Page 313 of 392
Black plate (73,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-73
1. Assemble the wheel wrench (D),the jack handle extensions (A)
and the jack handle (C) as
shown.2. Insert the chiseled end of thejack 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. See
Secondary Latch
System on page 10‑82.
4. Tilt the retainer when the tire has been lowered, and slide it up the
cable so it can be pulled up
through the wheel opening.
5. Put the spare tire near the flat tire.
Page 314 of 392
Black plate (74,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
10-74 Vehicle Care
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
Use the following pictures and
instructions to remove the flat tire
and raise the vehicle.
The tools you will be using include
the jack (A), the wheel blocks (B),
the extension tool (C), the jack
handle extensions (D), and the
wheel wrench (E).
1. Do a safety check beforeproceeding. See If a Tire Goes
Flat on page 10‑69 for more
information.
2. Remove the center cap by placing the chisel end of the
wheel wrench (E) into one of the
slots on the wheel and gently
prying the cap out.3. Use the wheel wrench to loosenall the wheel nuts by turning it
counterclockwise. Do not
remove the wheel nuts yet.
Page 316 of 392

Black plate (76,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
10-76 Vehicle Care
Rear Position
If the flat tire is on the rear,
position the jack under the rear
axle and get as close as
possible to the shock absorber.
5. Make sure the jack head is positioned so that the rear axle
is resting securely between the
grooves that are on the
jack head.
6. 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 fit
under the wheel well.
7. Remove all the wheel nuts and
the flat tire.
{WARNING
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
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
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. SeeIf a Tire Goes Flat
on page 10‑69.
Page 317 of 392
Black plate (77,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-77
8. Remove any rust or dirt from thewheel bolts, mounting surfaces
and spare wheel.
9. Install the spare tire.
{WARNING
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.
10. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end of the
nuts toward the wheel. Tighten
each wheel nut by hand. Then
use the wheel wrench to
tighten the nuts until the wheel
is held against the hub.
Front Position
Rear Position
11. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower the
vehicle. Lower the jack
completely.
Page 318 of 392

Black plate (78,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
10-78 Vehicle Care
{WARNING
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 specification
after replacing. Follow the torque
specification supplied by the
aftermarket manufacturer when
using accessory locking wheel
nuts. SeeCapacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2 for
original equipment wheel nut
torque specifications.
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 specification. See
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2 for the wheel nut
torque specification.
12. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence as
shown by turning the wheel
wrench clockwise.
When you reinstall the regular
wheel and tire, you must also
reinstall the center cap. Place the
cap on the wheel and tap it into
place until it seats flush 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.
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools
{WARNING
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 flat 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.
1. Put the tire on the ground at the rear of the vehicle with the valve
stem pointed down.
Page 320 of 392

Black plate (80,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
10-80 Vehicle Care
5. Turn the wheel wrenchclockwise to raise the tire part
way up. Make sure the retainer
is seated in the wheel opening
and the valve stem is
pointed down.
Continue raising the tire, watch
to make sure it does not get
caught on anything on the
underbody. If the tire does get
caught, loosen two or three turns
and push and pull the tire and
then retighten.
Repeat this procedure as many
times as needed to ensure
proper stowage.
6. When the tire is properly seated to the underbody, continue
turning the wheel wrench
clockwise until you hear two
clicks or feel it skip twice. You
cannot overtighten the cable.
7. Make sure the tire is storedsecurely. Push, pull (A), and
then try to turn (B) the tire. If the
tire moves, check to make sure
the tire valve stem is pointing
down, then use the wheel
wrench to loosen and then
tighten the cable.
To store the tools:
1. Return the tools to the storage bag.
2. Attach the storage bag to the floor under the front
passenger seat. 3. Reinstall the wing nut to secure
the bag to the vehicle.
To store the jack and wheel blocks:
Regular/Extended Cab
A. Jack
B. Wheel Blocks
C. Wing Nut
1. Install the wheel blocks (B) first.
2. Reinstall the wing nut (C) by turning it clockwise to secure the
wheel blocks to the vehicle.
Page 321 of 392
Black plate (81,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-81
3. Lower the jack (A) all the wayand insert the jack into the
bracket.
4. Raise the jack by turning the handle clockwise to secure the
jack within the bracket.
5. Put the cover in position andinsert and tighten the wing nut to
secure it. Crew Cab
A. Jack
B. Wheel Blocks
C. Wing Nut
1. Attach the wheel blocks (B) to
the jack (A) with the wheel block
retainer and the wing nut (C).
2. Reinstall the jack and wheel block assembly in the mounting
bracket. Be sure to position the
holes in the base of the jack
onto the pins in the mounting
bracket.
3. Turn the handle to raise the jack until it is secure, but do not
overtighten the jack in the
bracket.
Page 322 of 392

Black plate (82,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2011
10-82 Vehicle Care
Secondary Latch System
Your vehicle has an
underbody‐mounted tire hoist
assembly that has 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. See“Storing a Flat
or Spare Tire and Tools” underTire
Changing on page 10‑71.
{WARNING
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 fitting is visible.
2. If the cable end fitting is not visible, proceed to Step 6.
If it is visible, first 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
wheel 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 under “Storing a Flat
or Spare Tire and Tools” under
Tire Changing on page 10‑71.
5. 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.