2003 GMC SIERRA DENALI tow

Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear and cracking. See
At Least Twice
a Year on page
6-1 I for more information.
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways. For proper type and length,
see
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page
5- 105.
To replace the windshield wiper blade assembly do the
following:
1. Lift the wiper arm and turn the blade until it is
facing away from the windshield.
2. Push the release lever and slide the wiper assembly
3. Install a new blade by reversing Steps 1 and 2.
toward the driver’s side of the vehicle.
5-60

The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first rotation
is the most important. See “Part A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services,” in Section
6, for scheduled
rotation
intervals;
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on the
CertificationEire label. Make certain that all wheel nuts
are properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque”
under
Capacities and Specificatiol on ge 5-104.
When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Don’t include the spare tire in your tire rotation. Rust or dirt on a
wheel, or on the parts to
which
it is fastened, can make 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
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. See “Changing a Flal
Tire”
in the Index.
5-63

Used Replacement Wheels
-
Putting a used wheel your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used
or how far
it’s been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause a crash.
If you have to
replace a wheel, use a new
GM original
equipment wheel.
I I
Tire Chains
Don’t use lire chains. There’s not enough
clearance. Tire chains used on a vehicle
without the proper amount sf clearance can cause damage to the brakes, suspension or
other vehicle parts. The area damaged by the
CAUTION: (Continued) tire chains could cause
, -u to lose cc..-rol
of
your vehicle and you or others may be injured in
a crash. Use another type of traction device only
if its manufacturer recommends it for use on
your vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device
if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you do find traction devices
that will
fit, install them on the rear tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially
if you maintain your tires properly. If air
goes out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out
slowly. But
if you should ever have a “blowout”, here are
a few tips about what to expect and what
to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot
off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
5-68

Follow these instructions to lower the spare tire:
1. If your vehicle is equipped with a hoist lock, open
the spare tire lock cover on the bumper and use
the ignition key to remove the lock.
2. Assemble the wheel wrench and the two jack
handle extensions as shown. Insert the hoist
end (open end) of the extension through the hole in
the rear bumper. Be sure the hoist end of the
extension connects into the hoist shaft.
3. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower
the spare tire to the ground. Continue to turn the
wheel wrench until the spare tire can be pulled out
from under the vehicle. The wheel wrench has a
hook that allows you to pull the hoist cable towards
you, to assist in reaching the spare tire.
If the spare tire does not lower to the ground, the
secondary latch is engaged causing the tire
not to lower. See Secondary Latch System next.
4. When the tire has been lowered, tilt the retainer at
the end of the cable
so it can be pulled up through
the wheel opening.
5. Put the spare tire near the flat tire. The
tools you’ll be using include the bottle jack
(A), the
wheel blocks
(B), the jack handle (C), the jack handle
extensions
(D), and the wheel wrench (E).
If the flat tire is on a rear tire of the vehicle, you’ll need
to use both jack handle extensions.
5-72

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 it is not visible proceed to step 6.
If it is visible, first 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.
4. Repeat this procedure at least two times, if the
spare tire lowers to the ground, continue with
step
4 of “Removing Your Spare Tire and Tools”
earlier in this section.
approximately six inches
(1 5 cm) of cable is
5. Turn the wrench counterclockwise until
exposed.
6. Stand the wheel blocks
on their shortest ends,
with the backs
facing each other.
7. Hook the bottom edge of the jack on the wheel
blocks, separating them
so that the jack is
balanced securely.
8. Attach the jack handle, extension, and wheel
wrench to the jack and place it (with the wheel
blocks) under the vehicle towards the front of the
rear bumper. Position the center
lift point of the jack
under the center of the spare tire.
5-75

Rear Position
3. Make sure the jack head is positioned so that the
rear axle
is resting securely between the grooves
that are on the jack head. Turn the wheel
wrench clockwise to raise the vehicle. Raise the
vehicle far enough
off the ground so there is enough
room for the spare tire to
fit under the wheel well.
4. Remove all the wheel
nuts and take
off the
flat tire.
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.
5-79

5. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces
and spare wheel.
Never use
oil or grease on studs or nuts. It
you do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel
could fall
off, causing a serious accident.
6. After mounting the
spare, put the wheel
nuts back on with
the rounded end
of the
nuts toward the
wheel. Tighten each
wheel nut by hand.
Then use the wheel
wrench until the wheel is held against
the hub.
5-80

Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
--xing a jack, a --:e, or ---ier 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
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.
Return the bottle jack, wheel blocks, wheel wrench and
jack extensions to their location under the passenger’s
side second row seat. Secure the items in the vehicle as
shown.
Tu
A. Wing Nut F. Storage Bag
B. Wheel Blocks G. Bottle Jack Holder
C. Wheel Wrench and H. Bottle Jack
Extensions Retainer
I. Wheel Block
D. Gloves Retainer
E. Wheel Wrench and
Extensions
5-83