tire size SATURN ASTRA 2009 User Guide

When It Is Time for
New Tires
Various factors, such as
maintenance, temperatures, driving
speeds, vehicle loading, and
road conditions inuence when you
need new tires.
One way to tell when it is time for
new tires is to check the treadwear
indicators, which will appear
when the tires have only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) or less of tread remaining.You need new tires if any of the
following statements are true:You can see the indicators at
three or more places around
the tire.
You can see cord or fabric
showing through the tire’s rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked,
cut, or snagged deep enough to
show cord or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge,
or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut, or
other damage that cannot be
repaired well because of the size
or location of the damage.
The rubber in tires degrades over
time, even if they are not being
used. This is also true for the spare
tire, if the vehicle has one. Multiple
conditions affect how fast this
aging takes place, including
temperatures, loading conditions,
and ination pressure maintenance.With proper care and maintenance
tires typically wear out before
they degrade due to age. If you are
unsure about the need to replace
the tires as they get older, consult
the tire manufacturer for more
information.
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.
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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 9-42for 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 9-52for
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 9-68.{CAUTION
If you use bias-ply tires on
the 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 the 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.
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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 9-49.
Your vehicle’s original equipment
tires are listed on the Tire and
Loading Information Label. See
Loading the Vehicle on page 8-30,
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
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
Saturn specic wheel and tire
systems developed for your
vehicle, and have them properly
installed by a Saturn certied
technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 9-54
andAccessories and Modifications
on page 9-3for additional
information.
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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, readjust or remove
the device if it is contacting the
vehicle, and do not spin the
vehicle’s wheels. If you do nd
traction devices that will t,
install them on the front tires.
Tire Changing
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while you are driving, especially if
you maintain your vehicle’s tires
properly. If air goes out of a tire, it is
much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a
blowout, here are a few tips about
what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire creates
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 blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction you
would use in a skid. In any rear
blowout 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.{CAUTION
Lifting a vehicle and getting under
it to do maintenance or repairs is
dangerous without the appropriate
safety equipment and training. If a
jack is provided with the vehicle,
it is designed only for changing a
at tire. If it is used for anything
else, you or others could be badly
injured or killed if the vehicle slips
off the jack. If a jack is provided
with the vehicle, only use it for
changing a at tire.
If a tire goes at, the next part
shows how to use the jacking
equipment to change a at tire
safely.
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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.
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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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T
Tachometer.........................4-13
Taillamps....................9-30, 9-32
Theft-Deterrent, Radio...........6-23
Theft-Deterrent Systems......... 2-8
Content Theft-Deterrent....... 2-9
Immobilizer........................ 2-8
Immobilizer Operation......... 2-8
Tilt Wheel............................. 4-4
Tire
Pressure Light..................4-18
Tires..................................9-40
Buying New Tires.............9-54
Chains............................9-60
Changing a Flat Tire.........9-61
Compact Spare Tire..........9-68
Different Size...................9-56
High-Speed Operation.......9-48
If a Tire Goes Flat............9-60
Ination - Tire Pressure.....9-47
Inspection and Rotation.....9-52
Installing the Spare Tire.....9-63
Pressure Monitor
Operation.....................9-51
Pressure Monitor
System........................9-49
Removing the Flat Tire......9-63Tires (cont.)
Removing the Spare Tire
and Tools.....................9-62
Storing a Flat or Spare
Tire and Tools...............9-66
Tire Sidewall Labeling.......9-42
Tire Terminology and
Denitions....................9-44
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading.......................9-57
Wheel Alignment and
Tire Balance.................9-58
Wheel Replacement..........9-59
When It Is Time for
New Tires....................9-54
Winter Tires.....................9-41
Towing
Recreational Vehicle..........9-73
Towing a Trailer................9-73
Your Vehicle.....................9-73
Traction
StabiliTrak
®System..........8-19
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic................9-12
Fluid, Manual...................9-12
Transmission Operation,
Automatic.......................... 8-6
Transmission Operation,
Manual............................. 8-9Trip Odometers....................4-13
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals............................. 4-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever................................ 4-4
U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading...........................9-57
V
Vehicle
Control............................8-17
Loading...........................8-30
Parking Your....................8-13
Running While Parked.......8-14
Service Soon Light...........4-23
Symbols.............................. iii
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy..........................12-16
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)...................10-1
Service Parts Identication
Label...........................10-1
Ventilation Adjustment............. 7-4
Visors.................................2-11
INDEX i-9
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W
Warning Lights, Gages and
Indicators........................4-11
Warnings
DIC Warnings and
Messages....................4-36
Hazard Warning Flashers.... 4-4
Wheels
Alignment and Tire
Balance.......................9-58
Different Size...................9-56
Replacement....................9-59
Where to Put the Restraint....1-44
Windows.............................2-10
Power .............................2-10Windshield
Washer............................. 4-9
Washer Fluid....................9-20
Wiper Blade
Replacement................9-21
Wipers.............................. 4-8
Windshield, Rear Washer/
Wiper............................... 4-9
Winter Driving......................8-27
Winter Driving Mode Light.....4-22
Winter Tires........................9-41
Y
Your Vehicle and the
Environment.....................11-2
i-10 INDEX
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