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Different Size Tires and Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a different size
than your original equipment wheels and tires,
this may affect the way your vehicle performs,
including its braking, ride and handling
characteristics, stability, and resistance to
rollover. Additionally, if your vehicle has electronic
systems such as, anti-lock brakes, traction
control, and electronic stability control, the
performance of these systems can be affected.{CAUTION:
If you add different sized wheels, your
vehicle may not provide an acceptable
level of performance and safety if tires
not recommended for those wheels are
selected. You may increase the chance
that you will crash and suffer serious
injury. Only use GM speci c wheel and
tire systems developed for your vehicle,
and have them properly installed by a
GM certi ed technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 358and
Accessories and Modi cations on page 290for
additional information.
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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 vehicle’s hazard warning flashers.
SeeHazard Warning Flashers on page 146
for more information.
{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).
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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.
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When your vehicle has 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 next how to
use the jack and change a tire.Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
If you have a cargo van or a passenger van,
the equipment you will need is located in
the passenger side rear corner of the vehicle.
Remove the retaining
wing bolt and lift it off of
the mounting bracket.
If you have a van with the 15-passenger seating
arrangement, the equipment you will need is
secured on the rear floor of the passenger side
of the vehicle.
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To lower the spare tire from the vehicle:
1. Attach the wheel
wrench and ratchet,
with the DOWN side
facing you. The
wheel wrench has a
socket end and a flat
chisel end. Note that
there is an UP side
and a DOWN side on
the ratchet.
2. Put the flat chisel end of the wheel wrench
on an angle through the hole between the
body and the bumper. Be sure the flat
end connects into the hoist shaft.3. Turn the ratchet counterclockwise to lower the
spare tire to the ground. 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 377.
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4. When the tire has been lowered, pull the tire
toward you so you can reach the tire retainer
and pull it up through the wheel opening.
If you have a vehicle which was completed from
a cab and chassis, refer to the information from
the body supplier/installer.
The spare tire is a full-size tire, like the other tires
on your vehicle.
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
If your vehicle has plastic wheel nut caps,
loosen them by turning the wheel wrench
counterclockwise. The wheel nut caps are
designed to remain with the center cap.
Remove the center cap.
If the wheel has a smooth center piece, place
the chisel end of the wheel wrench in the slot
on the wheel and gently pry it out.
1. Do a safety check before proceeding.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 366
for more information.
2. With the DOWN side facing you, use the
ratchet and wheel wrench to loosen all the
wheel nuts. Do not remove them yet.
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{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.5. Raise the vehicle by turning the ratchet
clockwise. Make sure the UP mark faces you.
Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground
so there is enough room for the spare
tire to fit.
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8. Remove any rust or
dirt from the wheel
bolts, mounting
surfaces and
spare wheel.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts.
Because the nuts might come loose.
The vehicle’s 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 wheel 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 speci cation. See
Capacities and Specifications on page 398
for wheel nut torque speci cation.
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 speci cation. See
Capacities and Specifications on page 398
for the wheel nut torque speci cation.11. Use the wheel wrench to tighten the nuts
firmly. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise
and in a crisscross sequence as shown.
12. Put the wheel cover or the center cap and
plastic wheel nut caps back on. Remove
any wheel blocks.
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