Page 296 of 372

Replacing less than a full set of
tires can affect the braking and
handling performance of your
vehicle. SeeTire Inspection on
page 9-61andTire Rotation on
page 9-61for information on
proper tire rotation.
{WARNING
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
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
spare temporarily, as it was
developed for use on your
vehicle. SeeCompact Spare
Tire on page 9-83.
{WARNING
If you use bias-ply tires on the
vehicle, the wheel rim flanges
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 9-56.
Your vehicle’s original equipment
tires are listed on the Tire and
Loading Information Label.
SeeVehicle Load Limits on
page 8-12, for more information
about the Tire and Loading
Information Label and its location
on your vehicle.
9-64 Vehicle Care
Page 298 of 372

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.
While the tires available on
General Motors passenger cars
and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they
must also conform to federal
safety requirements and
additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based
on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified
government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and a half (1.5)
times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of
tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices,
and differences in road
characteristics and climate.Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from
highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Temperature – A, B, C
The temperature grades
are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance
to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified
indoor laboratory test wheel.
9-66 Vehicle Care
Page 302 of 372

Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
SeeHazard Warning Flashers on
page 5-4.
{WARNING
Changing a tire can be dangerous.
The vehicle can slip off the jack
and roll over or fall on you or other
people. You and they could be
badly injured or even killed. Find
a level place to change your tire.
To help prevent the vehicle from
moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatic
transmission shift lever in
P (Park), or shift a manual
transmission to 1 (First) or
R (Reverse).
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
3. Turn off the engine and do
not restart while the vehicle
is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to
remain in the vehicle.
To be certain the vehicle will not
move, put blocks at the front and
rear of the tire farthest away from
the one being changed. That
would be the tire on the other side,
at the opposite end of the vehicle.
This vehicle may come with a jack
and spare tire or a tire sealant
and compressor kit. To use the jack
and spare tire, follow the instructions
below. To use the tire sealant and
compressor kit, seeTire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 9-71.When the vehicle has a flat tire (B),
use the following example as a
guide to assist you in the placement
of wheel blocks (A).
A. Wheel Block
B. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how to repair or change a tire.
9-70 Vehicle Care
Page 303 of 372

Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
{WARNING
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 8-25.
{WARNING
Over-inflating 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
inflate the tire to its recommended
pressure. Do not exceed the
recommended pressure.
{WARNING
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 6 mm (
1⁄4inch) in the
tread area of the tire. It can also be
used to inflate an under inflated tire.
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 12-6.
Read and follow all of the tire
sealant and compressor kit
instructions.
Vehicle Care 9-71
Page 310 of 372
Tools
A. Wheel Wrench
B. Jack Handle Extension
C. Jack1. The jack and tools are stored
below the spare tire.
Remove the jack from the
retaining bracket.
2. Remove the tool container.
3. Remove the tools from the tool
container.
4. Place the tools next to the tire
being changed.Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. If the vehicle has wheel bolt
caps, remove the caps. Store
the caps with the wheel cover.
2. Use the fully extended wheel
wrench to loosen all the
wheel nuts one-half turn
counterclockwise. Do not
remove them.
9-78 Vehicle Care
Page 312 of 372
6. Insert the other end of the jack
handle into the wrench.7. Raise the vehicle by turning the
jack handle extension clockwise
until the vehicle is far enough
off the ground to allow enough
room for the compact spare
tire to fit under the vehicle.
Keep the hook parallel to the
ground. The wrench may need
to be removed and repositioned
to continue turning it.8. Remove all of the wheel nuts
and place them in a dry, clean
place to avoid getting dirt in
the threads.
9-80 Vehicle Care
Page 313 of 372

{WARNING
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
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where
the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, 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. SeeIf a Tire
Goes Flat on page 9-69.9. Remove any rust or dirt from the
wheel bolts, mounting surfaces
and spare wheel.
10. Place the compact spare tire on
the wheel-mounting surface.
{WARNING
Never use oil or grease on bolts
or nuts because the nuts might
come loose. The vehicle’s wheel
could fall off, causing a crash.
11. Reinstall the wheel nuts with the
rounded end of the nuts toward
the wheel. Tighten each nut as
much as possible using the
wheel wrench until the wheel
is held firmly against the hub.
Use your free hand to prevent
the wheel from turning while you
are tightening.
Vehicle Care 9-81
Page 314 of 372

12. Lower the vehicle by turning the
jack handle counterclockwise.
Lower the jack completely.
13. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in
a crisscross sequence, as
shown.{WARNING
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
to the proper torque specification
after replacing. Follow the torque
specification supplied by the
aftermarket manufacturer when
using accessory locking wheel
nuts. SeeCapacities and
Speci cations on page 11-2for
original equipment wheel nut
torque specifications.
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 speci cation.
SeeCapacities and Specifications
on page 11-2for the wheel nut
torque speci cation.
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools
{WARNING
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.
To store a flat or spare tire
and tools:
1. Replace the jack and tools.
2. Replace the spare tire cover.
3. Turn the retainer nut clockwise to
tighten.
4. Replace the rear trunk carpet.
5. Place the flat tire face up on the
load floor.
9-82 Vehicle Care