2004 CHEVROLET COLORADO Owners Manual

If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM
original equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to
have the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for your vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control. You could have
a collision in which you or others could be
injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel
bolts and wheel nuts for replacement.
Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause problems
with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire chain
clearance to the body and chassis.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-74for
more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on 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.
5-71

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P225/75R15, P265/75R15 or
P235/50R17 size tires, do not use tire chains.
They can damage your vehicle because there
is not enough clearance. Tire chains used on a
vehicle without the proper amount of clearance
can cause damage to the brakes, suspension
or other vehicle parts. The area damaged by
the tire chains could cause you to lose control
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 is contacting your vehicle, and
don’t spin your wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the rear tires.Notice:If your vehicle has a tire size other than
P225/75R15, P265/75R15 or P235/50R17, use
tire chains only where legal and only when you
must. Use chains that are the proper size for your
tires. Install them on the tires of the rear axle. Do not
use chains on the tires of the front axle. Tighten
them as tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until
it stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.
5-72

If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blowout” 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 at tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel rmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use
in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without
the appropriate safety equipment and training.
The jack provided with your vehicle is
designed only for changing a at tire. If it is
used for anything else, you or others could be
badly injured or killed if the vehicle slips off
the jack. Use the jack provided with your
vehicle only for changing a at tire.
If a tire goes at, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a at tire safely.
5-73

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. SeeHazard Warning Flashers
on page 3-4for more information.
{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 an automatic transmission shift lever in
PARK (P), or shift a manual transmission to
FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart while
the vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in
the vehicle.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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.
5-74

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The tools you will need are
under the passenger’s
seat. For crew cab models,
the jack and wheel
blocks are under the
driver’s side rear seat.For regular and extended cab vehicles the jack and
wheel blocks are located under the cover at the center
of the vehicle behind the front seats.
1. The vehicle will have
a cover if it is an
extended or
regular cab.
2. Move the seats forward and turn the wing nut on the
cover counterclockwise to remove it. For crew cab
models, reach under the rear seat to access the jack
and wheel blocks. To reinstall the jack and wheel
block assembly in the mounting bracket, insert the
tabs into the jack base by pushing the blocks up into
the assembly. The outer hole in the jack base aligns
with the tab on the bracket. When reinstalling, make
sure the jack is secure, but do not overtighten the
jack in the bracket. Crew Cab
Regular and
Extended Cab
5-75

3. The wheel blocks and the wheel block retainer can
be removed by turning the wing
nut counterclockwise.
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.
4. There is also a wing nut used to retain the storage
bag and tools located under the front passenger’s
seat. To remove it, turn the wing
nut counterclockwise.
You will use the jack handle extensions and the wheel
wrench to remove the underbody-mounted spare tire.
A. Jack Handle
Extensions
B. Bottle JackC. Extension Tool
D. Wheel Wrench
E. Wheel Blocks
1. Assemble the wheel wrench (D) and the jack
handle extensions (A) as shown.
5-76

2. Insert the hoist end (chiseled end) of the extension
tool through the hole in the rear bumper and into
the funnel-shaped guide. The chiseled end of
the extension is used to lower the spare tire.
3. Turn the wheel wrench (D) 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.
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” later in
this section.4. When the tire has been
lowered, tilt the retainer
and slide it up the
cable so it can
be pulled up through
the wheel opening.
5. Put the spare tire near the at tire.
5-77

Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire
Use the following pictures and instructions to remove
the at tire and raise the vehicle.
The tools you will be using include the bottle jack (A),
the wheel blocks (B), the extension tool (C), the
jack handle extensions (D), and the wheel wrench (E).1. Remove the center cap by placing the chisel end of
the wheel wrench (E) in the slot on the wheel and
gently prying the cap out.
5-78