2009 PONTIAC G8 spare wheel

Uniform Tire Quality
Grading...........................9-62
Wheel Alignment and
Tire Balance....................9-64
Wheel Replacement..........9-64
Tire Chains.......................9-65
Tire Changing
If a Tire Goes Flat............9-66
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
(V8 Engine)
.....................9-67
Changing a Flat Tire.........9-75
Removing the Spare
Tire and Tools.................9-76
Removing the Flat Tire
and Installing the
Spare Tire
.......................9-77
Storing a Flat or Spare
Tire and Tools.................9-82
Compact Spare Tire..........9-83
Jump Starting
Jump Starting...................9-84
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle.........9-88
Shift Lock Manual
Release...........................9-88
Recreational Vehicle
Towing............................9-89
Towing a Trailer................9-89
Appearance Care
Interior Cleaning................9-95
Exterior Cleaning..............9-98
Sheet Metal Damage.......9-102
Finish Damage................9-102
Underbody Maintenance. . .9-102
Chemical Paint
Spotting.........................9-102
Service
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer/retailer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one
of these marks:
9-2 Vehicle Service and Care

Fuses Usage
F14 Auxiliary Power
F15Outside Rearview
Mirrors
F16Sunroof/Automatic
Transmission
Shift Lock
F17 Sunroof
F18Automatic Occupant
Sensor
F19Driver Side Heated
Seat
F20Passenger Side
Heated Seat
F21Daytime Running
Lamps
F22Front Cigarette
Lighter
F23Steering Wheel
Controls Backlighting
F24 Power Window
FUSE
PULLERFuse PullerCircuit
BreakersUsage
B1 Spare
B2 Power Windows
B3 Power Seats
B4 Spare
Relays Usage
R1Retain Accessory
Power 1
R2 Door Locks
R3Passenger Side
Door Lock
R4 Spare
R5 Trunk Release
R6 Driver Side Lock
R7Retain Accessory
Power 2
R8 Accessory
R9 Blower
R10 Spare
R11Daytime Running
Lamps
R12 Fuel Pump
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
To open the fuse block cover,
remove the clip on cover.
Notice:Spilling liquid on any
electrical components on
the vehicle may damage it.
Always keep the covers on any
electrical component.
9-38 Vehicle Service and Care

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.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 and wheel assembly. The
TPMS sensors monitor the air
pressure in the vehicle’s tires and
transmit the tire pressure readings to
a receiver located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure condition
is detected, the TPMS turns on the
7
low tire pressure warning light.
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 bythe driver. For additional information
and details about the DIC operation
and displays seeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 4-22andDIC
Warnings and Messages on
page 4-26.
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 the vehicle’s
original equipment tires and the
correct ination pressure for the
vehicle’s tires when they are cold.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on
page 8-30, for an example of the Tire
and Loading Information label and its
location on the vehicle. Also see
Inflation - Tire Pressure on
page 9-49.
9-54 Vehicle Service and Care

The vehicle’s TPMS system can
warn about a low tire pressure
condition but it does not replace
normal tire maintenance. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 9-57andTires on page 9-42.
Notice:Using non-approved
tire sealants could damage
the Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) sensors. TPMS sensor
damage caused by using an
incorrect tire sealant is not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use the GM approved
tire sealant available through your
dealer/retailer.
TPMS Malfunction Light and
Message
The TPMS will not function properly
if one or more of the TPMS
sensors are missing or not
operating.
When the system detects a
malfunction, the
7low tire warning
light ashes for about one minute
and then stays on for the remainderof the ignition cycle. A DIC warning
message also displays. 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 the road tire containing
the TPMS sensor is re-installed.
The TPMS sensor matching
process was started but not
completed or not completed
successfully after installing
replacement tires or rotating the
vehicle’s tires. The DIC message
and TPMS malfunction light
should go off once the TPMS
sensor matching process is
performed successfully.
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 the dealer/
retailer for service.
Replacement tires or wheels do
not match the vehicle’s original
equipment tires or wheels. Tires
and wheels other than those
recommended for the vehicle
could prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. SeeBuying
New Tires on page 9-59.
Operating electronic devices or
being near facilities using radio
wave frequencies similar to the
TPMS could cause the TPMS
sensors to malfunction.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-55

Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate the tires as soon
as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for
damaged tires or wheels.
SeeWhen It Is Time for New
Tires on page 9-59andWheel
Replacement on page 9-64.
When rotating the vehicle’s tires,
always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.The compact spare tire, if the
vehicle has one, is not included
in the tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated,
adjust the front and rear ination
pressures as shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 9-49andLoading the
Vehicle on page 8-30.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor Operation on page 9-54.
Make certain that all wheel
nuts are properly tightened.
See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications on
page 10-2.{CAUTION
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on
the parts to which it is
fastened, can make wheel
nuts become loose after time.
The wheel could come off and
cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where
the wheel attaches to the
vehicle. In an emergency, you
can use a cloth or a paper
towel to do this; but be sure to
use a scraper or wire brush
later, if needed, to get all the
rust or dirt off. SeeChanging
a Flat Tire on page 9-75.
9-58 Vehicle Service and Care

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 9-42for 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 9-57for
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 9-83.{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.
9-60 Vehicle Service and Care

Tire Changing
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while you are driving, especially if
you maintain your tires properly. See
Tires on page 9-42. 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, see
Changing a Flat Tire on page 9-75.
This information shows you how
to use the 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. If a
jack is provided with the vehicle, it
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. If a jack is provided
with the vehicle, only use it for
changing a at tire.
9-66 Vehicle Service and Care

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 4-4.
2. Park your vehicle. Set the
parking brake rmly and put the
shift lever in P (Park). See
Shifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission) on page 8-12.3. 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
14inch (6 mm), the tire is too
severely damaged for the tire
sealant and compressor kit to be
effective. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 12-6.
If the tire has a puncture less than
a
14inch (6 mm) in the tread area
of the tire, seeTire Sealant and
Compressor Kit (V8 Engine) on
page 9-67.
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
(V8 Engine)
This vehicle has a tire sealant and
compressor kit in place of a jack or
spare tire. It is located in a foam
container in the trunk. The tire
sealant and compressor kit can be
used to repair a at tire by sealing
small punctures in the tread of the
tire. It can also be used to inate an
underinated tire. The vehicle must
be driven for ve miles (8 kilometers)
after the tire is sealed and inated
to the recommended pressure to
ensure the sealant is distributed
evenly. For detailed instructions
see “Using the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit to Temporarily
Repair a Punctured Tire” later in
this section.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-67