flat tire CHEVROLET CAMARO SS 2010 Owners Manual

Tire Rotation.......................9-61
When It Is Time for
New Tires.........................9-62
Buying New Tires................9-63
Different Size Tires and
Wheels.............................9-65
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading............................9-65
Wheel Alignment and
Tire Balance.....................9-67
Wheel Replacement.............9-67
Tire Chains.........................9-68
If a Tire Goes Flat...............9-69
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit..................9-71
Storing the Tire Sealant
and Compressor Kit...........9-77
Tire Changing.....................9-77
Compact Spare Tire.............9-83
Jump StartingJump Starting.....................9-84
TowingTowing the Vehicle..............9-87
Recreational Vehicle
Towing.............................9-87
Appearance CareExterior Care......................9-88
Interior Care.......................9-92
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer/retailer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition 65
Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this
one, contain and/or emit chemicals
known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems
(including some inside the vehicle),
many fluids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
9-2 Vehicle Care

(D) Tire Identication Number
(TIN):The letters and numbers
following the DOT (Department
of Transportation) code is the
Tire Identification 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.
(E) Tire Ply Material
:The type
of cord and number of plies in the
sidewall and under the tread.
(F) Uniform Tire Quality
Grading (UTQG)
:Tire
manufacturers are required
to grade tires based on three
performance factors: treadwear,
traction, and temperature
resistance. For more information
seeUniform Tire Quality Grading
on page 9-65.(G) Maximum Cold Ination
Load Limit
:Maximum load
that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed
to support that load.
(A) Tire Ply Material
:The type
of cord and number of plies in the
sidewall and under the tread.
(B) 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 bedriven at speeds over 65 mph
(105 km/h). The compact spare
tire is for emergency use when a
regular road tire has lost air and
gone flat. If your vehicle has a
compact spare tire, seeCompact
Spare Tire on page 9-83andIf a
Tire Goes Flat on page 9-69.
(C) Tire Identication Number
(TIN)
:The letters and numbers
following the DOT (Department
of Transportation) code is the
Tire Identification 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. Compact Spare Tire Example
9-50 Vehicle Care

The compact spare tire, if the
vehicle has one, is not included
in the tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated,
adjust the front and rear inflation
pressures as shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
SeeTire Pressure on page 9-54
andVehicle Load Limits on
page 8-12.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor Operation on page 9-57.
Make certain that all wheel
nuts are properly tightened.
See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specications on
page 11-2.{WARNING
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
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, 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. SeeIf a Tire
Goes Flat on page 9-69.
When It Is Time for
New Tires
Various factors, such as
maintenance, temperatures,
driving speeds, vehicle loading,
and road conditions influence
when you need new tires.
One way to tell when it is time for
new tires is to check the treadwear
indicators, which appear when the
tires have only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm)
or less of tread remaining.
9-62 Vehicle Care

If you need to replace any of the
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
the vehicle.
{WARNING
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, rear differential, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance,
and tire or tire chain clearance to
the body and chassis.
SeeIf a Tire Goes Flat on page 9-69
for more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{WARNING
Putting a used wheel on the
vehicle is dangerous. You cannot
know how it has been used or how
far it has been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause a crash. If you
have to replace a wheel, use a
new GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{WARNING
Do not use tire chains. There is
not enough clearance. Tire chains
used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes,
suspension, or other vehicle parts.
The area damaged by the tire
chains could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle and you or
others may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on the
vehicle and tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer’s instructions.
(Continued)
9-68 Vehicle Care

WARNING (Continued)
To help avoid damage to the
vehicle, drive slowly, re-adjust
or remove the device if it is
contacting the vehicle, and do not
spin the wheels. If you do find
traction devices that will fit, install
them on the rear tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while you are driving, especially if
you maintain your vehicle’s tires
properly. If air 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 flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. 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 you
would 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.
{WARNING
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
flat 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 flat tire.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further
tire and wheel damage by
driving slowly to a level place.
Vehicle Care 9-69

Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
SeeHazard Warning Flashers on
page 5-4.
{WARNING
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 firmly.
2. Put an automatic
transmission shift lever in
P (Park), or shift a manual
transmission to 1 (First) or
R (Reverse).
(Continued)
WARNING (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 certain the vehicle will not
move, 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.
This vehicle may come with a jack
and spare tire or a tire sealant
and compressor kit. To use the jack
and spare tire, follow the instructions
below. To use the tire sealant and
compressor kit, seeTire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 9-71.When the vehicle has a flat 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 repair or change a tire.
9-70 Vehicle Care

Always do a safety check first.
SeeIf a Tire Goes Flat on
page 9-69. Do not remove any
objects that have penetrated
the tire.
1. Remove the tire sealant and
compressor kit from its storage
location. SeeStoring the Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit
on page 9-77.
2. Unwrap the sealant/air hose (F)
and the power plug (G).
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 flat 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 (G) into the
accessory power outlet in the
vehicle. Unplug all items from
other accessory power outlets.
SeePower Outlets on page 4-9.
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 (B)
clockwise to the Sealant + Air
position.
9. Press the on/off (A) button
to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit on.
The compressor will inject
sealant and air into the tire.
The pressure gage (D) 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 inflates with
air only.
Vehicle Care 9-73

18. Immediately drive the vehicle
8 km (5 miles) to distribute the
sealant in the tire.
19. Stop at a safe location and
check the tire pressure. Refer
to Steps 1 through 11 under
“Using the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit without
Sealant to Inflate a Tire
(Not Punctured).”
If the tire pressure has fallen
more than 68 kPa (10 psi)
below the recommended
inflation pressure, stop driving
the vehicle. The tire is too
severely damaged and the
tire sealant cannot seal the
tire. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 12-6.
If the tire pressure has not
dropped more than 10 psi
(68 kPa) from the recommended
inflation pressure, inflate the
tire to the recommended
inflation pressure.20. Wipe off any sealant from the
wheel, tire, and vehicle.
21. Dispose of the used sealant
canister and sealant/air hose (F)
assembly at a local dealer/
retailer or in accordance with
local state codes and practices.
22. Replace it with a new canister
available from your dealer/
retailer.
23. After temporarily sealing a
tire using the tire sealant and
compressor kit, take the vehicle
to an authorized dealer/retailer
within a 161 km (100 miles) of
driving to have the tire repaired
or replaced.Using the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit without
Sealant to Inate a Tire
(Not Punctured)
To use the air compressor to inflate
a tire with air only and not sealant:
Always do a safety check first. See
If a Tire Goes Flat on page 9-69.
1. Remove the tire sealant and
compressor kit from its storage
location. SeeStoring the Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit on
page 9-77.
2. Unwrap the air only hose (E) and
the power plug (G).
Vehicle Care 9-75

Tools
A. Wheel Wrench
B. Jack Handle Extension
C. Jack1. The jack and tools are stored
below the spare tire.
Remove the jack from the
retaining bracket.
2. Remove the tool container.
3. Remove the tools from the tool
container.
4. Place the tools next to the tire
being changed.Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. If the vehicle has wheel bolt
caps, remove the caps. Store
the caps with the wheel cover.
2. Use the fully extended wheel
wrench to loosen all the
wheel nuts one-half turn
counterclockwise. Do not
remove them.
9-78 Vehicle Care

{WARNING
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
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where
the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, 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. SeeIf a Tire
Goes Flat on page 9-69.9. Remove any rust or dirt from the
wheel bolts, mounting surfaces
and spare wheel.
10. Place the compact spare tire on
the wheel-mounting surface.
{WARNING
Never use oil or grease on bolts
or nuts because the nuts might
come loose. The vehicle’s wheel
could fall off, causing a crash.
11. Reinstall the wheel nuts with the
rounded end of the nuts toward
the wheel. Tighten each nut as
much as possible using the
wheel wrench until the wheel
is held firmly against the hub.
Use your free hand to prevent
the wheel from turning while you
are tightening.
Vehicle Care 9-81