Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid 2008, Owner'S Manual

Page: 293 / 370

If a Tire Goes Flat
Your vehicle has a tire sealant and compressor kit.
See
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit on page 5-66 .
There is no spare tire, no tire changing equipment,
and no place to store a tire.
It is unusual for a tire to blow out while you are
driving, especially if you maintain your tires properly.
See
Tires on page 5-44 . If air goes out of a tire,
it is much more likely to leak out slowly. But, if you
should ever have a blow out, here are a few tips
about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create 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 out of the traffic lane.
A rear blow out, particularly on a curve, acts much
like a skid and may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any rear blow out, remove
your foot from the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle
under control by steering the way you want the vehicle
to go. It may be very bumpy and noisy, but you can
still steer. Gently brake to a stop, well off the road
if possible.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place and stopping.
Then do this:
1. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
See Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6 .
2. Park your vehicle. Set the parking brake
firmly and put the shift lever in PARK (P).
See
Shifting Into PARK (P) on page 2-29 .
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Inspect the flat tire.
If the tire has been separated from the wheel, has
damaged sidewalls, or has a puncture larger than a
1 ⁄
4
inch (6 mm), the tire is too severely damaged for
the tire sealant and compressor kit to be effective.
See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-7 .
If the tire has a puncture less than a
1
⁄
4
inch (6 mm)
in the tread area of the tire, see Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 5-66 .
5-65