SATURN VUE HYBRID 2008 Owners Manual

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.
Warning
:The traction grade assigned to this
tire is based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature – A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire’s resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a
specied indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the
tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning
:The temperature grade for this
tire is established for a tire that is properly
inated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underination, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
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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.
{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.
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.
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 clearance to
the body and chassis.
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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 a time. The wheel
could come off and cause a crash. 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 you need to, to get all the rust or
dirt off.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or the
threads of the wheel nuts. If you do, the wheel
nuts might come loose and the wheel could
fall off, causing a crash.
{CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become
loose and even come off. This could lead to a
crash. Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts.
If you have to replace them, be sure to get new
Saturn original equipment wheel nuts.
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.
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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
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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
Your vehicle has a tire sealant and compressor kit.
SeeTire Sealant and Compressor Kit on page 5-68.
There is no spare tire, no tire changing equipment,
and no place to store a tire.
It is unusual for a tire to blow out while you are driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. SeeTires
on page 5-47. If air goes out of a tire, it is much more
likely to leak out slowly. But, if you should ever have a
blow out, here are a few tips about what to expect and
what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will create 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 blow out, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you would use
in a skid. In any rear blow out, 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.If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place and stopping.
Then do this:
1. Turn on the hazard warning ashers. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
2. Park your vehicle. Set the parking brake rmly and
put the shift lever in PARK (P). SeeShifting Into
PARK (P) on page 2-27.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Inspect the at tire.
If the tire has been separated from the wheel, has
damaged sidewalls, or has a puncture larger than a
14inch (6 mm), the tire is too severely damaged for
the tire sealant and compressor kit to be effective.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
If the tire has a puncture less than a
14inch (6 mm)
in the tread area of the tire, seeTire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 5-68.
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Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire sealant and
compressor kit that is capable of temporarily sealing a
puncture up to a
14inch (6 mm) in the tread area of the
tire. There is no jack of spare tire. The kit inates with
liquid sealant and air. The tire sealant and compressor
kit can also be used to inate an underinated tire. After
the tire is inated to the recommended pressure, see
Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-52, the vehicle must
be driven for ve miles to distribute the sealant in the
tire and seal the puncture. See “Using the Tire Sealant
and Compressor Kit to Temporarily Seal and Inate a
Punctured Tire” later in this section.
After temporarily repairing a tire using the tire sealant
and compressor kit, take your vehicle to an authorized
dealer/retailer as soon as possible. If the sealant is
within 100 miles (161 kilometers) of driving, then it is
easier to clean from the tire and you are less likely
to require a replacement tire.A. Air Compressor
B. Tire Sealant Canister
C. Air Compressor
Accessory PlugD. On/Off Switch
E. Air Pressure Gage
F. Air Only Hose
G. Sealant/Air Hose
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Accessing the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
To access the tire sealant and compressor kit:
1. Open the liftgate. SeeLiftgate on page 2-9for more
information
2. Lift the forward oor panel of the load oor cargo
organizer.3. Remove the forward oor panel of the load oor
cargo organizer and place it in the vehicle while you
are removing the tire sealant and compressor kit.
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4. Open the oor cargo organizer locks, located on
the top left and right corners of the organizer,
by pushing inward on them.
5. Remove the load oor cargo organizer.6. Remove the foam retainer bolt (B) holding down the
foam container.
7. Remove the foam container (C).
8. Remove the sealant and compressor kit (A) from its
foam container.
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Tire Sealant
Read and follow the safe handling instructions on the
instructional label adhered to the sealant canister.
Check the tire sealant expiration date on the sealant
canister. The sealant canister should be replaced before
its expiration date. Replacement canisters are available
at your local dealer/retailer. See “Removal and
Installation of Sealant Canister” later in this section.
The sealant can temporarily seal a puncture up to
14inch (6 mm) in the tread area of the tire. The sealant
cannot seal sidewall damage, large punctures, or a tire
that has become unseated from the wheel. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-6.
The sealant can only be used to seal one tire.
After usage, the tire sealant canister and sealant/air
hose assembly must be replaced at a dealer/retailer.
See “Removal and Installation of Sealant Canister”
later in this section.
Using the Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit to Temporarily Seal and Inate a
Punctured Tire
Follow the directions closely for correct sealant usage.
1. Do a safety check before proceeding. SeeIf a Tire
Goes Flat on page 5-67.
2. Inspect the punctured tire.
The sealant can temporarily seal a puncture up
to
14inch (6 mm) in the tread area of the tire.
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The sealant cannot seal sidewall damage, large
punctures, or a tire that has become unseated from
the wheel. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 7-6.
Do not remove any objects that have penetrated
the tire.
3. Place the tire sealant and compressor kit on the
ground and unwrap the sealant/air hose (G) from
the side of the compressor.
4. Remove the valve stem cap from the at tire by
turning it counterclockwise.
5. Attach the sealant/air hose (G) onto the tire valve
stem. Turn it clockwise until it is tight.
Make sure the sealant and compressor kit on/off
switch (D) is in the O (off) position.
6. Remove the air compressor accessory plug (C)
from the unit.
7. Plug the air compressor accessory plug (C) into an
accessory power outlet in the vehicle. SeeAccessory
Power Outlet(s) on page 3-17for more information.
Do not slam door or close window on the
compressor accessory plug cord.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine in a closed-in place or with
the climate control system off can cause
deadly carbon monoxide (CO). SeeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-29.
8. Start the vehicle. SeeStarting the Engine
(Automatic Engine Start/Stop) on page 2-18
for more information. The vehicle must be
running while using the air compressor.
{CAUTION:
Overination could cause the tire to rupture,
and you or others could be injured. Be sure to
read the inator instructions, and inate the
tire to its recommended pressure. Do not
exceed 36 psi (248 kPa).
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