Tire tread and brake pad depth for GM Certified

bigmikey · August 25, 2017

Afternoon everyone,

As of recently I'm the proud owner of a certified 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. Loving it so far!

When I was purchasing it the dealer showed me the GM Certified worksheet that they fill out to send to GM to have the vehicle certified. As they explained it to me, GM will then tell them what they need to do to make the truck meet its certification standards. After bringing the truck home, I've noticed that the tire tread depth and brake pad thickness measurements that they had listed on the worksheet are not nearly as good as they had represented.

I know that there must be specifications for the point at which GM would have forced the dealer to replace the tires and or brakes to get the vehicle certified. My question is this... what are those specifications? I've called the GM Certified call center to ask this very question to no avail and I want to know whether I should be asking for new tires or brakes.

Many thanks in advance,

Mike

Justin101714 · August 25, 2017

Tires minimum tread depth is 5/32 across the tread surface. They must be all the same brand with no plugs.

A minimum of 3mm of brake pad and shoe thickness. If they are less than that GM, DuraMax/Durastop or Advantage parts used only.

Glad I kept this around. I've had this since 2011. The book no longer exists.

Heavy 5.7 · August 25, 2017

If it needs tires & brakes after 2 years you should be looking at a different vehicle.

O_J_Simpson · August 25, 2017

You are describing a vehicle that was rode hard and put up wet. Keep looking.

Justin101714 · August 25, 2017

He's already bought the vehicle..... Just take it in and express your concerns. They have a copy of all the certification guidelines. They are available on their GM logins.

Very possible a underpaid technician or lube guys ran this certification through. I see it countless times. They aren't aware of the guidelines and probably assumed that it's a 2015, it should be okay....

Anyway, since you bought it certified used, if it's below guidelines they have no choice but to fix it.

bigmikey · August 28, 2017

Many thanks Justin! Even though the tread depth and brake pad thickness aren't what was represented on the GMC Certified worksheet, it looks like they're still within spec. Tires are at 7/32 and the brake pads are definitely thicker than 3mm, so I'm good. No need to go after the dealer for replacements.

Mike