2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO flat tire

Pickup Box Identication and Fender
Marker Lamps...........................................5-69
Taillamps.....................................................5-70
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-72
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-73
Tires..............................................................5-74
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-82
Dual Tire Operation.......................................5-83
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-83
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-86
Buying New Tires.........................................5-86
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-88
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-89
Wheel Replacement......................................5-89
Tire Chains..................................................5-91
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-92
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-93
Spare Tire.................................................5-113Appearance Care..........................................5-114
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle...............5-114
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-117
Weatherstrips.............................................5-117
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle.............5-117
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-120
Finish Damage...........................................5-120
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-120
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-120
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-121
Vehicle Identication.....................................5-122
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)................5-122
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-122
Electrical System..........................................5-123
Add-On Electrical Equipment.........................5-123
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-123
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-123
Fuses and Circuit Breakers..........................5-123
Capacities and Specications........................5-132
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Dual Tire Operation
When the vehicle is new, or whenever a wheel, wheel
bolt or wheel nut is replaced, check the wheel nut torque
after 100, 1,000 and 6,000 miles (160, 1 600 and
10 000 km) of driving. For proper torque and wheel nut
tightening information, see “Removing the Flat Tire
and Installing the Spare Tire” in the index.
The outer tire on a dual wheel setup generally wears
faster than the inner tire. Your tires will wear more
evenly and last longer if you rotate the tires periodically.
See “Tire Inspection and Rotation” earlier in this
section. Also see “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in
the Index for scheduled rotation intervals
{CAUTION:
If you operate your vehicle with a tire that is
badly underinated, the tire can overheat. An
overheated tire can lose air suddenly or catch
re. You or others could be injured. Be sure all
tires (including the spare) are properly inated.
See “Tires” and “Ination – Tire Pressure” in the Index
for more information on proper tire ination.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km).
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your tires as
soon as possible and check wheel alignment. Also
check for damaged tires or wheels. SeeWhen It Is Time
for New Tires on page 5-86andWheel Replacement
on page 5-89for more information.
Make sure the spare tire is stored securely. Push, pull,
and then try to rotate or turn the tire. If it moves,
use the wheel wrench/hoist shaft to tighten the cable.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-93.
If your vehicle has dual rear wheels, also seeDual Tire
Operation on page 5-83.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The rst rotation
is the most important. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4, for scheduled rotation intervals.
5-83

If your vehicle has dual rear wheels and the tread design
for the front tires is different from the dual rear tires,
always use the correct rotation pattern shown here when
rotating your tires. The dual tires are rotated as a pair,
and the inside rear tires became the outside rear tires.
When you install dual wheels, be sure the vent holes in
the inner and outer wheels on each side are lined up.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear ination pressures as shown on the
Certication/Tire label or Tire and Loading Information
label. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-56.Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened.
See “Wheel Nut Torque” underCapacities and
Specications on page 5-132.
{CAUTION:
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 Flat
Tire” in the Index.
5-85

Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted
the same way as the one it replaces.
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.
Whenever a wheel, wheel bolt or wheel nut is replaced
on a dual wheel setup, check the wheel nut torque
after 100, 1,000 and 6,000 miles (160, 1 600 and
10 000 km) of driving. For proper torque, see “Wheel
Nut Torque” underCapacities and Specications
on page 5-132.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-93for
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.
5-90

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.
5-92

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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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.
5-93

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’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).1. If your vehicle has
wheel nut caps, loosen
them by turning the
wheel wrench
counterclockwise.
If the vehicle has a center cap with wheel nut caps, the
wheel nut caps are designed to stay with the center cap
after they are loosened. Remove the entire center cap.
5-98

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:Storing an aluminum wheel with a at tire
under your vehicle for an extended period of time or
with the valve stem pointing up may damage the
wheel. Always stow the wheel with the valve
stem pointing down and have the wheel/tire repaired
as soon as possible.
Return the bottle jack, wheel blocks, wheel wrench
and jack extensions to their location behind the
passenger’s seat.A. Wing Nut
B. Wheel Blocks
C. Retaining Bracket
and Wingnut
D. GlovesE. Wheel Wrench and
Extensions
F. Storage Bag
G. Mounting Bracket
H. Bottle Jack
I. Retaining Hook
5-106