2007 CHEVROLET OPTRA 5 Owners Manual

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
specified 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 inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
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 may need to be checked. If you notice
your vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth
road, your tires and wheels may need to be
rebalanced. See your dealer for proper diagnosis.
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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 if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer 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 GM 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 324for 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
GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
Notice:Use tire chains only where legal and
only when you must. Use only SAE Class
“S” 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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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 flat tire will create a drag
that pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your
foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. 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 flat, the next part shows how to use the
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel
damage by driving slowly to a level place.
Turn on your hazard warning flashers.
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{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 an automatic transaxle shift lever
in PARK (P), or shift a manual
transaxle to FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart
while the vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in
the vehicle.
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 you have a flat tire, use the following
example as a guide to assist you in the placement
of wheel blocks.
The following information will tell you how to use
the jack and change a tire.
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Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The tools you will be using to change a flat tire
are shown below. Refer to your vehicle model to
access the spare tire and tools.
A. Jack
B. Wheel WrenchC. Jack Handle
D. Screwdriver
Wagon Models
For wagon models, do the following to access the
spare tire and tools:
1. Open the liftgate. SeeLiftgate on page 99for
more information.
2. Fold the floor cover by pulling the handle
upward.
3. Lift the floor tray.
4. Release the prop from its retainer and put the
prop into the slot.
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5. Turn the retainer on the compact spare tire
counterclockwise and remove the retainer.
6. Remove the compact spare tire. SeeCompact
Spare Tire on page 334for more information.7. To access the tools, pull the strap on the tool
box cover upward. The tools are located
inside the foam tray.
327

Hatchback Models
For hatchback models, do the following to access
the spare tire and tools:
1. Open the liftgate. SeeLiftgate on page 99for
more information.
2. Remove the trim cover by pulling up on the tab.
3. Remove the foam tray that contains the tools.
4. Turn the retainer on the compact spare tire
counterclockwise and remove the retainer.5. Remove the compact spare tire. SeeCompact
Spare Tire on page 334for more information.
6. Remove the jack by turning the jack retainer,
located on the right side of the jack,
counterclockwise to release it. The jack is
located in the trunk, in front of the compact
spare tire.
7. Then remove the jack handle and the wheel
wrench. The jack handle and the wheel
wrench are located inside the foam tray.
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