2002 CHEVROLET BLAZER Owners Manual

5-29
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 100 lb
-ft (140 N´m).
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.

5-30 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 wheel. To avoid this,
have the wheel repaired as soon as possible.
Follow this
diagram to
store the
underbody
-mounted
spare.
A. Retainer
B. Valve Stem
(Pointed Down)
C. Spare or Flat Tire
D. SpringE. Wheel Wrench
F. Lower
G. Raise
H. Hoist Arm

5-31
1. Put the tire on the ground at the rear of the vehicle,
with the valve stem pointed down and to the rear.
2. Pull the retainer through the wheel.
3. Put the chisel end of the wheel wrench, on an angle,
through the hole in the rear bumper and into the
hoist shaft.
4. 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.
5. 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.

5-32
Follow this diagram for the inside-mounted spare.
A. Spare or Flat Tire
B. Retainer
C. Nut
D. Wheel Carrier
E. HookFollow this diagram for the rear
-mounted spare.
A. Wheel Carrier
B. Spare or Flat Tire
C. Wheel Nut and Locking Nut Cylinder

5-33
6. Reinstall the locking wheel nut using the wheel
wrench. Then push the lock case onto the lug nut
until it stops. The key does not have to be inserted
into the lock. Push the lock case to be sure it is
secured. The special lug nut and lock case is not
intended to be used on any road wheel, only on the
spare wheel carrier. Tighten the nuts on the wheel
carrier to 22 to 32 lb
-ft (30 to 40 N´m).
CAUTION:
Make sure the tire and carrier are secure.
Driving with the tire or carrier unlatched could
injure pedestrians or damage the vehicle.
7. Return the jack, wheel wrench and wheel blocks to
the proper location in your vehicle's rear area.
Secure the items and replace the jack cover.Use the following diagram as a guide.
A. Retainer
B. Rubber Band
(Some Models)
C. Work Gloves
D. Mat
E. Jack Storage Cover
F. Wheel BlocksG. Hub Cap
Removal Tool
(Some Models)
H. Wheel Wrench
I. Jack
J. Jacking Instructions

5-34
Spare Tire
Your vehicle, when new, had a fully inflated spare tire.
A spare tire, whether compact
-size or full-size, 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.
Don't mix tires and wheels of different sizes,
because they won't fit. Keep your spare tire and its
wheel together.
If your vehicle has the Xtreme
Sport Appearance
Package (RPO V4A), the spare tire is smaller than your
vehicle's original road tires, so don't include the spare in
the tire rotation.
Compact Spare Tire (If Equipped)
The compact spare tire is a temporary replacement tire
made to perform at speeds up to 65 mph (105 km/h) and
for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km). With the
compact spare installed, you can finish your trip and
then have the damaged or flat road tire repaired or
replaced. Of course, it's best to repair or replace the
damaged road tire as soon as you can. Your compact
spare tire will last longer and be in good shape in case
you need it again.
The compact spare may lose air after a time, so check
the inflation pressure regularly. After installing the
compact spare on your vehicle, stop as soon as
possible and make sure it's correctly inflated. It should
be 60 psi (420 kPa).
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 compact spare
and its wheel together. Don't include the compact spare
in your tire rotation.

5-35
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.
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.
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.
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.

5-36 Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If you have a
four
-wheel-drive vehicle, shift into 4HI. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear
(or with a manual transmission, between FIRST (1) or
SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R)), 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 may be 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.