Chevrolet Cobalt Owners Manual: Inflation - Tire Pressure

Tires need the correct amount of air pressure to operate effectively.

Notice: Do not let anyone tell you that under-inflation or over-inflation is all right.

It is not. If your tires do not have enough air (under-inflation), you can get the following: - Too much flexing.

- Too much heat.

- Tire overloading.

- Premature or irregular wear.

- Poor handling.

- Reduced fuel economy.

If your tires have too much air (over-inflation), you can get the following: - Unusual wear.

- Poor handling.

- Rough ride.

- Needless damage from road hazards.

A vehicle specific Tire and Loading Information label is attached to your vehicle. This label shows your vehicle's original equipment tires and the correct inflation pressures for your tires when they are cold. The recommended cold tire inflation pressure, shown on the label, is the minimum amount of air pressure needed to support your vehicle's maximum load carrying capacity.

For additional information regarding how much weight your vehicle can carry, and an example of the Tire and Loading Information label, see Loading the Vehicle. How you load your vehicle affects vehicle handling and ride comfort. Never load your vehicle with more weight than it was designed to carry.

When to Check

Check your tires once a month or more. Do not forget to check the compact spare tire, if the vehicle has one. It should be at 60 psi (420 kPa).

For additional information regarding the compact spare tire, seeCompact Spare Tire.

How to Check

Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to check tire pressure. You cannot tell if your tires are properly inflated simply by looking at them.

Radial tires may look properly inflated even when they are under-inflated. Check the tire's inflation pressure when the tires are cold.

Cold means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).

Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem.

Press the tire gauge firmly onto the valve to get a pressure measurement. If the cold tire inflation pressure matches the recommended pressure on the Tire and Loading Information label, no further adjustment is necessary. If the inflation pressure is low, add air until you reach the recommended amount.

If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on the metal stem in the center of the tire valve.

Re-check the tire pressure with the tire gauge.

Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.