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Engine Fan Noise If a Tire Goes Flat
Your vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When the
clutch is engaged,
the fan spins faster to provide more air
to cool the engine. In most everyday driving conditions,
the fan is spinning slower and
the clutch is not fully
engaged. This improves
fuel economy and reduces fan
noise. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing andor
high outside temperatures,
the fan speed increases as the
clutch more fully engages.
So you may hear an increase in
fan noise. This is normal and should not
be mistaken as
the transmission slipping or making extra shifts. It is
merely the cooling system functioning properly. The fan
will slow down when additional cooling
is not required
and the clutch partially disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start
the engine. It will go away as
the fan clutch
partially disengages. It’s unusual
for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s 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’d 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, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
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Page 225 of 388

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
Your spare tire is stored underneath the rear of your
vehicle.
You will use the ratchet and extension to lower
the spare tire.
A flat rear tire reduces clearance to remove the spare
tire.
If there is less than 12 inches (30.48 cm) between
the ground and the rear bumper or any trailer hitch, jack
up the vehicle until the flat tire is off the ground. (See
“Removing the Flat Tire” and “Installing the Spare
Tire,” Steps
4 through 8, in this section.) Unless your vehicle has
a flat rear tire, do not remove
or restore a tire fromho
a storage position under the
vehicle while the vehicle is supported by a jack. Always
tighten
the tire fully against the underside of the vehicle
when restoring.
If you have a vehicle which was completed from a cab
and chassis, refer to the information from the body
supplierhnstaller.
The spare tire is a
full size tire, like the other tires on
your vehicle.
Remove the retaining wing bolt and lift it off the
mounting bracket. Set the jack and jacking equipment
near the flat tire.
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For vans with the 15-passenger seating arrangement,
the jack
is secured on the rear passenger side floor of
the vehicle.
Remove the retaining wing bolt and lift it out
of the
mounting bracket. Set the jack and jacking equipment
near
the flat tire.
I
The ratchet has a DOWN side and an UP side.
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.
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E
I
Jacking Tool Storage
A. Socket
B. Jack Handle
C. Ratchet
D. Jacking Tool Storage Box
E. Jack Handle Extension
L
t 4% ...
The tools you’ll be using include the jack (A), jack
handle extension
(B), jack handle (C), socket (D) and
the ratchet
(E).
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Page 235 of 388

I 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 Nom).
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.
'toring a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
I A CAUTION:
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.
I
1. Put the tire on the ground at the rear of the vehicle,
with
the valve stem pointed down.
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4. Attach the ratchet, with the UP side facing you, to
the extension. 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
to the right 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.
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