2004 CHEVROLET ASTRO Owners Manual

Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes ¯at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your
hazard warning ¯ashers.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over or fall on you
or other people. You and they could be badly
injured or even killed. Find a level place to
change your tire. To help prevent the vehicle
from moving:
1. Set the parking brake ®rmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart
while the vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in the
vehicle.
5. Put the wheel blocks at the front and rear
of the tire farthest away from the one being
changed. That would be the tire on the
other side, at the opposite end of the
vehicle.The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and
change a tire.
Notice:If you remove or restow a tire from/to the
storage position under the vehicle when it is
supported by a jack, you could damage the tire
and/or your vehicle. Always remove or restow a tire
when the vehicle is on the ground.
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Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The jacking equipment you'll need is stored by your
vehicle's rear doors, along the passenger's side wall.
1. Remove the jack cover by pulling it away from
the side wall and down to release the tabs
securing the top of the cover.2. Remove the wheel blocks by turning the top nut
counterclockwise. Remove the nut and washer,
then pull the wheel blocks off the bolt.
3. Push down on the bolt and remove the hooked end
from the slot. Slide the jack toward the front of the
vehicle and lift it from the mounting. Remove
the extension and the ratchet from the pouch.
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Your compact spare tire is stored underneath the
rear of your vehicle. You will use the ratchet
and extension to lower the compact spare tire.The ratchet has an
UP side.
It also has a DOWN side.
4. Attach the ratchet to the extension, with the DOWN
side facing you. The extension has a socket end
and a ¯at chisel end.
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5. Put the ¯at end of the extension on an angle
through the hole in the rear door frame, above
the bumper. Be sure the ¯at end connects into the
hoist shaft.
6. Turn the ratchet counterclockwise to lower the
compact spare tire to the ground. Keep turning
the ratchet until the spare tire can be pulled out from
under the vehicle.7. When the tire has been
lowered, tilt the retainer
plate at the end of
the cable and pull it
through the wheel
opening.
8. Pull the tire out from under the vehicle.
Notice:If you drive away before the spare tire or
secondary latch system cable has been reinstalled,
you could damage your vehicle. Always reinstall
this cable before driving your vehicle.
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The tools you'll be using include the jack (A), wheel
blocks (B), extension (C) and ratchet (D).
Removing the Wheel Covers
If your vehicle has plastic wheel nut caps, loosen them
by turning the wheel wrench counterclockwise. The
wheel nut caps are designed to remain with the center
cap. Remove the center cap.
If the wheel has a smooth center piece, place the chisel
end of the wheel wrench in the slot on the wheel and
gently pry it out.
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Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire
1. Before you start, block the front and rear of the tire
farthest away from the one being changed. Then
put your compact spare tire near the ¯at tire.
{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 ®t the
jack lift head into the proper location before
raising the vehicle.2. With the DOWN side facing you, turn the ratchet
and socket to loosen all the wheel nuts
counterclockwise. Don't remove them yet.
3. The jack has a bolt on the end. Attach the socket
end of the extension to the jack bolt.
4. Attach the ratchet to the extension with the UP side
facing you.
5. Turn the ratchet clockwise. That will raise the jack
lift head a little.
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6. Position the jack under the vehicle.
A. Front Jack Location
B. Jack
C. Ratchet and ExtensionFront Position
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A. Rear Jack Location
B. Jack
C. Ratchet and Extension7. Raise the vehicle by turning the ratchet clockwise.
Make sure the UP mark faces you. Raise the
vehicle far enough off the ground so there is enough
room for the compact spare tire to ®t underneath
the wheel well.
8. Remove all the wheel nuts and take off the ¯at tire.
9. Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces and spare wheel. Rear Position
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