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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 390for more
information.
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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.
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
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 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.
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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.
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 166for more
information.
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{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.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.
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Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you will need is located in the
trunk.
1. If you have a retractable hardtop model, make
sure the hardtop is in the up position.
2. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 113for
more information.
3. If you have a sedan or coupe model, lift the
handle on the spare tire cover. The handle
can hook on the front edge of the trunk’s
weatherstrip to hold the cover out of the way.
If you have a retractable hardtop model,
unlatch the trunk cargo cover so that it is in
the open position. Then remove the cover from
the spare tire.4. Turn the wing nut counterclockwise and
remove it. Then remove the compact
spare tire. SeeCompact Spare Tire on
page 403for more information.
5. Remove the wing nut holding the jack
in place.
6. Remove the extension bolt that is clipped to
the jack. You will need this later to store the
at tire.
7. Remove the jack and wheel wrench from the
trunk.
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The tools you will be using include the wheel
wrench (A) and jack (B).1. Turn the plastic wing nut counterclockwise to
loosen the wheel wrench.
2. Unhook the wheel wrench from the jack.
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