2001 Oldsmobile Alero flat tire

5-21 Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire
1. Remove the wheel nut caps (you may need to use the
wheel wrench to loosen and remove them, if your
fingers do not fit into this small area).
2. Then use the wheel wrench to loosen all the wheel
nuts. Don't remove them yet.
3. Position the jack and raise the jack head until it fits
firmly into the notch in the vehicle's frame nearest
the flat tire. Put the compact spare tire near you.

5-22
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.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 underneath the wheel well.
5. Remove all of the wheel nuts.
6. Remove the flat tire.

5-26 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.
Store the flat tire in the compact spare tire compartment.
Place the tire in the compartment, then secure the
adapter and wing nut. Place the cover and the nut on
top of the flat tire. Store the jack and the wrench in the
foam tray.
A. Nut
B. Wing Nut
C. Adapter
D. WrenchE. Jack
F. Tool Tray
G. Flat Tire

5-28
Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated
when your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time.
Check the inflation pressure regularly. It should
be 60 psi (420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare on your vehicle, you
should stop as soon as possible and make sure your
spare tire is correctly inflated. The compact spare is
made to perform well at speeds up to 65 mph
(105 km/h) for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km),
so you can finish your trip and have your full
-size tire
repaired or replaced where you want. You must calibrate
the tire pressure monitor system after installing or
removing the compact spare. See ªTire Pressure
Monitorº in the Index. The system may not work
correctly when the compact spare is installed on the
vehicle. Of course, it's best to replace your spare with a
full
-size tire as soon as you can. Your spare will last
longer and be in good shape in case you need it again.
NOTICE:
When the compact spare is installed, don't take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with
guide rails. The compact spare can get caught on
the rails. That can damage the tire and wheel,
and maybe other parts of your vehicle.
Don't use your compact spare on other vehicles.
And don't mix your compact spare tire or wheel with
other wheels or tires. They won't fit. Keep your spare
tire and its wheel together.
NOTICE:
Tire chains won't fit your compact spare. Using
them can damage your vehicle and can damage
the chains too. Don't use tire chains on your
compact spare.

6-34
To check the aim, the vehicle should be properly
prepared as follows:

The vehicle must have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface.

If necessary, pads may be used on an uneven surface.

The vehicle should not have any snow, ice or mud
attached to it.

The vehicle should be fully assembled and all other
work stopped while headlamp aiming is being done.

There should not be any cargo or loading of the
vehicle, except it should have a full tank of fuel and
one person or 160 lbs. (75 kg) on the driver's seat.

Close all doors.

Tires should be properly inflated.

Rock the vehicle to stabilize the suspension.
Start with the horizontal aim. The adjustment screws can
be turned with an E8 Torxsocket.
Once the horizontal aim is adjusted, then adjust the
vertical aim.

6-37
2. Push the release lever and slide the wiper assembly
toward the driver's side of the vehicle.
3. Install a new blade by reversing Steps 1 and 2.
For the proper type and size, see ªCapacities and
Specificationsº in the Index.
Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see
your Oldsmobile Warranty booklet for details.
CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.

Overloading your tires can cause overheating
as a result of too much friction. You could
have an air
-out and a serious accident. See
ªLoading Your Vehicleº in the Index.

Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.

Overinflated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.

Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.

6-38 Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label, which is on the
rear edge of the driver's door, shows the correct
inflation pressures for your tires when they're cold.
ªColdº means your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
NOTICE:
Don't let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It's not. If your tires
don't have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:

Too much flexing

Too much heat

Tire overloading

Bad wear

Bad handling

Bad fuel economy.
NOTICE: (Continued)
NOTICE: (Continued)
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:

Unusual wear

Bad handling

Rough ride

Needless damage from road hazards.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don't forget your compact spare tire. It should be
at 60 psi (420 kPa).
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.

6-39 Tire Pressure Monitor System (If Equipped)
The tire pressure monitor system can alert you to a large
change in the pressure of one tire. The system ªlearnsº the
pressure at each tire throughout the operating speed range
of your vehicle. The system normally takes between
45 and 90 minutes of driving to learn the tire pressures.
This time may be longer depending on your individual
driving habits. Learning need not be accumulated during
a single trip. Once learned, the system will remember the
tire pressures until the system is reset.
After the system has learned tire pressures with properly
inflated tires, the LOW TIRE PRESSURE light will come
on if the pressure in one tire becomes 12 psi (83 kPa) lower
than the other three tires. The tire pressure monitor system
won't alert you if the pressure in more than one tire is low,
if the system is not properly calibrated, or if the vehicle is
moving at less than 15 mph (25 km/h), faster than 75 mph
(120 km/h), on rough roads or during turns. The light may
also come on if you are driving on partially cleared
pavement or on gravel roads.
The tire pressure monitor system detects differences in tire
rotation speeds that are caused by changes in tire pressure.
The system can alert you about a low tire
-- but it doesn't
replace normal tire maintenance. See ªTiresº in the Index.If the anti
-lock brake system warning light comes on,
the tire pressure monitor system may not be working.
See your dealer for service. Also, see ªAnti
-Lock Brake
System Warning Lightº in the Index.
When the LOW TIRE PRESSURE light comes on, you
should stop as soon as you can and check all your tires for
damage. If a tire is flat, see ªIf a Tire Goes Flatº in the
Index. Also check the tire pressure in all four tires as soon
as you can. See ªInflation
- Tire Pressureº in the Index.
The light will come on and stay on, when the ignition is
ON, until the tire pressure condition is corrected and
you RESET the system. The light may come on and then
go out when driving on partially cleared pavement or on
gravel roads. Under these conditions, you do not need to
reset the tire pressure monitor.
Don't reset the tire pressure monitor system without first
correcting the cause of the problem and checking and
adjusting the pressure in all four tires. If you reset the
system when the tire pressures are incorrect, the system
will not work properly and may not alert you when a
tire is low.