2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO Owners Manual

Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The tires and wheels on your vehicle were aligned and
balanced carefully at the factory to give you the longest
tire life and best overall performance. Adjustments to
wheel alignment and tire balancing will not be necessary
on a regular basis. However, if you notice unusual tire
wear or your vehicle pulling to one side or the other, the
alignment might need to be checked. If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road, the tires
and wheels might need to be rebalanced. See your
dealer/retailer for proper diagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts, and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
dealer/retailer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer/retailer will know the kind of wheel
you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset, and be mounted
the same way as the one it replaces.If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts,
wheel nuts, or Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
sensors, replace them only with new GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts, wheel nuts, and TPMS sensors
for your vehicle.
{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 5-80for more
information.
5-77

Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on the vehicle is dangerous.
You cannot know how it has been used or how far it
has been driven. It could fail suddenly and cause a
crash. If you have to replace a wheel, use a new
GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P215/70R16, P235/75R16,
P265/70R17, or P235/50R18 size tires, do not use
tire chains. They can damage your vehicle because
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
there is not enough clearance. Tire chains used
on a vehicle without the proper amount of
clearance can cause damage to the brakes,
suspension, or other vehicle parts. The area
damaged by the tire chains could cause you to
lose control of your vehicle and you or others
may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s instructions.
To help avoid damage to your vehicle, drive slowly,
readjust, or remove the device if it is contacting
your vehicle. Do not spin the vehicle’s wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t, install
them on the rear tires.
5-78

Notice:If your vehicle has a tire size other than
P215/70R16, P235/75R16, P265/70R17, or P235/50R18
use tire chains only where legal and only when
you must. Use chains that are the proper size for
your tires. Install them on the tires of the rear axle.
Do not use chains on the tires of the front axle.
Tighten them as tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until
it stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels
with chains on will damage your vehicle.
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. If a jack
is provided with the vehicle, it 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. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, only use it 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.
5-79

Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on the hazard
warning ashers. SeeHazard Warning Flashers
on page 3-6.
{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 an automatic transmission shift lever in
P (Park), or shift a manual transmission
to 1 (First) or R (Reverse).
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
3. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle,
be sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear – not in Neutral.
4. Turn off the engine and do not restart while
the vehicle is raised.
5. Do not allow passengers to remain in the
vehicle.
To be even more certain the vehicle will not move,
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.
5-80

When the vehicle has a at tire (B), use the following
example as a guide to assist you in the placement
of wheel blocks (A).
A. Wheel Block
B. Flat Tire
The following information explains how to use the jack
and change a tire.Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
A. Wing Nut
B. Storage Bag and Tools
The tools you will need are located under the right front
passenger seat.
1. Move the seat all the way forward to locate the
tool bag.
2. Locate the wing nut (A) used to retain the storage
bag and tools (B). Turn it counterclockwise to
release the bag.
Put the tools to the side while you access the jack and
wheel blocks.
5-81

Regular/Extended Cab
For regular and extended cab vehicles, the jack and
wheel blocks are located under the cover at the center
of the vehicle behind the front seats.
1. Turn the wing
nut on the cover
counterclockwise
to remove it.A. Jack
B. Wheel Blocks
C. Wing Nut
D. Jack Knob
2. Lower the jack (A) by turning the jack knob (D)
counterclockwise to release the jack from the
bracket.
3. Turn the wing nut (C) holding the wheel blocks (B)
to the back of the vehicle counterclockwise to
release the wheel blocks.
5-82

Crew Cab
For crew cab models, the jack and wheel blocks are
located under the driver side rear seat.
1. Reach under the rear seat to access the jack and
wheel blocks.
2. Turn the jack knob counterclockwise to lower the
jack all the way and release it from the bracket.
3. Remove the wheel blocks and the wheel block
retainer by turning the wing nut counterclockwise.
Use the jack handle extensions and the wheel wrench
to remove the underbody-mounted spare tire.A. Jack Handle
Extensions
B. JackC. Jack Handle
D. Wheel Wrench
E. Wheel Blocks
5-83

1. Assemble the wheel wrench (D), the jack handle
extensions (A) and the jack handle (C) as shown.
2. Insert the chiseled end of the jack handle (C) at a
slight angle through the hole in the rear bumper
and into the funnel-shaped guide.
3. Turn the wheel wrench (D) counterclockwise to
lower the spare tire to the ground. Continue to
turn 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 5-92.
5-84