2008 SATURN ASTRA tire pressure

When high-speed driving ends,
return the tire pressure to the
recommended cold ination
pressure shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
Loading the Vehicle on page 8-30.
Tire pressure should be checked
and correctly set when the tires are
cold. SeeInflation - Tire Pressure
on page 9-46.
Tire Pressure Monitor
System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) uses radio and sensor
technology to check tire pressure
levels. The TPMS sensors monitor
the air pressure in your vehicle’s tires
and transmit tire pressure readings to
a receiver located in the vehicle.
Each tire, including the spare
(if provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inated to
the ination pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on
the vehicle placard or tire inationpressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than
the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or tire ination pressure
label, you should determine the
proper tire ination pressure
for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with
a tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates a low
tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is signicantly
under-inated.
Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires
as soon as possible, and inate them
to the proper pressure. Driving on
a signicantly under-inated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under-ination
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the
vehicle’s handling and stopping
ability.Please note that the TPMS is
not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver’s
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-ination has
not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped
with a TPMS malfunction indicator to
indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will ash for
approximately one minute and then
remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long
as the malfunction exists.
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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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Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
The Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) is designed to warn the
driver when a low tire pressure
condition exists. TPMS sensors are
mounted onto each tire and
wheel assembly, excluding the
spare tire. The TPMS sensors
monitor the air pressure in the
vehicle’s tires and transmit tire
pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure condition
is detected, the TPMS illuminates
the low tire pressure warning
light located in the instrument
panel cluster.The low tire pressure warning light
comes on at each ignition cycle
until the tires are inated to
the correct ination pressure.
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.
You must begin driving before the
TPMS system is operational.
TPMS sensors need to be installed
onto the full-size tire and wheel
assemblies, and the tires adjusted
to the manufacturers’ recommended
tire pressure amount.
A Tire and Load Information label is
attached to the vehicle, and shows
the size of the vehicle’s original
equipment tires and the correct
ination pressure for the tires when
they are cold. SeeLoading the
Vehicle on page 8-30, for anexample of the Tire and Load
Information label and its location on
the vehicle. Also seeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 9-46.
The 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 9-51andTires
on page 9-38.
Notice:Liquid tire sealants
could damage the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS) sensors.
Sensor damage caused by
using a tire sealant is not covered
by your warranty. Do not use
liquid tire sealants.
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identication code. Any time
you replace one or more of the
TPMS sensors or rotate the
vehicle’s tires, the identication
codes are automatically learned by
the TPMS. This occurs within a
few moments of driving the vehicle
over 19 mph (31 km/h).
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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.
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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
the 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 the 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 typically wear out before
they degrade due to age. If you are
unsure about the need to replace
the tires as they get older, consult
the tire manufacturer for more
information.
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Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specic tires for your vehicle.
The original equipment tires installed
on your vehicle, when it was new,
were designed to meet General
Motors Tire Performance Criteria
Specication (TPC Spec) system
rating. If you need replacement
tires, GM strongly recommends
that you get tires with the same
TPC Spec rating. 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.
GM’s exclusive TPC Spec system
considers over a dozen critical
specications that impact the
overall performance of your vehicle,
including brake system performance,
ride and handling, traction control,and tire pressure monitoring
performance. GM’s TPC Spec
number is molded onto the tire’s
sidewall near the tire size. If the tires
have an all-season tread design,
the TPC Spec number will be
followed by an MS for mud and
snow. SeeTire Sidewall Labeling on
page 9-40for additional information.
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 9-51for
information on proper tire rotation.{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 the vehicle.
Be sure to use the correct
size, brand, and type of tires
on all wheels. It is all right
to drive with the compact
spare temporarily, as it was
developed for use on the
vehicle. SeeCompact Spare
Tire on page 9-67.
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{CAUTION
If you use bias-ply tires on
the 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 the vehicle.
If you must replace your vehicle’s
tires with those that do not have
a TPC Spec number, make sure
they are the same size, load range,
speed rating, and construction type
(radial and bias-belted tires) as
your vehicle’s original tires.
Vehicles that have a tire pressure
monitoring system could give
an inaccurate low-pressure warning
if non-TPC Spec rated tires are
installed on your vehicle. Non-TPC
Spec rated tires may give a
low-pressure warning that is higher
or lower than the proper warninglevel you would get with TPC Spec
rated tires. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor System on page 9-48.
Your vehicle’s original equipment
tires are listed on the Tire and
Loading Information Label. See
Loading the Vehicle on page 8-30,
for more information about the
Tire and Loading Information Label
and its location on your vehicle.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
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 Saturn specic
wheel and tire systems
developed for your vehicle, and
have them properly installed by
a Saturn certied technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 9-54
andAccessories and Modifications
on page 9-3for additional
information.
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4. Put the load oor back in place.
The compact spare tire is for
temporary use only. Replace the
compact spare with a full-size tire
as soon as possible.
Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire
was fully inated when the vehicle
was new, it can lose air after
a time. Check the ination
pressure regularly. It should be
60 psi (420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare
on the vehicle, stop as soon
as possible and make sure the
spare tire is correctly inated.
The compact spare is made to
perform well at speeds up to
50 mph (80 km/h) for distances
up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km), so you
can nish your trip and have the
full-size tire repaired or replaced at
your convenience. Of course, it
is best to replace the spare with a
full-size tire as soon as possible.
The spare tire will last longer and
be in good shape in case it is
needed again.Notice:When the compact
spare is installed, do not take
your vehicle through an
automatic car wash with guide
rails. The compact spare can get
caught on the rails. That can
damage the tire and wheel, and
maybe other parts of your vehicle.
Do not use the compact spare on
other vehicles.
And do not mix the compact spare
tire or wheel with other wheels
or tires. They will not t. Keep the
spare tire and its wheel together.
Notice:Tire chains will not
t your compact spare. Using
them can damage your vehicle
and can damage the chains
too. Do not use tire chains on
your compact spare.
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