Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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294 Vehicle Care
{Warning
Mixing tires of different sizes,
brands, or types may cause
loss of control of the vehicle,
resulting in a crash or other
vehicle damage. Use the
correct size, brand, and type
of tires on all wheels.
{Warning
Using bias-ply tires on the
vehicle may cause the wheel
rim flanges to develop cracks
after many miles of driving.
A tire and/or wheel could fail
suddenly and cause a crash.
Use only radial-ply tires with
the wheels on the vehicle.
If the vehicle tires must be
replaced with a tire that does not
have a TPC Spec number, make
sure they are the same size,load range, speed rating, and
construction (radial) as the
original tires.
Vehicles that have a tire
pressure monitoring system
could give an inaccurate
low-pressure warning if non-TPC
Spec rated tires are installed.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor
System0285.
The Tire and Loading
Information label indicates the
original equipment tires on the
vehicle. SeeVehicle Load Limits
0172.
Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If wheels or tires are installed that
are a different size than the original
equipment wheels and tires, vehicle
performance, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover
may be affected. If the vehicle has
electronic systems such as antilock
brakes, rollover airbags, tractioncontrol, electronic stability control,
or All-Wheel Drive, the performance
of these systems can also be
affected.
{Warning
If different sized wheels are used,
there may not be an acceptable
level of performance and safety if
tires not recommended for those
wheels are selected. This
increases the chance of a crash
and serious injury. Only use GM
specific wheel and tire systems
developed for the vehicle, and
have them properly installed by a
GM certified technician.
SeeBuying New Tires0293and
Accessories and Modifications
0234.
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
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Vehicle Care 297
{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.
Caution
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.
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
If the vehicle has 245/45R18 or
245/40R19 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 the brakes, suspension,
or other vehicle parts. The area
damaged by the tire chains could
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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 slow
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 front tires.
Caution
If the vehicle is equipped with a
tire size other than 245/45R18 or
245/40R19, use tire chains only
where legal and only when
necessary. Use low profile chains
that add no more than 12 mm
thickness to the tire tread and
(Continued)
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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300 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
and even death. Never run the
engine in an enclosed area that
has no fresh air ventilation. For
more information, seeEngine
Exhaust0184.
{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 tiresealant and compressor kit to be
effective. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program0350.
Read and follow all of the tire
sealant and compressor kit
instructions.
The kit includes:
1. Sealant Canister Inlet Valve
2. Sealant/Air Hose
3. Base of Sealant Canister
4. Tire Sealant Canister
5. On/Off Button
6. Slot on Top of Compressor
7. Pressure Deflation Button
8. Pressure Gauge
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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302 Vehicle Care
5. Slide the base of the tire
sealant canister (3) into the slot
on the top of the compressor
(6) 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.7. Attach the sealant/air hose (2)
to the tire valve stem by turning
it clockwise until tight.
8. Plug the power plug (9) into the
accessory power outlet in the
vehicle. Unplug all items from
other accessory power outlets.
SeePower Outlets0110.
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 (5) to
turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit on.
The compressor will inject
sealant and air into the tire.
The pressure gauge (8) 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 (8). The recommended
inflation pressure can be found
on the Tire and Loading
Information label. SeeTire
Pressure0284.
The pressure gauge (8) may
read higher than the actual tire
pressure while the compressor
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Vehicle Care 303
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.
Caution
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. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program0350.
12. Press the on/off button (5) to
turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit off.
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 13–21 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 (9) from
the accessory power outlet in
the vehicle.
14. Turn the sealant/air hose (2)
counterclockwise to remove it
from the tire valve stem.
15. Replace the tire valve
stem cap.
16. Remove the tire sealant
canister (4) from the slot on top
of the compressor (6).
17. Turn the air only hose (10)
counterclockwise to remove it
from the tire sealant canister
inlet valve (1).
18. Turn the sealant/air hose (2)
clockwise onto the sealant
canister inlet valve (1) to
prevent sealant leakage.19. Return the air only hose (10)
and power plug (9) back to
their original storage location.
20. If the flat tire was able to inflate
to 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 1–10 under“Using the
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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304 Vehicle Care
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
Program0350.
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 (4) 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:
1. Sealant Canister Inlet Valve
2. Sealant/Air Hose
3. Base of Sealant Canister4. Tire Sealant Canister
5. On/Off Button
6. Slot on Top of Compressor
7. Pressure Deflation Button
8. Pressure Gauge
9. Power Plug
10. 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. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers0150.
SeeIf a Tire Goes Flat0298for
other important safety warnings.
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Vehicle Care 305
1. Remove the compressor from
its storage location. See
Storing the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit0306.
2. Remove the air only hose (10)
and the power plug (9) 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 (10) to
the tire valve stem by turning it
clockwise until tight.
6. Plug the power plug (9) into the
accessory power outlet in the
vehicle. Unplug all items from
other accessory power outlets.
SeePower Outlets0110.
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 (5) 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 (8). The recommended
inflation pressure can be found
on the Tire and Loading
Information label. SeeTire
Pressure0284.
The pressure gauge (8) may
read higher than the actual tire
pressure while the compressor
is on. Turn the compressor off
to get an accurate pressurereading. The compressor may
be turned on/off until the
correct pressure is reached.
Caution
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. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program0350.
10. Press the on/off button (5) 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 (9) from
the accessory power outlet in
the vehicle.
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Vehicle Care 309
11. Remove all of the wheel nuts.
12. 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 a crash. 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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
13. Remove any rust or dirt from
the wheel bolts, mounting
surfaces, and spare wheel.
14. Place the compact spare tire
on the wheel-mounting surface.
{Warning
Never use oil or grease on bolts
or nuts because the nuts might
come loose. The vehicle's wheel
could fall off, causing a crash.
15. Reinstall the wheel nuts.
Tighten each nut by hand until
the wheel is held against
the hub.
16. Lower the vehicle by turning
the jack handle
counterclockwise.
{Warning
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
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