2000 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE Owners Manual

5-22
If you have aluminum
wheels with plastic nut
caps, loosen and
remove them using the
wheel wrench.If you have aluminum
wheels and a center cover
hides the wheel nuts,
remove the center cover by
using the flat end of the
wrench to pry it off.
Do not drop the cover or lay it face down, as it could
become scratched or damaged. Do not use a hammer or
mallet on this type of cover.

5-23 Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire
1. Use the wheel wrench to loosen the wheel nuts, but
don't remove them.
2. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower
the jack lift head until it fits under the vehicle.

5-24
3. Put the jack head into a notch in the frame which is
located near each wheel well. The front notch is
11 inches (28 cm) back from the front wheel well.
The rear notch is 3.5 inches (9 cm) forward from the
rear wheel well.
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.

5-25
4. Raise the vehicle by turning the 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.
6. 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 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.

5-26
CAUTION:
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.
7. Place the compact spare tire on the
wheel
-mounting surface.
8. Then reinstall the wheel
nuts with rounded end
of the nuts toward
the wheel.
Make sure each wheel bolt is centered in each wheel
hole while tightening the nuts. Tighten each nut by
hand until the wheel is held against the hub.
9. Lower the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.

5-27
10. Tighten the wheel
nuts firmly in
a crisscross
sequence.
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
100 lb
-ft (140 N´m).
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.
Don't try to put the wheel cover on the compact
spare tire. It won't fit. Store the wheel cover in the
trunk until you have replaced the compact spare tire
with a regular tire.
NOTICE:
Wheel covers won't fit on your compact spare.
If you try to put a wheel cover on your compact
spare, you could damage the cover or the spare.
When you reinstall the full size wheel and tire, you
install the wheel cover or nut caps at this point.

5-28
When reinstalling
the full plastic wheel
cover, align the
valve stem with
the opening.
Start the nut cap by pushing it onto the lug nut with
the wheel wrench. Tighten the nut caps snug using
the wheel wrench. Then continue tightening
one
-quarter turn. Do not overtighten.
When reinstalling
the nut caps on
aluminum wheels,
tighten the caps
snug with the
wheel wrench.
Then continue tightening one
-quarter turn for
plastic caps, or one
-eighth turn for steel caps.
Do not overtighten.

5-29
When reinstalling
the center cover, do
not use a hammer or
mallet, as they could
damage the cover.Storing the Flat 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 compact spare tire on your vehicle,
you'll need to store the flat tire in your trunk.
Store the flat tire as far forward in the trunk as possible.
Store the jack and wheel wrench in their compartment in
the trunk. For storage, the jack must be raised until the
screw end is flush with the edge of the jack.