2008 CHEVROLET TRAIL BLAZER spare wheel

Off-Road Driving (Except SS)
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have four-wheel
drive. Also, seeBraking on page 4-3. If your vehicle
does not have four-wheel drive, you should not
drive off-road unless you are on a level, solid surface.
The airbag system is designed to work properly under a
wide range of conditions, including off-road usage.
Observe safe driving speeds, especially on rough
terrain. As always, wear your safety belt.
Off-road driving can be great fun. But it does have
some denite hazards. The greatest of these is
the terrain itself.
“Off-roading” means you have left the great North
American road system behind. Traffic lanes are not
marked. Curves are not banked. There are no
road signs. Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill, or
downhill. In short, you have gone right back to nature.
Off-road driving involves some new skills. And that
is why it is very important that you read this guide. You
will nd many driving tips and suggestions. These
will help make your off-road driving safer and more
enjoyable.
Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out. For
example, be sure to have all necessary maintenance
and service work done. Check to make sure all
underbody shields, if the vehicle has them, are properly
attached.
Be sure you read all the information about your
four-wheel-drive vehicle in this manual.
Is there enough fuel? Is the spare tire fully inated? Are
the uid levels up where they should be? What are
the local laws that apply to off-roading where you will be
driving? If you do not know, you should check with
law enforcement people in the area. Will you be
on someone’s private land? If so, be sure to get the
necessary permission.
4-14

Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-69
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-72
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-74
Buying New Tires.........................................5-75
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-77
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-78
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-80
Wheel Replacement......................................5-80
Tire Chains..................................................5-82
Accessory Inator.........................................5-82
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-84
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-85
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-86
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................5-89
Secondary Latch System...............................5-94
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-97
Spare Tire.................................................5-100
Appearance Care..........................................5-100
Interior Cleaning.........................................5-100
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-101
Leather......................................................5-102
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-103
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-103Weatherstrips.............................................5-103
Washing Your Vehicle..................................5-104
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-104
Finish Care................................................5-104
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades.......5-105
Aluminum Wheels.......................................5-106
Tires.........................................................5-106
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-106
Finish Damage...........................................5-107
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-107
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-107
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-108
Vehicle Identication.....................................5-109
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)................5-109
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-109
Electrical System..........................................5-109
Add-On Electrical Equipment.........................5-109
Headlamps.................................................5-110
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-110
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-110
Fuses and Circuit Breakers..........................5-110
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-111
Rear Underseat Fuse Block..........................5-118
Capacities and Specications........................5-121
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) is designed to
warn the driver when a low tire pressure condition exists.
TPMS sensors are mounted onto each tire and wheel
assembly, excluding the spare tire and wheel assembly.
The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in the
vehicle’s tires and transmit the tire pressure readings to a
receiver located in the vehicle.
The TPMS is designed to alert the driver if a low tire
pressure condition exists. If your vehicle has the Driver
Information Center (DIC) steering wheel control buttons,
tire pressure levels may also be checked through the
DIC. See “Tire Pressures” underDIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-50.
When a low tire pressure
condition is detected, the
TPMS illuminates the
low tire pressure warning
light located on the
instrument panel cluster.At the same time a message to check the pressure in a
specic tire appears on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) display. The low tire pressure warning light and the
DIC warning message come on at each ignition cycle
until the tires are inated to the correct ination pressure.
Using the DIC, tire pressure levels can be viewed by the
driver. For additional information and details about the
DIC operation and displays seeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-50andDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-53.
The low tire pressure warning light may come on in cool
weather when the vehicle is rst started, and then turn off
as you start to drive. This could be an early indicator that
the air pressure in the tire(s) is low and needs to be
inated to the proper pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information label, attached to your
vehicle, shows the size of your vehicle’s original
equipment tires and the correct ination pressure for your
vehicle’s tires when they are cold. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 4-35, for an example of the Tire and
Loading Information label and its location on your vehicle.
Also seeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-65.
5-69

Your vehicle’s TPMS can alert you about a low tire
pressure condition but it does not replace normal tire
maintenance. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-72andTires on page 5-58.
Notice:Liquid tire sealants could damage the Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) sensors. Sensor
damage caused by using a tire sealant is not covered
by your warranty. Do not use liquid tire sealants.
TPMS Malfunction Light and Message
The TPMS will not function properly if one or more of the
TPMS sensors are missing or inoperable. When the
system detects a malfunction, the low tire warning light
ashes for about one minute and then stays on for the
remainder of the ignition cycle. A DIC warning message
is also displayed. The low tire warning light and DIC
warning message come on at each ignition cycle until the
problem is corrected. Some of the conditions that can
cause the malfunction light and DIC message to come
on are:
One of the road tires has been replaced with the
spare tire. The spare tire does not have a TPMS
sensor. The TPMS malfunction light and DIC
message should go off once you re-install the road
tire containing the TPMS sensor.
The TPMS sensor matching process was started but
not completed or not completed successfully after
rotating the vehicle’s tires. The DIC message and
TPMS malfunction light should go off once the TPMS
sensor matching process is performed successfully.
See “TPMS Sensor Matching Process” later in this
section.
One or more TPMS sensors are missing or
damaged. The DIC message and the TPMS
malfunction light should go off when the TPMS
sensors are installed and the sensor matching
process is performed successfully. See your dealer/
retailer for service.
Replacement tires or wheels do not match your
vehicle’s original equipment tires or wheels. Tires
and wheels other than those recommended for your
vehicle could prevent the TPMS from functioning
properly. SeeBuying New Tires on page 5-75.
Operating electronic devices or being near facilities
using radio wave frequencies similar to the TPMS
could cause the TPMS sensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioning it cannot detect or signal a
low tire condition. See your dealer/retailer for service if
the TPMS malfunction light and DIC message come on
and stay on.
5-70

6. Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and repeat
the procedure in Step 5.
7. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat
the procedure in Step 5.
8. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 5.
9. After hearing the conrming horn chirp for the driver’s
side rear tire, check to see if the TPMS warning light
is still ashing. If yes, turn the ignition switch to
LOCK/OFF to exit the sensor matching process.
If the TPMS warning light is not ashing, the
ve minute time limit has passed and you will need
to start the process over beginning with Step 1.
10. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure
level as indicated on the Tire and Loading
Information label.
11. Put the valve caps back on the valve stems.Tire Inspection and Rotation
We recommend that you regularly inspect your
vehicle’s tires, including the spare tire, for signs of
wear or damage. SeeWhen It Is Time for New
Tires on page 5-74for more information.
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km). SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4.
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 your tires
as soon as possible and check wheel alignment.
Also check for damaged tires or wheels. SeeWhen
It Is Time for New Tires on page 5-74andWheel
Replacement on page 5-80.
5-72

When rotating your tires, always use the correct
rotation pattern shown here.
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 5-65andLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-35.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor Operation on page 5-69.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-121.
{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 5-85.
Make sure the spare tire is stored securely. Push,
pull, and then try to rotate or turn the tire. If it
moves, tighten the cable. SeeStoring a Flat or
Spare Tire and Tools on page 5-97.
5-73

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The jacking equipment needed to remove the spare tire is
stored under the rear seat. To release the jack from its
holder, turn the knob on the jack counterclockwise to
lower the jack head. SeeRear Seat Operation on
page 1-10for more information.The tools you will be using include the wheel wrench (A),
wheel blocks (B), extension(s) (socket end) (C),
handle (jack end) (D), and jack (E).
To remove the underbody-mounted spare from your
vehicle:
Notice:If you remove or restow a tire from/to the
storage position under the vehicle while it is
supported by a jack, you could damage the tire
and/or your vehicle. Always remove or restow a tire
when the vehicle is on the ground.
5-86

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