2005 BUICK RAINIER Owner's Manual

Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the
wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it (except some
aluminum wheels, which can sometimes be repaired).
See your dealer if any of these conditions exist.
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.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-69for more
information.
5-65

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.
Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
Do not use tire chains. 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, re-adjust or remove the
device if it is contacting your vehicle, and do
not spin your wheels. If you do nd traction
devices that will t, install them on the
rear tires.
5-66

Accessory Inator
Your vehicle may be equipped with an accessory
inator system. You can inate things like basketballs
and bicycle tires. You can also use it to bring your
tire pressure up to the proper pressure. It is not
designed to inate large objects which will require more
than ve minutes to inate, such as an air mattress.
The accessory inator is
located in the rear
compartment on the
driver’s side of the vehicle
behind an access cover,
near the liftgate opening.
To remove the cover, push in on the tab to access the
inator.
You may have an air inator kit that is located in the
glove compartment. It includes a 22 ft (6.7 m) hose with
three nozzle adapters.To use the accessory inator, do the following:
1. Attach the appropriate nozzle adapter to the end of
the hose if required.
2. Attach that end of the hose to the object you wish
to inate.
3. Attach the other end of the hose to the outlet.
4. Press and release the switch to turn the air inator
on. The indicator light will remain on when the
inator is running.
The system has an internal clock to prevent
overheating. The system will allow about ve
minutes of running time, then the compressor will
stop. The indicator light will then begin to ash.
When the indicator is off, the inator can be started
again by pressing the switch. If the compressor
is still hot, it may only run for a short time before
shutting off again.
5. Press and release the switch to turn the inator off.
Place the inator kit tools in the pouch and store it in
its proper location. Remove the inator hose from
the outlet during loading and unloading. Load leveling
will not function with the inator hose attached to
the inator outlet. See “Electronically Controlled Air
Suspension System” underLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-43
5-67

To reinstall the cover, line up the tabs at the back of the
cover, put it in place and latch the tabs.
A continuous ashing indicator light may also indicate a
malfunction in the air suspension system. See
“Electronically Controlled Air Suspension System” under
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-43for more information.
{CAUTION:
Inating something too much can make it
explode, and you or others could be injured.
Be sure to read the inator instructions, and
inate any object only to its recommended
pressure.
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.
5-68

{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.
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.
To be even more certain the vehicle will not
move, you should put 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.
5-69

When you have a at tire, use the following example as
a guide to assist you in the placement of wheel
blocks.
The following information will tell you next how to use
the jack and change a tire.Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The jacking equipment you will need is stored under the
rear seat on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. See
Rear Seat Operation on page 1-5for more information.
To release the jack from its holder, turn the knob on
the jack counterclockwise to lower the jack head.
5-70

The tools you’ll be using include the wheel wrench (A),
wheel blocks (B), extension(s) (socket end) (C),
handle (jack end) (D), and jack (E).
The following instructions explain how to remove the
underbody-mounted spare underneath your vehicle.
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.1. Insert the socket end of the extension on a
45 degree angle downward into the hoist drive shaft
hole. It will be exposed when the rear gate is
open and is just above the rear bumper. Be sure
the socket end of the extension connects to
the hoist shaft.
2. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower
the spare tire. Keep turning 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. SeeSecondary Latch System on
page 5-77for more information.
5-71

3. Tilt the retainer at the end of the cable when the
tire has been completely lowered, and pull it
through the wheel opening.
4. 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.
5. Put the spare tire near the at tire.
6. Position the chisel end of your wheel wrench in the
notch of the center cap and pry off the center cap.Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. Using the wheel
wrench, loosen all the
wheel nuts. Don’t
remove them yet.
2. Turn the jack adjusting knob clockwise by hand to
raise the jack lift head.
3. Place the handle, extension and wheel wrench onto
the jack.
5-72