2012 CHEVROLET SONIC flat tire

Black plate (62,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
10-62 Vehicle Care
Do not remove any objects that
have penetrated the tire.
1. Remove the tire sealant canisterand compressor from its storage
location. See Storing the Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit on
page 10‑67.
2. Remove the air only hose (J) and the power plug (I) from the
bottom of the compressor.
3. Place the compressor on the ground near the flat tire.
4. Attach the air only hose (J) tothe sealant canister inlet
valve (A) by turning it clockwise
until tight.5. Slide the base of the tire sealantcanister (C) into the slot on the
top of the compressor (F) to hold
it upright.
Make sure the tire valve stem is
positioned close to the ground
so the hose will reach it.
6. Remove the valve stem cap from the flat tire by turning it
counterclockwise.

Black plate (63,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-63
7. Attach the sealant/air hose (B) tothe tire valve stem by turning it
clockwise until tight.
8. Plug the power plug (I) 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.
9. Start the vehicle. The vehicle must be running while using the
air compressor.
10. Press the on/off button (E) to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit on.
The compressor will inject
sealant and air into the tire.
The pressure gauge (H) 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.
11. Inflate the tire to the recommended inflation
pressure using the pressure
gauge (H). The recommended
inflation pressure can be found on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See
Tire
Pressure on page 10‑45.
The pressure gauge (H) 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.
Notice: If the recommended
pressure cannot be reached after
approximately 25 minutes, the
vehicle should not be driven
farther. The tire is too severely
damaged and the tire sealant and
compressor kit cannot inflate the
tire. Remove the power plug from
the accessory power outlet and
unscrew the inflating hose from
the tire valve. See Roadside
Assistance Program on
page 13‑5.
12. Press the on/off button (E) to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit off.

Black plate (64,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
10-64 Vehicle Care
The tire is not sealed and will
continue to leak air until the
vehicle is driven and the
sealant is distributed in the tire.
Therefore, Steps 13 through
21 must be done immediately
after Step 12.
Be careful while handling the
tire sealant and compressor kit
as it could be warm after
usage.
13. Unplug the power plug (I) from the accessory power outlet in
the vehicle.
14. Turn the sealant/air hose (B) counterclockwise to remove it
from the tire valve stem.
15. Replace the tire valve stem cap.
16. Remove the tire sealant canister (D) from the slot on
top of the compressor (F). 17. Turn the air only hose (J)
counterclockwise to remove it
from the tire sealant canister
inlet valve (A).
18. Turn the sealant/air hose (B) clockwise onto the sealant
canister inlet valve (A) to
prevent sealant leakage.
19. Return the air only hose (J) and power plug (I) back to their
original storage location.
20. If the flat tire was able to inflateto the recommended inflation
pressure, remove the
maximum speed label from the
sealant canister and place it in
a highly visible location.
Do not exceed the speed on
this label until the damaged tire
is repaired or replaced. 21. Return the equipment to its
original storage location in the
vehicle.
22. Immediately drive the vehicle 8 km (5 mi) to distribute the
sealant in the tire.
23. Stop at a safe location and check the tire pressure. Refer
to Steps 1 through 10 under
“Using the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit without Sealant
to Inflate a Tire (Not
Punctured).”
If the tire pressure has fallen
more than 68 kPa (10 psi)
below the recommended
inflation pressure, stop driving
the vehicle. The tire is too
severely damaged and the tire
sealant cannot seal the tire.
SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 13‑5.

Black plate (65,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-65
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.
24. Wipe off any sealant from the wheel, tire, or vehicle.
25. Dispose of the used tire sealant canister (D) at a local
dealer or in accordance with
local state codes and practices.
26. Replace it with a new canister available from your dealer.
27. 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)
The kit includes:
A. Sealant Canister Inlet Valve
B. Sealant/Air Hose
C. Base of Sealant Canister
D. Tire Sealant Canister
E. On/Off Button
F. Slot on Top of Compressor G. Pressure Deflation Button
H. Pressure Gauge
I. Power Plug
J. Air Only Hose
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.

Black plate (66,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
10-66 Vehicle Care
SeeIf a Tire Goes Flat on
page 10‑58 for other important
safety warnings.
1. Remove the compressor from its storage location. See Storing the
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
on page 10‑67.
2. Remove the air only hose (J) and the power plug (I) from the
bottom of the compressor.
3. Place the compressor on the ground near the flat tire.
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 air only hose (J) to the tire valve stem by turning it
clockwise until tight.
6. Plug the power plug (I) 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 (E) to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit on.
The compressor will inflate the
tire with air only.
9. Inflate the tire to the recommended inflation pressure
using the pressure gauge (H).
The recommended inflation
pressure can be found on the
Tire and Loading Information
label. See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑45.
The pressure gauge (H) 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.
Notice: If the recommended
pressure cannot be reached after
approximately 25 minutes, the
vehicle should not be driven
farther. The tire is too severely
damaged and the tire sealant and
compressor kit cannot inflate the
tire. Remove the power plug from
the accessory power outlet and
unscrew the inflating hose from
the tire valve. See Roadside
Assistance Program on
page 13‑5.
10. Press the on/off button (E) to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit off.
Be careful while handling the
compressor as it could be
warm after usage.
11. Unplug the power plug (I) from the accessory power outlet in
the vehicle.

Black plate (67,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-67
12. Turn the air only hose (J)counterclockwise to remove it
from the tire valve stem.
13. Replace the tire valve stem cap.
14. Return the air only hose (J) and power plug (I) back to their
original storage location.
15. Return the equipment to its original storage location in the
vehicle.
The tire sealant and compressor kit
has accessory adapters located in a
compartment on the bottom of its
housing that can be used to inflate
air mattresses, balls, etc.Storing the Tire Sealant
and Compressor Kit
The tire sealant and compressor kit
is located in the rear storage area.
1. Lift the trim cover.
2. Remove the tire sealant canister (A) and the
compressor (B). To store the tire sealant canister and
compressor:
1. Attach the sealant/air hose to
the sealant canister inlet valve.
2. Return the sealant canister and the compressor to their original
storage location.
Tire Changing
Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools
The compact spare tire and tools
are located in the storage
compartment in the rear of the
vehicle.
To access the spare tire and tools:
1. Open the trunk or liftgate. See
Trunk (Sedan) on page 2‑8 or
Liftgate (Hatchback) on
page 2‑10.
2. Lift the trim cover.

Black plate (68,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
10-68 Vehicle Care
3. Turn the retainercounterclockwise and remove it
from the compact spare.
4. Remove the compact spare tire. See Compact Spare Tire on
page 10‑73 for more information.A. Extension
B. Jack
C. Wheel Wrench
D. Strap
5. The jack and tools are stored below the spare tire. Remove
them from their container and
place them near the tire being
changed.
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. Do a safety check before
proceeding. See If a Tire Goes
Flat on page 10‑58.
2. Remove the wheel cover, if the vehicle has one, to reach the
wheel bolts.

Black plate (70,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
10-70 Vehicle Care
6. Turn the wheel wrenchclockwise until the lift head is
firmly contacting the proper
lifting point nearest the flat tire.
{WARNING
Getting under a vehicle when it is
jacked up is dangerous. If the
vehicle slips off the jack, you
could be badly injured or killed.
Never get under a vehicle when it
is supported only by a jack.
{WARNING
Raising the vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can
damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help
avoid personal injury and vehicle
damage, be sure to fit the jack lift
head into the proper location
before raising the vehicle. 7. Turn the wheel wrench
clockwise to raise the vehicle.
Raise the vehicle far enough off
the ground so there is enough
room for the compact spare tire
to fit underneath the wheel well.
8. Turn the wheel nuts counterclockwise to
remove them.
9. Remove the flat tire.
{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, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
10. Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting
surfaces, and spare wheel.
11. Place the compact spare tire on the wheel-mounting surface.