SATURN AURA 2009 Owners Manual

Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The tires and wheels on your vehicle were aligned and
balanced carefully at the factory to give you the longest
tire life and best overall performance. Adjustments to
wheel alignment and tire balancing will not be necessary
on a regular basis. However, if you notice unusual tire
wear or your vehicle pulling to one side or the other,
the alignment might need to be checked. If you notice
your vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road,
the tires and wheels might need to be rebalanced.
See your dealer/retailer for proper diagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly
rusted or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose,
the wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be
replaced. If the wheel leaks air, replace it (except some
aluminum wheels, which can sometimes be repaired).
See your dealer/retailer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer/retailer will know the kind of wheel
you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted
the same way as the one it replaces.If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new Saturn original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts,
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air and make you
lose control. You could have a collision in which
you or others could be injured. Always use the
correct wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for
replacement.
Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause problems
with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance, and tire or tire chain
clearance to the body and chassis.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-68for more
information.
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Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You cannot know how it has been
used or how far it has been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause a crash. If you have to
replace a wheel, use a new Saturn original
equipment wheel.
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.
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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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Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on the hazard
warning ashers. SeeHazard Warning Flashers
on page 3-6.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over or fall on you or
other people. You and they could be badly injured
or even killed. Find a level place to change your
tire. To help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake rmly.
2. Put the shift lever in P (Park).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart while
the vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in the
vehicle.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
To be even more certain the vehicle will not move,
you should 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 the vehicle has a at tire (B), use the following
example as a guide to assist you in the placement
of wheel blocks (A).
A. Wheel Block
B. Flat Tire
The following information explains how to use the jack
and change a tire.
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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).
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1. Turn the plastic wing nut counterclockwise to
loosen the wheel wrench.
2. Unhook the wheel wrench from the jack.3. Extend the handle on the wheel wrench by pressing
the button and pulling on the end of the wrench.
You must do this before using the wheel wrench.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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{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.
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