2001 GMC SAVANA flat tire

5-20
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.

5-21 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 ªRemoving the Flat Tireº and ªInstalling the
Spare Tire,º in the Index.Unless your vehicle has a flat rear tire, do not remove
or restore a tire from/to 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
supplier/installer.
The spare tire is a full
-size tire, like the other tires on
your vehicle.
For cargo vans, and all
passenger vans except those
with the 15
-passenger
seating arrangement, the
jack is secured in the rear
passenger side corner of
the vehicle.
Remove the retaining wing bolt and lift it off the
mounting bracket. Set the jack and jacking equipment
near the flat tire.

5-22
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.
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.

5-23
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.
NOTICE:
To help avoid vehicle damage, do not drive the
vehicle before the cable is restored.

5-26
3. Remove the center cap.
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.

5-29
5. Raise the vehicle by turning the ratchet clockwise.
Make sure the UP mark faces you. Raise the vehicle
far enough off the ground so there is enough room
for the spare tire to fit.
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.

5-32 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.

5-34
5. Put the flat end of the extension on an angle through
the hole in the rear door frame, above the bumper.
6. Raise the tire fully against the underside of the
vehicle. Continue turning the ratchet/wheel wrench
until the tire is secure and the cable is tight. The
spare tire hoist cannot be overtightened.
7. Make sure the tire is stored securely. Push, pull, and
then try to rotate or turn the tire. If the tire moves,
use the ratchet/wheel wrench to tighten the cable.
You will hear two ªclicksº when the tire is up all
the way.
Return the jacking equipment to the proper location.
Secure the items and replace the jack cover.