Page 301 of 394

Black plate (63,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-63
{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 10‑61 andAccessories
and Modifications on page 10‑3
for additional information.
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), which grades tires
by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This
applies only to vehicles sold in
the United States. The grades
are molded on the sidewalls of
most passenger car tires. The
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver, or temporary
use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production
tires.
While the tires available on
General Motors passenger cars
and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they
must also conform to federal
safety requirements and
additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
All Passenger Car Tires Must
Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements In Addition To
These Grades.
Page 307 of 394
Black plate (69,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-69
Tire Changing
Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools
A. Wing Nut
B. Storage Bag and Tools
The tools are located under the right
front passenger seat.
1. Move the seat all the wayforward to locate the tool bag.
2. Turn the wing nut (A) counterclockwise to release the
tool bag (B). Put the tools to the side while you
access the jack and wheel blocks.
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 (A) from the
bracket.
3. Turn the wing nut (C) counterclockwise to release
the wheel blocks (B).
Page 308 of 394
Black plate (70,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
10-70 Vehicle Care
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 toaccess the jack and wheel
blocks.
2. Turn the jack knobcounterclockwise to lower the
jack all the way and release it
from the bracket. 3. Turn the wing nut
counterclockwise to remove
the wheel blocks and the
wheel block retainer.
Use the jack handle extensions and
the wheel wrench to remove the
underbody-mounted spare tire.A. Jack Handle Extensions
B. Jack
C. Jack Handle
D. Wheel Wrench
E. Wheel Blocks
1. Assemble the wheel wrench, the jack handle extensions, and the
jack handle, as shown.
Page 309 of 394
Black plate (71,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-71
2. Insert the chiseled end of thejack handle at a slight angle
through the hole in the
rear bumper and into the
funnel-shaped guide. 3. Turn the wheel wrench
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 10‑80.4. 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 310 of 394
Black plate (72,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
10-72 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.
A. Jack Handle Extensions
B. Jack
C. Jack Handle
D. Wheel Wrench
E. Wheel Blocks
1. Do a safety check beforeproceeding. See If a Tire Goes
Flat on page 10‑67 for more
information.
2. Remove the center cap by placing the chisel end of the
wheel wrench into one of the
slots on the wheel and gently
prying the cap out.3. Turn the wheel wrenchcounterclockwise to loosen all
the wheel nuts. Do not remove
the wheel nuts yet.
{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.
Page 312 of 394
Black plate (74,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
10-74 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 andthe 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
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
Page 313 of 394
Black plate (75,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-75
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
Page 315 of 394

Black plate (77,1)Chevrolet Colorado Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-77
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.
2. Tilt the retainer downwardand through the center wheel
opening. Make sure the retainer
is fully seated across the
underside of the wheel.
3. Assemble the wheel wrench, thejack handle extensions, and the
jack handle, as shown.