2008 SATURN SKY tire pressure

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.
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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 a MS, for mud
and snow. SeeTire Sidewall Labeling on page 5-52
for 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 5-63
for 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 your vehicle. Be sure to use the
correct size, brand, and type of tires on your
vehicle’s wheels.
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{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.
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 warning
level you would get with TPC Spec rated tires.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-58.
Your vehicle’s original equipment tires are listed on the
Tire and Loading Information label. SeeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 4-23, 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 5-66andAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3for additional information.
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Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
Your vehicle has a tire sealant and compressor kit that
is capable of temporarily sealing a puncture up to a
14inch (6 mm) in the tread of the tire. There is no
jack or spare tire. The kit inates the tire with liquid
sealant and air. The tire sealant and compressor kit can
also be used to inate an underinated tire. After the
tire is inated to the recommended ination pressure,
seeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-56for more
information, the vehicle must be driven for ve miles to
distribute the sealant in the tire and seal the puncture.
After driving ve miles, the tire pressure must be
rechecked and adjusted as needed. See Using the
Tire Sealant and Compressor later in this section.
Be sure to read and follow all of the tire sealant and
compressor kit instructions. The kit includes the
following:
A. Air Compressor
B. Tire Sealant Canister
C. Air Compressor
Accessory Plug
D. On/Off SwitchE. Air Pressure Gage
F. Air Compressor
Inator Hose
G. Sealant Filling Hose
After temporarily sealing a tire using the tire sealant and
compressor kit, it is recommended to take your vehicle
to an authorized dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
If the sealant is not removed from the tire within
100 miles (161 kilometers) of driving, the dealer/retailer
may recommend that the tire be replaced.
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Tire Sealant
Read and follow the safe handling instructions on the
sealant canister.
The sealant can temporarily seal a punctures up to
14inch (6 mm) in the tread area of the tire. The sealant
cannot seal sidewall damage, large punctures, or a
tire that has unseated from the wheel. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-7if you need assistance.
The sealant can only be used to seal one tire.
After usage, the sealant canister and sealant lling
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, if it has expired, see your dealer/retailer for
a replacement.
Using the Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit to Temporarily Seal a Punctured Tire
Follow these directions closely for correct sealant usage.
1. Place the sealant and compressor kit on the ground
and unwrap the sealant lling hose from the
compressor.
2. Remove the air compressor accessory plug from
the unit. To do this, pull the top portion of the
wrapped cord out rst, then the bottom, and then
unsnap the plug. Do not insert the plug into an
accessory outlet yet.
3. Remove the valve stem or tire pressure monitoring
sensor cap from the at tire by turning it
counterclockwise.
If an object, such as a nail, has penetrated the tire,
do not remove it.
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4. Attach the sealant lling hose (A) onto the tire valve
stem. Turn it clockwise until it is tight.
Make sure the sealant and compressor kit on/off
switch (B) is in the O (off) position.
5. Plug the air compressor accessory plug (C) into an
accessory power outlet in the vehicle. SeeAccessory
Power Outlet(s) on page 3-16for more information.
Do not slam door or close window on the
compressor accessory plug cord.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine in a closed-in place or with
the climate control system off can cause
deadly carbon monoxide (CO). SeeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-27.
6. Start the vehicle. SeeStarting the Engine
(Key Access) on page 2-18for more information.
The vehicle must be running while using the
air compressor.
{CAUTION:
Inating something too much can make it
explode, and you or others could be injured.
Be sure to read the inator instructions, and
inate the tire to its recommended pressure.
Do not exceed 36 psi (248 kPa).
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7. Push the On/Off switch to the I (on) position.
The sealant and compressor kit injects sealant and
air into the tire. Sealant could leak from the
puncture until the vehicle is driven and the puncture
has sealed.
8. The pressure gage will initially show a high pressure
while the compressor pushes the sealant into the
tire. Once the sealant is completely dispersed in
the tire, the pressure will quickly drop and start to
rise again as the tire inates.
9. Inate the tire to the recommended ination
pressure, found on the Tire and Loading Information
label located on the vehicle’s center pillar (B-pillar)
below the vehicle’s door latch, using the air
pressure gage on the top of the unit.
The pressure gage reads high while the compressor
is running. Turn the compressor off to get an
accurate pressure reading.
Notice:If the recommended pressure cannot be
reached after 15 minutes, the vehicle should not be
driven. The tire is too severely damaged and
cannot be inated or sealed with the tire sealant
and compressor kit. Remove the air compressor
accessory plug from the accessory power outlet and
unscrew the sealant lling hose from the tire
valve or tire pressure monitoring sensor valve.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-7.10. Push the sealant and compressor kit switch to
the O (off) position.
11. The tire is not sealed and will continue to leak air
until the vehicle is driven and the sealant is
distributed in the tire.
Steps 12 through 20 must be done right after
Step 11.
12. Unplug the air compressor accessory plug from the
accessory power outlet in the vehicle.
13. Disconnect the sealant lling hose from the tire
valve stem, by turning it counterclockwise, and
replace the tire valve stem cap.
Be careful when handling the tire inator
components as they could be hot after usage.
14. Wrap the sealant lling hose around the air
compressor channel to stow it in its original location.
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15. Stow the air compressor accessory plug back in the
air compressor. To do this, wrap the air compressor
accessory plug, snap in the plug, and then push
in the bottom and then the top of the wrapped
air compressor accessory plug.
16. If the at tire was able
to inate to the
recommended ination
pressure, remove
the maximum speed
label from the sealant
canister.
Place it in a highly visible location such as the
inside of the upper left corner of the windshield or
to the face of the radio/clock.
The maximum speed label reminds you to drive
cautiously and not to exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) until
you have the damaged tire inspected and repaired.
{CAUTION:
Storing the tire sealant and compressor kit or
other equipment in the passenger compartment
of the vehicle could cause injury. In a sudden
stop or collision, loose equipment could strike
someone. Store the tire sealant and compressor
kit in the proper place.
17. Return the equipment to the proper storage location
in the trunk of your vehicle. You might need to
loosen the retention strap to wrap it around
the sealant and compressor kit and foam container.
To do this, pull apart the strap and loosen the
strap at the quick release buckle. Then snap the
buckle together, pull the strap tight, and secure the
loose end of the strap by mating the ends.
18. Immediately drive the vehicle 5 miles (8 km) to
distribute the sealant evenly in the tire.
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