wheel size PONTIAC G6 2008 Owners Manual

Windshield Wipers
Use this lever, located on the right side of the steering
wheel, to operate the windshield wipers.
9(Off):Move the lever to this position to turn off the
windshield wipers.
&(Intermittent; Speed Sensitive Wipers):Move the
lever to this position for intermittent or speed sensitive
operation. The amount of delay time varies between
wiping cycles due to the delay setting selected or
the speed of the vehicle.
x(Delay):While the lever is in the intermittent
position, turn the intermittent adjust band with this
symbol on it up or down to select a shorter or longerdelay between wiping cycles. To the left of the adjust
band are bars, increasing in size from bottom to top, that
indicate the frequency of the wipes. Smaller bars
mean the wipers movement is less frequent. Larger
bars mean the movement is more frequent.
6(Low Speed):Move the lever up to the rst
setting past intermittent, for steady wiping at low speed.
1(High Speed):Move the lever up to the second
setting past intermittent, for wiping at a high speed.
8(Mist):Move the lever all the way down to
this position for a single wiping cycle. Hold it there until
the windshield wipers start; then let go. The windshield
wipers stop after one wiping cycle. If additional
wiping cycles are needed, hold the lever down longer.
Damaged wiper blades can prevent you from seeing well
enough to drive safely. Clear ice and snow from the
wiper blades before using them to prevent damage.
If the wiper blades are frozen to the windshield, carefully
loosen or thaw them. If your blades do become
damaged, get new blades.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor. A
circuit breaker stops the motor until it cools. Clear away
snow or ice to prevent an overload. If the motor gets
stuck, turn the wipers off, clear away the snow or
ice, and then turn the wipers back on.
3-9

Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps
(Retractable Hardtop).................................5-57
License Plate Lamp......................................5-58
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-58
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-59
Tires..............................................................5-60
Winter Tires.................................................5-61
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-62
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-65
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-68
High-Speed Operation...................................5-70
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-70
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-72
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-77
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-78
Buying New Tires.........................................5-79
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-81
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-82
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-83
Wheel Replacement......................................5-83
Tire Chains..................................................5-85
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-86
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-86Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-88
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................5-90
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-96
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-99
Appearance Care..........................................5-100
Interior Cleaning.........................................5-100
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-101
Leather......................................................5-102
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-103
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-103
Weatherstrips............................................
.5-103
Washing Your Vehicle..................................5-104
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-104
Finish Care................................................5-104
Windshield and Wiper Blades.......................5-105
Aluminum Wheels.......................................5-106
Tires.........................................................5-106
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-106
Finish Damage...........................................5-107
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-107
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-107
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-108
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Low-Prole Performance Tire
If your vehicle has P225/50R18 or P225/50R17 size
tires, they are classied as low-prole performance
tires. These tires are designed for very responsive
driving on wet or dry pavement. You may also
notice more road noise with low-prole performance
tires and that they tend to wear faster.
Notice:If your vehicle has low-prole tires,
they are more susceptible to damage from road
hazards or curb impact than standard prole
tires. Tire and/or wheel assembly damage
can occur when coming into contact with road
hazards like, potholes, or sharp edged
objects, or when sliding into a curb. Your
vehicle warranty does not cover this type of
damage. Keep tires set to the correct ination
pressure and, when possible avoid contact
with curbs, potholes, and other road hazards.
Winter Tires
If your vehicle has P225/50R18 size tires, they are
classied as low-prole performance tires. These tires
are designed for very responsive driving on wet or
dry pavement.If you expect to drive on snow or ice covered roads
often, you may want to get winter tires for your vehicle.
The low-prole performance tires may not offer the
traction you would like or the same level of performance
as winter tires on snow or ice covered roads.
Winter tires, in general, are designed for increased
traction on snow and ice covered roads. With winter
tires, there may be decreased dry road traction,
increased road noise and shorter tire tread life. After
switching to winter tires, be alert for changes in vehicle
handling and braking.
See your retailer for details regarding winter tire
availability and proper tire selection. Also, seeBuying
New Tires on page 5-79.
If you choose to use winter tires:
Use tires of the same brand and tread type on all
four wheel positions.
Use only radial ply tires of the same size, load range,
and speed rating as your original equipment tires.
Winter tires with the same speed rating as your original
equipment tires may not be available for H, V, W
and ZR speed rated tires. If you choose winter tires with
a lower speed rating, never exceed the tire’s maximum
speed capability.
5-61

(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.
5-65

Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) is designed
to warn the driver when a low tire pressure condition
exists. TPMS sensors are mounted onto each tire
and wheel assembly, excluding the spare tire and wheel
assembly. The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure
in the vehicle’s tires and transmits the tire pressure
readings to a receiver located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure
condition is detected, the
TPMS turns on the low tire
pressure warning light
located on the instrument
panel cluster.At the same time a message to check the pressure in a
specic tire appears on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) display. The low tire pressure warning light and the
DIC warning message come on at each ignition cycle
until the tires are inated to the correct ination pressure.
Using the DIC, tire pressure levels can be viewed by the
driver. For additional information and details about the
DIC operation and displays seeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-43andDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-46.
The low tire pressure warning light may come on in cool
weather when the vehicle is rst started, and then
turn off as you start to drive. This could be an early
indicator that the air pressure in the tire(s) are getting
low and need to be inated to the proper pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information label shows the size of
your vehicle’s original equipment tires and the correct
ination pressure for your vehicle’s tires when they are
cold. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-20, for an
example of the Tire and Loading Information label and
its location on your vehicle. Also seeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-68.
5-72

GM recommends replacing tires in sets of four.
This is because uniform tread depth on all tires will
help keep your vehicle performing most like it
did when the tires were new. Replacing less than
a full set of tires can affect the braking and
handling performance of your vehicle. SeeTire
Inspection and Rotation on page 5-77for
information on proper tire rotation.
{CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose
control while driving. If you mix tires of
different sizes, brands, or types (radial
and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a
crash. Using tires of different sizes,
brands, or types may also cause damage
to your vehicle. Be sure to use the correct
size, brand, and type of tires on all
wheels. It is all right to drive with your
compact spare temporarily, as it was
developed for use on your vehicle. See
Compact Spare Tire on page 5-99.
{CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle,
the wheel rim anges could develop
cracks after many miles of driving. A tire
and/or wheel could fail suddenly, causing
a crash. Use only radial-ply tires with the
wheels on your vehicle.
If you must replace your vehicle’s tires with those
that do not have a TPC Spec number, make
sure they are the same size, load range, speed
rating, and construction type (radial and
bias-belted tires) as your vehicle’s original tires.
Vehicles that have a tire pressure monitoring
system could give an inaccurate low-pressure
warning if non-TPC Spec rated tires are installed
on your vehicle. Non-TPC Spec rated tires
may give a low-pressure warning that is higher or
lower than the proper warning level you would
get with TPC Spec rated tires. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor System on page 5-70.
5-80

Your vehicle’s original equipment tires are listed
on the Tire and Loading Information Label.
SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-20, for more
information about the Tire and Loading Information
Label and its location on your vehicle.
Different Size Tires and Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a different size than
your original equipment wheels and tires, this may
affect the way your vehicle performs, including its
braking, ride and handling characteristics, stability, and
resistance to rollover. Additionally, if your vehicle
has electronic systems such as, anti-lock brakes,
traction control, and electronic stability control, the
performance of these systems can be affected.
{CAUTION:
If you add different sized wheels, your vehicle
may not provide an acceptable level of
performance and safety if tires not
recommended for those wheels are selected.
You may increase the chance that you will
crash and suffer serious injury. Only use GM
specic wheel and tire systems developed for
your vehicle, and have them properly installed
by a GM certied technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 5-79andAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-4for additional information.
5-81

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
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 your vehicle
and you or others may be injured in a crash.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, re-adjust or remove the
device if is contacting your vehicle, and do not
spin your wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the front tires.
5-85

4. With the valve stem up, place the tire on the
compartment oor with the rear of the tire beneath
the trim panel. The tire may not lay completely at.
5. Line up a the wheel center hole or a wheel nut hole
with the bolt.
6. With the cap in place to prevent the wheel from
being scratched, screw the bolt extension onto
the bolt through the wheel hole aligned with the bolt.
7. Remove the yellow cap from the bolt extension.
8. Secure the tire and wheel with the larger wing nut.
A. Cover
B. Wing Nut
C. Flat Tire (valve stem
up) or Compact
Spare TireD. Extension
E. Nut
F. Jack
G. Bolt
The compact spare is for temporary use only. Replace
the compact spare tire with a full-size tire as soon
as you can. SeeCompact Spare Tire on page 5-99.
5-97

A. Retainer
B. Cover
C. Flat Tire (Valve
Stem Up) or
Compact Spare TireD. Nut
E. Bolt Extension
F. Jack and Wheel
Wrench
G. Bolt
The compact spare tire is for temporary use only.
Replace the compact spare tire with a full-size tire as
soon as you can. SeeCompact Spare Tire on
page 5-99.
Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully inated when
the vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time.
Check the ination pressure regularly. It should be
60 psi (420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare on the vehicle, stop
as soon as possible and make sure the spare tire
is correctly inated. The compact spare is made to
perform well at speeds up to 65 mph (105 km/h)
for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km), so you can
nish your trip and have the full-size tire repaired or
replaced at your convenience. Of course, it is best
to replace the spare with a full-size tire as soon as
possible. The spare tire will last longer and be in good
shape in case it is needed again.
Notice:When the compact spare is installed, do
not take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact spare can get
caught on the rails. That can damage the tire and
wheel, and maybe other parts of your vehicle.
Do not use the compact spare on other vehicles.
5-99