CHEVROLET MALIBU 2007 6.G Owners Manual

1. Turn the plastic wing nut counterclockwise to
loosen wheel wrench.
2. Unhook the wheel wrench from the jack.3. Extend the handle on the wheel wrench by
pressing the button with your index nger
and pulling on the end of the wrench.
You must do this before using the wheel
wrench.
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Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. It is recommended that you do a safety check
before preceding. SeeChanging a Flat Tire
on page 418for more information.
2. If your vehicle has a wheel cover or hubcap
that has plastic wheel nut caps, loosen the
plastic nut caps. You might need to use
the wheel wrench to loosen them. Do not pry
off wheel covers or center caps that have
plastic wheel nut caps.
3. Remove the wheel cover or center cap from
the wheel to locate the wheel nuts.
If your vehicle has a wheel cover or hubcap
without plastic wheel nut caps, gently pry on
the edge of the plastic wheel trim to remove it
from the wheel to locate the wheel nuts.
Store the wheel cover and wheel nut caps in
the trunk until you have the at tire repaired
or replaced.4. Use the wrench to loosen all the wheel nuts.
Do not remove them yet.
5. It is recommended that you do a safety check
before preceding. SeeChanging a Flat Tire
on page 418for more information.
422

6. Position the lift head at the jack location
nearest the at tire. Make sure all of the
jack lift head is touching the jacking ange
under the body. Do not place the jack under a
body panel. The lower body panel has an
arrow to aid in locating the jacking location.
7. Put the compact spare tire near the at tire
being changed.
{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.
423

{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 t the jack lift head
into the proper location before raising the
vehicle.
8. Raise the vehicle by turning the wrench
clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off
the ground so there is enough room
for the compact spare tire to t.
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9. Remove all of the
wheel nuts.
10. Remove the at tire.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel
nuts become loose after time. The wheel
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
could come off and cause an accident.
When changing a wheel, remove any rust
or dirt from the places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency,
a cloth or a paper towel can be used to do
this; but be sure to use a scraper or wire
brush later, if needed, to get all the rust or
dirt off.
11. Remove any rust or
dirt from the wheel
bolts, mounting
surfaces and spare
wheel.
425

12. Install the compact spare tire.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts.
Because the nuts might come loose. The
vehicle’s wheel could fall off, causing a
serious accident.
13. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded
end toward the wheel. Tighten each nut by
hand or with the wrench until the wheel is held
against the hub.14. Lower the vehicle by turning the wrench
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
426

{CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly
tightened wheel nuts can cause the wheel
to come loose and even come off. This
could lead to an accident. Be sure to use
the correct wheel nuts. If you have to
replace them, be sure to get new GM
original equipment wheel nuts. Stop
somewhere as soon as you can and have
the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to
the proper torque specication. See
Capacities and Specifications on page 454
for wheel nut torque specication.
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 specication.
SeeCapacities and Specifications on page 454
for the wheel nut torque specication.15. Tighten the wheel
nuts rmly in a
crisscross sequence,
as shown, with
the wheel wrench.
Notice:Wheel covers will not t 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.
427

Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools (Sedan)
Storing a Flat Tire and Tools
{CAUTION:
Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment
in the passenger compartment of the
vehicle could cause injury. In a sudden
stop or collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these in the
proper place.To store the at tire and tools in the compact
spare tire compartment, do the following:
A. Cover
B. Wing Nut
C. Jack and Wheel
WrenchD. Flat Tire
(Valve Stem down)
E. Bolt
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk (Sedan) on
page 108for more information.
2. Remove the center cap from the wheel.
428

3. Place the tire (D) in the compartment, valve
stem up, with the bolt (E) extending through
the wheel center hole.
4. Place the jack and wheel wrench (D) over the
bolt (E), inside the wheel.
5. Secure by tightening the larger wing nut (B)
onto the bolt (E).
6. Reinstall the tire cover (A).
Storing the Compact Spare Tire
The compact spare tire is for temporary use only.
Store the compact spare tire and tools as
shown in the following diagram.
A. Cover
B. Retainer
C. Spare Tire
D. Wing NutE.
Jack and Wheel
Wrench
F. Bolt
The compact spare is for temporary use only.
Replace the compact spare tire with a full-size tire
as soon as you can. SeeCompact Spare Tire
on page 434.
429

Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools (Sedan SS)
{CAUTION:
Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment
in the passenger compartment of the
vehicle could cause injury. In a sudden
stop or collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these in the
proper place.
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
To store the at tire and jack in the compact spare
tire compartment, do the following:
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk (Sedan) on
page 108for more information.
2. Remove the bolt extension (in the yellow
sleeve) from the jack and remove the
center cap from the wheel.3. Place the jack over the bolt (B) on the oor,
making sure it contacts the bolt as shown.
4. With the yellow cap in place to prevent the
wheel from being scratched, place the bolt
extension (A) onto the bolt (B).
5. Thread the small wing nut (C) until it is at or
near the end of the threads.
6. Place the at tire in the compartment, valve
stem up.
7. Reach under the wheel and lift the bolt
extension (A) so that the threaded end of the
bolt passes through the center hole of the
wheel.
430