Page 503 of 594

Black plate (79,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-79
Vehicles that have a tire pressure
monitoring system may give an
inaccurate low‐pressure warning
if non‐TPC Spec-rated tires are
installed on the vehicle. Non‐TPC
Spec-rated tires may give a
low‐pressure warning that is
higher or lower than the proper
warning level you would get with
TPC Spec-rated tires. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor System on
page 10‑68.
The vehicle's original equipment
tires are listed on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑25
for more information about the Tire
and Loading Information label and
its location on the vehicle.Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are
a different size than the original
equipment wheels and tires, this
could affect the way the vehicle
performs, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover.
Additionally, if the vehicle has
electronic systems such as antilock
brakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, and electronic stability
control, the performance of these
systems can be affected.
{WARNING
If different sized wheels are used,
there may not be an acceptable
level of performance and safety
if tires not recommended for
those wheels are selected.
This increases the chance
of a crash and serious injury.
Only use GM specific wheel
and tire systems developed
for the vehicle, and have them
properly installed by a GM
certified technician.
See Buying New Tires on
page 10‑77 andAccessories
and Modifications on page 10‑3
for additional information.
Page 509 of 594

Black plate (85,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-85
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place, well off the road,
if possible. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 6‑5.
{WARNING
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 firmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift lever in
P (Park), or shift a manual
transmission to 1 (First) or
R (Reverse).
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
3. If you have afour-wheel-drive vehicle,
be sure the transfer case
is in a drive gear –not in
N (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. When the vehicle has a flat 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.
Page 510 of 594
Black plate (86,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-86 Vehicle Care
Tire Changing
Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools
Crew Cab
A. Wing Nut Retaining Tool Kit
B. Tool Kit
C. Wheel Blocks
D. Jack
E. Jack Knob
F. Wing Nut Retaining Wheel Blocks
Regular Cab
A. Wing Nut Retaining Tool Kit
B. Tool Kit
C. Wheel Blocks
D. Jack
E. Jack Knob
F. Wing Nut Retaining Wheel BlocksExtended Cab
A. Wing Nut Retaining Tool Kit
B. Tool Kit
C. Wheel Blocks
D. Jack
E. Jack Knob
Page 511 of 594

Black plate (87,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-87
For regular cab models, the
equipment you will need is
behind the passenger seat.
For extended and crew cab
models, the equipment is on the
shelf behind the passenger side
second row seat.
1. Turn the knob on the jackcounterclockwise to lower the
jack head to release the jack
from its holder.
2. Remove the wheel blocks and the wheel block retainer
by turning the wing nut
counterclockwise.
3. Remove the wing nut used to retain the storage bag and tools
by turning it counterclockwise.
You will use the jack handle
extensions and the wheel wrench
to remove the underbody-mounted
spare tire.
A. Spare Tire (Valve Stem Pointed Down)
B. Hoist Assembly
C. Hoist Cable
D. Tire/Wheel Retainer
E. Hoist Shaft
F. Hoist End of Extension Tool
G. Hoist Shaft Access Hole
H. Wheel Wrench
I. Jack Handle Extensions
J. Spare Tire Lock (If equipped) 1. Open the spare tire lock cover
on the bumper and use the
ignition key to remove the spare
tire lock (J). To remove the spare
tire lock, insert the ignition key
turn and pull straight out.
2. Assemble the wheel wrench (H)and the two jack handle
extensions (I) as shown.
Page 512 of 594

Black plate (88,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-88 Vehicle Care
3. Insert the hoist end (openend) (F) of the extension through
the hole (G) in the rear bumper.
Do not use the chiseled end of
the wheel wrench.
Be sure the hoist end of the
extension (F) connects to the
hoist shaft (E). The ribbed
square end of the extension is
used to lower the spare tire.
4. Turn the wheel wrench (H) 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.
5. Pull the spare tire out from under the vehicle.
6. Tilt the tire toward the vehiclewith some slack in the cable to
access the tire/wheel retainer.
Tilt the retainer and pull it
through the center of the wheel
along with the cable and spring.
7. Put the spare tire near the flat tire.
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 jack handle (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 10‑84 for more
information.
Page 513 of 594
Black plate (89,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-89
2. If your vehicle has wheel nutcaps, loosen them by turning the
wheel wrench counterclockwise.
If the vehicle has a center cap
with wheel nut caps, the wheel
nut caps are designed to stay
with the center cap after they
are loosened. Remove the
entire center cap.If the wheel has a smooth center
cap, place the chisel end of the
wheel wrench in the slot on the
wheel, and gently pry it out.3. Use the wheel wrench and turn it counterclockwise to loosen the
wheel nuts. Do not remove the
wheel nuts yet.
Page 515 of 594

Black plate (91,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-91
Rear Position–All Other Models
For all other models, position the
jack under the rear axle between
the spring anchor and the shock
absorber bracket.
If you have added a snow plow
to the front of your vehicle, lower
the snow plow fully before
raising the vehicle.
Make sure that the jack head is
positioned so that the rear axle
is resting securely between
the grooves that are on the
jack head.
{WARNING
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.
{WARNING
Raising the 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 fit the jack lift
head into the proper location
before raising the vehicle. 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 andtake off the flat tire.
Page 516 of 594

Black plate (92,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-92 Vehicle Care
{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
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 10‑84.
8. Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel 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.
11. Tighten each wheel nut by hand. Then use the wheel
wrench to tighten the nuts
until the wheel is held against
the hub.
12. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower
the vehicle. Lower the jack
completely.