2005 BUICK LACROSSE Owner's Manual

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you will need is located in the trunk.
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 2-13for more
information.
2. Remove the convenience net if the vehicle has one.
3. Lift the handle on the spare tire cover. The handle
may hook on the front edge of the trunk’s
weatherstrip to hold the cover out of the way.4. Turn the wing nut counterclockwise and remove it.
5. Remove the compact spare tire.
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6. Turn the nut holding the jack counterclockwise and
remove it. Then remove the jack and wrench.The tools needed to change a tire include the jack (A),
extension and protection guide (B, and wheel
wrench (C).
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Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
If your vehicle has wheel covers with center caps, the
wheel nuts are hidden behind the cap. The center
cap must be removed before you can remove the at
tire and install the spare tire.
To remove a center cap, use the wrench to pry gently at
the notch on the cap. Do not use a tool that is narrower
than the wrench to pry at this notch. Then pry off
the cap.Use the wheel wrench to loosen the plastic nut caps in
a counterclockwise direction. If needed, nish
loosening them by hand. The nut caps will not come off.
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.
Once you have removed the center cap or wheel cover,
use the following procedure to remove the at tire
and install the spare tire.
1. Place the wheel wrench securely over the wheel nut.
Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to loosen
all the wheel nuts, but do no remove them yet.
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2. Turn the jack handle clockwise to raise the jack
lift head.
3. Find the jacking location using the diagram above
and corresponding hoisting notches located on the
underside of the vehicle’s plastic molding. The
notches in the plastic molding are marked with a
triangle shape to help you nd them.
The front location is about 6.5 inches (16.5 cm)
from the rear edge of the front wheel well. The rear
location is about 9 inches (22.8 cm) from the
front edge of the rear wheel well.
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.
{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.
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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.
{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.
7. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces
and spare wheel.
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8. Install the compact spare tire.
{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.
9. 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.10. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
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{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.
Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have
the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to the
proper torque specication. SeeCapacities
and Specifications on page 5-92for 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. SeeCapacities and
Specifications on page 5-92for the wheel nut torque
specication.11. Tighten the wheel nuts
rmly in a crisscross
sequence as shown.
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.
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.
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Storing a Flat or Spare 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.
When storing a compact spare tire in the trunk, put the
protector back in the foam holder.
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 5-77. See
the storage instructions label to return the compact
spare to the trunk properly.
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