spare tire SATURN ASTRA 2009 User Guide

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
molded on 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.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest
to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the
tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on
specied government test
surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-57
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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.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), screwdriver (C),
and jack handle (D).
9-62 Vehicle Service and Care
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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.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.
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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.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.
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{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 9-61.8. 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.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.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-65
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12. Tighten the wheel bolts rmly
in a crisscross sequence,
as shown.
{CAUTION
Wheel nuts that are improperly or
incorrectly tightened can cause
the wheels to become loose or
come off. The wheel nuts should
be tightened with a torque wrench
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
to the proper torque specication
after replacing. Follow the torque
specication supplied by the
aftermarket manufacturer when
using accessory locking wheel
nuts. SeeCapacities and
Specifications on page 10-2for
original equipment wheel nut
torque specications.
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.
SeeCapacities and Specifications
on page 10-2for the wheel nut
torque specication.
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.
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To store a at or spare tire and
tools, do the following:
A. Jack
B. Wheel Wrench
C. Screwdriver
D. 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.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.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-67
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Compact Spare Tire
{CAUTION
Driving with more than one
compact spare tire at a time could
result in loss of braking and
handling. This could lead to a
crash and you or others could be
injured. Use only one compact
spare tire at a time.
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
the vehicle through an automatic
car wash with guide rails.
The compact spare can get
caught on the rails which can
damage the tire, wheel and other
parts of the 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 the
compact spare. Using them can
damage the vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Do not
use tire chains on the compact
spare.
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At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect the vehicle’s tires and make
sure they are inated to the correct
pressures. Do not forget to check
the spare tire. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 9-47. Check to
make sure the spare tire is stored
securely. SeeChanging a Flat Tire
on page 9-61.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for
high mileage highway drivers prior to
the Engine Oil Life System service
notication. Check the tires for
wear and, if necessary, rotate the
tires. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 9-52.
At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could move
suddenly. If the vehicle moves,
you or others could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be
sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking
brake and the regular brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 8-10.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in
each gear. The vehicle should
start only in P (Park) or
N (Neutral). If the vehicle starts
in any other position, contact
your dealer/retailer for service.
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control System Check
{CAUTION
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could move
suddenly. If the vehicle moves,
you or others could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be
sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 8-10.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the
ignition to ON/RUN, but do not
start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer/retailer for service.
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Services Provided

Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Delivery of enough fuel
for the vehicle to get to the
nearest service station.
Lock-Out Service:Service is
provided to unlock the vehicle
if you are locked out. A remote
unlock may be available if you
have OnStar
®. For security
reasons, the driver must present
identication before this service
is given.
Emergency Tow From a Public
Road or Highway:Tow to the
nearest Saturn retailer for
warranty service, or if the vehicle
was in a crash and cannot be
driven. Assistance is also
given when the vehicle is stuck
in sand, mud, or snow.
Flat Tire Change:Service is
provided to change a at tire
with the spare tire. The spare tire,
if equipped, must be in good
condition and properly inated.
It is the owner’s responsibility for
the repair or replacement of
the tire if it is not covered by the
warranty.
Battery Jump Start:Service is
provided to jump start a dead
battery.
Trip Interruption Benets and
Assistance:If your trip is
interrupted due to a warranty
failure, incidental expenses may
be reimbursed during the 5 years/
100,000 miles (160 000 km)
Powertrain warranty period.
Items considered are hotel,
meals, and rental car.
Services Not Included in
Roadside Assistance

Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws.
Legal nes.
Mounting, dismounting or
changing of snow tires, chains,
or other traction devices.
Towing or services for vehicles
driven on a non-public road or
highway.
Customer Information 12-7
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