Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
278 Vehicle Care
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blow out while
driving, especially if the tires are maintained
properly. SeeTires0259. If air goes out of
a tire, it is much more likely to leak out
slowly. But if there is ever 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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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 0106.
{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, if equipped, on both sides of the tire at the opposite
corner of the tire being changed.
This vehicle may come with a jack and spare
tire 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 0285. To use the
tire sealant and compressor kit, see Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit 0279.
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Vehicle Care 279
When the vehicle has a flat tire (2), use the
following example as a guide to assist you
in the placement of wheel blocks (1),
if equipped.
1. Wheel Block (If Equipped)
2. Flat Tire
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.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Never run the engine in an enclosed area
that has no fresh air ventilation. For more
information, seeEngine Exhaust0188.
{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 0323.
Read and follow all of the tire sealant and
compressor kit instructions.
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Vehicle Care 281
4. Attach the air only hose (10) to thesealant canister inlet valve (1) by turning
it clockwise until tight.
5. Slide the base of the tire sealantcanister (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 tirevalve 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. See Power Outlets077. 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. See Tire
Pressure 0266.
The pressure gauge (8) may read higher
than the actual tire pressure while the
compressor is on. Turn the compressor
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282 Vehicle Care
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 Program
0 323.
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 therecommended 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 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 0323.
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.
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Vehicle Care 283
25. Dispose of the used tire sealantcanister (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 Canister
4. 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 Flashers 0106.
See If a Tire Goes Flat 0278 for other
important safety warnings. 1. Remove the compressor from its storage
location. See Storing the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit 0284.
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. See Power Outlets077.
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.
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284 Vehicle Care
7. Start the vehicle. The vehicle must berunning 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. See Tire
Pressure 0266.
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 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
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
unscrew the inflating hose from the tire
valve. See Roadside Assistance Program
0 323.
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.
12. Turn the air only hose (10) counterclockwise to remove it from the
tire valve stem.
13. Replace the tire valve stem cap.
14. Return the air only hose (10) and power plug (9) 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
To access the tire sealant and
compressor kit: 1. Open the trunk. See Trunk018.
2. Lift the cover.
3. Turn the wing nut counterclockwise to remove the tire sealant and compressor
kit bag.
4. Remove the tire sealant and compressor kit from the bag.
To store the tire sealant and compressor kit,
reverse the steps.
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Tire Changing
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
1. Jack
2. Wrench
3. Tow Hook (If Equipped)
4. Extension Bolt
5. Insulator Pad
To access the spare tire and tools:1. Open the trunk.
2. Remove the spare tire cover.
3. Turn the retainer nut counterclockwise and remove the spare tire. Place the
spare tire next to the tire being changed. 4. 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
Take off the wheel cover or center cap,
if the vehicle has one, to reach the wheel
bolts.
1. Do a safety check before proceeding. See If a Tire Goes Flat 0278.
2. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to loosen and remove the wheel
nut caps. Do not try to remove plastic caps from
the cover or center cap.
3. Pull the cover or center cap away from the wheel. Store the wheel cover in the
cargo area until you have the flat tire
repaired or replaced.4. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwiseto loosen all the wheel nuts, but do not
remove them yet.
5. Place the jack near the flat tire.
6. Put the compact spare tire near you.
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Vehicle Care 287
10. Raise the vehicle by turning the jackhandle clockwise. Raise the vehicle far
enough off the ground so there is
enough room for the road tire to clear
the ground.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
cause wheel nuts to become loose
over 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 paper 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.