2009 PONTIAC G6 spare wheel

Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
(Retractable Hardtop
and Coupe)..............................................5-53
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps (Sedan)........................5-54
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps (Coupe).......5-55
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps
(Retractable Hardtop).................................5-56
License Plate Lamp......................................5-57
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-57
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-58
Tires..............................................................5-59
Winter Tires.................................................5-60
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-61
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-64
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-67
High-Speed Operation...................................5-68
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-69
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-71
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-76
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-77Buying New Tires.........................................5-78
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-80
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-80
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-82
Wheel Replacement......................................5-83
Tire Chains..................................................5-84
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-85
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-86
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-87
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................5-89
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-94
Compact Spare Tire....................................5-101
Appearance Care..........................................5-102
Interior Cleaning.........................................5-102
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-103
Leather......................................................5-104
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-104
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-104
Weatherstrips.............................................5-105
Washing Your Vehicle..................................5-105
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-105
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS). The 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 and wheel assembly. The TPMS sensors
monitor the air pressure in the vehicle’s tires and
transmits the tire pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure
condition is detected, the
TPMS turns on the low tire
pressure warning light
located on the instrument
panel cluster.
At the same time a message to check the pressure in a
specic tire appears on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) display. The low tire pressure warning light and the
DIC warning message come on at each ignition cycle
until the tires are inated to the correct ination pressure.Using the DIC, tire pressure levels can be viewed by the
driver. For additional information and details about the
DIC operation and displays seeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-43andDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-46.
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 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 the Vehicle on page 4-20, for an
example of the Tire and Loading Information label and its
location on your vehicle. Also seeInflation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-67.
Your vehicle’s TPMS system can warn you about a low
tire pressure condition but it does not replace normal
tire maintenance. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-76andTires on page 5-59.
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.
5-71

TPMS Malfunction Light and Message
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. A DIC warning message
is also displayed. The low tire warning light and DIC
warning message come on at each ignition cycle until the
problem is corrected. Some of the conditions that can
cause the malfunction light and DIC message 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 TPMS sensor matching process was started but
not completed or not completed successfully after
rotating the vehicle’s tires. The DIC message and
TPMS malfunction light should go off once the TPMS
sensor matching process is performed successfully.
See “TPMS Sensor Matching Process” 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.
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 5-78.
Operating electronic devices or being near facilities
using radio wave frequencies similar to the TPMS
could cause the TPMS sensors to malfunction.
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 and DIC message
comes on and stays on.
5-72

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 5-77for more information.
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km). SeeScheduled Maintenance
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 5-77and
Wheel Replacement on page 5-83.When rotating the vehicle’s tires, always use the
correct rotation pattern shown here.
Do not include the compact spare tire in the tire
rotation.
5-76

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 5-76for
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 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 5-101.
{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 warning level you would
get with TPC Spec rated tires. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor System on page 5-69.
Your vehicle’s original equipment tires are listed
on the Tire and Loading Information Label.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on page 4-20, for more
information about the Tire and Loading Information
Label and its location on your vehicle.
5-79

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, antilock 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 5-78andAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-4for additional information.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United 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.
5-80

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you will need is located in the trunk.
1. If you have a retractable hardtop model, make sure
the hardtop is in the up position.
2. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 2-12for more
information.
3. If you have a sedan or coupe model, remove the
spare tire cover.
If you have a retractable hardtop model, unlatch the
trunk cargo cover so that it is in the open position.
Then remove the cover from the spare tire.
4. Turn the wing nut counterclockwise and remove it.
Then remove the compact spare tire. SeeCompact
Spare Tire on page 5-101for more information.
5. Remove the wing nut holding the jack in place.
6. Remove the extension bolt that is clipped to
the jack. You will need this later to store the at tire.
7. Remove the jack and wheel wrench from the trunk.
5-87

3. Extend the handle on the wheel wrench by pressing
the button with your index nger and pulling on the
end of the wrench. You must do this before using the
wheel wrench.
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. It is recommended a safety check is done before
proceeding. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-86
for more information.
2. If your vehicle has a wheel cover or hubcap that
has plastic wheel nut caps, then loosen the plastic
nut caps. You may need to use the wheel wrench
to loosen them. Do not pry off wheel covers or
center caps that have plastic wheel nut caps.
3. Remove the wheel cover or center cap from the
wheel to locate the wheel nuts.
If your vehicle has a wheel cover or hubcap without
plastic wheel nut caps, gently pry on the edge of
the plastic wheel trim to remove it from the wheel to
nd the wheel nuts.
Store the wheel cover in the trunk until the at is
repaired or replaced.
5-89