2007 CHEVROLET EQUINOX flat tire

Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 396
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 397
Buying New Tires...................................... 398
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 400
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 400
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 402
Wheel Replacement.................................. 402
Tire Chains............................................... 403
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 404
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 404
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools.......... 406
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire....................................... 407
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...... 414
Compact Spare Tire.................................. 416
Appearance Care........................................ 417
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 417
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 418
Leather...................................................... 420
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces..................................... 421
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 421
Weatherstrips............................................ 421Washing Your Vehicle............................... 422
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 422
Finish Care............................................... 422
Windshield and Wiper Blades.................... 423
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels......... 424
Tires......................................................... 425
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 425
Finish Damage.......................................... 425
Underbody Maintenance............................ 425
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 426
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 426
Vehicle Identication.................................. 427
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)........... 427
Service Parts Identication Label............... 428
Electrical System........................................ 428
Add-On Electrical Equipment..................... 428
Windshield Wiper Fuses............................ 429
Fuses and Circuit Breakers....................... 429
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..................... 429
Engine Compartment Fuse Block............... 431
Capacities and Specications.................... 434
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
332

(D) Tire Identication Number (TIN):The letters
and numbers following DOT (Department of
Transportation) code is the Tire Identication
Number (TIN). The TIN shows the manufacturer
and plant code, tire size, and date the tire
was manufactured. The TIN is molded onto both
sides of the tire, although only one side may have
the date of manufacture.
(E) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and
number of plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(F) Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG):
Tire manufacturers are required to grade tires
based on three performance factors: treadwear,
traction, and temperature resistance. For more
information seeUniform Tire Quality Grading
on page 400.
(G) Maximum Cold Ination Load Limit:
Maximum load that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed to support that load.(A) Temporary Use Only:The compact spare
tire or temporary use tire has a tread life of
approximately 3,000 miles (5 000 km) and should
not be driven at speeds over 65 mph (105 km/h).
The compact spare tire is for emergency use
when a regular road tire has lost air and gone at.
If your vehicle has a compact spare tire, see
Compact Spare Tire on page 416andIf a Tire
Goes Flat on page 404.
Compact Spare Tire Example
384

Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System. See
“TPMS Sensor Matching Process” under
Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 391.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specications on page 434.
{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
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 needed, to get all the rust or dirt
off. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 404.
When It Is Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it
is 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.
Some commercial truck
tires may not have
treadwear indicators.
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.
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or
snagged deep enough to show cord or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge, or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage
that cannot be repaired well because of the
size or location of the damage.
397

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 404for more
information.
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
GM 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 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 is
contacting your vehicle, and do not spin
your vehicle’s wheels. If you do nd
traction devices that will t, install them
on the front tires.
403

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 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 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. The jack provided with your
vehicle 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. Use the
jack provided with your vehicle only 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.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel
damage by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on
your vehicle’s hazard warning ashers. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 150for more information.
404

5. Remove the
wing-bolt holding
the jack and
then remove it.
6. Remove the hook and loop fastener straps
holding the bag containing the wheel wrench.
Remove the wheel wrench from the bag.
7. Extend the socket portion of the wrench from
the handle.
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
You must take off the wheel cover or center cap,
if the vehicle has one, to reach the wheel bolts.1. Loosen all
ve plastic caps
by turning the
wheel wrench
counterclockwise.
Do not try to remove
plastic caps from
the cover or
center cap.
2. Pull the cover or center cap away from
the wheel.
3. Use the wheel wrench to loosen all the wheel
nuts. Do not remove them yet.
4. Attach the wheel wrench to the jack bolt
head and turn the wheel wrench clockwise.
That will raise the lift head a little.
407

Storing a Flat or 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 at or spare tire and tools, do the
following:
1. Place the wheel wrench into the bag.
2. Use the hook and loop fastener straps to
secure the bag to the fully collapsed jack.
3. Install the jack in
the left side panel
of cargo area
and secure with
the wing bolt.
4. Remove the wheel stow rod from the left side
of the oor compartment.
414

At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood
checks at each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper
oil if necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 344
for further details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level.
Failure to keep your engine oil at the proper
level can cause damage to your engine
not covered by your warranty.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture if necessary.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 352for further
details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in
the windshield washer uid reservoir and
add the proper uid if necessary.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Visually inspect your vehicle’s tires and make
sure they are inated to the correct pressures.
Do not forget to check the spare tire. See
Ination - Tire Pressure on page 390. Check to
make sure the spare tire is stored securely.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 404.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for high mileage
highway drivers prior to the Engine Oil Life
System service notication. Check the tires for
wear and, if necessary, rotate the tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on page 396.
445