2012 CHEVROLET SONIC tire pressure

Black plate (60,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
10-60 Vehicle Care
The following information explains
how to repair or change a tire.
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 9‑22.
{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 or 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 (0.25 in) in
the tread area of the tire. It can also
be used to inflate an
underinflated 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 13‑5.
Read and follow all of the tire
sealant and compressor kit
instructions.

Black plate (61,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-61
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
Tire Sealant
Read and follow the safe handling
instructions on the label adhered to
the sealant canister (D).
Check the tire sealant expiration
date on the tire sealant canister.
The tire sealant canister should be
replaced before its expiration date.
Replacement tire sealant canisters
are available at your local dealer.There is only enough sealant to seal
one tire. After usage, the tire sealant
canister must be replaced.
Using the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit to Temporarily
Seal and Inflate a
Punctured Tire
When using the tire sealant and
compressor kit during cold
temperatures, warm the kit in a
heated environment for five minutes.
This will help to inflate the tire
faster.
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 10‑58 for other important
safety warnings.

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 (73,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-73
Storing the Compact Spare Tire
and Tools
Reverse the instructions for
removing the spare tire and tools to
store the compact spare tire.
The compact spare tire is for
temporary use only. Replace the
compact spare tire with a full-size
tire as soon as you can. See
Compact Spare Tire on page 10‑73.
Compact Spare Tire
{WARNING
Driving with more than one
compact spare tire at a time could
result in loss of braking and
handling. This could lead to a
crash and you or others could be
injured. Use only one compact
spare tire at a time.If this vehicle has a compact spare
tire, it was fully inflated when the
vehicle was new; however, it can
lose air after a time. Check the
inflation pressure regularly. It should
be 420 kPa (60 psi).
Stop as soon as possible and check
that the spare tire is correctly
inflated after installing the spare on
the vehicle. The compact spare is
designed to perform well at speeds
up to 105 km/h (65 mph) for
distances up to 5 000 km (3,000 mi),
so a trip can be completed and the
full-size tire repaired or replaced
when possible. However, the
compact spare tire will last longer
and be in good shape if it is
replaced as soon as possible.
Notice:
When the compact spare
is installed, do not take the
vehicle through an automatic
car wash with guide rails. The
compact spare can get caught on
the rails which can damage the
tire, wheel, and other parts of the
vehicle.
Do not use the compact spare on
other vehicles.
Do not mix the compact spare tire or
wheel with other wheels or tires.
They will not fit. Keep the spare tire
and its wheel together.
Notice: Tire chains will not fit the
compact spare. Using them can
damage the vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Do not
use tire chains on the compact
spare.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Service and Maintenance 11-3
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services‐Normal chart.
The Additional Required
Services ‐Severe are for vehicles
that are:
.Mainly driven in hilly or
mountainous terrain.
.Frequently towing a trailer.
.Used for high speed or
competitive driving.
.Used for taxi, police, or delivery
service. Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services
‐Severe chart.
{WARNING
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous and can cause
serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if the
required information, proper tools,
and equipment are available.
If they are not, see your dealer to
have a trained technician do the
work. See Doing Your Own
Service Work on page 10‑4.
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑9.
Once a Month
.Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑45.
.Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection on page 10‑50.
.Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑21.