2009 SATURN ASTRA lock

Removing the Spare Tire
and Tools
The equipment you will need is
located in the rear storage area.
1. Open the liftgate. SeeLiftgate
on page 2-6.
2. Lift the oor cover to access the
spare tire and tools.3. Remove the foam pad. Turn the
retainer counterclockwise to
remove it.
4. Remove the spare tire by pulling
it up and out of the trunk.5. The jack and tools are stored
below the spare tire.
6. The tools you will be using
include the jack (A), wheel
wrench (B), screwdriver (C),
and jack handle (D).
9-62 Vehicle Service and Care
ProCarManuals.com

4. Position the jack lift head at the
jack location nearest the at
tire. The location is indicated by
a mark on the bottom edge
of the vehicle.
5. Put the compact spare tire
near you.
{CAUTION
Getting under a vehicle when it is
jacked up is dangerous. If the
vehicle slips off the jack, you
could be badly injured or killed.
Never get under a vehicle when it
is supported only by a jack.
{CAUTION
Raising your vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can damage
the vehicle and even make the
vehicle fall. To help avoid
personal injury and vehicle
damage, be sure to t the jack lift
head into the proper location
before raising the vehicle.6. Raise the vehicle by turning the
jack handle clockwise. Raise the
vehicle far enough off the
ground so there is enough room
for the compact spare tire to
t under the vehicle.
7. Remove all of the wheel bolts.
9-64 Vehicle Service and Care
ProCarManuals.com

{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 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 9-61.8. Remove any rust or dirt from the
wheel bolts, mounting surfaces
and spare wheel.
Installing wheels with a good
metal-to-metal contact at
the mounting surface is
necessary to prevent the wheel
bolts from becoming loose.
To prevent corrosion or rust
build-up, apply a light coat of
wheel bearing grease to the
wheel hub center and to the
cone-shaped surface of each
wheel bolt at every wheel change.9. Place the compact spare tire on
the wheel-mounting surface.
10. Reinstall the wheel bolts with
the rounded end of the bolts
toward the wheel. Tighten each
bolt by hand until the wheel
is held against the hub.
11. Lower the vehicle by turning the
jack handle counterclockwise.
Lower the jack completely.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-65
ProCarManuals.com

12. Tighten the wheel bolts rmly
in a crisscross sequence,
as shown.
{CAUTION
Wheel nuts that are improperly or
incorrectly tightened can cause
the wheels to become loose or
come off. The wheel nuts should
be tightened with a torque wrench
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
to the proper torque specication
after replacing. Follow the torque
specication supplied by the
aftermarket manufacturer when
using accessory locking wheel
nuts. SeeCapacities and
Specifications on page 10-2for
original equipment wheel nut
torque specications.
Notice:Improperly tightened
wheel nuts can lead to brake
pulsation and rotor damage.
To avoid expensive brake repairs,
evenly tighten the wheel nuts
in the proper sequence and to
the proper torque specication.
SeeCapacities and Specifications
on page 10-2for the wheel nut
torque specication.
Storing a Flat or Spare
Tire and Tools
{CAUTION
Storing a jack, a tire, 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 all these in
the proper place.
9-66 Vehicle Service and Care
ProCarManuals.com

To store a at or spare tire and
tools, do the following:
A. Jack
B. Wheel Wrench
C. Screwdriver
D. Jack Handle
1. Replace the jack and tools
as shown.2. Place the at tire face down into
the spare tire hub.
3. Turn spare tire hold-down bolt by
turning clockwise. Return the
foam pad to its original position.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.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-67
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Footnotes
(a)A fluid loss in any vehicle system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired
and the fluid level checked. Add fluid
if needed.
(b)If driving regularly under dusty
conditions or in high-polluted
regions, replace the filter at each
engine oil change.
(c)Inspect brake lines and hoses for
proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect disc
brake pads for wear and rotors for
surface condition. Inspect other
brake parts, including calipers,
parking brake, etc.
(d)Inspect front and rear suspension
and steering system for damaged,
loose, or missing parts or signs of
wear. Inspect power steering cables
for proper hook-up, binding, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect power steering
hydraulic lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc.(e)Inspect hoses and have them
replaced if they are cracked,
swollen, or deteriorated. Inspect all
pipes, fittings and clamps; replace
with genuine parts as needed.
To help ensure proper operation,
a pressure test of the cooling system
and pressure cap and cleaning
the outside of the radiator and
air conditioning condenser is
recommended at least once a year.
(f)Inspect wiper blades for wear,
cracking, or contamination.
Clean the windshield and wiper
blades, if contaminated. Replace
wiper blades that are worn or
damaged. See Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement on page 9-21
and “Windshield and Wiper Blades”
in Exterior Cleaning on page 9-76.
(g)Make sure the safety belt
reminder light and safety belt
assemblies are working properly.
Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts.
If you see anything that might keep
a safety belt system from doingits job, have it repaired. Have any
torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also see Airbag System Check
on page 1-37.
(h)Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
door hinges and latches, hood
hinges and latches, and trunk lid
hinges and latches. More frequent
lubrication may be required
when exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone
grease on weatherstrips with a clean
cloth will make them last longer,
seal better, and not stick or squeak.
(i)Change automatic transmission
fluid if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the
outside temperature regularly
reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer
towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police,
or delivery service.
11-8 Service and Maintenance
ProCarManuals.com

At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect the vehicle’s tires and make
sure they are inated to the correct
pressures. Do not forget to check
the spare tire. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 9-47. Check to
make sure the spare tire is stored
securely. SeeChanging a Flat Tire
on page 9-61.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for
high mileage highway drivers prior to
the Engine Oil Life System service
notication. Check the tires for
wear and, if necessary, rotate the
tires. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 9-52.
At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could move
suddenly. If the vehicle moves,
you or others could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be
sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking
brake and the regular brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 8-10.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in
each gear. The vehicle should
start only in P (Park) or
N (Neutral). If the vehicle starts
in any other position, contact
your dealer/retailer for service.
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control System Check
{CAUTION
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could move
suddenly. If the vehicle moves,
you or others could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be
sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 8-10.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the
ignition to ON/RUN, but do not
start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer/retailer for service.
11-10 Service and Maintenance
ProCarManuals.com

Ignition Transmission Lock
Check
While parked, and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF in each shift lever
position.
The ignition should turn to
LOCK/OFF only when the shift
lever is in P (Park).
The ignition key should come out
only in LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service
is required.
Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{CAUTION
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove
foot pressure from the regular
brake pedal. Do this until the
vehicle is held by the parking
brake only.
To check the P (Park)
mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.Contact your dealer/retailer if
service is required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain
water to ush any corrosive
materials from the underbody.
Take care to clean thoroughly
any areas where mud and other
debris can collect.
Service and Maintenance 11-11
ProCarManuals.com