2000 CADILLAC CATERA spare wheel

5-23
The tools you'll be using include the jack (A), the wheel
wrench (B) and the screwdriver (C).
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire
1. Use the flat end of the screwdriver to pry off the
five black plastic wheel bolt caps. Be careful not to
scratch the wheel edge.

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CAUTION:
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.
CAUTION:
Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly
positioned can damage the vehicle and even make
the vehicle fall. To help avoid personal injury and
vehicle damage, be sure to fit the jack lift head
into the proper location before raising
the vehicle.6. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack handle
clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the
ground for the spare tire to fit under the vehicle.
7. Remove all wheel bolts and take off the flat tire.

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8. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces and
spare wheel.
CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel bolts
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.
CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on wheel bolts. If you do,
the bolts might come loose. Your wheel could fall
off, causing a serious accident.
9. Place the spare wheel on the wheel-mounting surface.
10. Replace the wheel bolts.
Tighten each bolt by
hand until the wheel is
held against the hub.

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NOTICE:
Improperly tightened wheel bolts can lead to
brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
bolts in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specification.
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
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.
After you've put the spare tire on your vehicle, you'll
need to store the flat tire in the trunk. Use the following
procedure to secure the flat tire in the trunk.
Put the flat tire in the trunk where the spare is stored
(driver's side wheel well). Secure the flat tire with the
straps that are used to hold the spare in place.

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When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more. Also, check
the tire pressure of the spare tire.
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket
-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can't tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they're underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated at 5,000 miles (8 000 km)
and then every 10,000 miles (16 000 km) thereafter.
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your tires as
soon as possible and check wheel alignment. Also check
for damaged tires or wheels. See ªWhen It's Time for
New Tiresº and ªWheel Replacementº later in this
section for more information.The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See ªScheduled
Maintenance Servicesº in the Maintenance Schedule
booklet for scheduled rotation intervals.
When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire
-Loading
Information label. Make certain that all wheel bolts
are properly tightened. See ªWheel Bolt Torqueº in
the Index.