Nissan PULSAR N13 Series / ASTRA LD Series. Manual — part 5

WHEELS AND TYRES

SPECIFICATIONS

TYRES PRESSURES

Front:

Normal load . . . . . . . . . . . 200 kPa

Heavy load or high speed . . . . . ..230 kPa

Rear:

Normal load . . . . . . . . . . . 180 kPa

Heavy load or high speed . . . . . .. 210 kPa

NOTE: The above pressures are measured
cold and are meant as a guide only. Always
refer to the tire placard positioned on the
inside of the glove compartment lid and the
tire manufacturers recommendations first.

TORQUE WRENCH SETTINGS

Wheel nut torque . . . . . . . . . . . .98 Nm

1. HOW TO CHANGE A ROAD WHEEL

(1) Ensure that the vehicle is on level firm

ground and clear of any passing traffic.

(2) If necessary, switch on the hazard

flashers.

(3) Switch off the engine and place the transaxle

in the (P) Park position on automatic transaxle
models or in reverse gear on manual transaxle models.

(4) Apply the handbrake firmly and chock the

front and rear of the wheel diagonally opposite the
wheel being changed.

(5) Remove the spare wheel, tool kit and jack

located in the luggage compartment.

(6) On vehicles equipped with full wheel covers,

remove the trim from the wheel.

(7) Using the wheel spanner, loosen the wheel

nuts progressively in a diagonal sequence half a turn.

(8) Position the jack under the jacking point

closest to the wheel being removed and raise the jack
until the head of the jack contacts the jacking point.

(9) Raise the vehicle slightly and check that the

jack is stable and vertical.

Underbody view showing the jacking and supporting
points. O indicates the jacking points and X indicates

the supporting points.

Chock the front and rear of the wheel diagonally

opposite the wheel being changed.

View of the jack correctly installed to the rear jacking

point.

22

Wheels and Tires

View of the jack correctly installed to the front jacking

point

.

(10) Continue to raise the jack until the tire

clears the ground sufficiently to allow the spare wheel
to be installed.

(11) Remove the wheel nuts and lift the wheel

off the hub.

NOTE: Under no circumstances get under
the vehicle while the jack is the only means
of support.

(12) Install the spare wheel and install the wheel

nuts with the chamfered ends contacting the wheels.
Tighten the wheel nuts as much as possible by hand.

(13) Lower the jack and securely tighten the

wheel nuts progressively in a diagonal sequence using
the wheel spanner.

(14) Where removed, install the wheel cover.
(15) Return the spare wheel, jack and tool kit to

their relevant storage positions.

ABNORMAL WEAR ON CENTRE OF TREAD

(1) Over inflation of tires: Check and reduce to

the recommended pressure.

ABNORMAL WEAR ON INSIDE OF TREAD

(1) Excessive negative camber angle: Check the

wheel alignment.

(2) Sagging coil springs: Check and renew the

coil springs as a pair.

(3) Loose or worn hub bearing assembly: Check

and renew the hub bearing assembly.

(4) Bent, loose or worn suspension components:

Check and renew any faulty components.

ABNORMAL WEAR ON OUTSIDE OF TREAD

(1) Excessive positive camber: Check the front

wheel alignment.

(2) Excessive speed when cornering: Revise driv-

ing habits.

(3) Bent, loose or worn suspension components:

Check and renew any faulty components.

2. TYRE WEAR TROUBLE SHOOTING

ABNORMAL WEAR ON BOTH SIDES OF
TREAD

(1) Under inflation of tires: Check and inflate to

the recommended pressure.

(2) Overloading: Reduce the maximum loading.

FLAT SPOTS ON TREAD OR IRREGULAR
WEAR

(1) Static or dynamic unbalance of the wheel

and tire assembly: Check the balance of the wheel and
tire assembly.

(2) Lateral run out of the wheel: Check and (rue

up or renew the wheel.

Tighten the wheel nuts in a diagonal sequence using

the wheel spanner.

Wheels and Tires

23

(3) Excessive play in the front suspension ball

joints: Check and renew the ball joints.

(4) Excessive play in the hub bearing assembly:

Check and renew the hub bearing assembly.

WORN SPOTS ON CENTRE OF TREAD

(1) Static unbalance of the wheel and tire asem-

bly: Check the balance of the wheel and tire assembly

(2) Radial run out (eccentricity) of the wheel:

Check and renew the wheel.

FEATHERED EDGES ON TREAD PATTERN

(1) Excessive speed when cornering: Revise driv-

ing habits.

(2) Excessive toe-in or toe-out: Check and adjust

the wheel alignment.

(3) Bent, loose or worn suspension components:

Check and renew any faulty components.

NOTE: To preserve tire life it is good policy
to periodically have the front wheel balanced
and the steering geometry checked on a
reliable wheel alignment machine.

Under no circumstances mix radial ply

and conventional ply tires. Install only tires
of the same construction to all four wheels.

3. CARE AND MAINTENANCE

STEEL WHEELS

Steel wheels should be regularly cleaned of all

foreign matter, such as dirt and mud. If foreign matter
is allowed to build up it will affect the balance of the
wheel and may cause vibrations and uneven tire wear.
If the paint has been chipped or scratched it should be
touched up as soon as possible to prevent rust.

Any minor damage to the wheel rim can usually

be repaired using a suitable hammer after the wheel
has been removed from the vehicle. However, any
major rim damage or buckling of the wheel will
necessitate the renewal of the wheel. It is good policy
to occasionally remove the wheels from the vehicle
and inspect them for damage, cracks or corrosion.

ALLOY WHEELS

Alloy wheels should be regularly cleaned of all

foreign matter such as dirt and mud. If foreign matter

Wheels should be cleaned regularly of dirt and mud.

is allowed to build up it will affect the balance of the
wheel and may cause vibrations and uneven tire wear.

The alloy wheels are coated with a clear protective

finish. Do not use abrasive cleaner, polishing com-
pounds, steel wool etc. when cleaning the wheels. Only
mild soap and warm water are recommended. Alloy
wheels are particularly susceptible to corrosion dam-
age particularly if exposed to salt water.

Alloy wheels being relatively soft in comparison to

steel are easily scuffed, however, this will not affect the
serviceability of the wheel. Where heavy damage has
been sustained to the wheel it should be renewed.
Buckling or cracking of an alloy wheel cannot be
repaired.

TYRES

The depth of the tire tread grooves should never

be allowed to be less than 1.5 mm before the tires are
renewed. The tires should also be renewed when any
damage, whether it be internal or external, is evident.
Minor punctures or leaks should be properly repaired.
Refer the tire to a tire specialist if there is any doubt
about the serviceability of the tire.

The tread, tread grooves and sidewalls should be

regularly inspected for foreign matter i.e. nails, stones
etc. Where foreign matter is detected it should be
removed from the tire and if necessary, the puncture
repaired.

The tire valves should always have the caps

installed, be regularly cleaned of dirt or dust and be
inspected for leakage and damage every time the tire
pressures are checked.

Regularly inspect the tread of the tires for signs of

uneven wear. If uneven wear is apparent, refer to the
heading Tire Wear Trouble Shooting in this section
for possible causes and cures. If the uneven tire wear
is noticed early enough, the cause correctly identified
and the necessary cure carried out, the life of the tire
should be extended.

24

Wheels and Tires

When the tire tread groove depth is less than 1.5
mm, or when the tire is worn to the point where the

tire wear indicators are level with the tread surface,

the tire should be renewed.

To preserve tire life it is good policy to periodi-

cally have the front wheels balanced and the front end
alignment checked on a reliable wheel alignment
machine.

The wheel and tire assemblies may be rotated at

20 000 km if desired. Rotation of the wheels and tires
will increase the period between tire renewal. Radial
tires should not be cross changed, they should be
changed from front to rear on the same side.

Tire rotation diagram. If desired, the wheel and tire

assemblies may be rotated every 20 000 km in the

manner shown. Vector SSS tire rotation not to include

spare wheel.

The air pressure in the tire is probably the single

most important aspect of tire care. Too little or too
much pressure in the tire can cause rapid wear or
complete failure through overheating. Where possible
the tire pressures should be checked and adjusted
when the tires are cold.

As a rule, different tire types, tread patterns or

sizes should never be used on the vehicle at one time.
All the tires on the vehicles, including the spare
should be a matched set to prevent the vehicle
behaving erratically under certain conditions. Under
no circumstances mix radial ply and conventional ply
tires.