2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE flat tire

5-20
If a Tire Goes Flat
It's unusual for a tire to ªblow outº while you're driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it's much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a ªblowout,º here are
a few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake
to a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like
a skid and may require the same correction you'd use
in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop
-- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
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. If you have a four
-wheel-drive vehicle,
be sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear
-- not in NEUTRAL.
4. Turn off the engine.
5. Put the wheel 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.

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2. Remove the wheel blocks by turning the wing
nut counterclockwise.
3. Release the bottle jack from its holder by turning the
knob on the jack counterclockwise to lower the jack
head from the bracket.The tools for changing a flat tire are located in the
passenger's side Top
-Box Storage unit.
To remove the tools, do the following:
1. Open the top door on the passenger's side Top
-Box
Storage unit. Use the ignition/door key to unlock it if
it is locked. See ªTop Box Storageº in the Index for
more information on the Top
-Box Storage unit.
Top Box Storage Unit (Passenger Side)

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2. Remove the black pouch from the storage box.
You now have all of the tools you will need to lower
the spare tire and change a flat.
You'll use the jack handle extensions and the wheel
wrench to remove the underbody
-mounted spare tire.
A. Spare Tire
B. Hoist Assembly
C. Hoist Cable
D. Tire Retainer
E. Hoist Shaft
F. Hoist End of Extension Tool
G. Hoist Shaft Access Hole
H. Wheel Wrench
I. Jack Handle Extensions
J. Hoist Lock

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5. The wheel wrench
has a hook that
allows you to pull
the hoist cable
towards you to
assist in reaching
the spare tire.
6. When the tire has
been lowered, tilt
the retainer (D) at
the end of the cable
so it can be pulled
up through the
wheel opening.
7. Put the spare tire near the flat tire.Use the following pictures and instructions to remove
the flat tire and raise the vehicle.
The tools you'll be using include the jack (A), the wheel
blocks (B), the jack handle (C), the jack handle
extensions (D), and the wheel wrench (E).
If the flat tire is on rear wheel of the vehicle, you'll need
to use both jack handle extensions.

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If your vehicle has wheel
nut caps, loosen them by
turning the wheel wrench
counterclockwise. If you
have a center cap with
wheel nut caps, the wheel
nut caps are designed to
remain with the center cap.
Remove the center cap.
If the wheel has a smooth center piece, place the chisel
end of the wheel wrench in the slot on the wheel and
gently pry out.Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire
1. Use the wheel wrench to loosen all the wheel nuts.
Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to loosen
the wheel nuts. Don't remove the wheel nuts yet.
Jack Positions (overall view)
These locations are the general area of jack location.
See text and art following for exact jack placement.

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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.Front Position
Position the jack under the vehicle. If the flat tire is on
the front of the vehicle, position the jack on the frame
behind the flat tire where the frame sections overlap.

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Rear Position
1500 SeriesRear Position
2500 Series
On all 1500 Series vehicles, use the jacking pad
provided on the rear axle. On 2500 series vehicles,
use the axle between the spring and shock bracket.
2. Make sure the jack head is positioned so that the rear
axle is resting securely between the grooves that are
on the jack head. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise
to raise the vehicle. Raise the vehicle far enough off
the ground so there is enough room for the spare tire
to fit back underneath the rear of the vehicle.
3. Remove all the wheel
nuts and take off the
flat tire.

5-34 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.
NOTICE:
An aluminum wheel with a flat tire should
always be stored under the vehicle with the hoist.
However, storing it that way for an extended
period could damage the appearance of the
wheel. To avoid this, always stow the wheel
properly with the valve stem pointing up and
have the tire repaired as soon as possible.A. Spare Tire
B. Hoist Assembly
C. Hoist Cable
D. Tire Retainer
E. Hoist Shaft
F. Hoist End of
Extension ToolG. Hoist Shaft
Access Hole
H. Wheel Wrench
I. Jack Handle
Extensions
J. Hoist Lock