GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
  1. Do a safety check before proceeding. See Changing a Flat Tire .
  2. If your vehicle has wheel covers, turn the four plastic caps counterclockwise by hand or by using the wheel wrench. The plastic nuts do not come off of the cover.
  3. Remove the wheel cover using the flat end of the jack handle. Pry along the edge of the wheel cover until it comes off.
  4. Store the wheel cover in the cargo area until you have the flat tire repaired or replaced.


    Object Number: 1339911  Size: B3
  5. Turn the wheel nuts counterclockwise to loosen them. Do not remove them yet.
  6. Hatchback


    Object Number: 1252661  Size: B3

    Sedan


    Object Number: 1765196  Size: B3
  7. Locate the notch in the frame near each wheel which the jack head fits in.
  8. Position the jack and raise the jack head until it fits firmly into the notch in the vehicle's frame nearest the flat tire.
  9. Put the compact spare tire near you.

  10. Object Number: 1202434  Size: B3
  11. Insert the jack handle into the jack and the wheel wrench onto the end of the jack handle.
  12. 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.

  13. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise to raise the vehicle. Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground so there is enough room for the compact spare tire to fit underneath the wheel well.
  14. Turn the wheel nuts counterclockwise to remove them.
  15. Remove the flat tire.
  16. Caution: 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. See Changing a Flat Tire .


    Object Number: 811105  Size: A2

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

  17. Place the compact spare tire on the wheel-mounting surface.
  18. 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.

  19. Install the wheel nuts with the rounded end of the nuts toward the wheel. Tighten each nut by hand clockwise until the wheel is held against the hub.
  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.

    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: 1202437  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.