2004 CHEVROLET SSR Owners Manual

Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
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 a crash. If you have to
replace a wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
Don’t use tire chains. There’s 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 your
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
your vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. 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 nd traction devices
that will t, install them on the rear tires.
5-65

If a Tire Goes Flat
Your vehicle has no spare tire, no tire changing
equipment and no place to store a tire.
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. See
Tires on page 5-51. If air goes out of a tire, it’s 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’d
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.
2. Set the parking brake rmly.
3. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
4. Turn off the engine.
5. Inspect the at tire.
If the tire has been separated from the wheel or has
damaged sidewalls or large tears that allow rapid
air loss, call a tire repair facility. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-6.
If the at tire is due to a slow leak caused by a nail or
other similar road hazard, the tire inator kit may
be used to repair the damaged tire temporarily. The kit
uses a liquid tire sealant to seal small punctures in
the tread area of the tire. The at tire is then inated to
at least 26 psi (179 kPa) and driven to evenly distribute
the tire sealant. The tire pressure is checked after
driving for a maximum of 10 minutes to see if the
slow leak has been stopped. If the tire pressure is
19 psi (131 kPa) or more, inate the tire up to the
standard operating pressure as shown on the tire and
loading information label found on center pillar near the
door latch or on the rear edge of the driver’s door.
SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-58.
5-66

You should have the damaged tire repaired as soon as
possible. The tire sealant is a temporary repair only.
For more information regarding the tire inator kit
seeTire Inator Kit on page 5-66.
Notice:If the tire pressure has dropped below
19 psi (131 kPa), the vehicle should not be driven.
Damage to the tire may be severe and the sealant
will not be effective. Contact Roadside Assistance,
seeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
Tire Inator Kit
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire inator kit. It is
located behind the driver’s seat of your vehicle. Use the
following directions for use of your tire inator kit
instead of directions you may nd on or near the kit.The repair kit contains the following:
A. Air Compressor
B. Tire Sealant
C. Sealant Filling Hose
D. Air Compressor
Accessory Plug
E. Air Compressor
Inator HoseF. Air Pressure Gage
G. Sealant Filling
Hose Plug
H. Valve Core Remover
I. Spare Valve Core
J. 55 mph (90 km/h) Label
5-67

Accessing the Tire Inator Kit
To access the tire inator kit for use, do the following:
1. Loosen the two nuts holding the tire inator kit cover
in place.
2. Remove the cover.
3. Grasp the handle and pull the tire inator kit out.
4. Open the tire inator kit case by lifting up the
two tabs located on either side of the kit handle.
Tire Sealant
The kit contains a liquid sealant that when injected into
a at tire, may temporarily repair nail holes or cuts
in the tread area of the tire. The tire sealant cannot
repair tire damage caused while driving on a at tire or
a tire that has had a “blow out” or a tire that has
punctures in the sidewall areas. The tire sealant solution
is a one-time use application for one tire only. Check
the tire sealant expiration date; the sealant may not be
as effective beyond the expiration date. The tire
sealant can be peeled off easily after drying.
Using Tire Sealant
Before using the tire sealant, be sure the valve stem
area is clean and free of debris, such as mud, snow, ice,
brake dust, etc. The valve stem should be located at
the bottom of the tire before applying the tire sealant.
5-68

To apply the tire sealant, do the following:
1. Turn the valve cap on the tire valve
counterclockwise to remove it.
2. Remove the valve core using the valve core tool
provided in the tire inator kit. An extra valve core
is also provided in the kit.
3. Shake the bottle to make sure the sealant is well
mixed.
4. Attach the tire sealant lling hose to the bottle of
tire sealant to pierce the seal on the bottle.
5. Remove the sealing plug from the end of the lling
hose and insert the end of the hose over the tire
valve.
6. Hold the bottle upside down over the tire valve and
squeeze the sealant into the tire until the bottle is
empty.
7. Remove the sealant lling hose from the tire valve
and reinstall the sealing plug.
8. Insert the valve core back into the tire valve. Turn
valve core tool clockwise to secure the valve core.
Once the tire sealant is applied, you can use the
compressor to inate the tire.Air Compressor
A. Inating Hose
B. Air Pressure GageC. ON/OFF Switch
D. Air Compressor Plug
5-69

The air compressor included in the tire inator kit was
designed exclusively for your vehicle. After the
sealant has been injected into the at tire, use the air
compressor to inate the at tire. Follow these
instructions:
1. Put the transmission in PARK (P) and apply the
parking brake. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 2-19andParking Brake on page 2-18.2. Attach the nozzle on the compressor to the valve
stem of the at tire, and then insert the plug into
an accessory power outlet on your vehicle.
5-70

{CAUTION:
Idling the engine in a closed-in place or with
the climate control system off can cause
deadly carbon monoxide (CO). See “Engine
Exhaust” in the Index.
Notice:The car engine must be running to avoid
draining the battery while running the air
compressor.
3. Start your vehicle.
4. Turn the compressor on to inate the tire.
{CAUTION:
Inating something too much can make it
explode, 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).
5. Inate the tire to at
least 26 psi (179 kPa),
but not more than
36 psi (248 kPa).
5-71

Notice:If the air compressor runs for more than
six minutes, at a time, it may overheat. The
excessive heat could damage the compressor.
Always operate the compressor for six minutes or
less when inating a tire.
6. Inate the tire for
up to a maximum
of six minutes.
Notice:If 26 psi (179 kPa) tire pressure cannot be
reached after six minutes the vehicle should not
be driven further. Damage to the tire is severe and
the sealant will not be effective. Remove the air
compressor plug from the accessory power outlet
and unscrew the inating hose from the tire
valve. See “Roadside Assistance” in the Index.7. If 26 psi (179 kPa) tire pressure is reached in
six minutes or less, disconnect the air compressor.
8. Attach the enclosed
maximum speed label
to the inside upper
left corner of the
windshield or to the
face of the radio/clock.
The maximum speed label reminds you to drive
cautiously and not to exceed 55 mph (90 km/h)
until you have the damaged tire inspected
and repaired.
5-72