Page 305 of 427
5-30
5. After mounting the
spare, put the wheel
nuts back on with the
rounded end of the nuts
toward the wheel.
Tighten each wheel nut
by hand. Then use the
wheel wrench to tighten
the wheel nuts until the
wheel is held against
the hub.
Front Position
6. Turn the wheel wrench
counterclockwise to
lower the vehicle.
Lower the jack
completely.
Rear Position
7. Tighten the nuts
firmly in a crisscross
sequence as shown
by turning the wheel
wrench clockwise.
Page 306 of 427
5-31
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 the proper
torque. See ªCapacities and Specificationsº in
the Index.
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.
When you reinstall the regular wheel and tire, you must
also reinstall the center cap. Place the cap on the wheel
and tap it into place until it seats flush with the wheel.
The cap only goes on one way. Be sure to line up the
tab on the center cap with the indentation on the wheel.
Page 307 of 427
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.
Store the tire under the rear of the vehicle in the spare
tire carrier. Use the art and text following to help you:
A. Spare Tire (Valve
Stem Pointed Up)
B. Hoist Assembly
C. Hoist Cable
D. Tire Retainer
E. Hoist ShaftF. Hoist End of
Extension Tool
G. Hoist Shaft
Access Hole
H. Wheel Wrench
I. Jack Handle
Extensions
J. Hoist Lock
Page 308 of 427
5-33
1. Put the tire on the ground at the rear of the vehicle
with the valve stem pointed upward.
2. Tilt the retainer (D)
downward and through
the wheel opening.
Make sure the retainer is
fully seated across the
underside of the wheel.
3. Attach the wheel wrench (H) and extensions (I)
together.
Page 309 of 427
5-34
4. Insert the hoist end (F)
through the hole (G)
in the rear bumper and
into the hoist shaft.
5. Raise the tire partway upward. Make sure the
retainer is seated in the wheel opening.
6. Raise the tire fully against the underside of the
vehicle. Continue turning the 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 wheel wrench to tighten the cable.
To store the tools, follow these procedures:
1. Return the tools to the tool bag and place it
back in the Top
-Box storage area.
2. Assemble the wheel blocks and bottle jack
together with the wing nut.
3. Replace the jack cover and tighten the
jack
-cover wingnuts.
Page 310 of 427

5-35
Spare Tire
Your vehicle, when new, had a fully inflated spare tire.
A spare tire may lose air over time, so check its inflation
pressure regularly. See ªInflation
-Tire Pressureº and
ªLoading Your Vehicleº in the Index for information
regarding proper tire inflation and loading your vehicle.
For instruction on how to remove, install or store a spare
tire, see ªChanging a Flat Tireº in the Index.
After installing the spare tire on your vehicle, you
should stop as soon as possible and make sure the spare
is correctly inflated. Have the damaged or flat road tire
repaired or replaced as soon as you can and installed
back onto your vehicle. This way, a spare tire will be
available in case you need it again.
If your vehicle has a spare tire that does not match your
vehicle's original road tires and wheels in size and type,
do not include the spare in the tire rotation.
If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you don't want to spin
your wheels too fast. The method known as ªrockingº
can help you get out when you're stuck, but you must
use caution.
CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured.
And, the transmission or other parts of the
vehicle can overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you're
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don't
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
Page 311 of 427

5-36
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transmission back
and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see ªTire Chainsº in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. Press the
Stabitrak button so that the STABILITY SYSTEM
LIMITED message appears in the message center. Then
shift back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transmission is
in gear. By slowly spinning your wheels in the forward
and reverse directions, you will cause a rocking motion
that may free your vehicle. If that doesn't get you out
after a few tries, you may need to be towed out. Or, you
can use your recovery hooks if your vehicle has them. If
you do need to be towed out, see ªTowing Your Vehicleº
in the Index.
Using the Recovery Hooks
Your vehicle is equipped with recovery hooks.
The hooks are provided at the front of your vehicle.
You may need to use them if you're stuck off
-road
and need to be pulled to some place where you can
continue driving.
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5-37
CAUTION:
These hooks, when used, are under a lot of force.
Always pull the vehicle straight out. Never pull
on the hooks at a sideways angle. The hooks
could break off and you or others could be
injured from the chain or cable snapping back.
NOTICE:
Never use the recovery hooks to tow the vehicle.
Your vehicle could be damaged and it would not
be covered by warranty.