GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
  1. If there is a wheel cover, loosen the plastic nut caps with the wheel wrench. They will not come off. Then, using the flat end of the wheel wrench, pry along the edge of the cover until it comes off. Be careful; the edges may be sharp. Do not try to remove the cover with your bare hands.
  2. If your vehicle has aluminum wheels, remove the wheel nut caps using the wheel wrench.


    Object Number: 811580  Size: A2
  3. Loosen the wheel nuts, but do not remove them, using the folding wrench.
  4. Turn the handle about 180 degrees, then flip the handle back to the starting position. This avoids taking the wrench off the lug nut for each turn. For wheels with a wheel lock key, use the wheel lock key between the lock nut and folding wrench. The key is supplied in the front passenger door pocket.

    Notice: If this vehicle has wheel locks and an impact wrench is used to remove the wheel nuts, the lock nut or wheel lock key could be damaged. Do not use an impact wrench to remove the wheel nuts if this vehicle has wheel locks.


    Object Number: 806551  Size: A3

    Locate the notch (A is 3.0 inches (7.5 cm) from the front tire or B is 5.5 inches (14.0 cm) from the rear tire). The notch is located near each wheel in the vehicle's body.

    Notice: If a jack is used to raise the vehicle without positioning it correctly, the vehicle could be damaged. When raising the vehicle on a jack, avoid contact with the rear axle control arms.

  5. Do not raise the vehicle yet. Put the compact spare tire near you.
  6. 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: 808425  Size: A2

    Attach the folding wrench to the jack, and turn the wrench clockwise to raise the jack head 3 inches (7.6 cm).

  7. Raise the vehicle by turning the folding wrench clockwise in the jack. Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground so that there is enough room for the spare tire to fit under the wheel well.
  8. Remove all the wheel nuts and take off the flat tire.
  9. 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.

    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: 811105  Size: A2

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


    Object Number: 811586  Size: B3
  10. Lower the vehicle by attaching the folding wrench to the jack and turning the wrench counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
  11. 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: 806545  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.

  12. Do not try to put a wheel cover on the compact spare tire. It will not fit. Store the wheel cover securely in the rear of the vehicle until you have the flat tire repaired or replaced.