2009 SATURN VUE HYBRID tires

Tires
Tires.................................5-38
Tire Sidewall Labeling.......5-39
Tire Terminology and
Denitions.......................5-41
Ination - Tire Pressure. . . .5-43
Tire Pressure Monitor
System............................5-45
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation........................5-46
Tire Inspection and
Rotation..........................5-50
When It Is Time for
New Tires.......................5-51
Buying New Tires.............5-51
Different Size Tires and
Wheels............................5-53
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading...........................5-54
Wheel Alignment and
Tire Balance....................5-55
Wheel Replacement..........5-55
Tire Chains.......................5-57
If a Tire Goes Flat............5-58
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit...............5-59
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
Storage
...........................5-66
Appearance Care
Interior Cleaning................5-66
Fabric/Carpet....................5-68
Leather.............................5-68
Instrument Panel, Vinyl,
and Other Plastic
Surfaces
..........................5-69
Care of Safety Belts.........5-69
Weatherstrips....................5-69
Washing Your Vehicle.......5-69
Cleaning Exterior
Lamps/Lenses.................5-70
Finish Care.......................5-70
Windshield and Wiper
Blades.............................5-71
Aluminum Wheels.............5-72
Tires.................................5-72
Sheet Metal Damage........5-73
Finish Damage..................5-73
Underbody Maintenance. . . .5-73
Chemical Paint Spotting. . . .5-73
Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)..................5-74
Service Parts
Identication Label...........5-74
Electrical System
Intermediate Voltage
Devices and Wiring.........5-74
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................5-75
Windshield Wiper Fuses. . . .5-75
Power Windows and
Other Power Options.......5-75
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers.........................5-75
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block...............................5-76
Underhood Fuse Block......5-77
Capacities and
Specications
Capacities and
Specications..................5-81
5-2 Service and Appearance Care
ProCarManuals.com

Always clean the brake uid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering
the reservoir.
{CAUTION
With the wrong kind of uid in the
brake hydraulic system, the
brakes might not work well. This
could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can
badly damage brake hydraulic
system parts. For example,
just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can damage
brake hydraulic system
parts so badly that they will
have to be replaced. Do not let
someone put in the wrong
kind of uid.
If brake uid is spilled on the
vehicle’s painted surfaces,
the paint nish can be
damaged. Be careful not to
spill brake uid on the vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. SeeWashing
Your Vehicle on page 5-69.
Brake Wear
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc
brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake
pads are worn and new pads are
needed. The sound can come
and go or be heard all the time the
vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
an accident. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.Notice:Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake pads could
result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when
the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent
brake pulsation. When tires are
rotated, inspect brake pads for wear
and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to torque
specications inCapacities and
Specifications on page 5-81.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake
pedal does not return to normal
height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal travel. This could be a
sign that brake service might
be required.
5-26 Service and Appearance Care
ProCarManuals.com

Headlamp Aiming
The headlamp aiming system has
been preset at the factory.
If the vehicle is damaged in an
accident, the aim of the headlamps
may be affected and adjustment
may be necessary.
It is recommended that a
dealer/retailer adjust the headlamps.
To re-aim the headlamps yourself,
use the following procedure.
The vehicle should be properly
prepared as follows:
The vehicle should be placed so
the headlamps are 25 ft. (7.6 m)
from a light colored wall.
The vehicle must have all four
tires on a level surface which
is level all the way to the wall.
The vehicle should be placed so
it is perpendicular to the wall or
other at surface.
The vehicle should not have any
snow, ice, or mud on it.
The vehicle should be fully
assembled and all other
work stopped while headlamp
aiming is being performed.
The vehicle should be
normally loaded with a full
tank of fuel and one person or
160 lbs (75 kg) sitting on the
driver’s seat.
Tires should be properly inated.
Headlamp aiming is done with
the vehicle’s low-beam headlamps.
The high-beam headlamps will
be correctly aimed if the low-beam
headlamps are aimed properly.To adjust the vertical aim, do the
following:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood
Release on page 5-9for
more information.
2. Locate the aim dot on the lens of
the low-beam headlamp.
3. Measure the distance from the
ground to the aim dot on the
low-beam headlamp. Record the
distance.
Service and Appearance Care 5-33
ProCarManuals.com

Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear and cracking.
SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-3for more information.
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed in
different ways. For proper type
and length, seeMaintenance
Replacement Parts on page 6-12.
To replace the windshield wiper
blade:
1. Lift the wiper arm away from the
windshield.2. Push the release lever (B) to
disengage the hook and push the
wiper arm (A) out of the blade (C).
3. Push the new wiper blade
securely on the wiper arm until
you hear the release lever click
into place.
To replace the rear wiper blade, lift
the rear wiper arm from the
window and pull the blade.
Tires
Your new vehicle comes with
high-quality tires made by a
leading tire manufacturer. If you
ever have questions about your
tire warranty and where to obtain
service, see your vehicle
Warranty booklet for details.
For additional information refer
to the tire manufacturer.
{CAUTION
Poorly maintained and
improperly used tires are
dangerous.
Overloading your
vehicle’s tires can cause
overheating as a result
of too much exing. You
could have an air-out and
a serious accident. See
Loading the Vehicle on
page 4-18.
(Continued)
5-38 Service and Appearance Care
ProCarManuals.com

CAUTION (Continued)
Underinated tires pose
the same danger as
overloaded tires. The
resulting accident could
cause serious injury.
Check all tires frequently to
maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure
should be checked when
your vehicle’s tires are
cold. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-43.
Overinated tires are more
likely to be cut, punctured,
or broken by a sudden
impact — such as when
you hit a pothole. Keep
tires at the recommended
pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause
accidents. If the tire’s tread
is badly worn, or if your
vehicle’s tires have been
damaged, replace them.
Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is
molded into its sidewall. The
example below shows a typical
passenger (p-metric) tire
sidewall.
(A) Tire Size
:The tire size is a
combination of letters and
numbers used to dene a
particular tire’s width, height,
aspect ratio, construction
type, and service description.See the “Tire Size” illustration
later in this section for more
detail.
(B) TPC Spec (Tire
Performance Criteria
Specication)
:Original
equipment tires designed to
GM’s specic tire performance
criteria have a TPC specication
code molded onto the sidewall.
GM’s TPC specications meet or
exceed all federal safety
guidelines.
(C) DOT (Department of
Transportation)
:The
Department of Transportation
(DOT) code indicates that the tire
is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
(D) Tire Identication Number
(TIN)
:The letters and numbers
following DOT code are the
Tire Identication Number (TIN).
The TIN shows the manufacturer
and plant code, tire size, and
date the tire was manufactured.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
Example
Service and Appearance Care 5-39
ProCarManuals.com

The TIN is molded onto both
sides of the tire, although
only one side may have the date
of manufacture.
(E) Tire Ply Material
:The type
of cord and number of plies
in the sidewall and under
the tread.
(F) Uniform Tire Quality
Grading (UTQG)
:Tire
manufacturers are required to
grade tires based on three
performance factors: treadwear,
traction and temperature
resistance. For more information
seeUniform Tire Quality
Grading on page 5-54.
(G) Maximum Cold Ination
Load Limit
:Maximum load that
can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed to
support that load.Tire Size
The following illustration
shows an example of a typical
passenger (p-metric) vehicle
tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric)
Tire
:The United States version
of a metric tire sizing system. The
letter P as the rst character in
the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to
standards set by the U. S. Tire
and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width
:The three-digit
number indicates the tire
section width in millimeters from
sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio
:A two-digit
number that indicates the tire
height-to-width measurements.For example, if the tire size
aspect ratio is 60, as shown in
item C of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire’s sidewall is
60 percent as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code
:A letter
code is used to indicate the type
of ply construction in the tire.
The letter R means radial ply
construction; the letter D means
diagonal or bias ply construction;
and the letter B means
belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of
the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description
:These
characters represent the load
range and speed rating of the
tire. The load index represents
the load carry capacity a tire is
certied to carry. The load index
can range from 1 to 279. The
speed rating is the maximum
speed a tire is certied to carry
a load. Speed ratings range
fromAtoZ.
5-40 Service and Appearance Care
ProCarManuals.com

Traction:The friction between
the tire and the road surface.
The amount of grip provided.
Tread
:The portion of a tire that
comes into contact with the road.
Treadwear Indicators
:Narrow
bands, sometimes called wear
bars, that show across the tread
of a tire when only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) of tread remains. See
When It Is Time for New Tires on
page 5-51.
UTQGS (Uniform Tire Quality
Grading Standards)
:A tire
information system that provides
consumers with ratings for a tire’s
traction, temperature, and
treadwear. Ratings are
determined by tire manufacturers
using government testing
procedures. The ratings are
molded into the sidewall of the
tire. SeeUniform Tire Quality
Grading on page 5-54.Vehicle Capacity Weight
:The
number of designated seating
positions multiplied by 150 lbs
(68 kg) plus the rated cargo load.
SeeLoading the Vehicle on
page 4-18.
Vehicle Maximum Load on the
Tire
:Load on an individual
tire due to curb weight,
accessory weight, occupant
weight, and cargo weight.
Vehicle Placard
:A label
permanently attached to a
vehicle showing the vehicle’s
capacity weight and the original
equipment tire size and
recommended ination pressure.
See “Tire and Loading
Information Label” under
Loading the Vehicle on
page 4-18.
Ination - Tire Pressure
Tires need the correct amount
of air pressure to operate
effectively.Notice:Do not let anyone tell
you that under-ination or
over-ination is all right. It is
not. If your tires do not have
enough air (under-ination),
you can get the following:
Too much exing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Premature or irregular wear
Poor handling
Reduced fuel economy
If your tires have too much air
(over-ination), you can get
the following:
Unusual wear
Poor handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road
hazards
A vehicle specic Tire and
Loading Information label is
attached to your vehicle.
Service and Appearance Care 5-43
ProCarManuals.com

This label shows your vehicle’s
original equipment tires and
the correct ination pressures for
your tires when they are cold.
The recommended cold tire
ination pressure, shown on the
label, is the minimum amount
of air pressure needed to
support your vehicle’s maximum
load carrying capacity.
For additional information
regarding how much weight
your vehicle can carry, and an
example of the Tire and Loading
Information label, seeLoading
the Vehicle on page 4-18. How
you load your vehicle affects
vehicle handling and ride
comfort. Never load your vehicle
with more weight than it was
designed to carry.When to Check
Check your tires once a month
or more.
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type
gage to check tire pressure.
You cannot tell if your tires are
properly inated simply by
looking at them. Radial tires may
look properly inated even when
they are under-inated. Check
the tire’s ination pressure when
the tires are cold. Cold means
your vehicle has been sitting for
at least three hours or driven no
more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Remove the valve cap from
the tire valve stem. Press the tire
gage rmly onto the valve to
get a pressure measurement.If the cold tire ination pressure
matches the recommended
pressure on the Tire and
Loading Information label, no
further adjustment is necessary.
If the ination pressure is
low, add air until you reach the
recommended amount.
If you overll the tire, release air
by pushing on the metal stem in
the center of the tire valve.
Re-check the tire pressure with
the tire gage.
Be sure to put the valve caps
back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by
keeping out dirt and moisture.
5-44 Service and Appearance Care
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