PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2009 Owners Manual

{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or the threads of
the wheel nuts. If you do, the wheel nuts might
come loose and the wheel could fall off, causing
a crash.
{CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened wheel
nuts can cause the wheel to become loose and
even come off. This could lead to a crash. Be sure
to use the correct wheel nuts. If you have to
replace them, be sure to get new GM original
equipment wheel nuts.
Notice:Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead
to brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specication.
Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
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.
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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 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.
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
nd traction devices that will t, install them on the
rear tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
Your vehicle has a tire sealant and compressor kit. See
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit (Without Selector
Switch) on page 5-71orTire Sealant and Compressor
Kit (With Selector Switch) on page 5-80. There is
no spare tire, no tire changing equipment, and no place
to store a tire.
It is unusual for a tire to blow out while you are driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. See
Tires on page 5-47. If air goes out of a tire, it is much
more likely to leak out slowly. But, if you should
ever have a blow out, 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 blow out, particularly on a curve, acts much like
a skid and may require the same correction you
would use in a skid. In any rear blow out, 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.
5-70

If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place and stopping. Then
do this:
1. Turn on the hazard warning ashers. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-5.
2. Park your vehicle. If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake rmly and put
the shift lever in P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park (Automatic Transmission) on page 2-24.If
your vehicle has a manual transmission, move the
shift lever to R (Reverse) and set the parking
brake rmly. SeeParking the Vehicle (Manual
Transmission) on page 2-26for additional
information.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Inspect the at tire.
If the tire has been separated from the wheel, has
damaged sidewalls, or has a puncture larger than a
14inch (6 mm), the tire is too severely damaged for the
tire sealant and compressor kit to be effective. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
If the tire has a puncture less than a
14inch (6 mm) in
the tread area of the tire, seeTire Sealant and
Compressor Kit (Without Selector Switch) on page 5-71
orTire Sealant and Compressor Kit (With Selector
Switch) on page 5-80.
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
(Without Selector Switch)
System Identication
If the vehicle has the tire sealant and compressor kit
shown above, see the operating instructions that follow.
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If the vehicle has the tire sealant and compressor kit
shown above, follow the operating instructions
under “Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit (With Selector
Switch).”
{CAUTION:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has
no fresh air ventilation. For more information, see
Engine Exhaust on page 2-27.
{CAUTION:
Over-inating a tire could cause the tire to rupture
and you or others could be injured. Be sure to
read and follow the tire sealant and compressor kit
instructions and inate the tire to its recommended
pressure. Do not exceed the recommended
pressure.
5-72

{CAUTION:
Storing the tire sealant and compressor kit or
other equipment in the passenger compartment of
the vehicle could cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could strike someone.
Store the tire sealant and compressor kit in its
original location.
If this vehicle has a tire sealant and compressor kit,
there may not be a spare tire, tire changing equipment,
and on some vehicles there may not be a place to
store a tire.
The tire sealant and compressor can be used to
temporarily seal punctures up to
14inch (6 mm) in the
tread area of the tire. It can also be used to inate
an under inated tire.
If the tire has been separated from the wheel, has
damaged sidewalls, or has a large puncture, the tire is
too severely damaged for the tire sealant and
compressor kit to be effective. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 7-6.Read and follow all of the tire sealant and compressor
kit instructions.
The kit includes:
A. Air Compressor
B. Tire Sealant
Canister
C. Power Plug
D. On/Off ButtonE. Pressure Gage
F. Air Only Hose
(Black)
G. Sealant/Air Hose
(Clear)
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Tire Sealant
Read and follow the safe handling instructions on the
label adhered to the sealant canister.
Check the tire sealant expiration date on the sealant
canister. The sealant canister should be replaced before
its expiration date. Replacement sealant canisters are
available at your local dealer/retailer. See “Removal and
Installation of the Sealant Canister” following.
There is only enough sealant to seal one tire. After
usage, the sealant canister and sealant/air hose
assembly must be replaced. See “Removal and
Installation of the Sealant Canister” following.
Using the Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit to Temporarily Seal and Inate a
Punctured Tire
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.
5-74

Always do a safety check rst. SeeIf a Tire Goes Flat
on page 5-70. 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 5-89.
Make sure the on/off button (D) is in the off (O)
position.
2. Unwrap the sealant/air hose (F) and the
power plug (C).
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 (C) into the accessory power
outlet in the vehicle. Unplug all items from other
accessory power outlets. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-14.
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. Press the on/off (D) button to turn the tire sealant
and compressor kit on.
The compressor will inject sealant and air into
the tire.
The pressure gage (E) 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.
5-75

9. Inate the tire to the recommended ination
pressure using the pressure gage (E). The
recommended ination pressure can be found
on the Tire and Loading Information label. See
Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-53.
The pressure gage (E) may read higher than the
actual tire pressure while the compressor is on. Turn
the compressor off to get an accurate pressure
reading. The compressor may be turned on/off until
the correct pressure is reached.
Notice:If the recommended pressure cannot be
reached after approximately 25 minutes, the vehicle
should not be driven farther. The tire is too
severely damaged and the tire sealant and
compressor kit cannot inate the tire. Remove the
power plug from the accessory power outlet
and unscrew the inating hose from the tire valve.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
10. Press the on/off button (D) to turn the tire sealant
and compressor kit off.
The tire is not sealed and will continue to
leak air until the vehicle is driven and the
sealant is distributed in the tire, therefore,
Steps 11 through 17 must be done immediately
after Step 10.
Be careful while handling the tire sealant and
compressor kit as it could be warm after usage.11. Unplug the power plug (C) from the accessory
power outlet in the vehicle.
12. Turn the sealant/air hose (F) counterclockwise to
remove it from the tire valve stem.
13. Replace the tire valve stem cap.
14. Replace the sealant/air hose (F), and the power
plug (C) back in their original location.
15. If the at tire was able
to inate to the
recommended ination
pressure, remove
the maximum speed
label from the sealant
canister (B) and
place it in a highly
visible location.
The label is a reminder not to exceed 55 mph
(90 km/h) until the damaged tire is repaired
or replaced.
16. Return the equipment to its original storage location
in the vehicle.
17. Immediately drive the vehicle 5 miles (8 km) to
distribute the sealant in the tire.
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18. 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
Inate a Tire (Not Punctured).”
If the tire pressure has fallen more than 10 psi
(68 kPa) below the recommended ination pressure,
stop driving the vehicle. The tire is too severely
damaged and the tire sealant cannot seal the tire.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
If the tire pressure has not dropped more than
10 psi (68 kPa) from the recommended ination
pressure, inate the tire to the recommended
ination pressure.
19. Wipe off any sealant from the wheel, tire or vehicle.
20. Dispose of the used sealant canister (B) and
sealant/air hose (F) assembly at a local
dealer/retailer or in accordance with local state
codes and practices.
21. Replace it with a new canister available from your
dealer/retailer.
22. After temporarily sealing a tire using the tire sealant
and compressor kit, take the vehicle to an
authorized dealer/retailer within a 100 miles
(161 km) 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 inate a tire with air only
and not sealant:
Always do a safety check rst. SeeIf a Tire Goes Flat
on page 5-70.
1. Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from its
storage location. SeeTire Sealant and Compressor
Kit Storage on page 5-89.
5-77

2. Unlock the air only hose (F) from the sealant
canister (B) by pulling up on the lever.
3. Pull the air only hose (F) from the sealant
canister (B).
4. Remove the power plug (C) from the air
compressor (A).
5. Place the kit on the ground.
Make sure the tire valve stem is positioned close to
the ground so the hose will reach it.
6. Remove the tire valve stem cap by turning it
counterclockwise.
7. Attach the air only hose (F) onto the tire valve stem
and press the lever down to secure it.
8. Plug the power plug (C) into the accessory power
outlet in the vehicle. Unplug all items from other
accessory power outlets. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-14.
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.
9. Start the vehicle. The vehicle must be running while
using the air compressor.10. Press the on/off (D) button to turn the
compressor on.
The compressor will inate the tire with air only.
11. Inate the tire to the recommended ination
pressure using the pressure gage (E). The
recommended ination pressure can be found
on the Tire and Loading Information label. See
Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-53.
The pressure gage (E) 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.
12. Press the on/off button (D) 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.
13. Unplug the power plug (C) from the accessory
power outlet in the vehicle.
14. Disconnect the air only hose (F) from the tire valve
stem, by turning it counterclockwise, and replace
the tire valve stem cap.
15. Replace the air only hose (F) and the power
plug (C) back in its original location.
16. Place the equipment in the original storage location
in the vehicle.
5-78