Page 266 of 419
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
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.
After you’ve put the compact spare tire on your vehicle,
you’ll need to store the flat tire in your trunk. Use the
following procedure
to secure the flat tire in the trunk. When storing a full-size tire you must use the extension
to help avoid wheel surface damage. Use extension and
protector/guide located in foam holder.
To store a
full-size tire, place tire valve stem facing down then
remove protectivelguide and attach retainer securely.
When reinstalling compact spare put protective/guide
back in foam holder. Store the cover
as far forward
as possible.
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Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated
when your vehicle
was new, it can lose air after a time.
Check
the inflation pressure regularly. It should be
60 psi (420 Ha).
After installing the compact spare on your vehicle, you
should stop as soon
as possible and make sure your spare
tire is correctly inflated.
The compact spare is made to
perform well
at speeds up to 65 rnph (105 kdh) for
distances up to
3,000 miles (5 000 krn), so YOU can finish
your trip and have your full-size tire repaired or replaced
where
you want. You must calibrate the Tire Pressure
Monitor after installing
or removing the compact spare.
See “Driver Information Center - Controls and Displays”
in
the Index. Of course, it’s best to replace your spare
with a full-size tire as soon as you can. Your spare
will last longer and be in good shape in case you need
it again.
NOTICE:
When the compact spare is installed, don’t take
your vehicle through an automatic vehicle wash
with guide rails. The compact spare can get
caught
on the rails. That can damage the tire and
wheel, and maybe other parts
of your vehicle.
Don’t use your compact spare on other vehicles.
And don’t mix your compact spare tire or wheel with
other wheels or tires. They won’t fit. Keep your spare
tire and its wheel together.
NOTICE:
Tire chains won’t fit your compact spare. Using
them can damage your vehicle
and can damage
the ‘chains too. Don’t use tire chains on your
compact spare.
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Page 319 of 419

After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire-Loading
Information label. Make certain that all wheel nuts
are
properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” in the Index.
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
an accident. 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. (See
“Changing
a Flat Tire” in the Index.) When
It’s Time for New Tires
One way
to tell when it’s
time for new tires
is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires have
only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or
less of tread remaining.
You need a new tire 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.
0 The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.
0 The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can’t be repaired well because
of the size or location
of the damage.
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g New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When
you get new tires,
get ones with that sarne TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service
on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an “MS”
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted or radial) as your original tires. Reset Tire
Inflation Monitor
(TIM).
I
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving.
If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias-belted
tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have
a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage to your vehicle.
Be sure to use the same
size and type tires
on all wheels.
It’s all right to drive with your compact spare,
though. It was developed for use on your vehicle.
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Used R lacement Wheels
Putting
a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous,
You can’t know how it’s been used or
how
far it’s been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause
an accident. If you have to replace a
wheel,
use a new GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
~
NOTICE:
If your Pontiac has P225/60R16 size tires, don’t
use tire chains. They can damage
your vehicle
because there’s not enough clearance.
NOTICE: (Continued) NOTICE:
(Continued)
Use another type
of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
condition,s. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle drive slowly, readjust
or remove the
device if
it’s contacting your vehicle and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you do find traction de that will fit, install
them on the front tires,
If you have oth,er tires, use tire chains only where
legal and
only when you must. Use only SAE
Cla,ss LLS” type chains that are the proper size for
your tires. Install them
on the front tires and
tighten them as tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened. Drive slowly
and follow the
chain manufacturer’s instructions,
If you can
hear the chains contacting your vehicle, stop
and retighten them.
If the contact continues,
slow down until
it stops. Driving too fast or
spinning the wheels with chains on will damage
your vehicle.
~
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