1252 MS, which meets or exceeds all Federal safety guidelines.

Spare Tire

A P235/75R15 tire should be used as a spare. Re-use the vehicle's original spare wheel to mount the spare tire. The spare tire should be used to drive the vehicle to a tire repair/replacement facility and is not intended for extended driving conditions. In the case of a flat road tire, the 18" wheel/tire will not stow on the spare tire hoist under the vehicle. If the flat tire is stowed in the pick-up bed, it should be secured properly.

Tire Changers

Dealers must have the correct level of tire changing equipment to perform tire changing services. GM requirements and recommendations for servicing glamour wheels are as follows:

For further information regarding equipment meeting the requirements for this program, call 1-800-GM-TOOLS.

Important: When mounting the tires, rubber lubricant GM P/N 12345884 (in Canada, use P/N 5728223) MUST be used. Also, the vehicle should not be driven aggressively (hard acceleration or braking) for at least 6-8 hours after tire mounting to allow the lubricant to dry. Failure to do so may cause the tire to slip on the rim. This condition will affect wheel balance, which could result in a vibration.

Balancing

MC style coated weights are recommended and will provide the best balancing of the tire-wheel assembly. If stick-on weights are used, be sure to follow the manufacturers' recommended installation procedure (SI Document ID #664222) making sure the surface is clean and dry. Using the incorrect type of weights could result in improper fit, and such weights may fall off the wheel.

Balancing of the tire and wheel assembly must be performed on a computerized balancer, capable of static and dynamic wheel balance modes. Assemblies should be balanced to within 1/4 ounce on either rim flange. Proper cones and adapters should be used, free of nicks and burrs to ensure proper balancing.

Center Cap

Install the center cap onto the wheel after the tire has been mounted and balanced, but BEFORE the assembly is installed onto the vehicle. The preferred method for center cap installation is to push in by hand. As an alternate, use a nonmetallic object to push the center cap into place. Attempting to "hammer-on" the caps may result in damage to the cap.

Wheel (Lug) Nuts

ALUMINUM WHEELS REQUIRE SPECIAL WHEEL NUTS. Each wheel nut should be torqued in the appropriate torque sequence (refer to graphic) and to 140 N·m (103 lb ft). The torque should be re-checked after the first 160 km (100 mi). To help protect the wheels from theft, a wheel lock kit is also available.

Caution: Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose and even come off. This could lead to an accident. Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts.

Care / Cleaning

Use soap, hot water and a 100% cotton cloth to clean and polish the new wheels. If using a wheel cleaner, be sure to select one that will not harm the wheel surface, such as GM Chrome and Wire Wheel Cleaner, P/N 1052929 (in Canada, use 10953202). Avoid car washes that use carbide tipped brushes, as these may damage the wheel's finish. Periodically clean the backside of the wheel to remove road grime, brake dust and grease.

Tire Label:

After installing the recommended P245/60R18 tires, place the provided tire label on the vehicle. The new tire label should be located within the red box, over the top of the original tire label found on the door jamb. To locate the label within the red box use the upper left hand edge of the red line as a guide. When properly placed, the new tire label will obscure the original tire information. Be sure that the surface is clean and dry. The surface temperature should not be less than 21°C (65°F). The label is provided as a guide for tire inflation pressures and information relevant to occupant/cargo capacities.

Tire Type/Pressure Selection (2007-2008 Model Year Only)

To provide a more accurate function of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System, it is necessary to update the Body Control Module (BCM) with the correct tire type and pressure information. Using the Tech 2®, follow the steps listed below to select the appropriate tire type/pressure:

1. Install the scan tool.
2. Turn ignition ON with the engine OFF.
3. Select "Body Control Module (BCM)."
4. Select: "Module Setup".
5. Select: "Tire Type/Pressure Selection".
6. Select P-Metric Standard.
7. Select the front and rear tire pressure as noted on the new vehicle driver door placard sticker for the accessory wheels/tires.
8. Verify that the selections made are correct and press the enter key. The scan tool will flash "Procedure in Progress", then display "Procedure Complete."
9. Press the "exit" key to escape.

Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) System (2007-2008 Model Year Only)

To avoid system malfunctions, it is necessary to install tire pressure sensors in the accessory wheels. Replacement sensors can be obtained or sensors from the OE wheels can be transferred to the accessory wheels. After the wheels are installed on the vehicle, it is necessary to learn the new sensor identification codes/locations into the body control module (BCM).

Important: Stray signals from other TPM equipped vehicles just driving by can be inadvertently learned. If any random horn chirps are heard from the vehicle while performing the learn procedure, most likely a stray sensor has been learned and the procedure will need to be cancelled and repeated. Under these circumstances, performing the TPM Learn Procedure away from other vehicles would be highly recommended. In the event a particular sensor activation does not cause the horn to chirp, it may be necessary to rotate the wheel valve stem to a different position due to the sensor signal is being blocked by another component.

1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn the exterior lamp switch from OFF to parking lamps 4 times within 4 seconds. A horn chirp will sound and the low tire pressure indicator will begin to flash indicating the learn mode has been enabled.
4. Starting with the left front tire, learn the tire pressure using one of the following methods:

•	Hold the antenna of the J 46079 against the tire sidewall close to the wheel rim at the valve stem location then press and release the activate button and wait for a horn chirp.

•	Increase/decrease the tire pressure for 8-10 seconds then wait for a horn chirp. The horn chirp may occur before or up to 30 seconds after the 8-10 second pressure increase/decrease time period has been reached.

5. After the horn chirp has sounded, repeat step 4 for the remaining 3 sensors in the following order:

5.1.	Right front

5.2.	Right rear

5.3.

Left rear

6. After the LR sensor has been learned, a horn chirp will sound indicating all sensors have been learned.
7. Turn OFF the ignition to exit the learn mode.
8. After the learn mode has been exited, adjust all tires to the recommended pressures.

Important: For proper vehicle operation and to insure coverage under the provisions of the new vehicle warranty, the vehicle must be reprogrammed with the correct calibration as soon as the 18" wheels are installed.

It will be necessary to reprogram the PCM for speedometer accuracy. Contact Techline (1-800-828-6860 English or 1-800-503-3222 French) to obtain a VCI number.

Calibration Information Documentation

1. Make a copy of the "Accessory Wheel and Tire Information Form" included in this bulletin.
2. Provide all information required on the form.
3. Make a copy of the completed form for the customer to keep in the vehicle along with their Owner's Manual.
4. File the original completed form in the Dealership's Vehicle Service History folder.

Important: Because this is not a warranty repair, dealers will incur a charge to obtain a VCI number.

Important: A VCI number will not be available for vehicles equipped with the following options:

Important: If original equipment tires/wheels are reinstalled, it will be necessary to reset the programming of the PCM to the original specifications.

Wheels

All GM Accessories sold and permanently installed on a GM vehicle PRIOR to new vehicle delivery will be covered under the provisions of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

For the U.S., in the event GM Accessories are installed AFTER new vehicle delivery, or are replaced under the new vehicle warranty, they will be covered (parts and labor) for the balance of the vehicle warranty, but in no event less than 12 months/12,000 miles. This coverage is only effective for GM Accessories permanently installed by a GM dealer or a GM approved ADI (Accessory Distributor / Installer).

For Canada, in the event GM Accessories are installed AFTER new vehicle delivery, they will be covered (parts and labor) for the balance of the vehicle warranty, or up to 12 months/unlimited kilometers depending on month installed. For replacement under new vehicle warranty, refer to claim type "B" guidelines.

GM Accessories sold over-the-counter, or those not requiring installation, will continue to receive the standard GM Dealer Parts Warranty of 12 months from the date of purchase (parts only).

Tires

Any approved tire installed on a GM Vehicle PRIOR to delivery will be covered under the provisions of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Tires are covered against defects in material and workmanship. Tires are warranted for defects "without" prorated charge for tread mileage. Subsequent replacements under this warranty will continue to be covered for the remainder of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Any approved tire installed on a GM Vehicle PRIOR to delivery may continue to be warranted on a prorated basis by the tire manufacturer once the New Vehicle Limited Warranty expires.

Any approved tire installed AFTER delivery will be covered under the provisions of the tire manufacturer warranty.

USA dealers should refer to GM Warranty Administration Bulletin 00-03-10-003I and GM Parts Process / Policy Bulletin IB03-001 for more information.

Canadian dealers should refer to GM Warranty Administration Bulletin 01-03-10-003B.

Only GM dealerships have the ability to file warranty claims for GM Parts and Accessories. Therefore, any warranty claims filed against such parts must be handled by the servicing GM dealership. This includes those parts purchased from a GM-approved ADI (Accessory Distributor / Installer).

You have just modified your vehicle by installing an "Accessory Package" which includes Wheels and Tires. This form contains important information about your accessory installation. In an effort to provide superior service to you, our customer, we ask that you please present this form to your Servicing Dealer when removing or installing wheels and tires on your vehicle. This form contains important information necessary to service your vehicle.