2002 CHEVROLET EXPRESS spare tire

5-22 Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
Your spare tire is stored underneath the rear of your
vehicle. You will use the ratchet and extension to lower
the spare tire.A flat rear tire reduces clearance to remove the spare
tire. If there is less than 12 inches (30.48 cm) between
the ground and the rear bumper or any trailer hitch,
jack up the vehicle until the flat tire is off the ground.
(See ªRemoving the Flat Tireº and ªInstalling the
Spare Tire,º in the Index.
Unless your vehicle has a flat rear tire, do not remove or
restore a tire from/to a storage position under the vehicle
while the vehicle is supported by a jack. Always tighten
the tire fully against the underside of the vehicle
when restoring.
If you have a vehicle which was completed from a
cab and chassis, refer to the information from the
body supplier/installer.
The spare tire is a full
-size tire, like the other tires on
your vehicle.

5-24
The ratchet has a DOWN side and an UP side.
Attach the ratchet, with the DOWN side facing you, to
the extension. The extension has a socket end and a flat
chisel end.
Put the flat end of the extension on an angle through the
hole in the rear door frame, above the bumper. Be sure
the flat end connects into the hoist shaft.
Turn the ratchet counterclockwise to lower the spare tire
to the ground. If you are changing a flat rear tire and the
vehicle is already jacked up, use the jack handle and
extension to hook the cable. Then pull the spare from
beneath the vehicle. If the retainer pulls out, hook the
inside of the wheel and pull the spare tire out from under
the vehicle.

5-28 Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire
1. With the DOWN side facing you, use the ratchet and
socket to loosen all the wheel nuts. Don't remove
them yet.
2. The jack has a bolt on the end. Attach the socket end
of the extension to the jack bolt.
Attach the ratchet to the extension with the UP side
facing you.
3. Turn the ratchet clockwise. That will raise the jack
lift head a little.

5-30
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.
5. Raise the vehicle by turning the ratchet clockwise.
Make sure the UP mark faces you. Raise the vehicle
far enough off the ground so there is enough room
for the spare tire to fit.

5-31
6. Remove all the wheel
nuts, and take off the
flat tire.
7. 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.

5-33
11. Put the wheel cover back on, or put the center cap
and plastic wheel nut caps back on. Remove any
wheel blocks.
Remember that the jack, jacking equipment and tire
must be properly stored in their original storage position
before you begin driving again. The next part will show
you how.
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.
1. Put the tire on the ground at the rear of the vehicle
with the valve stem pointed down.
2. Pull the retaining bar through the center of the
wheel, making sure it is properly attached.

5-35
5. Put the flat end of the extension on an angle through
the hole in the rear door frame, above the bumper.
6. Raise the tire fully against the underside of the
vehicle. Continue turning the ratchet/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 ratchet/wheel wrench to tighten the cable.
You will hear two ªclicksº when the tire is up all
the way.
Return the jacking equipment to the proper location.
Secure the items and replace the jack cover.

6-43 Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Certification/Tire 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. Also, check the
tire pressure of the spare tire.