2008 BUICK LACROSSE flat tire

Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-75
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-77
Buying New Tires.........................................5-78
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-80
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-80
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-82
Wheel Replacement......................................5-82
Tire Chains..................................................5-84
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-86
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-87
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-88
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................5-89
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
(Base Model)............................................5-95
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
(Super Only).............................................5-97
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-98
Appearance Care............................................5-99
Interior Cleaning...........................................5-99
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-100
Leather......................................................5-101
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-101
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-102
Weatherstrips.............................................5-102Washing Your Vehicle..................................5-102
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-103
Finish Care................................................5-103
Windshield and Wiper Blades.......................5-104
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim................................................5-104
Tires.........................................................5-105
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-105
Finish Damage...........................................5-105
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-106
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-106
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-106
Vehicle Identication.....................................5-107
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)................5-107
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-108
Electrical System..........................................5-108
Add-On Electrical Equipment.........................5-108
Headlamp Wiring........................................5-109
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-109
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-109
Fuses and Circuit Breakers..........................5-109
Instrument Panel Fuse Block........................5-110
Underhood Fuse Block................................5-112
Capacities and Specications........................5-116
Capacities and Specications........................5-116
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

(G) Maximum Cold Ination Load
Limit:Maximum load that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed to support that load.(A) Temporary Use Only:The compact spare tire
or temporary use tire has a tread life of
approximately 3,000 miles (5 000 km) and should
not be driven at speeds over 65 mph (105 km/h).
The compact spare tire is for emergency use when
a regular road tire has lost air and gone at.
If your vehicle has a compact spare tire, see
Compact Spare Tire on page 5-98andIf a Tire
Goes Flat on page 5-86.
(B) Tire Ply Material
:The type of cord and
number of plies in the sidewall and under
the tread.
(C) Tire Identication Number (TIN)
:The letters
and numbers following the DOT (Department of
Transportation) code is the Tire Identication
Number (TIN). The TIN shows the manufacturer
and plant code, tire size, and date the tire was
manufactured. The TIN is molded onto both sides of
the tire, although only one side may have the date
of manufacture.
Compact Spare Tire Example
5-65

The purpose of a regular tire rotation is to achieve
a uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. This
will ensure that your vehicle continues to perform
most like it did when the tires were new.
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate the tires
as soon as possible and check wheel alignment.
Also check for damaged tires or wheels. See
When It Is Time for New Tires on page 5-77and
Wheel Replacement on page 5-82.
When rotating your vehicle’s tires, always use the
correct rotation pattern shown here.
Do not include the compact spare tire in the tire
rotation.After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front
and rear ination pressures as shown on the Tire
and Loading Information label. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-70andLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-21.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor Operation on page 5-73.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-116.
{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. See
Changing a Flat Tire on page 5-87.
5-76

{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 5-87for more
information.
5-83

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 creates 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.
5-86

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 3-6for 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).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart
while the vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in the
vehicle.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 tells you how to use the jack
and change a tire.
5-87

The tools you will need to change a tire include the
jack (A), extension and protection guide (B), and wheel
wrench (C).
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
You vehicle may have wheels with exposed wheel nuts.
If so, go to the Removing the Wheel Nuts section. If the
vehicle has steel wheel covers with plastic nut caps, the
wheel nuts are hidden behind the cap. To remove the
wheel cover:
1. Do a safety check before proceeding. SeeChanging
a Flat Tire on page 5-87for more information.
2. Use the wheel wrench to loosen the plastic wheel
nut caps in a counterclockwise direction.
If needed, nish loosening them by hand. The nut
caps will not come off of the wheel cover.
The edge of the wheel cover could be sharp, so do
not try to remove the cover with your bare hands.
Do not drop the cap or lay it face down, as it could
become scratched or damaged.
Store the wheel cover in the trunk until you have
the at tire repaired or replaced.
Once you have removed the wheel cover or plastic nut
caps, use the following procedure to remove the at tire
and install the spare tire.
5-89

{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 5-87.7. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces, and
spare wheel.
8. Install the compact spare tire.
5-92