2007 PONTIAC VIBE Owners Manual

4. Remove the center retaining nut and lift up
the plastic tray to expose the compact
spare tire.
5. Remove the center bolt from the compact
spare tire and pull out the compact spare
tire. SeeCompact Spare Tire on page 354The tools you will be using include the jack (A),
jack handle (B) and wheel wrench (C).
345

Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. Attach the jack handle to the jack.
2. Turn the jack handle clockwise to raise the lift
head a little.
3. Using the wheel wrench, loosen all the wheel
nuts. Do not remove them yet.4. Position the jack and raise the jack lift head to
t over the car ange between the two
notches.
346

{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 jack handle
clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off
the ground so there is enough room for
the compact spare tire to t underneath the
wheel well.
347

6. Remove all the wheel nuts and take off the
at tire.
7. Install the spare tire.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts
to which it is fastened, can make the
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 the 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.
348

8. Remove any rust or
dirt from the wheel
bolts, mounting
surfaces and spare
wheel.9. Place the compact spare tire on the
wheel-mounting surface.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts.
If you do, the nuts might come loose.
Your wheel could fall off, causing a
serious accident.
349

10. Reinstall the wheel nuts with the rounded end
of the nuts toward the wheel. Tighten each nut
by hand until the wheel is held against the hub.
11. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
{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 specication. See
Capacities and Specifications on page 369
for wheel nut torque specication.
350

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 specication. See
Capacities and Specifications on page 369for
the wheel nut torque specication.
12. Tighten the wheel
nuts rmly in a
crisscross sequence
as shown.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.
The compact spare tire storage area is designed
only for the compact spare tire, the standard
tire cannot be stored there.
To store the at tire, do the following:
1. Remove the center wheel cap before storing
the at tire, if your vehicle has aluminum
wheels.
2. Place the at tire on the rear cargo area oor
panel with the outer side of the wheel
facing up.
351

3. Use the tire tie-down straps located under the
oor panel to secure the at tire.
4. Hook the straps (end closest to the buckle) to
the rear, upper tie-down hooks.5. Pass the straps through the center hole of
the wheel.
6. Attach the other end of the straps to the rear,
lower tie-down hooks.
352