2003 BUICK RANDEZVOUS flat tire

5. To remove the spare tire from the cable, tilt the
retainer and slip it through the wheel opening.
6. After removing the spare tire, turn the wrench
clockwise to raise the cable back up.
Do not store a full-size or aflat road tire under the
vehicle. See“Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools”later in this section.
To continue changing theflat tire see“Removing the
Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire”later in this
section.If the spare tire will not lower, the secondary latch may
be engaged causing the tire not to lower. Do the
following to check the cable:
1. Check under the vehicle to see if the cable is
visible.
2. If it’s not visible, see“Secondary Latch System”
following.
If it is visible,first try to tighten the cable by turning
the folding wrench clockwise until you hear two
clicks or feel it skip twice. You cannot over-tighten
the cable.
3. Then loosen the cable by turning the wrench
counterclockwise three or four turns.
4. If the spare tire has not lowered, tighten the cable
all the way and then loosen it at least two times.
If the spare tire did lower to the ground, continue
with Step 5 under“Removing the Spare Tire
(Vehicles with the Rear Convenience Center)”
earlier in this section.
5. If you still cannot lower the spare tire to the ground,
see“Secondary Latch System”following.
5-64
2003 - Rendezvous OM

8. Grasp the spare tire with both hands and pull it out
from under the vehicle.
9. Reach under the vehicle and remove the folding
wrench and jack.
10. When the spare tire has been completely lowered,
tilt the retainer and slip it through the wheel
opening.
11. If the cable is hanging, turn the wrench clockwise to
raise the cable back up.
Have the hoist assembly inspected as soon as you can.
You will not be able to store a spare tire using the
hoist assembly until it has been repaired or replaced.
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire
1. If there is a wheel cover, loosen the plastic nut
caps with the wheel wrench. They won’t come
off. Then, using theflat end of the wheel wrench,
pry along the edge of the cover until it comes off. Be
careful; the edges may be sharp. Don’t try to
remove the cover with your bare hands.
If your vehicle has aluminum wheels, remove the
wheel nut caps using the wheel wrench.
2. Loosen the wheel
nuts - but do not remove
them - using the
folding wrench. (Turn the
handle about
180 degrees, thenflip the
handle back to the
starting position. This
avoids taking the wrench
off the lug nut for
each turn.)
For wheels with a wheel lock key, use the wheel
lock key between the lock nut and folding wrench.
The key is supplied in the front passenger door
pocket.
5-67
2003 - Rendezvous OM

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.
{CAUTION:
The underbody-mounted spare tire needs to be
stored with the valve stem pointing down. If
the spare tire is stored with the valve stem
pointing upwards, its secondary latch won’t
work properly and the spare tire could loosen
and suddenly fall from your vehicle. If this
happened when your vehicle was being driven,
the tire might contact a person or another
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
vehicle, causing injury and, of course, damage
to itself as well. Be sure the
underbody-mounted spare tire is stored with
its valve stem pointing down.
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools
1. Lay the compact spare tire on the ground at the
rear of the vehicle. Position the compact spare
tire so that the valve stem is pointed down facing
the rear of the vehicle.
2. Lower the cable to the ground. See“Removing the
Spare Tire (Vehicles without the Rear Convenience
Center)”or“Removing the Spare Tire (Vehicles
with the Rear Convenience Center)”earlier in this
section.
3. Tilt the retainer downward and slip it through the
center hole of the spare tire.
Make sure the retainer is fully seated across the
underside of the wheel.
4. Attach the folding wrench to the hoist shaft.
5-71
2003 - Rendezvous OM

When you replace the compact spare with a full-size
tire, reinstall the bolt-on wheel covers or the center cap,
which ever your vehicle has. Tighten them“hand
tight”over the wheel nuts, using the folding wrench.
Storing the Flat Tire (Vehicles without the
Stowable Seat and without the Rear
Convenience Center)
A. D-Ring
B. Wing Nut
C. J-HookD. Valve Stem
E. Full-Size Tire1. Flip up the D-ring located in the rear cargo area.
2. Lay the tire in the rear cargo area of the vehicle with
the valve stem up with the center hole of the tire
over the D-ring.
For vehicles with aluminum wheels, remove the
center cap by tapping the back of the cap with the
folding wrench.
3. Remove the J-hook and the wing nut from the back
of the jack access door. Assemble the wing nut and
the J-hook.
4. Install the wing nut and the J-hook to the D-ring
through the center hole of the tire.
5. Tighten the wing nut to secure the tire to thefloor.
Push and pull on the tire to make sure the tire is
secure and does not move.
6. Put back all tools as they were stored in the jack
storage compartment and put the compartment
cover back on.
Slip the tabs on the side of the compartment cover
into the cover opening. Push the cover in place
and push down the tabs on the cover so that it rests
in the groove. This secures the cover in place.
5-73
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Storing the Flat Tire (Vehicles with the
Rear Convenience Center)
A. D-Ring
B. Rear Convenience
Center
C. Wing Nut
D. J-HookE. Full-Size Tire
F. Cap on Bottom
of Storage
Compartment1. Open the center storage compartment door of the
rear convenience center.
2. Remove the cap on the bottom of the storage
compartment andflip the D-ring up.
3. Lay the tire on top of the center storage
compartment with the valve stem down. Make sure
you can see the D-ring through the center hole
of the tire.
4. Remove the J-hook and the wing nut from the back
of the jack access door. Assemble the wing nut and
the J-hook.
5. Install the wing nut and the J-hook to the D-ring
through the center hole of the tire.
6. Tighten the wing nut to secure the tire to thefloor.
Push and pull on the tire to make sure the tire is
secure and does not move.
7. Put back all tools as they were stored in the jack
storage compartment and put the compartment
cover back on.
Slip the tabs on the side of the compartment cover
into the cover opening. Push the cover in place
and push down the tabs on the cover so that it rests
in the groove. This secures the cover in place.
5-74
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Storing the Flat Tire (Vehicles with the
Stowable Seat)
A. Rear Convenience
Center
B. Full-Size Tire
C. D-Ring
D. Stowable Seat
StrapE. Cargo Net Hook
F. J-Hook
G. Wing Nut1. If the seatback is not in an upright position, move it
to an upright position.
2. There is a strap attached to each side of the
stowable seat. Hook the straps to the cargo
net hook in the rear of the vehicle.
3. Flip the D-ring so it is pointing outward.
4. Open the convenience center cover.
5. Stand the full-size tire up, in the tray against the
back of the seat with the valve stem pointing out.
6. Remove the J-hook and the wing nut from the back
of the jack access door. Assemble the wing nut and
the J-hook.
7. Install the wing nut and the J-hook to the D-ring
through the center hole of the tire.
8. Tighten the wing nut to secure the tire to the
seatback.
Push and pull on the tire to make sure the tire is
secure and does not move.
9. Put back all tools as they were stored in the jack
storage compartment and put the compartment
cover back on.
Slip the tabs on the side of the compartment cover
into the cover opening. Push the cover in place
and push down the tabs on the cover so that it rests
in the groove. This secures the cover in place.
5-75
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Storing the Flat Tire with the Stowable
Seatback Folded Flat
A. Stowable Seat
B. Full-Size Tire
C. Wing NutD. J-Hook
E. D-Ring1. Fold the seatback down andflip the D-ring up.
2. Lay the tire on the seatback with the valve stem
pointing up with the center hole of the tire over the
D-ring.
3. Remove the J-hook and the wing nut from the back
of the jack access door. Assemble the wing nut and
the J-hook.
4. Install the wing nut and the J-hook to the D-ring
through the center hole of the tire.
5. Tighten the wing nut to secure the tire to the
seatback.
Push and pull on the tire to make sure the tire is
secure and does not move.
6. Put back all tools as they were stored in the jack
storage compartment and put the compartment
cover back on.
Slip the tabs on the side of the compartment cover
into the cover opening. Push the cover in place
and push down the tabs on the cover so that it rests
in the groove. This secures the cover in place.
5-76
2003 - Rendezvous OM

Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield. Also see
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-80.
Spare Tire Check
At least twice a year, after the monthly ination check of
the spare tire determines that the spare is inated to
the correct tire ination pressure, make sure that
the spare tire is stored securely. Push, pull, and then try
to rotate or turn the tire. If it moves, use the folding
wrench to tighten the cable. SeeChanging a Flat Tire
on page 5-59.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-15.
Automatic Transaxle Check
Check the transaxleuid level; add if needed. See
Automatic Transaxle Fluid on page 5-17.Auid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair if
needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specied in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all key lock cylinders, hood latch assemblies,
secondary latches, pivots, spring anchor and release
pawl, hood and door hinges, rear folding seats and
liftgate hinges. Part D tells you what to use. More
frequent lubrication may be required when exposed to a
corrosive environment.
6-10
2003 - Rendezvous OM