Tires

Content Source: MY19 GEM e2 / e4 / e6 / eL XD (9929175 R02) > Maintenance Chapter

IMPORTANT

The Owner's Manual for this vehicle contains warnings, instructions and other information you must read and fully understand before safely riding or performing maintenance on this vehicle.Always follow the warnings and instructions in Owner's Manual.

Click the CONTENTS link above for the Table Of Contents, or download a full PDF of the Owner Manual in the Owner Support area of Polaris.com

Tires

WARNING

Operating your vehicle with worn tires, improperly inflated tires, non-standard tires or improperly installed tires will affect vehicle handling and could cause an accident resulting in serious injury or death. Always follow all tire maintenance procedures as outlined in this manual and on the labels on the vehicle. Always use original equipment size and type when replacing tires.

Tire Pressure

WARNING

Improper tire pressure can cause loss of control resulting in severe injury or death.

Proper tire pressure is essential to the safe and comfortable operation of your vehicle. Check tire pressure daily, or before each use of the vehicle. For recommended tire pressures, see the manufacturer’s label on your vehicle or the specifications section.

NOTICE

After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure, always reinstall the valve stem cap (if equipped). This will prevent moisture and dirt from entering the valve stem, which could cause damage.

Tire Tread Depth

Any accelerated wear of tires may be an indicator of improper alignment or poor driving habits. Your authorized GEM dealer can assist.

Rotate wheels every 5,000 miles, or more frequently if needed.

Always replace tires when tread depth is worn to 1/8” (3 mm) or less.

Wheel Nut Torque

Inspect the following items occasionally for tightness, and if they've been loosened for maintenance service. Do not lubricate the stud, the lug nut, or the washers (washers equipped on vehicles with factory steel wheels).

Check wheels for proper torque after first 100 miles driven and the first 100 miles after any wheel is removed.

13 inch Steel wheels

: 50 lb-ft (67.8 Nm)

14 inch Cast Aluminum wheels

: 63 lb-ft (85.4 Nm)

Wheel Removal

WARNING

A falling vehicle can cause serious injury or death. Never place any part of your body under an elevated vehicle. If you need access to the bottom of the vehicle, use automotive jack stands to support the vehicle on a firm, level surface. Your authorized GEM dealer can assist.

Position the vehicle on a dry, firm, level surface.
Set the park brake.
Turn the key off.
Block both the front and rear of the tire that is located diagonally opposite the jacking position. For example, if the right front tire is being changed, block the left rear wheel.
Use a small floor style jack or low profile scissors jack only. Jack the vehicle only from the side of the vehicle, on the main frame rail, at the point where the tub or floor panel support and the main frame rail are welded . Alternative locations include the rear frame rail and the center of the front cross member.
Remove the wheel nuts and cone washers (for vehicles with factory steel wheels).
Remove the wheel.

NOTICE

Jacking at any location other than the recommended jacking points may cause significant damage to the vehicle frame and body.

Wheel Installation

WARNING

Improperly installed wheels can adversely affect tire wear and vehicle handling, which can result in serious injury or death. Always ensure that all nuts are torqued to specification. Do not service axle nuts that have a cotter pin installed. Your authorized dealer can provide service.

TIP

To ensure that the washers fully seat in the wheel taper, use other hand to position and center wheel, if necessary.

Set the park brake.
Place the wheel in the correct position on the wheel hub. Be sure the valve stem is toward the outside and rotation arrows on the tire point toward forward rotation.
Attach the wheel nuts and finger tighten. For vehicles with steel wheels, install cone washers then install new lug nuts. With hand tools, lightly tighten the nuts.
Carefully lower the vehicle to the ground.
Torque the wheel nuts to specification in the same criss-cross pattern as shown.

Joint Inspection Chart

IMPORTANT

A secondary dealer representative must verify that all sixteen flange nuts are raised off of the rim and do not make contact with the rim. Then mark each lug nut with a paint pen.

FRONT WHEELS

REAR WHEELS