2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA spare wheel

Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................6-60
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................6-62
Tire Inspection and Rotation . ..........................6-65
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................6-67
Buying New Tires.........................................6-68
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................6-69
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................6-70
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................6-71
Wheel Replacement......................................6-71
Tire Chains . . . ...............................................6-73
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................6-74
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................6-75
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................6-76
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................6-77
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools................6-83
Compact Spare Tire......................................6-86
Appearance Care............................................6-87
Interior Cleaning...........................................6-87
Fabric/Carpet . ..............................................6-88
Leather.......................................................6-89
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces . . . ...............................................6-90
Care of Safety Belts......................................6-90Weatherstrips...............................................6-90
Washing Your Vehicle...................................6-91
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses . . ...................6-91
Finish Care..................................................6-92
Windshield and Wiper Blades.........................6-92
Aluminum Wheels.........................................6-93
Tires...........................................................6-93
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................6-94
Finish Damage.............................................6-94
Underbody Maintenance................................6-94
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................6-94
Vehicle Identification......................................6-95
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).................6-95
Service Parts Identification Label . . ...................6-95
Electrical System............................................6-95
Add-On Electrical Equipment..........................6-95
Headlamp Wiring..........................................6-96
Windshield Wiper Fuses................................6-96
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......6-96
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . .......................6-96
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................6-96
Underhood Fuse Block..................................6-97
Capacities and Specifications........................6-100
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-2

Tire Pressure Monitor OperationThis vehicle may have a Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS). The 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
transmits the tire pressure readings to a receiver located
in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure
condition is detected, the
TPMS illuminates the
low tire pressure warning
light located on the
instrument panel cluster.
At the same time a message to check the pressure in a
specific 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 inflated to the correct inflation pressure.
Using the DIC, tire pressure levels can be viewed by the
driver. For additional information and details about the
DIC operation and displays seeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 4-37andDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4-44.The low tire pressure warning light may come on in
cool weather when the vehicle is first 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 inflated to the proper pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information label, attached to your
vehicle, shows the size of your vehicle’s original
equipment tires and the correct inflation pressure for
your vehicle’s tires when they are cold. SeeLoading the
Vehicle on page 5-20, for an example of the Tire and
Loading Information label and its location on your
vehicle. Also seeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 6-59.
Your vehicle’s TPMS can warn you about a low tire
pressure condition but it does not replace normal
tire maintenance. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 6-65andTires on page 6-51.
Notice:Liquid tire sealants could damage the Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) sensors. Sensor
damage caused by using a tire sealant is not
covered by your warranty. Do not use liquid tire
sealants.6-62

TPMS Malfunction Light and MessageThe TPMS will not function properly if one or more of the
TPMS sensors are missing or inoperable. When the
system detects a malfunction, the low tire warning light
flashes for about one minute and then stays on for
the remainder of the ignition cycle. A DIC warning
message is also displayed. 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 you re-install the road
tire containing the TPMS sensor.
•
The TPMS sensor matching process was started
but not completed or not completed successfully
after rotating the vehicle’s tires. The DIC message
and TPMS malfunction light should go off once
the TPMS sensor matching process is performed
successfully. See “TPMS Sensor Matching Process”
later in this section.
•
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 your
dealer/retailer for service.
•
Replacement tires or wheels do not match your
vehicle’s original equipment tires or wheels.
Tires and wheels other than those recommended
for your vehicle could prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. SeeBuying New Tires on
page 6-68.
•
Operating electronic devices or being near facilities
using radio wave frequencies similar to the TPMS
could cause the TPMS sensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioning it cannot detect or signal
a low tire condition. See your dealer/retailer for
service if the TPMS malfunction light and DIC message
comes on and stays on.
6-63

8. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 5. The horn sounds two times to
indicate the sensor identification code has been
matched to the driver side rear tire, and the TPMS
sensor matching process is no longer active.
The TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message on the
DIC display screen goes off.
9. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK/OFF.
10. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure
level as indicated on the Tire and Loading
Information label.
11. Put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
Tire Inspection and RotationWe recommend that you regularly inspect your
vehicle’s tires, including the spare tire, for signs of
wear or damage. SeeWhen It Is Time for New
Tires on page 6-67for more information.
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km). SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 7-3.
The purpose of a regular tire rotation is to
achieve a uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle.
This will ensure that your vehicle continues to
perform most like it did when the tires were new.
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 6-67
andWheel Replacement on page 6-71.
6-65

When rotating the vehicle’s tires, always use the
correct rotation pattern shown here.
Do not include the compact spare tire in the tire
rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front
and rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 6-59andLoading the Vehicle on
page 5-20.Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor Operation on page 6-62.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications on page 6-100.
{
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 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 6-75.
6-66

Buying New TiresGM has developed and matched specific 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
Specification (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.
GM’s exclusive TPC Spec system considers over
a dozen critical specifications 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 6-52for 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 6-65for
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 spare temporarily, as it was
developed for use on your vehicle. See
Compact Spare Tire on page 6-86.
6-68

The tools you will need to change a tire include the
jack (A), extension and protection guide (B), and wheel
wrench (C).
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare TireThis vehicle may have aluminum wheels with exposed
wheel nuts. Use the wheel wrench to loosen all the
wheel nuts. Do not remove them yet.
Or, this vehicle may have steel wheels with plastic
covers.
To remove the plastic covers and wheel nut caps,
loosen the plastic nut caps with the wheel wrench in a
counterclockwise direction. If needed, finish loosening
them with your fingers. The plastic nut caps will not
come off.
6-77

If needed, use the flat end of the wheel wrench and pry
along the edge of the cover until it comes off. The edge of
the wheel cover could be sharp, so do not try to remove it
with your bare hands. Do not drop the cover or lay it face
down, as it could become scratched or damaged. Store
the wheel cover in the trunk until the flat tire is repaired or
replaced.
Once you have removed the wheel cover, use the
following procedure to remove the flat tire and install the
spare tire.
1. Do a safety check before proceeding. SeeChanging
a Flat Tire on page 6-75
2. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise once on
each wheel nut to loosen them. Do not remove
them yet.6-78