2002 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE spare wheel

4-17
Off-Road Driving with Your
Four
-Wheel-Drive Vehicle
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have
four
-wheel drive.
Also, see ªAnti
-Lock Brakesº in the Index.
If your vehicle doesn't have four
-wheel drive, you
shouldn't drive off
-road unless you're on a level,
solid surface.
Off
-road driving can be great fun. But it does have
some definite hazards. The greatest of these is the
terrain itself.
ªOff
-roadingº means you've left the great North
American road system behind. Traffic lanes aren't
marked. Curves aren't banked. There are no road signs.
Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill or downhill.
In short, you've gone right back to nature.
Off
-road driving involves some new skills. And that's
why it's very important that you read this guide. You'll
find many driving tips and suggestions. These will help
make your off
-road driving safer and more enjoyable.
Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out.
For example, be sure to have all necessary maintenance
and service work done. Check to make sure all
underbody shields (if so equipped) are properly
attached. Be sure you read all the information about
your four
-wheel-drive vehicle in this manual. Is there
enough fuel? Is the spare tire fully inflated? Are the
fluid levels up where they should be? What are the local
laws that apply to off
-roading where you'll be driving?
If you don't know, you should check with law
enforcement people in the area. Will you be on
someone's private land? If so, be sure to get the
necessary permission.

5-21
The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and
change a tire.
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The jack and the wheel blocks are located under a cover
near the passenger side rear seat.
To remove, do the following:
Rear Seat (Passenger Side) Jack Cover
1. Remove the jack cover by turning the two wing nuts
one
-quarter turn counterclockwise and pulling the
jack cover off.

5-23
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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Follow these instructions to lower the spare tire:
1. Your vehicle is equipped with a hoist lock (J).
To unlock it, open the spare tire lock cover on the
bumper and use the ignition key to remove the lock.
2. Assemble the wheel wrench (H) and the two jack
handle extensions (I) as shown.
3. Insert the hoist end
(open end) (F) of the
extension through
the hole (G) in the
rear bumper.
Be sure the hoist end of the extension connects into the
hoist shaft (E). The ribbed square end of the extension is
used to lower the spare tire.
4. Turn the wheel wrench (H) counterclockwise to
lower the spare tire to the ground. Continue to turn
the wheel wrench until the spare tire can be pulled
out from under the vehicle.

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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.

5-27
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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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.

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4. 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.
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 until the
wheel is held against
the hub.