Page 227 of 373
5-
5-1
Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5
-2 Hazard Warning Flashers
5
-2 Other Warning Devices
5
-3 Jump Starting
5
-10 Towing Your Vehicle
5
-10 Engine Overheating5
-13 Cooling System
5
-19 If a Tire Goes Flat
5
-19 Changing a Flat Tire
5
-29 Compact Spare Tire
5
-30 If You're Stuck In: Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
ProCarManuals.com
Page 246 of 373
5-20
The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and
change a tire.
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you'll need is in the trunk.
Instructions for changing your tires are on the inside of
the tire cover. You can rest the cover near you for easy
reference while you change the tire.
1. Lift the tire cover to gain access to the compact spare
tire and jacking equipment. See ªCompact Spare
Tireº later in this section for more information about
the compact spare tire.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 247 of 373
5-21
2. Remove the wheel wrench and jack from the
jack container.
3. Remove the compact spare tire from the trunk.
The tools you'll be using include the jack (A) and the
wheel wrench (B).
Removing the Wheel Cover
Insert the hooked end of the wheel wrench in one of
the two small notches in the center cover and pry the
cover off. Do not drop the cover or lay it face down,
as it could be scratched or damaged.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 248 of 373
5-22 Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire
1. Position the wheel wrench securely over the wheel
nuts and turn the wrench counterclockwise to loosen,
but don't remove them.2. Attach the wheel wrench to the bolt on the end of the
jack to create a jack handle.3. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise by hand to
lower the jack head until it fits under the vehicle.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 249 of 373
5-23
4. Near each wheel well is a notch in the frame to
position the jack head. Position the jack under the
vehicle and raise the jack head until it fits firmly
against the sheet metal. Do not raise the vehicle yet.
Put the compact spare tire near you.
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.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 250 of 373
5-24
5. Raise the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench
clockwise on the jack. Raise the vehicle far enough
off the ground so there's enough room for the
compact spare tire to fit.
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.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 251 of 373
5-25
8. Place the compact spare tire on the
wheel
-mounting surface.
9. Put the wheel nuts back
on with the rounded end
of the nuts toward the
wheel. Tighten each nut
by hand until the wheel
is held against the hub.
If a nut cannot be tightened by hand, use the wheel
wrench, and see your dealer right away.
10. Lower the vehicle by turning the wheel
wrench counterclockwise on the jack.
Lower the jack completely.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 252 of 373

5-26
11. Using the wheel
wrench, tighten the
wheel nuts firmly in
a crisscross sequence
as shown.
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.
12. When the flat tire has been repaired or replaced,
reinstall the wheel cover. Be sure to position the
alignment pin on the cover with the notch in the
wheel. Apply pressure around the edge of the cap
to snap it in place. Do not use a hammer or mallet
to reinstall the cover.
Store the wheel cover in the trunk until you have
replaced the compact spare tire with a regular tire.
NOTICE:
Wheel covers won't fit on your compact spare. If
you try to put a wheel cover on your compact
spare, you could damage the cover or the spare.
ProCarManuals.com