2001 CHEVROLET EXPRESS wheel

5-21
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your hazard
warning flashers.
CAUTION:
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over you or other
people. You and they could be badly injured.
Find a level place to change your tire. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won't move,
you can put blocks at the front and rear of the
tire farthest away from the one being changed.
That would be the tire on the other side of the
vehicle, at the opposite end.
The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and
change a tire.

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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.
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.

5-25
When the tire has been lowered, tilt the retainer at the
end of the cable and pull it through the wheel opening.
NOTICE:
To help avoid vehicle damage, do not drive the
vehicle before the cable is restored.
Jacking Tool Storage
A. Socket
B. Jack Handle
C. Ratchet
D. Jacking Tool Storage Box
E. Jack Handle Extension

5-26
The tools you'll be using include the jack (A), jack
handle extension (B), jack handle (C), socket (D) and
the ratchet (E).
Removing the Wheel Covers and Locking
Wheel Nuts
1. You will need to take off the wheel nut caps to reach
your wheel nuts. When using the ratchet and socket,
make sure the DOWN side faces you.

5-28 Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire
1. With the DOWN side facing you, use the ratchet and
socket to loosen all the wheel nuts. Don't remove
them yet.
2. The jack has a bolt on the end. Attach the socket end
of the extension to the jack bolt.
Attach the ratchet to the extension with the UP side
facing you.
3. Turn the ratchet clockwise. That will raise the jack
lift head a little.

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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.
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.
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.

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8. Put the wheel nuts back
on 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 turning the jack handle
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
10. Tighten the nuts
firmly in a crisscross
sequence as shown.
Turn the wheel
wrench clockwise.
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 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.

5-33
11. Put the wheel cover back on, or put the center cap
and plastic wheel nut caps back on. 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.
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.
1. Put the tire on the ground at the rear of the vehicle
with the valve stem pointed down.
2. Pull the retaining bar through the center of the
wheel, making sure it is properly attached.