2008 SATURN ASTRA change wheel

Outlet Adjustment
Use the thumbwheel below the air
outlets to change the direction of the
air ow. Use the vertical thumbwheel
next to the outlets to control the
amount of air ow or to shut off the
airow completely.
Keep all outlets open whenever
possible for best system
performance.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow, or
leaves from the air inlets at
the base of the windshield that
can block the ow of air into
the vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood
deectors can adversely affect
the performance of the system.
Keep the path under all seats
clear of objects to help circulate
the air inside the vehicle
more effectively.
If fogging reoccurs while in vent
or bi-level modes with mild
temperature throughout the
vehicle, turn on the air conditioner
to reduce windshield fogging.
7-4 Climate Controls
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If your vehicle’s engine ever stops
while you are driving, brake normally
but do not pump the brakes. If you
do, the pedal could get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you
will still have some power brake
assist. But you will use it when you
brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 9-3.Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Antilock
Brake System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that
will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and
begin to drive away, ABS will check
itself. You might hear a momentary
motor or clicking noise while this
test is going on, and you might even
notice that the brake pedal moves a
little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS,
this warning light will stay on.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on page 4-18.Let us say the road is wet and you
are driving safely. Suddenly, an
animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes and
continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels
are slowing down. If one of
the wheels is about to stop rolling,
the computer will separately
work the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake
pressure faster than any driver could.
The computer is programmed to
make the most of available tire and
road conditions. This can help you
steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed
and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
8-18 Driving and Operating
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Remember: ABS does not change
the time you need to get your foot
up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you
get too close to the vehicle in front of
you, you will not have time to apply
the brakes if that vehicle suddenly
slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though
you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down rmly and
let antilock work for you. You might
hear the antilock pump or motor
operate, and feel the brake
pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
you more than even the very best
braking.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle may have StabiliTrak
which combines antilock brake,
traction and stability control systems
and helps the driver maintain
directional control of the vehicle
in most driving conditions.
When you rst start your vehicle and
begin to drive away, the system
performs several diagnostic checks
to ensure there are no problems.
You may hear or feel the system
working. This is normal and does not
mean there is a problem with your
vehicle. The system should initialize
before the vehicle reaches 20 mph
(32 km/h).
The system monitors vehicle
movements, and helps the driver
maintain control of the vehicle in
most driving situations. When the
vehicle’s stability is affected the
engine output is reduced, and the
brakes are applied to individual
wheels.When you turn the ignition on,
this light on the instrument panel
cluster will come on for a few
seconds, then go out when the
system is ready.
You may also feel or hear the
system working; this is normal.
StabiliTrak is automatically enabled
whenever you start your vehicle.
To assist the driver with vehicle
directional control, especially in
slippery road conditions, you should
always leave the system on. But, you
can turn it off if you ever need to.
Driving and Operating 8-19
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Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a
reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control”
accidents mentioned on the news
happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner,
each of us is subject to the same
laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires
against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its
path when you turn the front wheels.
If there is no traction, inertia will
keep the vehicle going in the same
direction. If you have ever tried to
steer a vehicle on wet ice, you will
understand this.
Traction in a curve depends on
the condition of the tires and
the road surface, the angle at which
the curve is banked, and your
speed. While in a curve, speed is
the one factor you can control.Suppose you are steering
through a sharp curve. Then
you suddenly accelerate. Both
control systems — steering
and acceleration — have to do
their work where the tires meet
the road. Adding the sudden
acceleration can demand too much
of those places. You can lose
control. SeeStabiliTrak
®System
on page 8-19.
What should you do if this ever
happens? Ease up on the brake
or accelerator pedal, steer the
vehicle the way you want it to go,
and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn
that you should adjust your speed.
Of course, the posted speeds are
based on good weather and road
conditions. Under less favorable
conditions you will want to go slower.If you need to reduce speed when
approaching a curve, do it before
you enter the curve, while the front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust the speed so you can
drive through the curve. Maintain
a reasonable, steady speed. Wait
to accelerate until you are out of the
curve, and then accelerate gently
into the straightaway.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 9-3.
Driving and Operating 8-21
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CAUTION (Continued)
Worn, old tires can cause
accidents. If your tread
is badly worn, or if your
tires have been damaged,
replace them.
SeeHigh-Speed Operation
on page 9-47for ination
pressure adjustment for
high speed driving.
Low-Prole Tires
If the vehicle has 225/40ZR18
or 215/45R18 size tires, they
are classied as low-prole
performance tires. These tires
are designed for very responsive
driving on wet or dry pavement.
You may also notice more
road noise with low-prole
performance tires and that they
tend to wear faster.
Notice:If the vehicle has
low-prole tires, they are
more susceptible to damage
from road hazards or curb
impact than standard prole
tires. Tire and/or wheel
assembly damage can occur
when coming into contact with
road hazards like, potholes,
or sharp edged objects,
or when sliding into a curb.
The vehicle warranty does not
cover this type of damage.
Keep tires set to the correct
ination pressure and,
when possible avoid contact
with curbs, potholes, and
other road hazards.Winter Tires
If the vehicle has 225/40ZR18 or
215/45R18 size tires, they are
classied as low-prole performance
tires. These tires are designed for
very responsive driving on wet or dry
pavement. If you expect to drive
on snow or ice covered roads often,
you may want to get winter tires
for your vehicle. All season tires
provide good overall performance on
most surfaces but they may not
offer the traction you would like or
the same level of performance
as winter tires on snow or ice
covered roads.
Winter tires, in general, are
designed for increased traction on
snow and ice covered roads.
With winter tires, there may be
decreased dry road traction,
increased road noise, and shorter
tire tread life. After switching to
winter tires, be alert for changes in
vehicle handling and braking.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-39
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When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be
able to detect or signal low tire
pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation
of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent
the TPMS from functioning properly.
Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow
the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor
Operation on page 9-50for
additional information.Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and
Industry and Science Canada
The Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) operates on a radio
frequency and complies with
Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
1. This device may not cause
harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation.The TPMS operates on a radio
frequency and complies with
RSS-210 of Industry and Science
Canada. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause
interference.
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation of the
device.
Changes or modications to this
system by other than an authorized
service facility could void
authorization to use this equipment.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-49
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Use this pattern when rotating
the vehicle tires. Do not include
the compact spare tire in the
tire rotation.
{CAUTION
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or
on the parts to which it is
fastened, can make wheel
bolts become loose after
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 using a scraper
or wire brush.
Installing wheels with a good
metal-to-metal contact at
the mounting surfaces is
necessary to prevent wheel
bolts from becoming loose.To prevent corrosion or rust
build-up, lightly coat the wheel
hub center and the cone-shaped
surface of each wheel bolt
with wheel bearing grease,
after a wheel change.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on
page 9-60for information
on installing the tire and wheel
assembly. Also see “Wheel
Bolt Torque” underCapacities
and Specifications on page 10-2.
Adjust the front and rear tires to
the recommended cold tire
ination pressure shown on the
Tire and Loading Information
label. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 9-46and
Loading the Vehicle on
page 8-30.
9-52 Vehicle Service and Care
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Tire Changing
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 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.
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 theway 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 the
hazard warning ashers.
{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
transmission shift lever in
P (Park), or shift a manual
transmission to 1 (First) or
R (Reverse).
(Continued)
9-60 Vehicle Service and Care
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