2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE tow

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
10-10 Vehicle Care
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. In order to
get an accurate reading, the vehicle
must be on level ground. The
engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow
loop. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 10‑6 for the
location of the engine oil dipstick.
Obtaining an accurate oil level
reading is essential:
1. If the engine has been running recently, turn off the engine and
allow several minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Checking the oil level too soon
after engine shutoff will not
provide an accurate oil level
reading.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or cloth, then
push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the
tip down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick, add
1 L (1 qt) of the recommended oil
and then recheck the level. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil” in
this section for an explanation of
what kind of oil to use. For engine
oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2.
Notice: Do not add too much oil.
Oil levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could
be damaged. You should drain
out the excess oil or limit driving
of the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for the location of the
engine oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.

Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
10-20 Vehicle Care
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Check to see if the engine cooling
fan is running. If the engine is
overheating, the fan should be
running. If it is not, do not continue
to run the engine and have the
vehicle serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{WARNING
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of
steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when the
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop the
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
.Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows
as necessary.

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-21
3. In heavy traffic, let the engineidle in N (Neutral) while stopped.
If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge
is no longer in the overheat zone or
an overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slowly
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down. Also, see “Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode”
following.Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode
allows the vehicle to be driven to a
safe place in an emergency
situation. If an overheated engine
condition exists, an overheat
protection mode which alternates
firing groups of cylinders helps
prevent engine damage. In this
mode, a significant loss in power
and engine performance will be
noticed. The temperature gauge
will indicate an overheat condition
exists. Driving extended km (mi)
and/or towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should
be avoided. Notice:
After driving in the
overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine
damage, allow the engine to cool
before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely
degraded. Repair the cause of
coolant loss, change the oil and
reset the oil life system. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑9.

Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
10-28 Vehicle Care
Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should
be inspected for wear or cracking.
SeeMaintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3 for more information.
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed
in different ways. For proper
windshield wiper blade length
and type, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts on page 11‑15.
Notice: Allowing the wiper blade
arm to touch the windshield when
no wiper blade is installed could
damage the windshield. Any
damage that occurs would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not
allow the wiper blade arm to
touch the windshield. To replace the windshield wiper
blade:
1. Pull the wiper assembly away
from the windshield.
2. Lift up on the plastic latch in themiddle of the wiper blade where
the wiper arm attaches.
3. With the latch open, pull the wiper blade down toward the
windshield far enough to release
it from the J-hooked end of the
wiper arm. 4. Remove the wiper blade.
Allowing the wiper blade arm to
touch the windshield when no
wiper blade is installed could
damage the windshield. Any
damage that occurs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not allow the wiper
blade to touch the windshield.
5. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 for wiper blade replacement.

Black plate (56,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
10-56 Vehicle Care
SeeWhen It Is Time for New
Tires on page 10‑57 andWheel
Replacement on page 10‑61.
Use this rotation pattern when
rotating the tires.
Do not include the compact
spare tire in the tire rotation. Adjust the front and rear tires to
the recommended inflation
pressure on the Tire and
Loading Information label after
the tires have been rotated.
See
Tire Pressure on
page 10‑49 andVehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑10.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. See Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation on
page 10‑52.
Check that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel
Nut Torque” underCapacities
and Specifications on
page 12‑2.
{WARNING
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
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, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
Lightly coat the center of the
wheel hub with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel change or
tire rotation to prevent corrosion
or rust build-up. Do not get
grease on the flat wheel
mounting surface or on the
wheel nuts or bolts.

Black plate (63,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-63
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while driving, especially if the tires
are maintained properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it is much more likely to
leak out slowly. But if there ever is 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 off the
road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction as
used in a skid. Stop pressing the
accelerator pedal and steer to
straighten the vehicle.It may be very bumpy and noisy.
Gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible.
{WARNING
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has
been driven on while severely
underinflated or flat may cause a
blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
that has been driven on while
severely underinflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized
tire service center repair or
replace the flat tire as soon
as possible.
{WARNING
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, well off the road,
if possible. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. See Hazard
Warning Flashers on page 6‑3.

Black plate (71,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-71
Removal and Installation of the
Sealant Canister
To remove the sealant canister:
1. Unlock the air only hose (F) fromthe sealant canister (B) by
pulling up on the lever.
2. Pull the air only hose (F) from the sealant canister (B).
3. Unwrap the sealant/air hose (G) from the compressor (A).
4. Turn the sealant canister (B) sothe inflator filling hose is aligned
with the slot in the compressor.
5. Lift the sealant canister (B) from the compressor and replace with
a new sealant canister. See your
dealer for more information. To install a new sealant canister:
1. Align the sealant/air hose (G)
with the slot in the air
compressor.
2. Push the sealant canister (B) down and turn it clockwise.
3. Wrap the sealant/air hose (G) around the air compressor
channel to stow it in its original
location.
4. Push the air only hose (F) onto the sealant canister inlet and
push the lever down.

Black plate (73,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-73
3. Turn the retainer nut (A)counterclockwise to remove it.
Then remove the tool bag
tether (B) from the stow rod, the
tool bag (C) containing the
wheel wrench and wheel blocks,
and the spare tire (D).
4. Remove the jack, jack handle extension, and two-piece
wrench, if equipped.
A. Three-Piece Wrench
B. Hex Head Jack
C. Jack Handle Extension
D. Coin/Pierce Jack
E. Two-Piece Wrench
This vehicle may have one of
the following: A coin/pierce
jack (D), a jack handle
extension (C), and a
two-piece wrench (E), or a
hex head jack (B) and
three-piece wrench (A).
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
This 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.