GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

If the vehicle has steel wheel covers with center caps, the wheel nuts are hidden behind the cap. To remove the wheel cover, do the following:

  1. Pry off the center cap by using the flat end of the wheel wrench at the notch on the cap.
  2. Use the wheel wrench to loosen the plastic wheel nut caps in a counterclockwise direction.
  3. If needed, finish loosening them by hand. The nut caps will not come off.

  4. Use the flat end of the wheel wrench and pry along the edge of the cover until it comes off. Pull off the wheel cover and set it aside.
  5. The edge of the wheel cover could be sharp, so don't try to remove the cover with your bare hands. Do not drop the cap or lay it face down, as it could become scratched or damaged.


Object Number: 1412014  Size: B3

If the vehicle has aluminum wheels and wheel center caps, the wheel nuts are hidden behind the center cap. Pry off the center cap by using the flat end of the wheel wrench at the notch.

Do not drop the cap or lay it facedown, as it could become scratched or damaged.

Once you have removed the wheel cover or center cap, use the following procedure to remove the flat tire and install the spare tire.


    Object Number: 869074  Size: B3
  1. Using the wheel wrench, loosen all the wheel nuts, but do not remove them yet.
  2. Turn the jack handle clockwise to raise the jack lift head.

  3. Object Number: 810043  Size: B4
  4. For jacking at the vehicle's front location, put the jack lift head (C) about 6 inches (15 cm) from the rear edge of the front wheel opening (B) or just behind the two bolts (A) as shown.

  5. Object Number: 810044  Size: B4
  6. For jacking at the vehicle's rear location, put the jack lift head (B) about 5 inches (13 cm) from the front edge of the rear wheel opening (C) or just behind the off-set (A) as shown.
  7. Put the compact spare tire near you.
  8. 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 fit the jack lift head into the proper location before raising the vehicle.


    Object Number: 869078  Size: B4
  9. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack handle clockwise. It should be far enough off the ground for the spare compact tire to fit underneath the wheel well.
  10. Remove all of the wheel nuts and take off the flat tire.
  11. Caution: Rust or dirt on a wheel or other parts to which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts become loose and eventually the wheel could come off and cause a crash. Always remove all rust and dirt from wheels and other parts.


    Object Number: 811105  Size: A2

    Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting surfaces and spare wheel.

  12. Install the compact spare tire.
  13. 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.


    Object Number: 810041  Size: A3

    Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end of the nuts toward the wheel. Tighten each nut by hand until the wheel is held against the hub.


    Object Number: 869080  Size: B3
  14. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
  15. Caution: Incorrect or improperly tightened wheel nuts can cause the wheel to come loose and even come off. This could lead to a crash. If you have to replace them, be sure to get new original equipment wheel nuts. Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to the proper torque specification. See Capacities and Specifications for wheel nut torque specification.

    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 for the wheel nut torque specification.


    Object Number: 808642  Size: A2

    Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence as shown.

Notice: Wheel covers will not fit on your vehicle's compact spare. If you try to put a wheel cover on the compact spare, the cover or the spare could be damaged.

Do not try to put the wheel cover on your compact spare tire. It will not fit. Store the wheel cover in the trunk until you have the flat tire repaired or replaced.