2004 BUICK REGAL Owner's Manual

Removing the Wheel Center Caps
To remove a center cap,
use the wrench to pry
gently at the notch. Do not
use a tool that is narrower
than the wrench to pry
at this notch. Then pry off
the cap.
Removing the Wheel Covers
If the vehicle has wheel covers, be sure to use a wheel
wrench to begin the process of loosening the plastic
wheel nut caps.
Once the plastic nut caps
have been loosened with
the wheel wrench,
nish loosening them with
your ngers.
Then, using the at end of the wheel wrench, pry along
the edge of the wheel cover until it comes off. Be
careful; the edge may be sharp. Do not try to remove
the cover with your bare hands.
5-81

Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire
1. Using the wheel wrench, loosen all the wheel nuts,
but do no remove them yet.
2. Turn the jack handle clockwise to raise the jack
lift head.3. For jacking at the vehicle’s front location, put the
jack lift head (C) about 6 inches (15 cm) from the
rear edge of the front wheel opening (B) or just
behind the two bolts (A) as shown.
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For jacking at the vehicle’s rear location, put the
jack lift head (B) about 5 inches (13 cm) from
the front edge of the rear wheel opening (C) or just
behind the off-set (A) as shown.4. 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.
5-83

{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 t the
jack lift head into the proper location before
raising the vehicle.5. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack handle
clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the
ground for the compact spare tire to t under the
vehicle.
6. Remove all wheel nuts and take off the at tire.
7. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces
and spare wheel.
5-84

{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.
8. Install the compact spare tire.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.
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9. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
10. Tighten the wheel nuts
rmly in a crisscross
sequence as shown.
{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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have
the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to the
proper torque specication. See “Capacities
and Specications” in the Index for wheel nut
torque specication.
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 specication. See “Capacities and
Specications” in the index for the wheel nut torque
specication.
Do not try to put the wheel cover on the compact spare
tire. It will not t. Store the wheel cover in the trunk
until you have the at tire repaired or replaced.
Notice:Wheel covers will not t on your compact
spare. If you try to put a wheel cover on the compact
spare, you could damage the cover or the spare.
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Storing the Flat 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.
After the compact spare tire has been installed on the
vehicle, store the at tire in the trunk. Use the following
procedure to secure the at tire in the trunk.
When storing a full-size tire, use the extension with the
protector, located in the foam holder, to help avoid
wheel surface damage. To store a full-size tire, place
the tire valve stem facing down, and then remove
the protector and attach the retainer securely. Store the
cover as far forward as possible.
5-87

Storing the Spare Tire and Tools
When storing a compact spare tire in the trunk, put the
protector back in the foam holder.
{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.
The compact spare is for temporary use only. Replace
the compact spare tire with a full-size tire as soon
as you can. SeeCompact Spare Tire on page 5-89. See
the storage instructions label to return the compact
spare to the trunk properly.
Be sure to reset tire ination monitor system after you
replace the compact spare tire with a full-sized one. See
Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-69.A. Retainer
B. Cover
C. Compact Spare Tire
D. Nut
E. Jack
F. Wheel Wrench
G. Extension Protector
H. Bolt Screw
I. Foam Holder
5-88