GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
  1. If your vehicle has plastic wheel covers, use the wheel wrench to loosen the plastic wheel nut caps.
  2. Once you have loosened the plastic wheel nut caps with the wheel wrench, you can finish loosening them with your fingers. The plastic nut caps do not come off. Using the flat end of the wheel wrench, pry along the edge of the wheel cover until it comes off.

    If your vehicle has aluminum wheels, first remove the center cap by pulling it out with the wheel wrench.


    Object Number: 829451  Size: B3
  3. Use the wheel wrench to loosen all the wheel nuts. Do not remove them yet.
  4. Notice: Make sure that the jack lift head is in the correct position or you may damage your vehicle. The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.


    Object Number: 1392027  Size: B3
  5. Position the jack lift head at the jack location nearest the flat tire. The front location is about 7 inches (17.8 cm) rearward from the front wheel opening. The rear location is about 2 inches (5.1 cm) forward of the rear wheel opening.
  6. Make sure the jack head is touching the metal jacking flange under the body. Do not place the jack under the plastic body panel.

  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: 988777  Size: B3
  9. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack handle clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground so there is enough room for the compact spare tire to fit under the vehicle.

  10. Object Number: 1579723  Size: A3
  11. Remove all of the wheel nuts.
  12. 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.

  13. Place the compact spare tire on the wheel-mounting surface.
  14. 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.

  15. Reinstall the wheel nuts with the rounded end of the nuts toward the wheel. Tighten each nut by hand until the wheel is held against the hub.

  16. Object Number: 1262549  Size: B3
  17. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
  18. 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: 1225653  Size: A2
  19. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence, as shown.

  20. Object Number: 808642  Size: A2

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 a 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.