1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN spare tire

Other Storage Compartments
Your vehicle includes a number of storage
compartments for storage of often-used items.
Some vehicles have storage areas
in the instrument panel.
Use
these spaces for items such as gloves or small books.
Some models have a storage pocket on each of
the front
doors. You can use the pocket to store a variety
of
small items.
4-DOor Utility Rear Storage Compartment
If you have a four-door utility model, it has a storage
compartment located in the rear cargo area of the
vehicle, in the driver’s side trim panel.
To open the compartment, press down on the release
latches and swing the compartment door open.
When closing the compartment, press both latches down
and move the door to the closed position.
Convenience Net (If Equipped)
If you have a convenience net, it is stored in a pouch
attached to the spare tire.
2-54
ProCarManuals.com

Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out. For
example, be sure to have all necessary maintenance and
service work done. Check to make sure all underbody
shields
(if so equipped) are properly attached. Be sure
you read all the information about your
four-wheel-drive vehicle in this manual.
Is there enough
fuel? Is the spare tire fully inflated? Are the fluid levels
up where they should be? What are the local laws that
apply
to off-roading where you’ll be driving? If you
don’t know, you should check with law enforcement
people in the area. Will you be on someone’s private
land? If
so, be sure to get the necessary permission.
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
There are some important things to remember about
how to load your vehicle.
The heaviest things should be on the load floor and
forward of your rear axle. Put heavier items as far
forward as you can.
0 Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on
the off-road terrain doesn’t toss things around.
0
0
0
Cargo on the load floor piled higher than
the seatbacks can be thrown forward
during a sudden stop. You or your
passengers could be injured. Keep cargo
below the top of the seatbacks.
Unsecured cargo on the load floor can be
tossed about when driving over rough terrain.
You or your passengers
can be struck by flying
objects. Secure the cargo properly.
Heavy loads on the roof raise the vehicle’s
center of gravity, making it more likely to
roll over. You can be seriously or fatally
injured
if the vehicle rolls over. Put heavy
loads inside the cargo area, not on the roof.
Keep cargo in the cargo area as far forward
and low as possible.
You’ll find other important information in this manual.
See “Vehicle Loading,” “Luggage Carrier” and “Tires”
in the Index.
4-15
ProCarManuals.com

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you’ll need is located in the rear cargo
area. You’ll also find your spare tire there.
On two-door utility and Suburban models, the spare tire
is located at the rear of the vehicle.
To remove the spare
tire, first open the tire cover,
if you have one. Turn the
wing nut counterclockwise and take it, and the adapter,
off the bolt. Take the tire out of the vehicle and remove
the tire cover.
On four-door utility models, the spare tire may be stored
under the vehicle in
an underbody carrier.
Lower Raise
D
&Door Utility Models
A. Hoist Assembly
B. Hoist Shaft
C. Ratchet
D. Jack Handle
E. Retainer
E Valve Stem,
Pointed Down
G. Spare Tire
5-23
ProCarManuals.com

Follow these instructions to lower the spare tire:
1. One side of the ratchet has an UP marking. The other
side has a DOWN marking. Assemble the ratchet
to the hook near the end of the jack handle (as
illustrated) with the DOWN marking facing you.
Insert the other end through the hole in the rear
bumper and into the hoist shaft.
2. Turn the ratchet to lower the spare tire to the ground.
Continue to turn the ratchet until the spare tire can be
pulled out from under the vehicle.
3. When the tire has been lowered, tilt the retainer at
the end of the cable
so it can be pulled up through
the wheel opening.
4. Put the spare tire near the flat tire. If
your two-door utility
model has a jack cover,
turn the wing nut
counterclockwise and
take the cover
off.
To take the jack out, turn the wing nut counterclockwise
and take it and the retainer off. Take the jack and storage
box out and take the tools out of the box.
Your vehicle may have a pair of emergency gloves
secured
to the jack. You can use them when changing
the tire, or during other emergency situations.
Remember to replace them with the jack,
so you will
have them
if needed later.
5-24
! ProCarManuals.com

If your vehicle has wheel
nut caps, use the wheel
wrench and ratchet to
remove them. Turn
the wheel wrench
counterclockwise, with
DOWN facing you, to
If the wheel also has a trim ring, use
the wheel wrench
to pry along the edge and remove it.
If the wheel has a smooth center piece, place the wheel
wrench in the slot on the wheel and gently pry
off.
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire
1. Use the ratchet and
wheel wrench to loosen
all the wheel nuts.
Turn the wheel wrench
counterclockwise, with
DOWN facing you, to
loosen the wheel nuts.
Don’t remove the wheel nuts yet.
2. If the flat tire is on the rear of the vehicle, put the
jack handle extension
on the jack handle.
5-28
ProCarManuals.com

Front Position Rear Position
4. With UP on the ratchet facing you, raise the vehicle
by rotating the ratchet and wheel wrench clockwise.
Raise the vehicle far enough
off the ground so there
is enough room for the spare tire to fit.
5. Remove all the wheel
nuts and take off the
flat tire.
5-30
6. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces
and
spare wheel.
ProCarManuals.com

I CAU‘IWN: (Continued)
Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts. If you have
to replace them, be sure to get new
GM original
equipment wheel nuts.
Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have the
nuts tightened with a torque wrench to the
proper torque. For proper torque, see
“Capacities and Specifications” in the Index.
L
NOTICE:
Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to
brake pulsation and rotor damage.
To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts
in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specification.
11. Put the wheel trim back on. For vehicles with
plastic wheel nut caps, tighten the caps until
they
are finger tight, then tighten them an additional
one-half turn with the ratchet and wheel wrench.
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
I I
’
C TION:
-
Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the
passenger compartment
of the vehicle could
cause injury. In
a sudden stop or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.
Store the flat tire where the spare tire is stored.
Put the tools into the storage box and close it tightly. Fit
the storage box on the bracket with the bolt through the
box. Put the jack onto the box. Be sure the jack is stored
as shown in the following illustrations. The jack handle
attachment point is circled in the following illustrations
to show the direction the jack should face when it is
stored properly. Secure the emergency gloves, if your
vehicle has them,
to the jack using the provided strap.
Slide the retainer over the bolt onto the jack and put the
wing nut
on it. Turn the nut clockwise until it is tight
against the retainer.
5-33
ProCarManuals.com

Spare Tire -- 2-Door Utility Model
1. Carrier
2. J-Bolt 7. Pins
8. J-Bolt
3. Adapter
4. Spare Tire
5. Nut
6. Cover
9. Use Upper Hole and Pin
for P265 Tire or Lower
Hole and Pin for LT245,
P245 and P235 Tires
Be sure the J-bolt
is hooked properly for your model or
tire size as shown.
Spare Tire -- Suburban
1. I-Bolt
2. J-Bolt
3. Carrier
4. Spare Tire
5. Adapter
6. Nut
7. Cover
8. Use Lower Adapter
Hole for 8-Lug
Rim Only
Be sure the J-bolt is hooked properly for your model or
tire size as shown.
5-37
ProCarManuals.com