2008 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER Owners Manual

A. Wheel Wrench
B. Hoist Shaft
C. Extension
D. Retainer
E. Spare or Flat
Tire (Valve Stem
Pointed Up)
1. Open the liftgate. SeeLiftgate/Liftglass on
page 2-11for more information.
2. Attach the wheel wrench (A) to the extension (C).3. Insert the socket end
of the extension (C) on
a 45 degree angle
downward into the hoist
drive shaft hole.
It is exposed when the rear gate is open and is just
above the rear bumper. Be sure the socket end
of the extension (C) connects to the hoist shaft.
5-87

4. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower
the spare tire. Keep turning the wheel wrench until
the spare tire can be pulled out from under the
vehicle.
If the spare tire does not lower to the ground, the
secondary latch is engaged causing the tire
not to lower. SeeSecondary Latch System on
page 5-94for more information.5. Tilt the retainer at the end of the cable when the
tire has been completely lowered, and pull it
through the wheel opening.
6. Pull the tire out from under the vehicle.
Notice:If you drive away before the spare tire or
secondary latch system cable has been reinstalled,
you could damage your vehicle. Always reinstall
this cable before driving your vehicle.
7. Put the spare tire near the at tire.
5-88

Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. Do a safety check before proceeding. SeeChanging
a Flat Tire on page 5-85for more information.
2. Use the at end of the wheel wrench to carefully
pry off the center cap.
3. Using the wheel
wrench, loosen all the
wheel nuts by turning
the nuts one turn
counterclockwise. Do
not remove them yet.
4. Turn the jack adjusting knob clockwise by hand to
raise the jack lift head.
5. Place the handle, extension, and wheel wrench
onto the jack.A. Front Frame/
Rear Axle
B. JackC. Handle
D. Extension(s)
E. Wheel Wrench
Front PositionRear Position
5-89

6. Place the jack in the appropriate position nearest
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.7. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack handle
clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the
ground so there is enough room for the spare
tire to t.
5-90

8. Remove all the wheel
nuts and the at tire.
{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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 5-85.
9. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces
and spare wheel.
5-91

10. Place the spare tire on the wheel-mounting surface.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts.
Because the nuts might come loose. The
vehicle’s wheel could fall off, causing a crash.
11. Put the nuts on by hand. Make sure the cone
shaped end is toward the wheel.
12. Tighten each nut by hand until the wheel is held
against the hub. If a nut cannot be turned by hand,
use the wheel wrench and see your dealer as soon
as possible.13. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
5-92

{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
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 5-121for 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 5-121for the wheel nut torque specication.
14. Use the wrench to
tighten the wheel nuts
rmly in a crisscross
sequence as shown.
5-93

Secondary Latch System
Your vehicle has an underbody-mounted tire hoist
assembly equipped with a secondary latch system. It is
designed to stop the spare tire from suddenly falling off
your vehicle if the cable holding the spare tire is
damaged. For the secondary latch to work, the tire must
be stored with the valve stem pointing up. SeeStoring a
Flat or Spare Tire and Tools on page 5-97for instructions
on storing the spare or at tire correctly.
{CAUTION:
Before beginning this procedure read all the
instructions. Failure to read and follow the
instructions could damage the hoist assembly
and you and others could get hurt. Read and
follow the instructions listed next.
{CAUTION:
Someone standing too close during the
procedure could be injured by the jack. If the
spare tire does not slide off the jack completely,
make sure no one is behind you or on either
side of you as you pull the jack out from the
under spare.
To release the spare tire from the secondary latch:
1. Check under the
vehicle to see if the
cable is visible. If it is
not visible, proceed
to Step 6.
5-94