2009 GMC SIERRA 1500 Owners Manual

{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.5. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise to raise the
vehicle. Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground
so there is enough room for the spare tire to t
under the wheel well.
6. Remove all the wheel
nuts and take off the
at tire.
5-103

{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 changing a wheel, remove any rust
or dirt from places where the wheel attaches to the
vehicle. In an emergency, 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 5-94.7. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces,
and spare wheel.
8. Install the spare tire.
5-104

{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.
9. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end of
the nuts toward the wheel.
10. Tighten each wheel nut by hand. Then use the
wheel wrench to tighten the nuts until the wheel
is held against the hub.
11. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower
the vehicle. Lower the jack completely.
{CAUTION:
If wheel studs are damaged, they can break. If all
the studs on a wheel broke, the wheel could come
off and cause a crash. If any stud is damaged
because of a loose-running wheel, it could be that
all of the studs are damaged. To be sure, replace
all studs on the wheel. If the stud holes in a wheel
have become larger, the wheel could collapse in
operation. Replace any wheel if its stud holes have
become larger or distorted in any way. Inspect hubs
and hub-piloted wheels for damage. Because of
loose running wheels, piloting pad damage may
occur and require replacement of the entire hub,
for proper centering of the wheels. When replacing
studs, hubs, wheel nuts or wheels, be sure to use
GM original equipment parts.
5-105

{CAUTION:
Wheel nuts that are improperly or incorrectly
tightened can cause the wheels to become loose or
come off. The wheel nuts should be tightened with
a torque wrench to the proper torque specication
after replacing. Follow the torque specication
supplied by the aftermarket manufacturer when
using accessory locking wheel nuts. SeeCapacities
and Specifications on page 5-131for original
equipment wheel nut torque specications.
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 5-131for the wheel nut torque specication.12. Tighten the nuts rmly in a crisscross sequence as
shown by turning the wheel wrench clockwise.
Have a technician check the wheel nut tightness of
all wheels with a torque wrench after the rst 100 miles
(160 km) and then 1,000 miles (1600 km) after that.
Repeat this service whenever you have a tire removed
or serviced. SeeCapacities and Specifications on
page 5-131for more information.
When you reinstall the regular wheel and tire, you
must also reinstall either the center cap, or bolt-on hub
cap, depending on what your vehicle is equipped with.
For center caps, place the cap on the wheel and tap it
into place until it seats ush with the wheel. The cap only
goes on one way. Be sure to line up the tab on the center
cap with the indentation on the wheel. For bolt-on hub
caps, align the plastic nut caps with the wheel nuts and
then tighten by hand. Then use the wheel wrench to
tighten.
5-106

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. For the secondary latch to work, the
spare must be installed with the valve stem pointing
down. SeeStoring a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools on
page 5-110.
{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.To release the spare tire from the secondary latch:
1. Check under the
vehicle to see if the
cable end is visible.
If the cable is not
visible proceed
to Step 6.
2. If it is visible, rst try to tighten the cable by turning
the wheel wrench clockwise until you hear two clicks
or feel it skip twice. You cannot overtighten the cable.
3. Loosen the cable by turning the wrench
counterclockwise three or four turns.
4. Repeat this procedure at least two times. If the
spare tire lowers to the ground, continue with
Step 5 ofRemoving the Spare Tire and Tools
on page 5-95.
5-107

5. If the spare does not lower, turn the wrench
counterclockwise until approximately 6 inches
(15 cm) of cable is exposed.
6. Stand the wheel blocks on their shortest ends, with
the backs facing each other.
7. Place the bottom
edge of the jack (A)
on the wheel blocks (B),
separating them so that
the jack is balanced
securely.
8. Attach the jack handle, extension, and wheel
wrench to the jack and place it (with the wheel
blocks) under the vehicle toward the front of the
rear bumper.
5-108

9. Position the center lift point of the jack under the
center of the spare tire.
10. Turn the wrench clockwise to raise the jack until it
lifts the end tting.
11. Continue raising the jack until the spare tire
stops moving upward and is held rmly in place.
The secondary latch has released and the spare
tire is balancing on the jack.
12. Lower the jack by turning the wheel wrench
counterclockwise. Keep lowering the jack until
the spare tire slides off the jack or is hanging
by the cable.
{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 under the spare.
13. Disconnect the jack handle from the jack and
carefully remove the jack. Use one hand to push
against the spare while rmly pulling the jack out
from under the spare tire with the other hand.
If the spare tire is hanging from the cable, insert the
hoist end of extension, and wheel wrench into the
hoist shaft hole in the bumper and turn the wheel
wrench counterclockwise to lower the spare the
rest of the way.
14. Turn the wheel wrench in the hoist shaft hole in the
bumper clockwise to raise the cable back up if the
cable is hanging under the vehicle.
Have the hoist assembly inspected as soon as you can.
You will not be able to store a spare or at tire using the
hoist assembly until it has been inspected and/or
replaced.
To continue changing the at tire, seeRemoving the
Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire on page 5-100.
5-109

Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools
{CAUTION:
Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in the
passenger compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose
equipment could strike someone. Store all these
in the proper place.
Notice:Storing an aluminum wheel with a at tire
under your vehicle for an extended period of time
or with the valve stem pointing up can damage
the wheel. Always stow the wheel with the valve
stem pointing down and have the wheel/tire repaired
as soon as possible.
Store the tire under the rear of the vehicle in the spare
tire carrier.A. Flat or Spare Tire
(Valve Stem
Pointed Down)
B. Hoist Assembly
C. Hoist Cable
D. Tire/Wheel Retainer
E. Hoist Shaft
F. Hoist End of
Extension ToolG. Hoist Shaft
Access Hole
H. Wheel Wrench
I. Jack Handle
Extensions
J. Spare Tire Lock
(If Equipped)
5-110