2007 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO Owners Manual

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 372for more
information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You cannot know how it has
been used or how far it has been driven.
It could fail suddenly and cause a crash.
If you have to replace a wheel, use a
new GM original equipment wheel.
369

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P225/55R17 or
P235/50R18 size tires, 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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
To help avoid damage to your vehicle,
drive slowly, readjust, 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 front tires.
Notice:If your vehicle has a tire size other
than P225/55R17 or P235/50R18 size tires, 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.
370

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.
371

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 vehicle’s hazard warning ashers.
SeeHazard Warning Flashers on page 148for
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.
372

When your vehicle has 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 equipment you will need is located in
the trunk.
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 101for
more information.
2. Turn the center nut
on the compact
spare tire cover
counterclockwise to
remove it. Then
remove the cover.
3. Remove the compact spare tire. SeeCompact
Spare Tire on page 384for more information.
373

4. Turn the nut holding the jack counterclockwise
and remove it. Then remove the jack and
wrench.The tools you will need to change a tire include
the jack (A), extension and protection guide (B),
and wheel wrench (C).
374

Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
Your vehicle may have aluminum wheels with
exposed wheel nuts. Use the wheel wrench to
loosen all the wheel nuts. Do not remove them yet.
Or, your vehicle may have steel wheel covers.
To remove the steel wheel covers and wheel nut
caps, loosen the plastic nut caps with the wheel
wrench in a counterclockwise direction. If needed,
you can nish loosening them with your ngers.
The plastic nut caps will not come off.
Use the at end of the wheel wrench and pry
along the edge of the cover until it comes off.
The edge of the wheel cover could be sharp, so
do not try to remove it with your bare hands.
Do not drop the cover or lay it face down, as it
could become scratched or damaged.
375

Once you have removed the wheel cover, use the
following procedure to remove the at tire and
install the spare tire.
1. It is recommended
that you do a
safety check before
preceding. See
Changing a Flat
Tire on page 372for
more information.
Turn the wheel wrench once on each wheel
nut to loosen them. Do not remove them yet.2. For all wheel types, nd the jacking
location using the diagram above and the
corresponding hoisting notches located on
the bottom side of the plastic molding.
The notches in the plastic molding are marked
with a triangle shape to help you nd them.
The front location is about 7.0 inches (17.7 cm)
from the rear edge of the front wheel well.
The rear location is about 4.5 inches (11.4 cm)
from the rear edge of the wheel well.
3. Put the compact spare tire near you.
376