2010 PONTIAC VIBE brake

Tire Designations
Tire Size
The following illustration
shows an example of a typical
passenger vehicle tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
:The United States version of a
metric tire sizing system. The
letter P as the first 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
index and speed rating of the tire.
The load index represents the
load carry capacity a tire is
certified to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a
tire is certified to carry a load.
Tire Terminology and
Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air
inside the tire pressing outward
on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in
pounds per square inch (psi)
or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight
:This means
the combined weight of optional
accessories. Some examples
of optional accessories are,
automatic transmission, power
steering, power brakes, power
windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship
of a tire’s height to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords that is located between the
plies and the tread. Cords may
be made from steel or other
reinforcing materials.
9-46 Vehicle Care

TPMS Reset
The TPMS sensors and transmitters
have unique identification codes.
Anytime you replace a TPMS sensor
or transmitter the identification codes
need to be registered and the TPMS
needs to be reset (initialized). When
the system is initialized, the current
air pressure in the tires is set as the
tire pressure benchmark. The tire
pressure warning system determines
decreased air pressure by comparing
tire pressure to the benchmark
pressure stored in the TPMS.
Do not reset the TPMS without first
correcting the cause of a low-tire
condition.
To reset the system:
1. Park the vehicle at a safe placeand apply the parking brake.
Turn the engine off.
2. Turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF. 3. Adjust the tire pressure of all the
installed tires to the specified
cold tire inflation pressure level
indicated on the Tire and Loading
Information label attached to
the vehicle.
4. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off.
5. Press and hold the tire pressure warning reset switch until the tire
pressure warning light flashes
slowly on/off three times.
Wait for a few minutes with the
ignition in ON/RUN, and then turn
the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY
or LOCK/OFF. If the low-tire pressure warning
light does not flash three times
while you press and hold the
reset button, the reset has failed.
Repeat the reset process. If the
reset cannot be performed, see
your dealer/retailer for service.
If you press the tire pressure reset
switch while the vehicle is moving,
the reset is not performed. If you
press the tire pressure reset switch
accidentally and initialization is
performed, adjust the tire pressure to
the specified level and perform the
reset procedure again.
Tire Inspection
We recommend that you
regularly inspect your vehicle’s
tires, including the spare tire, if
the vehicle has one, for signs of
wear or damage. See When It Is
Time for New Tires on page 9-56
for more information.
9-54 Vehicle Care

Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are
a different size than your original
equipment wheels and tires, this
could 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, traction control, and
electronic stability control, the
performance of these systems
can be affected.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 9-56
and Accessories and Modications
on page 9-3 for additional
information.
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width.
For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), which grades tires
by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance.
This applies only to vehicles
sold in the United States. The grades are molded on
the sidewalls of most passenger
car tires. 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.
9-58 Vehicle Care

Wheel Alignment and
Tire Balance
The tires and wheels on the vehicle
were aligned and balanced carefully
at the factory to give the longest tire
life and best overall performance.
Adjustments to wheel alignment and
tire balancing will not be necessary
on a regular basis. However, if there
is unusual tire wear or the vehicle
pulls to one side or the other, the
alignment should be checked. If the
vehicle vibrates when driving on a
smooth road, the tires and wheels
might need to be rebalanced.
See your dealer/retailer for proper
diagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent,
cracked or badly rusted or corroded.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the
wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
should be replaced. If the wheel
leaks air, replace it (except some
aluminum wheels, which can
sometimes be repaired). See your
dealer/retailer if any of these
conditions exist.
Your dealer/retailer will know the
kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have
the same load-carrying capacity,
diameter, width, offset and be
mounted the same way as the
one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of the
wheels, wheel bolts or wheel nuts,
replace them only with new GM
original equipment parts. This way,
you will be sure to have the right
wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for the vehicle.{CAUTION
Using the wrong replacement
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel
nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the
braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control.
You could have a collision in
which you or others could be
injured. Always use the correct
wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel
nuts for replacement.
Notice: The wrong wheel can
also cause problems with bearing
life, brake cooling, speedometer
or odometer calibration, headlamp
aim, bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance, and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and
chassis.
See If a Tire Goes Flat on page 9-62
for more information.
9-60 Vehicle Care

Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION
Putting a used wheel on the
vehicle is dangerous. You cannot
know how it has been used or how
far it has been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause a crash. If you
have to replace a wheel, use a
new GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{CAUTION
If the vehicle has P215/45R18
size tires, do not use tire chains.
There is not enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle
without the proper amount of
clearance can cause damage to(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
the brakes, suspension or other
vehicle parts. The area damaged
by the tire chains could cause you
to lose control of the vehicle and
you or others may be injured in a
crash.
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on the
vehicle and tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer’s instructions.
To help avoid damage to the
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust
or remove the device if it is
contacting the vehicle, and
do not spin the wheels.
If you do find traction devices that
will fit, install them on the front
tires. Notice:
If the vehicle has a tire
size other than P215/45R18 size
tires, use tire chains only where
legal and only when you must.
Use only SAE Class “S” type
chains that are the proper size
for the tires. Install them on the
front tires and tighten them as
tightly as possible with the
ends securely fastened. Drive
slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you
can hear the chains contacting the
vehicle, stop and retighten them.
If the contact continues, slow
down until it stops. Driving too
fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage the vehicle.
Vehicle Care 9-61

If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while you are driving, especially if
you maintain your vehicle’s tires
properly. If air goes out of a tire,
it is much more likely to leak out
slowly. But if you should ever have
a blowout, here are a few tips about
what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop well out of
the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any rear
blowout remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle
under control by steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may bevery bumpy and noisy, but you can
still steer. Gently brake to a stop,
well off the road if possible.
{CAUTION
Lifting a vehicle and getting under
it to do maintenance or repairs is
dangerous without the appropriate
safety equipment and training. If a
jack is provided with the vehicle, it
is designed only for changing a
flat tire. If it is used for anything
else, you or others could be badly
injured or killed if the vehicle slips
off the jack. If a jack is provided
with the vehicle, only use it for
changing a flat tire.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. See Hazard
Warning Flashers on page 5-3 .
{CAUTION
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).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart while the vehicle
is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in the vehicle.
(Continued)
9-62 Vehicle Care

12. Reinstall the wheel nuts withthe rounded end of the nuts
toward the wheel. Tighten each
nut by hand until the wheel
is held against the hub.
13. Turn the jack handle counterclockwise. Lower
the jack completely.{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
to the proper torque specification
after replacing. Follow the torque
specification supplied by the
aftermarket manufacturer when
using accessory locking wheel
nuts. See Capacities and
Specications on page 11-2 for
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 specication.
See
Capacities and Specifications
on page 11-2 for the wheel nut
torque specication.
14. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence as
shown.
Vehicle Care 9-67

To avoid the possibility of the
vehicles rolling, set the parking
brake firmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start
procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in P (Park) or
a manual transmission in
NEUTRAL before setting
the parking brake.
Notice: If you leave the radio or
other accessories on during the
jump starting procedure, they
could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by the
warranty. Always turn off the
radio and other accessories
when jump starting the vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug unnecessary
accessories plugged into the
cigarette lighter. Turn off the radio
and all lamps that are not needed.
This will avoid sparks and help
save both batteries. And it could
save the radio! 4. Open the hoods and locate the
batteries. Find the positive (+)
and negative (−) terminal
locations on each vehicle.
See Engine Compartment
Overview on page 9-6 for
more information on location.
{CAUTION
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION
Using a match near a battery
can cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use
a flashlight if you need more light.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Be sure the battery has enough
water. You do not need to add
water to the battery installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery
has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there. If it is
low, add water to take care of that
first. If you don’t, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{CAUTION
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
9-70 Vehicle Care