It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are driving, especially if you maintain your tires properly. See Tires . If air goes out of a tire, it is much more likely to leak out slowly. But if you should ever have a blowout, 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 blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a skid and may require the same correction you'd use in a skid. In any rear blowout, 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, and your vehicle has a spare tire, see Changing a Flat Tire . This information shows you how to use your vehicle's tire changing equipment and how to change a flat tire safely.
Caution: 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 (GXP)
GXP models have no spare tire, no tire changing equipment, and no place for storing a spare or flat tire. If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage by driving slowly to a level place and stopping. Then do this:
- Turn on the hazard warning flashers. See Hazard Warning Flashers .
- Park your vehicle. Set the parking brake firmly and put the shift lever in PARK (P). See Shifting Into Park for additional information.
- Turn off the engine.
- Inspect the flat tire.
If the tire has been separated from the wheel or has damaged sidewalls or large tears that allow rapid air loss, call a tire repair facility. See Roadside Assistance Program .
If the flat tire is due to a slow leak caused by a nail or other similar road hazard, the tire inflator kit may be used to temporarily repair the damaged tire . The kit uses a liquid tire sealant to seal small punctures in the tread area of the tire. The flat tire is then inflated to at least 30 psi (207 kPa) and driven to evenly distribute the tire sealant. The tire pressure is checked after driving for a maximum of five miles (8.0 km) to see if the slow leak has been stopped. If the tire pressure is 19 psi (131 kPa) or more, inflate the tire up to the standard operating pressure as shown on the tire and loading information label. This label is attached to the vehicle's center-pillar below the driver's door latch. See Inflation - Tire Pressure .
Notice: If the tire pressure has dropped below 19 psi (131 kPa), the vehicle should not be driven. Damage to the tire may be severe and the sealant will not be effective. Contact Roadside Assistance, see Roadside Assistance Program.
You should have the damaged tire repaired as soon as possible. The tire sealant is a temporary repair only. If the tire has been filled with tire sealant, take the tire to a GM dealer/retailer for inspection and repair. See Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit for additional information.
