flat tire GMC ACADIA 2009 Owner's Manual

When It Is Time for
New Tires.......................5-48
Buying New Tires.............5-49
Different Size Tires and
Wheels............................5-50
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading...........................5-51
Wheel Alignment and
Tire Balance....................5-53
Wheel Replacement..........5-53
Tire Chains.......................5-54
If a Tire Goes Flat............5-55
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit...............5-56
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit Storage. . .5-68
Changing a Flat Tire.........5-69
Removing the Spare Tire
and Tools........................5-69
Removing the Flat Tire
and Installing the
Spare Tire
.......................5-72
Secondary Latch System. . .5-76
Storing a Flat or Spare
Tire and Tools.................5-78
Compact Spare Tire..........5-81
Appearance Care
Interior Cleaning................5-81
Fabric/Carpet....................5-83
Leather.............................5-83
Instrument Panel, Vinyl,
and Other Plastic
Surfaces
..........................5-84
Care of Safety Belts.........5-84
Weatherstrips....................5-84
Washing Your Vehicle.......5-84
Cleaning Exterior
Lamps/Lenses.................5-85
Finish Care.......................5-85
Windshield, Backglass,
and Wiper Blades............5-86
Aluminum or
Chrome-Plated
Wheels and Trim
.............5-86
Tires.................................5-87
Sheet Metal Damage........5-87
Finish Damage..................5-88
Underbody Maintenance. . . .5-88
Chemical Paint Spotting. . . .5-88
Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)..................5-88
Service Parts
Identication Label...........5-89
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices
and Wiring......................5-89
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................5-89
Windshield Wiper Fuses. . . .5-90
Power Windows and
Other Power Options.......5-90
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers.........................5-90
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block...............................5-90
Underhood Fuse Block......5-92
Capacities and
Specications
Capacities and
Specications..................5-96
5-2 Service and Appearance Care

(G) Maximum Cold Ination
Load Limit:Maximum load that
can be carried and the maximum
pressure needed to support
that load.
(A) Temporary Use Only
:The
compact spare tire or temporary
use tire has a tread life of
approximately 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) and should not be
driven at speeds over 65 mph
(105 km/h). The compact spare
tire is for emergency use when aregular road tire has lost air and
gone at. If your vehicle has a
compact spare tire, seeCompact
Spare Tire on page 5-81andIf a
Tire Goes Flat on page 5-55.
(B) Tire Ply Material
:The type
of cord and number of plies in the
sidewall and under the tread.
(C) Tire Identication Number
(TIN)
:The letters and numbers
following the DOT (Department
of Transportation) code is the
Tire Identication Number (TIN).
The TIN shows the manufacturer
and plant code, tire size, and
date the tire was manufactured.
The TIN is molded onto both
sides of the tire, although only
one side may have the date of
manufacture.
(D) Maximum Cold Ination
Load Limit
:Maximum load
that can be carried and
the maximum pressure needed
to support that load.(E) Tire Ination
:The
temporary use tire or compact
spare tire should be inated
to 60 psi (420 kPa). For
more information on tire
pressure and ination see
Inflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-41.
(F) Tire Size
:A combination
of letters and numbers dene a
tire’s width, height, aspect ratio,
construction type, and service
description. The letter T as the
rst character in the tire size
means the tire is for temporary
use only.
(G) TPC Spec (Tire
Performance Criteria
Specication)
:Original
equipment tires designed to
GM’s specic tire performance
criteria have a TPC specication
code molded onto the sidewall.
GM’s TPC specications
meet or exceed all federal
safety guidelines. Compact Spare Tire Example
Service and Appearance Care 5-37

Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor Operation on page 5-44.
Make certain that all wheel
nuts are properly tightened.
See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications
on page 5-96.
{CAUTION
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or
on the parts to which it is
fastened, can make wheel
nuts become loose after time.
The wheel could come off and
cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
rust or dirt from places where
the wheel attaches to the
vehicle. In an emergency, you
can use a cloth or a paper
towel to do this; but be sure to
use a scraper or wire brush
later, if needed, to get all the
rust or dirt off. SeeChanging
a Flat Tire on page 5-69.
Make sure the spare tire, if
the vehicle has one, is stored
securely. Push, pull, and then
try to rotate or turn the tire. If it
moves, tighten the cable. See
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools on page 5-78.When It Is Time for New
Tires
Various factors, such as
maintenance, temperatures, driving
speeds, vehicle loading, and road
conditions inuence when you need
new tires.
One way to tell when it is time for
new tires is to check the treadwear
indicators, which will appear
when the tires have only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) or less of tread remaining.
5-48 Service and Appearance Care

Wheel Alignment and
Tire Balance
The tires and wheels on your vehicle
were aligned and balanced carefully
at the factory to give you the longest
tire life and best overall performance.
Adjustments to wheel alignment and
tire balancing will not be necessary
on a regular basis. However, if you
notice unusual tire wear or your
vehicle pulling to one side or the
other, the alignment might need to be
checked. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth
road, the tires and wheels might
need to be rebalanced. See your
dealer/retailer for proper diagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent,
cracked, or badly rusted or corroded.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the
wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts
should be replaced. If the wheel
leaks air, replace it (except some
aluminum wheels, which can
sometimes be repaired). See your
dealer/retailer if any of these
conditions exist.
Your dealer/retailer will know the
kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the
same load-carrying capacity,
diameter, width, offset, and be
mounted the same way as the
one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your
wheels, wheel bolts, wheel nuts,
or Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) sensors, replace them only
with new GM original equipment
parts. This way, you will be sure to
have the right wheel, wheel bolts,
wheel nuts, and TPMS sensors for
your vehicle.{CAUTION
Using the wrong replacement
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel
nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the
braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air
and make you lose control. You
could have a collision in which
you or others could be injured.
Always use the correct wheel,
wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for
replacement.
Notice:The wrong wheel can
also cause problems with bearing
life, brake cooling, speedometer
or odometer calibration, headlamp
aim, bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance, and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and
chassis.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on
page 5-69for more information.
Service and Appearance Care 5-53

If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while you are driving, especially
if you maintain the tires properly.
SeeTires on page 5-35.Ifair
goes out of a tire, It is much more
likely to leak out slowly. But if
you should ever have a blowout,
here are a few tips about what
to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will
create a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel rmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop well out of
the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and may
require the same correction youwould use in a skid. In any rear
blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle
under control by steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can
still steer. Gently brake to a stop, well
off the road if possible.
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place and stopping.
1. Turn on the hazard warning
ashers. SeeHazard Warning
Flashers on page 3-5.
2. Park the vehicle. Set the parking
brake rmly and put the shift
lever in P (Park).
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Inspect the at tire.{CAUTION
Lifting a vehicle and getting under
it to do maintenance or repairs is
dangerous without the appropriate
safety equipment and training. If a
jack is provided with the vehicle, it
is designed only for changing a
at tire. If it is used for anything
else, you or others could be badly
injured or killed if the vehicle slips
off the jack. If a jack is provided
with the vehicle, only use it for
changing a at tire.
This vehicle may come with a jack
and spare tire or a tire sealant
and compressor kit. To use the jack
and spare tire, seeChanging a
Flat Tire on page 5-69. To use the
tire sealant and compressor kit,
seeTire Sealant and Compressor
Kit on page 5-56.
Service and Appearance Care 5-55

When using the tire sealant and
compressor kit during cold
temperatures, warm the kit in a
heated environment for 5 minutes.
This will help to inate the tire faster.
Always do a safety check rst.
SeeIf a Tire Goes Flat on
page 5-55. Do not remove any
objects that have penetrated the tire.
1. Remove the tire sealant and
compressor kit from its storage
location. SeeTire Sealant
and Compressor Kit Storage
on page 5-68.
2. Unwrap the sealant/air hose (F)
and the power plug (H).
3. Place the kit on the ground.
Make sure the tire valve
stem is positioned close to the
ground so the hose will reach it.4. Remove the valve stem cap
from the at tire by turning it
counterclockwise.
5. Attach the sealant/air hose (F)
onto the tire valve stem. Turn
it clockwise until it is tight.
6. Plug the power plug (H) into the
accessory power outlet in the
vehicle. Unplug all items from
other accessory power outlets.
SeeAccessory Power Outlet(s)
on page 3-20.
If the vehicle has an accessory
power outlet, do not use the
cigarette lighter.
If the vehicle only has a cigarette
lighter, use the cigarette lighter.
Do not pinch the power plug
cord in the door or window.7. Start the vehicle. The vehicle
must be running while using
the air compressor.
8. Turn the selector switch (A)
counterclockwise to the
Sealant + Air position.
9. Press the on/off (B) button
to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit on.
The compressor will inject
sealant and air into the tire.
The pressure gage (C) will initially
show a high pressure while the
compressor pushes the sealant
into the tire. Once the sealant is
completely dispersed into the tire,
the pressure will quickly drop and
start to rise again as the tire
inates with air only.
5-62 Service and Appearance Care

Always do a safety check rst. See
If a Tire Goes Flat on page 5-55.
1. Remove the tire sealant and
compressor kit from its storage
location. SeeTire Sealant
and Compressor Kit Storage
on page 5-68.
2. Unwrap the air only hose (G)
and the power plug (H).
3. Place the kit on the ground.
Make sure the tire valve
stem is positioned close to the
ground so the hose will reach it.
4. Remove the tire valve stem cap
from the at tire by turning it
counterclockwise.
5. Attach the air only hose (G) onto
the tire valve stem by turning it
clockwise until it is tight.
6. Plug the power plug (H) into the
accessory power outlet in the
vehicle. Unplug all items from
other accessory power outlets.
SeeAccessory Power Outlet(s)
on page 3-20.If the vehicle has an accessory
power outlet, do not use the
cigarette lighter.
If the vehicle only has a cigarette
lighter, use the cigarette lighter.
Do not pinch the power plug
cord in the door or window.
7. Start the vehicle. The vehicle
must be running while using
the air compressor.
8. Turn the selector switch (A)
clockwise to the Air Only position.
9. Press the on/off (B) button to turn
the compressor on.
The compressor will inate the
tire with air only.
10. Inate the tire to the
recommended ination pressure
using the pressure gage (C).
The recommended ination
pressure can be found on the
Tire and Loading Information
label. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-41.The pressure gage (C) may
read higher than the actual tire
pressure while the compressor
is on. Turn the compressor
off to get an accurate reading.
The compressor may be
turned on/off until the correct
pressure is reached.
If you inate the tire higher than
the recommended pressure you
can adjust the excess pressure
by pressing the pressure
deation button (D), if equipped,
until the proper pressure reading
is reached. This option is only
functional when using the air
only hose (G).
11. Press the on/off button (B) to
turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit off.
Be careful while handling the tire
sealant and compressor kit as it
could be warm after usage.
12. Unplug the power plug (H) from
the accessory power outlet in
the vehicle.
Service and Appearance Care 5-67

Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further
tire and wheel damage by driving
slowly to a level place. Turn on
the hazard warning ashers.
SeeHazard Warning Flashers
on page 3-5.
{CAUTION
Changing a tire can be
dangerous. The vehicle can slip
off the jack and roll over or fall
on you or other people. You and
they could be badly injured or
even killed. Find a level place to
change your tire. To help prevent
the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake rmly.
2. Put the shift lever in
P (Park).
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
3. Turn off the engine and do
not restart while the vehicle
is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to
remain in the vehicle.
To be even more certain the
vehicle will not move, you should
put blocks at the front and rear of
the tire farthest away from the
one being changed. That would
be the tire, on the other side, at
the opposite end of the vehicle.
When the vehicle has a at tire (B),
use the following example as a
guide to assist you in the placement
of wheel blocks (A).A. Wheel Block
B. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how to use the jack and change
a tire.
Removing the Spare Tire
and Tools
The tools needed to remove the
spare tire are located in the storage
compartment on the driver side,
at the rear of the vehicle.
1. Open the jack storage
compartment by pulling on
the latch tab, located toward
the rear of the vehicle, and
pulling the cover off.
Service and Appearance Care 5-69

2. Flip the carpet cutout that is
located through the hole of
the storage compartment.
3. Attach the lug wrench into the
hoist shaft.
4. Turn the lug wrench
counterclockwise to lower the
spare tire to the ground. Continue
turning the wrench until the
spare tire can be pulled out
from under the vehicle.5. Tilt the retainer and slip it
through the wheel opening
to remove the spare tire from
the cable.
6. Turn the wrench clockwise to
raise the cable back up after
removing the spare tire.
Do not store a full-size or a at
road tire under the vehicle.
SeeStoring a Flat or Spare
Tire and Tools on page 5-78.
To continue changing the at tire,
seeRemoving the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire on
page 5-72.If the spare tire will not lower, the
secondary latch could be engaged.
Do the following to check
the cable:
1. Check under the vehicle to see if
the cable is visible.
2. If it is not visible, seeSecondary
Latch System on page 5-76.
If it is visible, rst try to tighten
the cable by turning the lug
wrench clockwise until you hear
two clicks or feel it skip twice.
You cannot over-tighten
the cable.
Service and Appearance Care 5-71

3. Loosen the cable by turning
the wrench counterclockwise
three or four turns.
4. If the spare tire has not lowered,
tighten the cable all the way and
then loosen it at least two times.
If the spare tire did lower to
the ground, continue with Step 5
under “Removing the Spare
Tire (Vehicles with the Rear
Convenience Center)” listed
previously.
5. If you still cannot lower the spare
tire to the ground, seeSecondary
Latch System on page 5-76.Removing the Flat Tire
and Installing the
Spare Tire
1. Do a safety check before
proceeding. SeeChanging a
Flat Tire on page 5-69for more
information.
2. If the vehicle has a wheel cover,
loosen the plastic nut caps with
the wheel wrench. They will not
come off. Then, using the at end
of the wheel wrench, pry along
the edge of the cover until it
comes off. Be careful; the edges
may be sharp. Do not try to
remove the cover with your
bare hands.
Store the wheel cover securely
in the rear of the vehicle until
you have the at tire repaired
or replaced.
If the vehicle has aluminum
wheels, remove the wheel nut
caps using the wheel wrench.3. Loosen the wheel nuts — but do
not remove them — using the
lug wrench. For wheels with
a wheel lock key, use the wheel
lock key between the lock nut
and lug wrench. The key is
supplied in the front passenger
door pocket.
Notice:If this vehicle has wheel
locks and an impact wrench is
used to remove the wheel nuts,
the lock nut or wheel lock key
could be damaged. Do not use
an impact wrench to remove the
wheel nuts if this vehicle has
wheel locks.
5-72 Service and Appearance Care