weight SATURN ASTRA 2009 User Guide

Tire Size
The following illustration shows
an example of a typical
passenger vehicle tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
:The United States version of
a metric tire sizing system.
The letter P as the rst
character in the tire size
means a passenger vehicle tire
engineered to standards set
by the U.S. Tire and Rim
Association.
(B) Tire Width
:The three-digit
number indicates the tire
section width in millimeters from
sidewall to sidewall.
(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 index and speed rating
of the tire. The load index
represents the load carry
capacity a tire is certied to
carry. The speed rating is the
maximum speed a tire is certied
to carry a load.
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.
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Bead:The tire bead contains
steel wires wrapped by steel
cords that hold the tire onto
the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire
in which the plies are laid at
alternate angles less than
90 degrees to the centerline
of the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure
:The
amount of air pressure in a
tire, measured in pounds
per square inch (psi) or
kilopascals (kPa) before a tire
has built up heat from driving.
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 9-47.
Curb Weight
:The weight of a
motor vehicle with standard
and optional equipment including
the maximum capacity of fuel,
oil, and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.DOT Markings
:A code molded
into the sidewall of a tire
signifying that the tire is in
compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation
(DOT) motor vehicle safety
standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identication
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also
identify the tire manufacturer,
production plant, brand, and date
of production.
GVWR
:Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating. SeeLoading the Vehicle
on page 8-30.
GAWR FRT
:Gross Axle
Weight Rating for the front axle.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on
page 8-30.
GAWR RR
:Gross Axle
Weight Rating for the rear axle.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on
page 8-30.Intended Outboard Sidewall
:The side of an asymmetrical tire,
that must always face outward
when mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa)
:The metric
unit for air pressure.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
:A tire used on light duty
trucks and some multipurpose
passenger vehicles.
Load Index
:An assigned
number ranging from 1 to 279
that corresponds to the load
carrying capacity of a tire.
Maximum Ination Pressure
:The maximum air pressure
to which a cold tire can be
inated. The maximum air
pressure is molded onto the
sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating
:The load rating for a tire at the
maximum permissible ination
pressure for that tire.
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Maximum Loaded Vehicle
Weight:The sum of curb
weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight, and
production options weight.
Normal Occupant Weight
:The number of occupants
a vehicle is designed to seat
multiplied by 150 lbs (68 kg).
SeeLoading the Vehicle
on page 8-30.
Occupant Distribution
:Designated seating positions.
Outward Facing Sidewall
:The side of an asymmetrical tire
that has a particular side that
faces outward when mounted on
a vehicle. The side of the tire
that contains a whitewall,
bears white lettering, or bears
manufacturer, brand, and/or
model name molding that
is higher or deeper than the
same moldings on the
other sidewall of the tire.Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
:A tire used on passenger
cars and some light duty trucks
and multipurpose vehicles.
Recommended Ination
Pressure
:Vehicle
manufacturer’s recommended
tire ination pressure as
shown on the tire placard.
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure
on page 9-47andLoading the
Vehicle on page 8-30.
Radial Ply Tire
:A pneumatic
tire in which the ply cords
that extend to the beads are laid
at 90 degrees to the centerline
of the tread.
Rim
:A metal support for a tire
and upon which the tire beads
are seated.
Sidewall
:The portion of a tire
between the tread and the bead.
Speed Rating
:An alphanumeric
code assigned to a tire
indicating the maximum speed
at which a tire can operate.Traction
:The friction between
the tire and the road surface.
The amount of grip provided.
Tread
:The portion of a tire that
comes into contact with the road.
Treadwear Indicators
:Narrow
bands, sometimes called
wear bars, that show across
the tread of a tire when only
1/16 inch (1.6 mm) of tread
remains. SeeWhen It Is Time
for New Tires on page 9-54.
UTQGS (Uniform Tire Quality
Grading Standards)
:A tire
information system that provides
consumers with ratings for a
tire’s traction, temperature,
and treadwear. Ratings are
determined by tire manufacturers
using government testing
procedures. The ratings are
molded into the sidewall of the
tire. SeeUniform Tire Quality
Grading on page 9-57.
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Vehicle Capacity Weight:The number of designated
seating positions multiplied by
150 lbs (68 kg) plus the
rated cargo load. SeeLoading
the Vehicle on page 8-30.
Vehicle Maximum Load on
the Tire
:Load on an individual
tire due to curb weight,
accessory weight, occupant
weight, and cargo weight.
Vehicle Placard
:A label
permanently attached to a
vehicle showing the vehicle’s
capacity weight and the
original equipment tire size
and recommended ination
pressure. See “Tire and Loading
Information Label” under
Loading the Vehicle on
page 8-30.
Ination - Tire Pressure
Tires need the correct amount of
air pressure to operate effectively.
Notice:Do not let anyone tell
you that under-ination or
over-ination is all right. It is
not. If your tires do not have
enough air (under-ination),
you can get the following:
Too much exing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Premature or irregular wear
Poor handling
Reduced fuel economy
If your tires have too much air
(over-ination), you can get
the following:
Unusual wear
Poor handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from
road hazardsA vehicle specic Tire and
Loading Information label is
attached to your vehicle.
This label shows your vehicle’s
original equipment tires and
the correct ination pressures for
your tires when they are cold.
The recommended cold tire
ination pressure, shown on the
label, is the minimum amount
of air pressure needed to
support your vehicle’s maximum
load carrying capacity.
For additional information
regarding how much weight your
vehicle can carry, and an
example of the Tire and Loading
Information label, seeLoading
the Vehicle on page 8-30.
How you load your vehicle
affects vehicle handling and ride
comfort. Never load your
vehicle with more weight than it
was designed to carry.
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Service Publications
Ordering Information
Service Manuals
A variety of publications are
available to you. Saturn service
manuals are written for trained
technicians, and in some cases,
specialized tools and equipment are
necessary to complete certain
repairs. However, the manuals are
available to owners who either
have the training, or wish to gain a
greater understanding of the
technical aspect of their Saturn.
For additional publications
information or to order publications
in the United States, call toll
free 1-800-2-SATURN or visit
Saturn-publications.com to order
on-line.
In Canada, Saturn service manuals
are available by calling toll free
1-800-551-4123.
Owner Publications
Information on how to obtain
product bulletins and as described
below is applicable only in the
fty U.S. states and the District of
Columbia, and only for cars and
light trucks with a Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) less
than 10,000 pounds (4 536 kg).
Copies of individual bulletins
are also at your participating Saturn
retailer. You can ask to see them.
In Canada, information relating
to product service bulletins can be
obtained by contacting your
Saturn retailer.
Service Bulletins
Saturn regularly sends its retailers
useful service bulletins about Saturn
products. Saturn monitors product
performance in the eld. We then
prepare bulletins for servicing
our products better. You can get
these bulletins, too.Bulletins cover various subjects.
Some pertain to the proper use
and care of your vehicle.
Some describe costly repairs.
Others describe inexpensive repairs
which, if done on time with the
latest parts, may avoid future costly
repairs.
Some bulletins tell a technician how
to repair a new or unexpected
condition. Others describe a quicker
way to x your vehicle. They can
help a technician service your
vehicle better.
Most bulletins apply to conditions
affecting a small number of vehicles.
Your Saturn retailer or a qualied
technician may have to determine if
a specic bulletin applies to your
vehicle. To order Saturn bulletins,
call Saturn Publications at
1-800-2-SATURN or visit
saturn-publications.com to order
online.
Customer Information 12-15
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