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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
speci ed 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 in ated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underin ation, 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 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
retailer if any of these conditions exist.
Your retailer will know the kind of wheel you need.
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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.{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.
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{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 speci cation.
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.
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Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P235/65R16, P235/60R17
or 245/50R18 size tires, 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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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
do not spin your wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the front tires.
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Notice:If your vehicle has a tire size other
than P235/65R16, P235/60R17 or 245/50R18
size tires, 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.If a Tire Goes Flat
Your vehicle has a tire in ator kit. 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 339. 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 creates 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.
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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.
2. Park your vehicle. Set the parking brake
rmly and put the shift lever in PARK (P).
SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 122
for additional information.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. 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 413.If the at tire is due to a slow leak caused by a
nail or other similar road hazard, the tire in ator 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.
After repairing a tire with the tire in ator kit,
take your vehicle to an authorized retailer to have
the tire inspected and repaired as soon as
possible. The tire sealant is a temporary repair
only. SeeTire In ator Kit on page 358.
Tire In ator Kit
Your vehicle has a tire in ator kit. There is no jack
or spare tire. The kit uses a liquid tire sealant
and air at the same time to seal small punctures
in the tread area of the tire. Be sure to read
and follow all of the tire in ator kit instructions.
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