BUICK CENTURY 2000 Owner's Manual

5-23
3. Turn the nut holding the jack counterclockwise and
remove it. Then remove the jack and wrench.The tools you'll be using include the jack (A), extension
and protection guide (B) and wheel wrench (C).

5-24 Wheel Center Caps
To remove a center cap, use
the wrench to pry gently at
the notch. Don't use a tool
that is narrower than the
wrench to pry at this notch.
Then pry off the cap.
Wheel Covers
If your vehicle is equipped
with wheel covers, be sure
to use a wheel wrench to
begin the process of
loosening the plastic
wheel nut caps.
Once you have loosened the plastic nut caps with the
wheel wrench, if needed, you can finish loosening them
with your fingers.
Then, using the flat end of the wheel wrench, pry
along the edge of the wheel cover until it comes off.
Be careful; the edge may be sharp. Don't try to remove
the cover with your bare hands.

5-25 Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire
1. Using the wheel wrench, loosen all the wheel nuts.
Don't remove them yet.
2. Turn the jack handle clockwise to raise the jack lift
head a few inches.
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.

5-26
3. For jacking at the vehicle's front location, put the
jack lift head about 6 inches (15 cm) from the rear
edge of the front wheel opening or just behind the
two bolts as shown.4. For jacking at the vehicle's rear location, put the jack
lift head about 5 inches (13 cm) from the front edge
of the rear wheel opening or just behind the off
-set
as shown. Put the compact spare tire near you.

5-27
5. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack handle
clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the
ground for the spare tire to fit under the vehicle.
6. Remove all wheel nuts and take off the flat tire.
7. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces and
spare wheel.
CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When you change a
wheel, remove any rust or dirt from the places
where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an
emergency, you can use a cloth or a paper towel
to do this; but be sure to use a scraper or wire
brush later, if you need to, to get all the rust or
dirt off.

5-28
CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you
do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could
fall off, causing a serious accident.
8. Put the wheel nuts back
on with the rounded
end of the nuts toward
the wheel. Tighten each
nut by hand until the
wheel is held against
the hub.
9. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.

5-29
10. Tighten the wheel
nuts firmly in a
crisscross sequence
as shown.
CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become 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
100 lb
-ft (140 N´m).
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.
Don't try to put the wheel cover on your compact
spare tire. It won't fit. Store the wheel cover in the
trunk until you have the flat tire repaired or replaced.
NOTICE:
Wheel covers won't fit on your compact spare.
If you try to put a wheel cover on your compact
spare, you could damage the cover or the spare.

5-30 Storing the 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.
After you've put the compact tire on your vehicle, you'll
put the compact spare tire on your vehicle, you'll need
to store the flat tire in your trunk. Use the following
procedure to secure the flat tire in the trunk.
When storing a full
-size tire you must use the extension
with the protector/guide to help avoid wheel surface
damage. Use the extension and protector/guide located
in the foam holder. To store a full
-size tire, place the
tire valve stem facing down, and then remove the
protector/guide and attach the retainer securely.
Store the cover as far forward as possible.
When reinstalling a compact spare tire, put the
protector/guide back in the foam holder.

5-31 Storing the Spare 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.
The compact spare is for temporary use only. Replace
the compact spare tire with a full
-size tire as soon as you
can. See ªCompact Spare Tireº in the Index. See the
storage instructions label to replace your compact spare
into your trunk properly.
Be sure to calibrate your low tire pressure system after
you replace your compact spare tire with a full
-sized
one. See ªLow Tire Inflation Monitorº in the Index.
A. Retainer
B. Cover
C. Compact Spare Tire
D. Nut
E. Jack
F. Wrench
G. Lock Nut Tool
H. Foam Holder
I. Extension and
Protector/Guide
J. Bolt Screw

5-32
Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated
when your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time.
Check the inflation pressure regularly. It should be
60 psi (420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare on your vehicle, you
should stop as soon as possible and make sure your
spare tire is correctly inflated. The compact spare is
made to perform well at speeds up to 65 mph
(105 km/h) for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km),
so you can finish your trip and have your full
-size tire
repaired or replaced where you want. You must calibrate
the tire pressure monitor system after installing or
removing the compact spare. See ªTire Pressure
Monitorº in the Index. The system may not work
correctly when the compact spare is installed on the
vehicle. You must calibrate the tire inflation monitor
system after installing or removing the compact spare.
See ªTire Inflation Monitorº in the Index. The system may not work correctly when the compact
spare is installed on the vehicle. Of course, it's best to
replace your spare with a full
-size tire as soon as you
can. Your spare will last longer and be in good shape in
case you need it again.
NOTICE:
When the compact spare is installed, don't take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with
guide rails. The compact spare can get caught on
the rails. That can damage the tire and wheel,
and maybe other parts of your vehicle.
Don't use your compact spare on other vehicles.
And don't mix your compact spare tire or wheel with
other wheels or tires. They won't fit. Keep your spare
tire and its wheel together.