2009 SATURN VUE HYBRID tire pressure
[x] Cancel search: tire pressurePage 271 of 346
When It Is Time for New
Tires
Various factors, such as
maintenance, temperatures, driving
speeds, vehicle loading, and
road conditions in uence 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 the 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 the vehicle has one. Multiple
conditions affect how fast this
aging takes place, including
temperatures, loading conditions,
and in ation pressure maintenance.With proper care and maintenance
tires typically wear out before
they degrade due to age. If you are
unsure about the need to replace
the tires as they get older, consult
the tire manufacturer for more
information.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
speci c 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
Speci cation (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.
Service and Appearance Care 5-51
ProCarManuals.com
Page 272 of 346
GM’s exclusive TPC Spec system
considers over a dozen critical
speci cations 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 5-39for 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 brakingand handling performance of your
vehicle. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 5-50for
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.
{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.
5-52 Service and Appearance Care
ProCarManuals.com
Page 273 of 346
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 5-45.
Your vehicle’s original equipment
tires are listed on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
Loading the Vehicle on page 4-18,
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 5-51
andAccessories and Modifications
on page 5-3for additional
information.
Service and Appearance Care 5-53
ProCarManuals.com
Page 279 of 346
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
{CAUTION
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed
area with poor ventilation is
dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust
contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death. Never run the
engine in an enclosed area that
has no fresh air ventilation. For
more information, seeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-26.
{CAUTION
Over-in ating a tire could cause
the tire to rupture and you or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and follow the tire sealant
and compressor kit instructions
and in ate the tire to its
recommended pressure. Do not
exceed the recommended
pressure.
{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 its original
location.
If this vehicle has a tire sealant and
compressor kit, there may not be a
spare tire, tire changing equipment,
and on some vehicles there may not
be a place to store a tire.
The tire sealant and compressor
can be used to temporarily seal
punctures up to
1 4inch (6 mm) in the
tread area of the tire. It can also be
used to in ate an under in ated tire.
Service and Appearance Care 5-59
ProCarManuals.com
Page 280 of 346
If the tire has been separated from
the wheel, has damaged sidewalls,
or has a large puncture, the tire
is too severely damaged for the tire
sealant and compressor kit to be
effective. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 7-5.
Read and follow all of the tire
sealant and compressor kit
instructions.The kit includes:
A. Air Compressor
B. Tire Sealant Canister
C. Power Plug
D. On/Off Button
E. Pressure Gage
F. Air Only Hose (Black)
G. Sealant/Air Hose (Clear)Tire Sealant
Read and follow the safe handling
instructions on the label adhered
to the sealant canister.
Check the tire sealant expiration
date on the sealant canister.
The sealant canister should be
replaced before its expiration date.
Replacement sealant canisters
are available at your local
dealer/retailer. See “Removal and
Installation of the Sealant Canister”
following.
There is only enough sealant to seal
one tire. After usage, the sealant
canister and sealant/air hose
assembly must be replaced. See
“Removal and Installation of
the Sealant Canister” following.
5-60 Service and Appearance Care
ProCarManuals.com
Page 282 of 346
8. Press the on/off (D) button to
turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit on.
The compressor will inject
sealant and air into the tire.
The pressure gage (E) will initially
show a high pressure while the
compressor pushes the sealant
into the tire. Once the sealant is
completely dispersed into the tire,
the pressure will quickly drop and
start to rise again as the tire
in ates with air only.
9. In ate the tire to the
recommended in ation pressure
using the pressure gage (E).
The recommended in ation
pressure can be found on the
Tire and Loading Information
label. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-43.The pressure gage (E) may read
higher than the actual tire
pressure while the compressor is
on. Turn the compressor off to
get an accurate pressure
reading. The compressor may be
turned on/off until the correct
pressure is reached.
Notice:If the recommended
pressure cannot be reached after
approximately 25 minutes, the
vehicle should not be driven
farther. The tire is too severely
damaged and the tire sealant and
compressor kit cannot in ate the
tire. Remove the power plug from
the accessory power outlet and
unscrew the in ating hose from
the tire valve. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-5.10. Press the on/off button (D) to
turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit off.
The tire is not sealed and will
continue to leak air until
the vehicle is driven and the
sealant is distributed in the tire,
therefore, Steps 11 through 17
must be done immediately
after Step 10.
Be careful while handling the tire
sealant and compressor kit as it
could be warm after usage.
11. Unplug the power plug (C) from
the accessory power outlet in
the vehicle.
12. Turn the sealant/air hose (F)
counterclockwise to remove it
from the tire valve stem.
13. Replace the tire valve
stem cap.
5-62 Service and Appearance Care
ProCarManuals.com
Page 283 of 346
14. Replace the sealant/air hose (F),
and the power plug (C) back in
their original location.
15. If the at tire was able to in ate
to the recommended in ation
pressure, remove the maximum
speed label from the sealant
canister (B) and place it
in a highly visible location.
The label is a reminder not to
exceed 55 mph (90 km/h)
until the damaged tire is
repaired or replaced.
16. Return the equipment to its
original storage location in
the vehicle.17. Immediately drive the vehicle
5 miles (8 km) to distribute the
sealant in the tire.
18. Stop at a safe location and
check the tire pressure.
Refer to Steps 1 through 11
under “Using the Tire Sealant
and Compressor Kit without
Sealant to In ate a Tire
(Not Punctured).”
If the tire pressure has fallen
more than 10 psi (68 kPa) below
the recommended in ation
pressure, stop driving the
vehicle. The tire is too severely
damaged and the tire sealant
cannot seal the tire. See
Roadside Assistance Program
on page 7-5.
If the tire pressure has not
dropped more than 10 psi
(68 kPa) from the recommended
in ation pressure, in ate the
tire to the recommended
in ation pressure.19. Wipe off any sealant from the
wheel, tire or vehicle.
20. Dispose of the used sealant
canister (B) and sealant/air
hose (F) assembly at a
local dealer/retailer or in
accordance with local state
codes and practices.
21. Replace it with a new canister
available from your
dealer/retailer.
22. After temporarily sealing a tire
using the tire sealant and
compressor kit, take the vehicle
to an authorized dealer/retailer
within a 100 miles (161 km)
of driving to have the tire
repaired or replaced.
Service and Appearance Care 5-63
ProCarManuals.com
Page 284 of 346
Using the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit without
Sealant to In ate a Tire (Not
Punctured)
To use the air compressor to in ate
a tire with air only and not sealant:
Always do a safety check rst. See
If a Tire Goes Flat on page 5-58.
1. Remove the tire sealant and
compressor kit from its storage
location. SeeTire Sealant and
Compressor Kit Storage on
page 5-66.2. Unlock the air only hose (F) from
the sealant canister (B) by
pulling up on the lever.
3. Pull the air only hose (F) from
the sealant canister (B).
4. Remove the power plug (C) from
the air compressor (A).
5. Place the kit on the ground.
Make sure the tire valve
stem is positioned close to the
ground so the hose will reach it.
6. Remove the tire valve stem cap
by turning it counterclockwise.
7. Attach the air only hose (F) onto
the tire valve stem and press the
lever down to secure it.
8. Plug the power plug (C) into the
accessory power outlet in the
vehicle. Unplug all items
from other accessory power
outlets. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-16.
If the vehicle has an accessory
power outlet, do not use the
cigarette lighter.If the vehicle only has a cigarette
lighter, use the cigarette lighter.
Do not pinch the power plug
cord in the door or window.
9. Start the vehicle. The vehicle
must be running while using
the air compressor.
10. Press the on/off (D) button to
turn the compressor on.
The compressor will in ate the
tire with air only.
11. In ate the tire to the
recommended in ation pressure
using the pressure gage (E).
The recommended in ation
pressure can be found on the
Tire and Loading Information
label. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-43.
The pressure gage (E) may
read higher than the actual tire
pressure while the compressor
is on. Turn the compressor
off to get an accurate reading.
The compressor may be
turned on/off until the correct
pressure is reached.
5-64 Service and Appearance Care
ProCarManuals.com