GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 829450  Size: B3

If your vehicle has wheel covers, use the flat end of the wheel wrench to remove the covers. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise to gently pry off the wheel cover.

Be careful not to scratch the aluminum wheel edge and do not try to remove the wheel cover with your hands.


Object Number: 829451  Size: B3

If your vehicle has wheel nut caps, turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to remove the caps.

Once the wheel cover and wheel nut caps have been removed, use the following steps to remove the flat tire and install the spare tire.


    Object Number: 829446  Size: B3
  1. Place the wheel wrench (A) securely over the wheel nut (B). Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to loosen all the wheel nuts. Do not remove them yet.

  2. Object Number: 1368591  Size: B3
  3. Find the jacking location using the diagram above and corresponding hoisting notches (A and B) located in the plastic molding. The notches in the plastic molding are marked with a triangle shape to help you find them.
  4. 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.

  5. Attach the wheel wrench to the jack.
  6. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower the jack lift head until the jack fits under the vehicle.

  7. Object Number: 869113  Size: B3
  8. Raise the jack by turning the wheel wrench clockwise until the slots in the jack head fit into the metal flange located behind the triangle on the plastic molding as shown.
  9. Put the compact spare tire near you.
  10. Raise the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground for the compact spare tire to fit under the vehicle.
  11. Remove all the wheel nuts and take off the flat tire.
  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
  13. Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting surfaces and spare wheel.
  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. Place the compact spare tire on the wheel-mounting surface.

  16. Object Number: 829448  Size: A3
  17. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end of the nuts toward the wheel.
  18. Tighten each wheel nut by turning it clockwise with your hand until the wheel is held against the hub.

  19. Object Number: 829447  Size: B3
  20. Lower the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
  21. 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.


    Object Number: 808642  Size: A2
  22. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence as shown.

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.

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.