Chevrolet Sonic Repair Manual: Tire Inflation Description
When you inflate the tires to the recommended inflation pressures, the factory-installed wheels and tires are designed in order to handle loads to the tire's rated load capacity. Incorrect tire pressures, or under-inflated tires, can cause the following conditions:
- Vehicle handling concerns
- Poor fuel economy
- Shortened tire life
- Tire overloading
Inspect the tire pressure when the following conditions apply:
- The vehicle has been sitting at least 3 hours.
- The vehicle has not been driven for more than 1.6 km (1 mi).
- The tires are cool.
Inspect the tires monthly or before any extended trip. Adjust the tire pressure to the specifications on the tire label. Install the valve caps or the extensions on the valves. The caps or the extensions keep out dust and water.
The kilopascal (kPa) is the metric term for pressure. The tire pressure may be printed in both kilopascal (kPa) and psi. One psi equals 6.9 kPa.
|
kPa |
psi |
kPa |
psi |
|---|---|---|---|
|
140 |
20 |
215 |
31 |
|
145 |
21 |
220 |
32 |
|
155 |
22 |
230 |
33 |
|
160 |
23 |
235 |
34 |
|
165 |
24 |
240 |
35 |
|
170 |
25 |
250 |
36 |
|
180 |
26 |
275 |
40 |
|
185 |
27 |
310 |
45 |
|
190 |
28 |
345 |
50 |
|
200 |
29 |
380 |
55 |
|
205 |
30 |
415 |
60 |
|
Conversion: 6.9 kPa = 1 psi |
|||
Tires with a higher than recommended pressure can cause the following conditions:
- A hard ride
- Tire bruising
- Rapid tread wear at the center of the tire
Tires with a lower than recommended pressure can cause the following conditions:
- A tire squeal on turns
- Hard steering
- Rapid wear and uneven wear on the edge of the tread
- Tire rim bruises and tire rim rupture
- Tire cord breakage
- High tire temperatures
- Reduced vehicle handling
- High fuel consumption
- Soft riding
Unequal pressure on the same axle can cause the following conditions:
- Uneven braking
- Steering lead
- Reduced vehicle handling
Refer to the Tire Placard for specific tire and wheel applications and tire pressures.
Tire Dismounting and Mounting
Caution: Use a tire changing machine in order to dismount tires. Do
not use hand tools or tire irons alone in order to remove the tire from the
wheel. Damage to the tire beads or the wheel ri ...
Tire Inspection
We recommend that the tires, including the spare tire, if the vehicle has
one, be inspected for signs of wear or damage at least once a month.
Replace the tire if:
The indicators at three or ...
Other materials:
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
A computer system called OBD II (On-Board Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors
the operation of the vehicle to ensure emissions are at acceptable levels, helping
to maintain a clean environment. The malfunction indicator lamp comes on when the
vehicle is placed in ON/RUN, as a check to show ...
Key with Integrated Transmitter Programming
Keys can be programming in various ways using the procedures outlined below.
Using the Replacing Keys procedures will first erase all the known keys from the
vehicle. Any existing keys and any new keys will then be programmed. This procedure
should be used any time a key is required to be unle ...
Radiator Mounting Stud Repair
Repair Procedure
Note: If the radiator is leaky, replace it. Refer to Radiator
Replacement.
Pressure test the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Leak Testing.
Grind the fracture surface (1) with a proper tool.
Drill a hole in the cente ...
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