Black plate (62,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
10-62 Vehicle Care
Replace wheels, wheel bolts, wheel
nuts, or Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS) sensors with new
GM original equipment parts.
{WARNING
Using the wrong replacement
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel
nuts can be dangerous. It could
affect the braking and handling of
the vehicle. Tires can lose air,
and cause loss of control, causing
a crash. 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 10‑63 for more information.Used Replacement Wheels
{WARNING
Replacing a wheel with a used
one is dangerous. How it has
been used or how far it has been
driven may be unknown. It could
fail suddenly and cause a crash.
When replacing wheels, use a
new GM original equipment
wheel.
Tire Chains
{WARNING
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 the brakes,
suspension, or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the
tire chains could cause loss of
control and a crash. Use another
type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for
the vehicle's tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions.
To avoid vehicle damage, drive
slowly and readjust or remove the
traction device if it contacts the
vehicle. Do not spin the wheels.
If traction devices are used, install
them on the rear tires.
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 (64,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
10-64 Vehicle Care
{WARNING
Changing a tire can be
dangerous. The vehicle can slip
off the jack and roll over or fall
causing injury or death. Find a
level place to change the tire.
To help prevent the vehicle
from moving:1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission in P (Park) or
a manual transmission in
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.
5. Place wheel blocks on both sides of the tire at the
opposite corner of the tire
being changed. This vehicle may come with a jack,
spare tire, and wheel block(s) or a
tire sealant and compressor kit.
To use the jacking equipment to
change a spare tire safely, follow
the instructions below. Then see
Tire Changing on page 10‑72. To
use the tire sealant and compressor
kit, see
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 10‑65.
To use the wheel blocks, lift the
wheel block and lock it into place. When the vehicle has a flat tire (B),
use the following example as a
guide to assist in the placement of
the wheel blocks (A).
A. Wheel Block
B. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how to repair or change a tire.
Black plate (65,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-65
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 9‑27.
{WARNING
Overinflating 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 (¼ inch) 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. See
Roadside Assistance
Program on page 13‑6.
Read and follow all of the tire
sealant and compressor kit
instructions.
Black plate (67,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-67
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 6‑3.
See If a Tire Goes Flat on
page 10‑63 for other important
safety warnings.
Do not remove any objects that
have penetrated the tire.
1. Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from its storage
location. See Storing the Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit on
page 10‑72.
Make sure the on/off button (D)
is in the off O position.
2. Unwrap the sealant/air hose (G) and the power plug (C).
3. Place the kit on the ground.
Make sure the tire valve stem is
positioned close to the ground
so the hose will reach it. 4. Remove the valve stem cap from
the flat tire by turning it
counterclockwise.
5. Attach the sealant/air hose (G) onto the tire valve stem. Turn it
clockwise until it is tight.
6. Plug the power plug (C) into the accessory power outlet in the
vehicle. Unplug all items from
other accessory power outlets.
See Power Outlets on page 5‑5.
If the vehicle has an accessory
power outlet, do not use the
cigarette lighter.
If the vehicle only has a cigarette
lighter, use the cigarette lighter.
Do not pinch the power plug
cord in the door or window.
7. Start the vehicle. The vehicle must be running while using the
air compressor.
8. Press the on/off button (D) to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit on. The compressor will inject
sealant and air into the tire.
The pressure gauge (E) will
initially show a high pressure
while the compressor pushes the
sealant into the tire. Once the
sealant is completely dispersed
into the tire, the pressure will
quickly drop and start to rise
again as the tire inflates with
air only.
9. Inflate the tire to the recommended inflation pressure
using the pressure gauge (E).
The recommended inflation
pressure can be found on the
Tire and Loading Information
label. See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑49.
The pressure gauge (E) may
read higher than the actual tire
pressure while the compressor is
on. Turn the compressor off to
get an accurate pressure
reading. The compressor may
be turned on/off until the correct
pressure is reached.
Black plate (69,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-69
If the tire pressure has not
dropped more than 68 kPa
(10 psi) from the recommended
inflation pressure, inflate the
tire to the recommended
inflation pressure.
19. Wipe off any sealant from the wheel, tire or vehicle.
20. Dispose of the used sealant canister (B) and sealant/air
hose (G) assembly at a local
dealer or in accordance with
local state codes and practices.
21. Replace it with a new canister available from your dealer.
22. After temporarily sealing a tire using the tire sealant and
compressor kit, take the
vehicle to an authorized dealer
within 161 km (100 mi) of
driving to have the tire repaired
or replaced.Using the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit without
Sealant to Inflate a Tire
(Not Punctured)
To use the air compressor to inflate
a tire with air only and not sealant:
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 6‑3.
See If a Tire Goes Flat on
page 10‑63 for other important
safety warnings. 1. Remove the tire sealant and
compressor kit from its storage
location. See Storing the Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit on
page 10‑72.
2. Unlock the air only hose (F) from the sealant canister (B) by
pulling up on the lever.
3. Pull the air only hose (F) from the sealant canister (B).
4. Remove the power plug (C) from the air compressor (A).
5. Place the kit on the ground.
Make sure the tire valve stem is
positioned close to the ground
so the hose will reach it.
6. Remove the tire valve stem cap by turning it counterclockwise.
7. Attach the air only hose (F) onto the tire valve stem and press the
lever down to secure it.
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.
Black plate (74,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
10-74 Vehicle Care
If needed, finish loosening them
with your fingers. The plastic nut
caps will not come off.
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 beforeproceeding. See If a Tire Goes
Flat on page 10‑63 for more
information.
2. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise once on each
wheel nut to loosen it. Do not
remove them yet.
3. Place the jack near the flat tire.
4. Place the wheel blocks on both sides of the tire at the opposite
corner of the tire being changed.
See If a Tire Goes Flat on
page 10‑63 for proper wheel
block placement.5. If this vehicle is the RS model, locate the front or rear jack
cover on the rocker molding
near the tire being changed.
Place your hand behind the
edge of the cover on the rocker
molding. Pull down and out to
remove the cover.
The cover will remain attached
to the molding by a tether.