height CHEVROLET COBALT 2009 1.G User Guide

Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is molded into its
sidewall. The examples below show a typical
passenger vehicle tire and a compact spare tire
sidewall.(A) Tire Size:The tire size is a combination of
letters and numbers used to dene a particular
tire’s width, height, aspect ratio, construction type
and service description. See the “Tire Size”
illustration later in this section for more detail.
(B) 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. If your vehicle has
205/55R16 size tires, they meet the GM TPC Spec
rating, but the TPC Spec code has not been
molded onto the tire’s sidewall.
(C) DOT (Department of Transportation)
:The Department of Transportation (DOT) code
indicates that the tire is in compliance with the
U.S. Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire Example
5-50

(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 seeInflation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-56.
(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.
Tire Size
The following illustration shows an example of a typical
passenger vehicle tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:The United States
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter P
as the rst character in the tire size means a
passenger vehicle tire engineered to standards set
by the U.S. Tire and Rim Association. A tire size
without the letter P as the rst character is certied
to European standards.
5-52

(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates
the tire section width in millimeters from sidewall
to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio
:A two-digit number that
indicates the tire height-to-width measurements.
For example, if the tire size aspect ratio is 60,
as shown in item C of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire’s sidewall is 60 percent as
high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code
:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire.
The letter R means radial ply construction; the
letter D means diagonal or bias ply construction;
and the letter B means belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of the wheel
in inches.
(F) Service Description
:These characters
represent the load range and speed rating of
the tire. The load index represents the load carry
capacity a tire is certied to carry. The load
index can range from 1 to 279. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a tire is certied to
carry a load. Speed ratings range from A to Z.
Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the
tire pressing outward on each square inch of
the tire. Air pressure is expressed in pounds
per square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight
:This means the combined
weight of optional accessories. Some examples of
optional accessories are, automatic transmission,
power steering, power brakes, power windows,
power seats, and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship of a tire’s height
to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of cords that is
located between the plies and the tread. Cords
may be made from steel or other reinforcing
materials.
Bead
:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire in which the plies
are laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees
to the centerline of the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure
:The amount of air pressure
in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi)
or kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up heat
from driving. SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-56.
5-53

{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 5-74for more
information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your 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.
5-71

Cooling System..............................................5-25
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-43
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation................................7-10
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-5
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-5
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-6
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors.......7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government..............................7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government.........................7-15
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-7
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-16
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-13
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Locking.............................................2-11
Diesel
Running Out of Fuel....................................2-37
Disc, MP3......................................................3-69Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp...................................................3-15
Door
Automatic Door Lock....................................2-11
Delayed Locking..........................................2-11
Locks........................................................2-10
Power Door Locks.......................................2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
Driver
Seat Height Adjuster...................................... 1-3
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-40
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-40
DIC Vehicle Personalization..........................3-48
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-43
Driver’s Storage Compartment..........................2-43
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-17
Before a Long Trip......................................4-19
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Highway Hypnosis.......................................4-20
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-20
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-18
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-26
Winter........................................................4-21
4

Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-39
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Running Out of...........................................2-37
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-108
Floor Console Fuse Block...........................5-106
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-106
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-105
G
Gage
Fuel..........................................................3-39
Speedometer..............................................3-25
Tachometer.................................................3-25
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-43
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-6
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-39
Headlamp Wiring...........................................5-105
Headlamps....................................................3-12
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-42
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-13
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-42
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-42
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-13
Wiper Activated...........................................3-13
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heater...........................................................3-18
Height Adjuster, Driver Seat............................... 1-3
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-39
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-20
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-20
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
6

S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-26
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-98
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-15
Lap-Shoulder Belt........................................1-23
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-29
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-29
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.......................1-10
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seats
Driver Seat Height Adjuster............................. 1-3
Easy Entry Seat............................................ 1-8
Head Restraints............................................ 1-7
Heated Seats............................................... 1-4
Manual Lumbar............................................. 1-3
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Split Folding Rear Seat.................................. 1-9
Securing a Child Restraint
Rear Seat Position......................................1-46
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-49
Security Light.................................................3-38Service........................................................... 5-3
Accessories and Modications......................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.............................................. 5-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements..... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.................... 5-4
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-35
Publications Ordering Information...................7-16
Service, Scheduling Appointments.....................7-10
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-66
Setting the Clock............................................3-55
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-102
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-33
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-35
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change.......................... 3-7
Spare Tire
Compact....................................................5-94
Installing............................................5-80, 5-89
Removing...................................................5-75
Storing.......................................................5-93
Specications, Capacities...............................5-112
Speedometer..................................................3-25
Split Folding Rear Seat..................................... 1-9
Start Vehicle, Remote....................................... 2-7
11