spare wheel BUICK RAINIER 2007 Owner's Manual

Tires............................................................ 411
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 412
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 416
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 419
Tire Pressure Monitor System................... 420
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 425
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 426
Buying New Tires...................................... 427
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 428
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 429
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 431
Wheel Replacement.................................. 432
Tire Chains............................................... 433
Accessory Inator...................................... 434
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 435
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 436
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools.......... 438
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire....................................... 440
Secondary Latch System........................... 446
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...... 450
Spare Tire................................................. 453Appearance Care........................................ 453
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 453
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 455
Leather...................................................... 456
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces..................................... 456
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 457
Washing Your Vehicle............................... 457
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 458
Finish Care............................................... 458
Windshield, Backglass, and
Wiper Blades......................................... 459
Aluminum Wheels...................................... 459
Tires......................................................... 460
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 460
Finish Damage.......................................... 460
Underbody Maintenance............................ 461
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 461
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 462
Vehicle Identication.................................. 463
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)........... 463
Service Parts Identication Label............... 463
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
354

How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You cannot tell if your tires are
properly inated simply by looking at them. Radial
tires may look properly inated even when
they’re underinated. Check the tire’s ination
pressure when the tires are cold. Cold means your
vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours
or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem.
Press the tire gage rmly onto the valve to
get a pressure measurement. If the cold tire
ination pressure matches the recommended
pressure on the tire and loading information label,
no further adjustment is necessary. If the
pressure is low, add air until you reach the
recommended amount.
If you overll the tire, release air by pushing on
the metal stem in the center of the tire valve.
Recheck the tire pressure with the tire gage.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.
Tire Pressure Monitor System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses
radio and sensor technology to check tire pressure
levels. TPMS sensors are mounted on each tire
and wheel assembly, except the spare tire.
The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in
your vehicle’s tires and transmit tire pressure
readings to a receiver located in the vehicle.
The TPMS is designed to alert the driver if a low
tire pressure condition exists. If your vehicle
has the Driver Information Center (DIC) steering
wheel control buttons, tire pressure levels
may also be checked through the DIC. See “Tire
Pressures” underDIC Operation and Displays
on page 199.
When a low tire pressure condition is detected, the
TPMS will illuminate the low tire pressure warning
symbol located on the instrument panel cluster, and
at the same time a message will also appear on the
DIC display. The low tire pressure warning symbol
on the instrument panel cluster and the CHECK
TIRE PRESSURE warning message on the DIC
will appear at each ignition cycle until the tires are
inated to the correct ination pressure.
420

Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km).
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your
tires as soon as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for damaged tires or wheels.
SeeWhen It Is Time for New Tires on page 426
andWheel Replacement on page 432for
more information.
Make sure the spare tire is stored securely. Push,
pull, and then try to rotate or turn the tire. If it
moves, use the wheel wrench to tighten the cable.
For information on storing or removing the
spare tire, seeChanging a Flat Tire on page 436.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve
more uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The
rst rotation is the most important. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 479.When rotating your tires, always use the correct
rotation pattern shown here.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front
and rear ination pressures as shown on the
Tire and Loading Information label. SeeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 330, for an example of
the label and its location on your vehicle.
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
sensors will need to be reset after a tire rotation.
See “TPMS Sensor Identication Codes” under
Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 420.
425

{CAUTION:
If you add different sized wheels, your
vehicle may not provide an acceptable
level of performance and safety if tires not
recommended for those wheels are
selected. You may increase the chance
that you will crash and suffer serious
injury. Only use GM specic wheel and
tire systems developed for your vehicle,
and have them properly installed by a GM
certied technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 427and
Accessories and Modications on page 356for
additional information.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which
grades tires by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This applies only to
vehicles sold in the United States. The grades are
molded on the sidewalls of most passenger car
tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver, or temporary use
spare tires, tires with nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors
passenger cars and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they must also conform
to federal safety requirements and additional
General Motors Tire Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
429

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The jacking equipment you will need is stored
under the rear seat on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeRear Seat Operation on page 16
for more information.
To release the jack from its holder, turn the
knob on the jack counterclockwise to lower the
jack head.The tools you will be using include the wheel
wrench (A), wheel blocks (B), extension(s), (socket
end) (C), handle (jack end) (D), and jack (E).
A. Wheel Wrench
B. Hoist Shaft
C. Extension
D. Retainer
E. Spare or Flat Tire
(Valve Stem
Pointed Up)
438

The following instructions explain how to remove
the underbody-mounted spare located underneath
your vehicle.
Notice:If you remove or restow a tire from/to
the storage position under the vehicle when
it is supported by a jack, you could damage the
tire and/or your vehicle. Always remove or
restow a tire when the vehicle is on the ground.
1. Open the liftgate. SeeLiftgate/Liftglass on
page 102for more information.
2. Attach the wheel wrench (A) to the
extension (C).
3. It is exposed when the rear gate is open and
is just above the rear bumper.
Be sure the socket end of the extension (C)
connects to the hoist shaft (B).4. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to
lower the spare tire. Keep turning the wheel
wrench until the spare tire can be pulled
out from under the vehicle.
If the spare tire does not lower to the ground,
the secondary latch is engaged causing
the tire not to lower. SeeSecondary Latch
System on page 446for more information.
439

5. Tilt the retainer at the end of the cable when
the tire has been completely lowered, and pull
it through the wheel opening.
6. Pull the tire out from under the vehicle.
Notice:If you drive away before the spare tire
or secondary latch system cable has been
reinstalled, you could damage your vehicle.
Always reinstall this cable before driving your
vehicle.
7. Put the spare tire near the at tire.
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. If your vehicle has a wheel cap that covers
the wheel nuts, position the chisel end of the
wheel wrench in the notch and pry it off.
440

7. Remove all the
wheel nuts and take
off 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 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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 needed, to
get all the rust or dirt off.
8. Remove any rust or
dirt from the wheel
bolts, mounting
surfaces, and spare
wheel.
443

9. Place the spare tire on the wheel-mounting
surface.
{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.
10. Put the nuts on by hand. Make sure the
rounded end is toward the wheel.
11. Tighten each nut by hand until the wheel is
held against the hub. If a nut cannot be
turned by hand, use the wheel wrench and
see your dealer as soon as possible.12. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
444

To release the spare tire from the secondary latch,
do the following:
1. Check under the
vehicle to see if the
cable is visible. If
it is not visible,
proceed to Step 6.2. If visible, rst try to tighten the cable by
turning the wheel wrench clockwise until
you hear two clicks or feel it skip twice. You
cannot overtighten the cable.
3. Loosen the cable by turning the wheel wrench
counterclockwise three or four turns.
4. Repeat this procedure at least two times.
If the spare tire lowers to the ground,
continue with Step 2 ofRemoving the Spare
Tire and Tools on page 438.
5. Turn the wrench counterclockwise until
approximately 6 inches (15 cm) of cable
is exposed.
447