2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE Owners Manual

{CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to come 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 the
proper torque speci®cation. See ªCapacities
and Speci®cationsº in the Index for wheel nut
torque speci®cation.
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 speci®cation. See ªCapacities and
Speci®cationsº in the index for the wheel nut torque
speci®cation.
When you reinstall the regular wheel and tire, you must
also reinstall the center cap. Place the cap on the wheel
and tap it into place until it seats ¯ush with the wheel. The
cap only goes on one way. Be sure to line up the tab on
the center cap with the indentation on the wheel.
5-89

Storing a Flat or Spare Tire, Jack 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 ¯at tire should
always be stored under the vehicle with the
hoist. However, storing it that way for an extended
period of time could damage the wheel. To avoid
this, always stow the wheel properly with the valve
stem pointing down and have the wheel repaired
as soon as possible.
Store the tire under the rear of the vehicle in the spare tire
carrier. Use the art and text following to help you:A. Spare Tire (Valve
Stem Pointed Down)
B. Hoist Assembly
C. Hoist Cable
D. Tire Retainer
E. Hoist Shaft
F. Hoist End of
Extension ToolG. Hoist Shaft
Access Hole
H. Wheel Wrench
I. Jack Handle
Extensions
J. Hoist Lock
(If Equipped)
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1. Put the tire on the ground at the rear of the vehicle
with the valve stem pointed down, and to the rear.
2. Tilt the retainer (D)
downward and through
the wheel opening.
Make sure the retainer
is fully seated across
the underside of
the wheel.
3. Attach the wheel wrench (H) and extensions (I)
together.
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4. Insert the hoist end (F)
through the hole (G) in
the rear bumper and
into the hoist shaft.
5. Raise the tire part way upward. Make sure the
retainer is seated in the wheel opening.
6. Raise the tire fully against the underside of the
vehicle by turning the wheel wrench clockwise
until you hear two clicks or feel it skip twice. You
cannot overtighten the cable.A. Push and Pull
B. Rotate Tire
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 wheel wrench to tighten the cable.
Reinstall the spare tire lock (if equipped).
5-92

To store the tools, follow these procedures:
For Tahoe/Yukon, do the following:
1. Put the tool kit, with the jack tools and gloves, in
the tool bag and place in the retaining clip above
the jack.
2. Tighten down with the wing nut.
3. Then, assemble wheel chocks and bottle jack
together with the wing nut and retaining hook.
4. Position behind the jack storage cover in the left
rear side panel and tighten, adjusting clockwise
until the jack is secured tight in the mounting
bracket. Be sure to position the holes in the base of
the jack onto the pin in the mounting bracket.For Suburban/Yukon XLdo the following:
1. Return the tool kit (jack tools and gloves) to the
tool bag.
2. Assemble wheel chocks and bottle jack together
with the wing nut and retaining hook.
3. Position under the jack storage tray in the left rear
side panel below the wheelbase and tighten,
adjusting clockwise until the jack is secured tight in
the mounting bracket. Be sure to position the
holes in the base of the jack onto the pin in the
mounting bracket.
4. Use the retaining clip to fasten the tool kit on the
stud in the storage compartment in the rear left
trim panel and turn the wing nut clockwise to
secure.
5. Return the storage tray.
5-93

A. Tool Kit with Jack
Tools and Gloves
B. Retaining Bracket
and Wing NutC. Wing Nut Holding
Tire Blocks
D. Tire Blocks
E. Bottle JackA. Bottle Jack
B. Wheel Blocks
C. Wing Nut Holding
Tire Blocks
D. Mounting Bracket
E. Removable TrayF. Retaining Hook
G. Retaining Bracket
and Wing Nut
H. Tool Kit with Jack
Tools and Gloves Tahoe/Yukon (Rear Access Panel)
Suburban/Yukon XL
5-94

Secondary Latch System
Your vehicle has an underbody mounted tire hoist
assembly equipped with a secondary latch system. It's
designed to stop the spare tire from suddenly falling
off your vehicle. For the secondary latch to work,
the spare must be installed with the valve stem pointing
down. See ªStoring a Flat or Spare Tire, Jack and
Toolsº earlier in this section.
{CAUTION:
Before beginning this procedure read all the
instructions. Failure to read and follow the
instructions could damage the hoist assembly
and you and others could get hurt. Read and
follow the instructions listed below.To release the spare tire from the secondary latch do
the following:
1. Check under the vehicle to see if the cable end is
visible.
2. If the cable is not visible proceed to Step 6.
If it is visible, ®rst try to tighten the cable by turning
the wheel wrench clockwise until you hear two
clicks or feel it skip twice. You cannot overtighten
the cable.
3. Loosen the cable by turning the wrench
counterclockwise three or four turns.
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4. Repeat this procedure at least two times. If the
spare tire lowers to the ground, continue with
Step 5 of ªRemoving the Spare Tire and Toolsº
earlier in this section.
5. Turn the wrench counterclockwise until
approximately six inches (15 cm) of cable is
exposed.
6. Stand the wheel blocks
on their shortest ends,
with the backs
facing each other.
7. Place the bottom edge of the jack on the wheel
blocks, separating them so that the jack is
balanced securely.
5-96