2007 CHEVROLET COLORADO change wheel

Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning,
you can steer but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving
on curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in
the same direction. If you have ever tried to steer
a vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of the tires and the road surface,
the angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you are in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have
to do their work where the tires meet the road.
Adding the sudden acceleration can demand
too much of those places. You can lose control.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease
up on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle
the way you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions.
Under less favorable conditions you will want
to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while
the front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through
the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed.
Wait to accelerate until you are out of the curve,
and then accelerate gently into the straightaway.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can
affect your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories
and Modications on page 324.
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The three types of skids correspond to your
vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking skid,
the wheels are not rolling. In the steering or
cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.
And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off
the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the
way you want the vehicle to go. If you start
steering quickly enough, your vehicle may
straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid
if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material is on the road. For
safety, you want to slow down and adjust your
driving to these conditions. It is important to slow
down on slippery surfaces because stopping
distance is longer and vehicle control more limited.While driving on a surface with reduced traction,
try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by
shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You might not realize the
surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
Learn to recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road
to make a mirrored surface — and slow down when
you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
helps avoid only the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have
four-wheel drive. Also, seeBraking on page 250
andAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS) on page 251.
If your vehicle does not have four-wheel drive,
you should not drive off-road unless you are on
a level, solid surface.
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Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving
It is a good idea to practice in an area that is
safe and close to home before you go into the
wilderness. Off-road driving does require some
new and different skills. Here is what we mean.
Tune your senses to different kinds of signals.
Your eyes, for example, need to constantly sweep
the terrain for unexpected obstacles. Your ears
need to listen for unusual tire or engine sounds.
With your arms, hands, feet, and body, you will
need to respond to vibrations and vehicle bounce.
Controlling your vehicle is the key to successful
off-road driving. One of the best ways to control
your vehicle is to control your speed. Here are
some things to keep in mind. At higher speeds:
You approach things faster and you have
less time to scan the terrain for obstacles.
You have less time to react.
You have more vehicle bounce when you
drive over obstacles.
You will need more distance for braking,
especially since you are on an unpaved
surface.
{CAUTION:
When you are driving off-road, bouncing
and quick changes in direction can easily
throw you out of position. This could cause
you to lose control and crash. So, whether
you are driving on or off the road, you and
your passengers should wear safety belts.
Scanning the Terrain
Off-road driving can take you over many different
kinds of terrain. You need to be familiar with
the terrain and its many different features.
Here are some things to consider.
Surface Conditions:Off-roading can take you
over hard-packed dirt, gravel, rocks, grass, sand,
mud, snow, or ice. Each of these surfaces affects
the steering, acceleration, and braking of your
vehicle in different ways. Depending upon the kind
of surface you are on, you may experience slipping,
sliding, wheel spinning, delayed acceleration,
poor traction, and longer braking distances.
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Surface Obstacles:Unseen or hidden obstacles
can be hazardous. A rock, log, hole, rut, or
bump can startle you if you are not prepared
for them. Often these obstacles are hidden
by grass, bushes, snow, or even the rise and
fall of the terrain itself. Here are some things
to consider:
Is the path ahead clear?
Will the surface texture change abruptly
up ahead?
Does the travel take you uphill or
downhill? There is more discussion of
these subjects later.
Will you have to stop suddenly or change
direction quickly?
When you drive over obstacles or rough
terrain, keep a rm grip on the steering wheel.
Ruts, troughs, or other surface features can
jerk the wheel out of your hands if you are
not prepared.When you drive over bumps, rocks, or other
obstacles, the wheels can leave the ground.
If this happens, even with one or two wheels,
you cannot control the vehicle as well or at all.
Because you will be on an unpaved surface,
it is especially important to avoid sudden
acceleration, sudden turns, or sudden braking.
In a way, off-road driving requires a different
kind of alertness from driving on paved roads
and highways. There are no road signs, posted
speed limits, or signal lights. You have to use
your own good judgment about what is safe and
what is not.
Drinking and driving can be very dangerous on any
road. And this is certainly true for off-road driving.
At the very time you need special alertness and
driving skills, your reexes, perceptions, and
judgment can be affected by even a small amount
of alcohol. You could have a serious — or even
fatal — accident if you drink and drive or ride with
a driver who has been drinking. SeeDrunken
Driving on page 247.
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Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow, or Ice
When you drive in mud, snow, or sand, your
wheels will not get good traction. You cannot
accelerate as quickly, turning is more difficult,
and you will need longer braking distances.
It is best to use a low gear when you are in
mud — the deeper the mud, the lower the gear.
In really deep mud, the idea is to keep your
vehicle moving so you do not get stuck.
When you drive on sand, you will sense a change
in wheel traction. But it will depend upon how
loosely packed the sand is. On loosely packed
sand, such as on beaches or sand dunes,
your tires will tend to sink into the sand. This has
an effect on steering, accelerating, and braking.
Drive at a reduced speed and avoid sharp turns
or abrupt maneuvers.Hard packed snow and ice offer the worst tire
traction. On these surfaces, it is very easy to lose
control. On wet ice, for example, the traction is
so poor that you will have difficulty accelerating.
And if you do get moving, poor steering and
difficult braking can cause you to slide out
of control.
{CAUTION:
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds, or rivers
can be dangerous. Underwater springs,
currents under the ice, or sudden thaws
can weaken the ice. Your vehicle could
fall through the ice and you and your
passengers could drown. Drive your
vehicle on safe surfaces only.
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Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check rear axle
uid unless you suspect there is a leak or you
hear an unusual noise. A uid loss could indicate
a problem. Have it inspected and repaired.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should
be on a level surface.The proper level is from 0 to 3/8 inch
(0 mm to 10 mm) below the bottom of the
ller plug hole, located on the rear axle.
What to Use
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 452to determine which kind of
lubricant to use.
Four-Wheel Drive
Lubricant checks in this section apply to this
vehicle. There are two additional systems
that need lubrication.
Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
how often to check the lubricant. SeeAdditional
Required Services on page 444.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should
be on a level surface.
368

{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after 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 400.
Any time you rotate the vehicle’s tires the Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) will need to be
reset. The TPMS identication codes will need
to be matched to the tire and wheel position.
See “TPMS Sensor Identication Codes” under
Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 385.
When It Is Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it is
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.
Some commercial truck
tires may not have
treadwear indicators.
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 cannot be repaired well because of the
size or location of the damage.
391

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.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are
driving, especially if you maintain your vehicle’s
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 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 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 at, the next part shows how to
use the jacking equipment to change a at
tire safely.
399