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An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision.
If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended
9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can
turn it a full
180 degrees very quickly without removing
either hand. But you have
to act fast, steer quickly, and
just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have
avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at
all times and wear safety
belts properly.
Off-Road Recovery
You may find sometime that your right wheels have
dropped
off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while
you’re driving.
OFF - ROAD RECOVE
QUARTER TURN
SLOW DOWN
edge of paved surface
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should
be fairly easy. Ease off the
accelerator
and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer so
that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement. You
can
turn the steering wheel up to one-quarter turn until the
right fi-ont
tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn your
steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
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How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure cap and upper radiator hose,
is no longer hot. Turn
the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise until
it
first stops. (Don't press down while turning the
pressure cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop.
A hiss means
there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as
you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
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Attach the ratchet, with the DOWN side facing you, to
the extension. The extension has a socket end and
a flat
chisel end.
Put the flat end of the extension on an angle through the
hole in the rear door frame, above the bumper. Be
sure
the flat end connects into the hoist shaft. Turn the ratchet
counterclockwise to lower the spare tire
to the ground. If you are changing a flat rear tire and the
vehicle is already jacked up, use the jack handle and
extension to hook the cable. Then pull the spare from
beneath the vehicle. If the retainer pulls out, hook the
inside
of the wheel and pull the spare tire out from under
the vehicle.
When the tire has been lowered, tilt the retainer at the
end
of the cable and pull it through the wheel opening.
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Front Position
3. Rotate the ratchet clockwise. That will raise the jack
lift head a little.
Rear Position
4. Position jack under the vehicle as shown.
Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up is
dangerous.
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you
could be badly injured or killed. Never get under
a vehicle when it is supported only
by a jack.
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Page 226 of 388
A CAUTION: I
far enough off the ground so there is enough room
for the spare tire
to fit.
r
Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly
positioned can damage the vehicle and even make
the vehicle fall.
To avoid personal injury and
vehicle damage, be sure to fit the jack lift head into
5. Raise the vehicle by rotating the ratchet clockwise.
Make sure the
UP mark faces you. Raise the vehicle
6. Remove all the wheel
nuts, and
take off the
flat tire.
7. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces and
spare wheel.
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k, CAUTION:
---
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it
is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When you change a
wheel, remove any rust or dirt from the places
where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an
emergency, you can use
a cloth or a paper towel
to do this; but be sure to use
a scraper or wire
brush later, if you need to, to get all the rust or
dirt off.
C WTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you
do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could
fall off, causing a serious accident.
i. , Replace the wheel nuts
with the rounded end of
the nuts toward the
wheel. Tighten each
wheel nut
by hand until
the wheel
is held against
the hub.
9. Lower the vehicle by rotating the jack handle
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
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10. Tighten the nuts firmly
in a criss-cross
sequence as shown.
p
Rotate the wheel
wrench clockwise.
A CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose
and even come
off. This could lead to an accident.
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
140 lb-ft
(190 Nm).
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.
Put the wheel cover back on, if you have one.
Remove any wheel blocks.
Remember that the jack, jacking equipment and tire
must be properly stored
in their original storage
position before
you begin driving again. The next
part will
show you how.
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5. Put the flat end of the extension on an angle through
the hole in
the rear door frame, above the bumper.
Turn the ratchet clockwise until the tire is against the
underside
of the vehicle.
You will hear two “clicks” when the tire
is up all the
way. Try
to move the tire with your hands to make
sure
it is securely in place.
Return the jacking equipment
to the proper location.
Secure the items and replace the jack cover.
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“rocking” can help you get out when you’re stuck, but
you must use caution.
I
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transmission or other parts
of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you’re
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don’t
spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 kmh) as shown
on the speedometer.
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