2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU Owners Manual

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you will need is in the trunk.
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 2-13for more
information.
2. Remove the spare tire cover.
3. Turn the wing nut counterclockwise and remove it.
Then remove the compact spare tire. SeeCompact
Spare Tire on page 5-88for more information.4. Remove the wing nut holding the jack in place.
5. Remove the jack and wheel wrench from the trunk.
Tire Changing Tools
The tools you will be using include the wheel wrench (A)
and jack (B).
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1. Turn the plastic wing nut counterclockwise to
loosen wheel wrench.
2. Unhook the wheel wrench from the jack.3. Extend the handle on the wheel wrench by pressing
the button with your index nger and pulling on the
end of the wrench. You must do this before
using the wheel wrench.
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Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. Do a safety check before proceeding. SeeChanging
a Flat Tire on page 5-78for more information.
2. If your vehicle has a wheel cover or hubcap that
has plastic wheel nut caps, loosen the plastic nut
caps. You might need to use the wheel wrench
to loosen them. Do not pry off wheel covers
or center caps that have plastic wheel nut caps.
3. Remove the wheel cover or center cap from the
wheel to locate the wheel nuts.
If your vehicle has a wheel cover or hubcap without
plastic wheel nut caps, gently pry on the edge of
the plastic wheel trim to remove it from the wheel to
locate the wheel nuts.4. Use the wrench to loosen all the wheel nuts.
Do not remove them yet.
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5. Position the lift head at the jack location nearest
the at tire. Make sure all of the jack lift head is
touching the jacking ange under the body.
Do not place the jack under a body panel.
6. Put the compact spare tire near the at tire.
{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.
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7. Raise the vehicle by turning the wrench clockwise.
Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground so there
is enough room for the compact spare tire to t.8. Remove all of the
wheel nuts.
9. Remove the at tire.
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{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 5-78.10. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces
and spare wheel.
11. Install the compact spare tire.
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{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on bolts or nuts.
Because the nuts might come loose. The
vehicle’s wheel could fall off, causing a crash.
12. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end
toward the wheel. Tighten each nut by hand or
with the wrench until the wheel is held against
the hub.
13. Lower the vehicle by turning the wrench
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
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{CAUTION:
Incorrect or improperly tightened wheel nuts
can cause the wheel to come loose and even
come off. This could lead to a crash. If you have
to replace them, be sure to get new 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. SeeCapacities and Specifications
on page 5-108for wheel nut torque
specication.
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. SeeCapacities and Specifications on
page 5-108for the wheel nut torque specication.14. Tighten the wheel nuts
rmly in a crisscross
sequence, as shown,
with the wheel wrench.
Notice:Wheel covers will not t on your vehicle’s
compact spare. If you try to put a wheel cover on
the compact spare, the cover or the spare could be
damaged.
Do not try to put a wheel cover on your compact spare
tire. It will not t. Store the wheel cover and wheel nut
caps in the trunk until you have the at tire repaired or
replaced.
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