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Your vehicle’s original equipment tires are listed
on the Tire and Loading Information Label.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on page 4-22, 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, rollover airbags,
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 speci c wheel and tire systems
developed for your vehicle, and have them
properly installed by a Saturn certi ed
technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 5-65andAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3for additional information.
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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 speci ed 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
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.
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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 might need to be checked. If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road, the tires
and wheels might need to be rebalanced. See your
dealer/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 dealer/retailer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer/retailer 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 Saturn
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 5-84for 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 Saturn original
equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
Do not use tire chains. There is not enough
clearance. Tire chains used on a vehicle
without the proper amount of clearance can
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
cause damage to the brakes, suspension or
other vehicle parts. The area damaged by the
tire chains could cause you to lose control of
the vehicle and you or others may be injured
in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on the
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to the
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it is contacting the vehicle, and do
not spin the vehicle’s wheels. If you do nd
traction devices that will t, install them on
the front tires.
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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 tires properly.
SeeTires on page 5-49. 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 will create 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 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, and your vehicle has a compact
spare tire, seeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-84.
This information shows you how to use your vehicle’s
tire changing equipment and how to change a at
tire safely.
{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.
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Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
If your vehicle has a factory installed tire sealant and
compressor kit, there is no spare tire, no tire changing
equipment and no place to store a tire.
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place and stopping.
1. Turn on the hazard warning ashers. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
2. Park your vehicle. Set the parking brake rmly and
put the shift lever in PARK (P). SeeShifting Into
Park on page 2-35.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Inspect the at tire.
If the tire has been separated from the wheel, has
damaged sidewalls, or has a puncture larger than a
1 4inch (6 mm), the tire is too severely damaged for
the tire sealant and compressor kit to be effective.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-7.
If the tire has a puncture less than a
1 4inch (6 mm)
in the tread area of the tire, seeTire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 5-73.
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire sealant and
compressor kit that is capable of temporarily sealing
a puncture up to a
1 4inch (6 mm) in the tread area
of the tire. The kit in ates with liquid sealant and air.
The tire sealant and compressor kit can also be used
to in ate an underin ated tire. After the tire is in ated
to the recommended pressure, seeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-56, the vehicle must be driven
for ve miles (8 km) to distribute the sealant in the
tire and seal the puncture. See “Using the Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit to Temporarily Seal
and In ate a Punctured Tire” later in this section.
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3. The tire sealant and compressor kit is located on
the passenger side of the storage compartment.
4. Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from
the storage compartment by grabbing the handle
of the bag and pull up.
Tire Sealant
Read and follow the safe handling instructions on the
instructional label adhered to the sealant canister.
The sealant can temporarily seal a puncture up to
1 4inch (6 mm) in the tread area of the tire. The sealant
cannot seal sidewall damage, large punctures, or a
tire that has become unseated from the wheel.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-7.
The sealant can only be used to seal one tire.
After usage, the tire sealant canister and sealant/air
hose assembly must be replaced at a dealer/retailer.
See “Removal and Installation of Sealant Canister” later
in this section.
Check the tire sealant expiration date on the sealant
canister. The sealant canister should be replaced before
its expiration date. Replacement canisters are available
at your local dealer/retailer. See “Removal and
Installation of Sealant Canister” later in this section.
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Using the Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit to Temporarily Seal and In ate a
Punctured Tire
Follow the directions closely for correct sealant usage.
A. Selector Switch
B. On/Off Button
C. Air Pressure Gage
D. Tire Sealant
CanisterE. Air Compressor
Accessory Plug
F. Sealant/Air
Hose (Clear)
G. Air Only Hose1. Do a safety check. SeeIf a Tire Goes Flat on
page 5-72.
2. Inspect the punctured tire.
The sealant can temporarily seal a puncture
up to1 4inch (6 mm) in the tread area of the tire.
The sealant cannot seal sidewall damage, large
punctures, or a tire that has become unseated from
the wheel. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 7-7.
Do not remove any objects that have penetrated
the tire.
3. Place the tire sealant and compressor kit on the
ground and unwrap the sealant/air hose (F) from
the side of the compressor.
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