2005 CHEVROLET OPTRA flat tire

Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-56
Wheel Replacement......................................5-56
Tire Chains..................................................5-57
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-58
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-59
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-60
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................5-61
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-65
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-66
Appearance Care............................................5-66
Fabric/Carpet...............................................5-67
Vinyl...........................................................5-68
Leather.......................................................5-68
Instrument Panel..........................................5-69
Interior Plastic Components............................5-69
Glass Surfaces.............................................5-69
Weatherstrips...............................................5-69
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-69
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.....................5-70
Finish Care..................................................5-70Windshield and Wiper Blades.........................5-71
Aluminum Wheels.........................................5-71
Tires...........................................................5-72
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-72
Finish Damage.............................................5-72
Underbody Maintenance................................5-73
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-73
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..................5-74
Vehicle Identication......................................5-75
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).................5-75
Service Parts Identification Label.....................5-75
Electrical System............................................5-75
Add-On Electrical Equipment..........................5-75
Headlamp Wiring..........................................5-76
Windshield Wiper Fuses................................5-76
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......5-76
Fuses and Circuit Breakers............................5-76
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................5-77
Engine Compartment Fuse Block....................5-79
Capacities and Specications..........................5-82
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts..........5-83
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

(A) Temporary Use Only:The compact spare tire or
temporary use tire has a tread life of approximately
3,000 miles (5 000 km) and should not be driven
at speeds over 65 mph (105 km/h). The compact spare
tire is for emergency use when a regular road tire
has lost air and gone flat. SeeCompact Spare Tire on
page 5-66andIf a Tire Goes Flat on page 5-58.(B) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and number of
plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(C) Tire Identication Number (TIN):The Tire
Identification Number (TIN). The TIN shows the
manufacturer and plant code, tire size, and date the tire
was manufactured. The TIN is molded onto both
sides of the tire, although only one side may have the
date of manufacture.
(D) Maximum Cold Ination Load Limit:Maximum
load that can be carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load. SeeCompact Spare Tire
on page 5-66andLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-28.
(E) Tire Ination:The temporary use tire or compact
spare tire should be inflated to 60 psi (420 kPa).
For more information on tire pressure and inflation see
Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-51.
(F) Tire Size:A combination of letters and numbers
define a tire’s width, height, aspect ratio, construction
type and service description. The letter T as the
first character in the tire size means the tire is for
temporary use only. Compact Spare Tire Example
5-47

After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on the tire and loading
information label. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 4-28for an example of the tire and loading
information label and where it is located on your vehicle.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened.
See “Wheel Nut Torque” underCapacities and
Specifications on page 5-82.
{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 needed, to get all
the rust or dirt off. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on
page 5-59.
When It Is Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it’s
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires
have only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) or less of
tread remaining.
You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:
•You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.
•You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s rubber.
•The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged
deep enough to show cord or fabric.
•The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
•The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can’t be repaired well because of the size or
location of the damage.
5-53

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 5-59for
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.
Tire Chains
Notice:Use tire chains only where legal and only
when you must. Use only SAE Class “S” type chains
that are the proper size for your tires. Install them
on the front tires and 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.
5-57

If a Tire Goes Flat
It is 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 is 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 flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
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 would;
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 flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
5-58

Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your
hazard warning flashers.
{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 transaxle shift lever in
PARK (P), or shift a manual transaxle 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)
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.
When you have a flat tire, use the following example as
a guide to assist you in the placement of wheel blocks.
The following information will tell you how to use the
jack and change a tire.
5-59

6. Remove the jack, the jack handle and the wheel
wrench. The jack is located in the trunk, in front of the
compact spare tire. Turn the jack retainer, located on
the right side of the jack, counterclockwise to release
it. The jack handle and the wheel wrench are located
inside the foam tray.
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. If your vehicle has wheel covers, use the jack
handle to begin loosening the wheel covers.
Using the flat end of the jack handle or the
screwdriver, pry along the edge of the wheel cover
until it comes off.
2. Use the wheel wrench to loosen all the wheel nuts.
Do not remove them yet.
5-61

13. Tighten the wheel nuts
firmly 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 a wheel cover on your compact spare
tire. It will not fit. Store the wheel cover in the cargo
area until you have the flat tire repaired or replaced.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.
To store a flat or spare tire, do the following:
1. Put the flat or spare tire in the compact spare tire
compartment, then secure the retainer.
2. Store the jack in its housing in the cargo area.
Secure the jack by turning the retainer clockwise.
3. Store the tools securely in the foam tray and place
the tray on top of the tire.
4. Replace the trim cover.
The compact spare tire 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 5-66.
5-65