spare tire SATURN AURA 2009 User Guide

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 5-61andAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3for additional information.
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.
5-63
ProCarManuals.com

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you will need is located in the trunk.
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 2-13.
2. Remove the spare tire cover.
3. Turn the wing nut counterclockwise and remove it.
Then remove the compact spare tire. SeeCompact
Spare Tire on page 5-80.4. Remove the wing nut holding the jack in place.
5. Remove the extension bolt that is clipped to
the jack. You need this later to store the at tire.
6. Remove the jack and wheel wrench from the trunk.
The tools you will be using include the wheel wrench (A)
and jack (B).
5-69
ProCarManuals.com

Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. Do a safety check before proceeding. SeeChanging
a Flat Tire on page 5-68.
2. If the vehicle has a wheel cover or hubcap that has
plastic wheel nut caps, loosen the plastic nut caps.
You might need to use the wheel wrench to loosen
them. Do not pry off wheel covers or center caps that
have plastic wheel nut caps.
3. Remove the wheel cover or center cap from the
wheel to locate the wheel nuts.
If the vehicle has a wheel cover or hubcap without
plastic wheel nut caps, gently pry on the edge of the
plastic wheel trim to remove it from the wheel to
locate the wheel nuts.4. Use the wrench to loosen all the wheel nuts.
Do not remove them yet.
5-71
ProCarManuals.com

5. Position the lift head at the jack location nearest
the at tire. Make sure all of the jack lift head
is touching the jacking ange under the body.
Do not place the jack under a body panel.
6. Put the compact spare tire near the at tire.
{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.
5-72
ProCarManuals.com

7. Raise the vehicle by turning the wrench clockwise.
Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground so there
is enough room for the compact spare tire to t.8. Remove all of the
wheel nuts.
9. Remove the at tire.
5-73
ProCarManuals.com

{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come off and cause an
accident. When changing a wheel, remove any rust
or dirt from places where the wheel attaches to the
vehicle. In an emergency, 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 5-68.
10. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces
and spare wheel.
11. Install the compact spare tire.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on bolts or nuts because
the nuts might come loose. The vehicle’s wheel
could fall off, causing a crash.
12. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end
toward the wheel. Tighten each nut by hand or with
the wrench until the wheel is held against the hub.
13. Lower the vehicle by turning the wrench
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
5-74
ProCarManuals.com

{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 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 5-100for 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 5-100for the wheel nut torque specication.14. Tighten the wheel nuts
rmly in a crisscross
sequence, as shown,
with the wheel wrench.
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.
Do not try to put a wheel cover on your compact spare
tire. It will not t. Store the wheel cover and wheel nut
caps in the trunk until you have the at tire repaired or
replaced.
5-75
ProCarManuals.com

Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools
Storing a Flat 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 the at tire and tools in the compact spare tire
compartment:
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 2-13.
2. Remove the bolt extension (in the yellow sleeve)
from the jack and remove the center cap from
the wheel.3. Collapse the wrench using the same button used to
extend it.
4. Attach the wrench to the jack by placing the tab
on the wrench into the hole on the side of the
jack. Then place the wrench handle over the tab
on the side of the jack.
5-76
ProCarManuals.com

A. Cover
B. Wing Nut
C. Extension
D. Flat Tire (valve stem up)
E. Nut
F. Jack
G. Bolt
The compact spare is for temporary use only. Replace
the compact spare tire with a full-size tire as soon
as you can. SeeCompact Spare Tire on page 5-80.
5-78
ProCarManuals.com

Storing the 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 the spare tire and jack in the compact spare
tire compartment:
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 2-13.
2. Collapse the wrench using the same button used to
extend it.
3. Attach the wrench to the jack by placing the tab
on the wrench into the hole on the side of the
jack. Then place the wrench handle over the tab
on the side of the jack.
5-79
ProCarManuals.com