Info - Spare Tire is a Different Size than Other Tires

This bulletin is being revised to include the 18" and 22" Accessory Wheel available through GMSPO and to update the model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 02-03-10-001B (Section 03 -- Suspension).

This bulletin is being issued to supply additional information concerning the spare tire on the above vehicles. You or your customers may have noticed that the spare tire has a 16-inch diameter steel wheel while the road tires have a 17-inch, 18-inch, 20-inch or 22-inch diameter aluminum wheel. Although the spare tire has a different wheel diameter and may be a different brand, the rolling circumference is nearly identical to the road tires. The size difference will not cause a concern because the spare and the other tires will travel the same distance in one revolution.

This combination of non-matching tires is used most often on full-size trucks. These vehicles use a road tire and wheel combination that may be too large to conveniently fit the storage compartment space of the vehicle. The customer may not be able to easily remove the spare tire/wheel from the storage area because of its size and/or weight. A steel spare wheel, rather than an aluminum one, may be used since the spare is stowed under the vehicle where it is exposed to road and weather elements. A steel wheel is less likely to incur cosmetic damage while in the stowed position for long periods of time.

Please provide this information to your customers. Also, remind your customers of the importance of following the tire maintenance schedule as listed in their Owner Manual. Additional tire care information can be found by visiting www.gmtiresafety.com or contacting GM toll-free at 1-866-522-0505.