spare tire SATURN ASTRA 2008 User Guide

Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specic tires for your vehicle.
The original equipment tires installed
on your vehicle, when it was new,
were designed to meet General
Motors Tire Performance Criteria
Specication (TPC Spec) system
rating. If you need replacement
tires, GM strongly recommends
that you get tires with the same
TPC Spec rating. This way,
your vehicle will continue to have
tires that are designed to give
the same performance and vehicle
safety, during normal use, as
the original tires.
GM’s exclusive TPC Spec system
considers over a dozen critical
specications that impact the
overall performance of your vehicle,
including brake system performance,
ride and handling, traction control,and tire pressure monitoring
performance. GM’s TPC Spec
number is molded onto the tire’s
sidewall near the tire size. If the tires
have an all-season tread design,
the TPC Spec number will be
followed by an MS for mud and
snow. SeeTire Sidewall Labeling on
page 9-40for additional information.
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 9-51for
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 the vehicle.
Be sure to use the correct
size, brand, and type of tires
on all wheels. It is all right
to drive with the compact
spare temporarily, as it was
developed for use on the
vehicle. SeeCompact Spare
Tire on page 9-67.
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Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width.
For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
The following information relates
to the system developed by
the United States National
Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA), which
grades tires by treadwear,
traction, and temperature
performance. This applies only
to vehicles sold in the United
States. The grades are moldedon the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform
Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
system does not apply to deep
tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver, or temporary
use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or
to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on
General Motors passenger cars
and light trucks may vary
with respect to these grades,
they must also conform to
federal safety requirements and
additional General Motors
Tire Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on
a specied government test
course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the
government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may
depart signicantly from the
norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices,
and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
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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 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.
When you have a at tire, place the
wheel block at the tire diagonally
across from the at tire.
Removing the Spare Tire
and Tools
The equipment you will need is
located in the rear storage area.
1. Open the liftgate. SeeLiftgate on
page 2-6.
2. Lift the oor cover to access the
spare tire and tools.3. Remove the foam pad. Turn the
retainer counterclockwise to
remove it.
4. Remove the spare tire by pulling
it up and out of the trunk.
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5. The jack and tools are stored
below the spare tire.
6. The tools you will be using
include the jack (A), wheel
wrench (B) and jack handle (C).
Removing the Flat Tire
and Installing the
Spare Tire
1. If your vehicle has wheel covers,
remove the cover.
Do not try to put a wheel cover
on your compact spare tire. It will
not t. Store the wheel cover
in the trunk until you have the at
tire repaired or replaced.
Notice:Wheel covers will not t
on your vehicle’s compact spare.
If you try to put a wheel cover on
the compact spare, the cover or
the spare could be damaged.
2. If your vehicle has wheel bolt
caps, remove the caps. Store
the caps with the wheel cover.3. Use the wheel wrench to loosen
all the wheel bolts. Do not
remove them yet.
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Notice:Make sure that the
jack lift head is in the correct
position or you may damage your
vehicle. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty.4. Position the jack lift head at the
jack location nearest the at
tire. The location is indicated by
a mark on the bottom edge
of the vehicle.
5. Put the compact spare tire
near you.
{CAUTION
Getting under a vehicle when
it is jacked up is dangerous.
If the vehicle slips off the jack,
you could be badly injured or
killed. Never get under a
vehicle when it is supported
only by a jack.
{CAUTION
Raising your vehicle with the
jack improperly positioned can
damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help
avoid personal injury and
vehicle damage, be sure to t
the jack lift head into the
proper location before raising
the vehicle.
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6. Raise the vehicle by turning the
jack handle clockwise. Raise the
vehicle far enough off the
ground so there is enough room
for the compact spare tire to
t under the vehicle.
7. Remove all of the wheel bolts.
{CAUTION
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on
the parts to which it is
fastened, can make wheel bolts
become loose after time. The
wheel could come off and
cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any
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 9-60.8. Remove any rust or dirt from the
wheel bolts, mounting surfaces
and spare wheel.
Installing wheels with a good
metal-to-metal contact at
the mounting surface is
necessary to prevent the wheel
bolts from becoming loose.
To prevent corrosion or rust
build-up, apply a light coat of
wheel bearing grease to the
wheel hub center and to the
cone-shaped surface of each
wheel bolt at every wheel change.
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9. Place the compact spare tire on
the wheel-mounting surface.
10. Reinstall the wheel bolts with
the rounded end of the bolts
toward the wheel. Tighten each
bolt by hand until the wheel
is held against the hub.
11. Lower the vehicle by turning the
jack handle counterclockwise.
Lower the jack completely.12. Tighten the wheel bolts rmly
in a crisscross sequence,
as shown.
{CAUTION
Incorrect or improperly
tightened wheel bolts can
cause the wheel to come loose
and even come off. This could
lead to a crash. If you have to
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
replace them, be sure to get
new original equipment wheel
bolts. Stop somewhere as
soon as you can and have the
bolts tightened with a torque
wrench to the proper torque
specication. SeeCapacities
and Specifications on
page 10-2for wheel bolt
torque specication.
Notice:Improperly tightened
wheel bolts can lead to brake
pulsation and rotor damage.
To avoid expensive brake repairs,
evenly tighten the wheel bolts
in the proper sequence and to
the proper torque specication.
SeeCapacities and Specifications
on page 10-2for the wheel bolt
torque specication.
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Storing a Flat or Spare
Tire and Tools
{CAUTION
Storing a jack, a tire, 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 all these in
the proper place.To store a at or spare tire and
tools, do the following:
A. Jack
B. Wheel Wrench
C. Jack Handle
1. Replace the jack and tools
as shown.2. Place the at tire face down into
the spare tire hub.
3. Turn spare tire hold-down bolt by
turning clockwise. Return the
foam pad to its original position.
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4. Put the load oor back in place.
The compact spare tire is for
temporary use only. Replace the
compact spare with a full-size tire
as soon as possible.
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
50 mph (80 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.
And do not mix the compact spare
tire or wheel with other wheels
or tires. They will not t. Keep the
spare tire and its wheel together.
Notice:Tire chains will not
t your compact spare. Using
them can damage your vehicle
and can damage the chains
too. Do not use tire chains on
your compact spare.
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Who is Covered?
Roadside Assistance coverage is for
the vehicle operator, regardless of
ownership. In Canada, a person
driving this vehicle without the
consent of the owner is not eligible
for coverage.
Services Provided
The following services are provided
in the U.S. and Canada up to
5 years/100,000 miles (160 000 km),
whichever comes rst, and, in
Canada only, up to a maximum
of $100.
Fuel Delivery:Delivery of enough
fuel for the vehicle to get to
the nearest service station
(approximately $5 Canada).
In Canada, service to provide
diesel may be restricted. For
safety reasons, propane and
other alternative fuels are not
provided through this service.
Lock-Out Service:Lock-out
service is covered at no charge if
you are unable to gain entry into
your vehicle. A remote unlock
may be available if you have an
active OnStar
®subscription.
To ensure security, the driver
must present personal
identication before lock-out
service is provided. In Canada,
the vehicle registration is also
required.
Emergency Tow From a Public
Roadway or Highway:Tow to
the nearest Saturn retailer for
warranty service or in the event
of a vehicle-disabling crash.
Winch-out assistance is provided
when the vehicle is mired in sand,
mud, or snow.
Flat Tire Change:Installation of a
spare tire in good condition, when
equipped and properly inated,
is covered at no charge.The customer is responsible for
the repair or replacement of the
tire if not covered by a
warrantable failure.
Jump Start:A battery jump start
is covered at no charge if the
vehicle does not start.
Trip Routing Service (Canada
Only):Upon request, Roadside
Assistance will send you detailed,
computer personalized maps,
highlighting your choice of either
the most direct route or the most
scenic route to your destination,
anywhere in North America, along
with helpful travel information
pertaining to your trip.
Please allow three weeks before
your planned departure date.
Trip routing requests are limited
to six per calendar year.
11-6 Customer Information
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