2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner's Manual - Page 337

If a Tire Goes Flat It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are driving, especially if you maintain the tires properly. See Tires on page 5-54. 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 would 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, avoid further tire and wheel damage by driving slowly to a level place and stopping. 1. Turn on the hazard warning flashers. See Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6. 2. Park the vehicle. Set the parking brake firmly and put the shift lever in P (Park). 3. Turn off the engine. 4. Inspect the flat tire. { 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. This vehicle may come with a jack and spare tire or a tire sealant and compressor kit. To use the jack and spare tire, see Changing a Flat Tire on page 5-88. To use the tire sealant and compressor kit, see Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit on page 5-80. 5-79