2008 PONTIAC VIBE Owners Manual

This light also comes on for a few seconds and then
goes off when you turn the ignition to ON/RUN.
This indicates the TPMS is functioning properly.
If the low-tire pressure warning light comes on while
driving your vehicle, the system may have detected a
low-tire condition. You need to stop as soon as possible
and check the tires.
The low tire pressure warning light may come on in cool
weather when the vehicle is rst started, and then
turn off as you start to drive. This could be an early
indicator that the air pressure in the tire(s) are getting
low and need to be inated to the proper pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information label, attached to your
vehicle, shows the size of your vehicle’s original
equipment tires and the correct ination pressure for
your vehicle’s tires when they are cold. SeeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 4-19, for an example of the
Tire and Loading Information label and its location
on your vehicle. Also seeInflation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-55.
Your vehicle’s TPMS can warn you about a low tire
pressure condition but it does not replace normal
tire maintenance. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-61andTires on page 5-49.TPMS Malfunction Light
The TPMS will not function properly if one or more of
the TPMS sensors are missing or inoperable. When
the system detects a malfunction, the low tire warning
light ashes for about one minute and then stays
on for the remainder of the ignition cycle. The low tire
warning light comes on at each ignition cycle until
the problem is corrected. Some of the conditions that
can cause the malfunction light to come on are:
One of the road tires has been replaced with the
spare tire. The spare tire does not have a TPMS
sensor. The TPMS malfunction light and DIC
message should go off once you re-install the
road tire containing the TPMS sensor.
The initialization (reset) procedure was not
performed correctly after replacing or rotating tires
or wheels. See “TPMS Reset” later in this section.
One or more TPMS sensors are missing or
damaged. The DIC message and the TPMS
malfunction light should go off when the TPMS
sensors are installed and the sensor matching
process is performed successfully. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
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Replacement tires or wheels do not match your
vehicle’s original equipment tires or wheels. Tires
and wheels other than those recommended for your
vehicle could prevent the TPMS from functioning
properly. SeeBuying New Tires on page 5-63.
Operating electronic devices or being near facilities
using radio wave frequencies similar to the TPMS
could cause the TPMS sensors to malfunction.
If tire chains are installed on the vehicle.
If there is a lot of snow or ice around the wheels
or wheel housings.
If a window tint that affects the radio wave signals
is installed.
If the TPMS is not functioning it cannot detect or
signal a low tire condition. See your dealer/retailer
for service if the TPMS malfunction light comes on
and stays on.
TPMS Reset
In order for the tire pressure monitoring system to work
properly you need to reset (initialize) the tire pressure
monitoring system. Any time you repair or replace a tire
or wheel, or rotate the tires the tire pressure monitor
system needs to be reset.
Do not reset (initialize) the system without rst correcting
the cause of the low-tire condition. If the system is reset
when the tire pressures are incorrect, the system will
not function properly and might not alert you when a
tire is low.
When initializing the system, the present tire ination
pressure is stored as standard. The tire pressure warning
system determines decreased air pressure by comparing
the present and the standard tire ination pressures.
When you change the set tire ination pressure, it is
necessary to initialize the tire pressure warning system.
To reset (initialize) the system:
1. Park the vehicle at a safe place and apply the
parking brake. Turn the engine off.
2. Turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF.
3. Adjust the tire pressure of all the installed tires
to the specied cold tire ination pressure level.
4. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off.
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5. Press and hold the tire
pressure warning reset
switch until the tire
pressure warning light
ashes slowly on/off
three times.
Wait for a few minutes with the ignition in ON/RUN,
and then turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY
or LOCK/OFF.
If the low-tire pressure warning light does not
ash three times while you press and hold the
reset button, the reset has failed. Repeat the
reset process. If the reset cannot be performed,
see your dealer/retailer for service.
If you press the tire pressure reset switch while
the vehicle is moving, the reset is not performed.
If you press the tire pressure reset switch accidentally
and initialization is performed, adjust the tire pressure
to the specied level and initialize the system again.Tire Inspection and Rotation
We recommend that you regularly inspect your
vehicle’s tires, including the spare tire, for signs
of wear or damage. SeeWhen It Is Time for
New Tires on page 5-63for more information.
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km). SeePart A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services on page 6-4.
The purpose of a regular tire rotation is to achieve
a uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. This
will ensure that your vehicle continues to perform
most like it did when the tires were new.
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate the tires
as soon as possible and check wheel alignment.
Also check for damaged tires or wheels. See
When It Is Time for New Tires on page 5-63and
Wheel Replacement on page 5-67for more
information.
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When rotating your vehicle’s tires, always use the
correct rotation pattern shown here.
Tires should only be moved from front to rear and
rear to front on the same side of the vehicle.
Do not include the compact spare tire in the tire
rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the
front and rear ination pressures to the amounts
shown on the Tire and Loading Information
label. SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-55
andLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-19.
{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 5-70.
Vehicles with a tire pressure monitoring system
will need to reset (initialize) the system after each
tire rotation. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System
on page 5-57.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-95.
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When It Is Time for New Tires
Various factors, such as maintenance, temperatures,
driving speeds, vehicle loading, and road conditions
inuence when you need 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.
You need new tires 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.
The rubber in tires degrades over time, even if they are
not being used. This is also true for the spare tire, if
your vehicle has one. Multiple conditions affect how fast
this aging takes place, including temperatures, loading
conditions, and ination pressure maintenance. With
proper care and maintenance tires will typically wear
out before they degrade due to age. If you are unsure
about the need to replace your tires as they get
older, consult the tire manufacturer for more information.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched specic tires for your
vehicle. If you need replacement tires, GM strongly
recommends that you get tires that are the same size,
brand, load range, speed rating, and construction
type (radial and bias-belted tires) as your vehicle’s
original tires. This way, your vehicle will continue to have
tires that are designed to give the same performance
and vehicle safety, during normal use, as the original
tires. SeeTire Sidewall Labeling on page 5-50for
additional information.
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GM recommends replacing tires in sets of four.
This is because uniform tread depth on all tires will help
keep your vehicle performing most like it did when the
tires were new. Replacing less than a full set of tires can
affect the braking and handling performance of your
vehicle. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on page 5-61.
{CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose
control while driving. If you mix tires of
different sizes, brands, or types (radial
and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a
crash. Using tires of different sizes,
brands, or types may also cause damage
to your vehicle. Be sure to use the correct
size, brand, and type of tires on all
wheels. It is all right to drive with your
compact spare temporarily, as it was
developed for use on your vehicle. See
Compact Spare Tire on page 5-81.
{CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle,
the wheel rim anges could develop
cracks after many miles of driving. A tire
and/or wheel could fail suddenly, causing
a crash. Use only radial-ply tires with the
wheels on your vehicle.
Vehicles that have a tire pressure monitoring system
could give an inaccurate low-pressure warning if
tires not recommended for your vehicle are installed.
Tires that do not match the original equipment tires
could give a low-pressure warning that is higher or
lower than the proper warning level you would get with
original equipment tires. SeeTire Pressure Monitor
System on page 5-57.
Your vehicle’s original equipment tires are listed on
the Tire and Loading Information Label. SeeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 4-19, for more information
about the Tire and Loading Information label and its
location on your vehicle.
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Different Size Tires and Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a different size than
your original equipment wheels and tires, this may
affect the way your vehicle performs, including its
braking, ride and handling characteristics, stability,
and resistance to rollover. Additionally, if your vehicle
has electronic systems such as, anti-lock brakes,
traction control, and electronic stability control, the
performance of these systems can be affected.
{CAUTION:
If you add different sized wheels, your
vehicle may not provide an acceptable
level of performance and safety if tires not
recommended for those wheels are selected.
You may increase the chance that you will
crash and suffer serious injury. Only use
GM specic wheel and tire systems developed
for your vehicle, and have them properly
installed by a GM certied technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 5-63andAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3for additional information.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum selection width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the Unites States National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
which grades tires by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This applies only
to vehicles sold in the United States. The grades
are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply to deep tread,
winter-type snow tires, space-saver, or temporary
use spare tires, tires with nominal rim diameters
of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors
passenger cars and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they must also conform
to federal safety requirements.
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Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specied
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and a half (1
12) times
as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signicantly from
the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices, and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction — AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on
specied government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
Warning
:The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning,
or peak traction characteristics.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
specied 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
inated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underination, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
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