flat tire BUICK TERRAZA 2005 Owner's Manual

Wheel Replacement......................................5-58
Tire Chains..................................................5-60
Accessory Inator.........................................5-60
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-62
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-62
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-64
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire..........................................5-67
Secondary Latch System...............................5-72
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-74
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-77
Appearance Care............................................5-77
Fabric/Carpet...............................................5-78
Vinyl...........................................................5-79
Leather.......................................................5-80
Instrument Panel..........................................5-80
Interior Plastic Components............................5-80
Glass Surfaces.............................................5-80
Care of Safety Belts......................................5-80
Weatherstrips...............................................5-81
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-81
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.....................5-81Finish Care..................................................5-81
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades.........5-82
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels................5-82
Tires...........................................................5-83
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-83
Finish Damage.............................................5-83
Underbody Maintenance................................5-84
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-84
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..................5-84
Vehicle Identication......................................5-85
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN).................5-85
Service Parts Identication Label.....................5-86
Electrical System............................................5-86
Add-On Electrical Equipment..........................5-86
Headlamp Wiring..........................................5-86
Windshield Wiper Fuses................................5-87
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......5-87
Fuses and Circuit Breakers............................5-87
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................5-88
Underhood Fuse Block..................................5-90
Capacities and Specications..........................5-93
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

(A) Temporary Use Only:The compact spare tire or
temporary use tire has a tread life of approximately
3,000 miles (5 000 km) and should not be driven
at speeds over 65 mph (105 km/h). The compact spare
tire is for emergency use when a regular road tire
has lost air and gone at. If your vehicle has a compact
spare tire, seeCompact Spare Tire on page 5-77
andIf a Tire Goes Flat on page 5-62.
(B) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and number of
plies in the sidewall and under the tread.(C) Tire Identication Number (TIN):The letters
and numbers following the DOT (Department of
Transportation) code is the Tire Identication Number
(TIN). The TIN shows the manufacturer and plant code,
tire size, and date the tire was manufactured. The
TIN is molded onto both sides of the tire, although only
one side may have the date of manufacture.
(D) Maximum Cold Ination Load Limit:Maximum
load that can be carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load.
(E) Tire Ination:The temporary use tire or compact
spare tire should be inated to 60 psi (420 kPa).
For more information on tire pressure and ination see
Ination - Tire Pressure on page 5-53.
(F) Tire Size:A combination of letters and numbers
dene a tire’s width, height, aspect ratio, construction
type and service description. The letter T as the
rst character in the tire size means the tire is for
temporary use only.
(G) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Specication):Original equipment tires designed to
GM’s specic tire performance criteria have a TPC
specication code molded onto the sidewall. GM’s TPC
specications meet or exceed all federal safety
guidelines. Compact Spare Tire Example
5-49

After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear ination pressures as shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened.
See “Wheel Nut Torque” underCapacities and
Specications on page 5-93.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make 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
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 needed, to get
all the rust or dirt off. SeeChanging a Flat
Tire on page 5-62.
When It Is Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it’s
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires
have only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) or less of
tread remaining.
You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:
You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.
You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged
deep enough to show cord or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage
that can’t be repaired well because of the size
or location of the damage.
5-55

Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted
the same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel
bolts or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM
original equipment parts. This way, you will be sure
to have the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for
your vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control. You could have
a collision in which you or others could be
injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel
bolts and wheel nuts for replacement.Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause problems
with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire chain
clearance to the body and chassis.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-62for more
information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been
used or how far it’s been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause a crash. If you have to
replace a wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
5-59

If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it is much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a blowout, here are a
few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel rmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you would;
use in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control
by steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without
the appropriate safety equipment and training.
The jack provided with your vehicle is designed
only for changing a at tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could be badly
injured or killed if the vehicle slips off the jack.
Use the jack provided with your vehicle only for
changing a at tire.
If a tire goes at, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a at tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your vehicle’s
hazard warning ashers. SeeHazard Warning Flashers
on page 3-6for more information.
5-62

2. Turn the folding wrench counterclockwise to lower
the compact spare tire to the ground. Continue to
turn the wrench so the compact spare tire can
be pulled out from under the vehicle.
3. Tilt the retainer at the end of the cable to remove
the compact spare tire, so it can be pulled up
through the wheel opening.After removing the compact spare tire, turn the
wrench clockwise to raise the cable back up. You
can not store a full-size tire under the vehicle.
It should be stowed inside the vehicle by the cable
provided. SeeStoring a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools on page 5-74for more information.
4. Remove the compact spare tire from the cable.
If the compact spare tire will not lower, check under
the vehicle to see if the tire is hanging loose and
the cable end and spring under the wheel plate are
missing. If so, the secondary latch system is engaged.
SeeSecondary Latch System on page 5-72.
To continue changing the at tire, seeRemoving the
Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire on page 5-67.
5-66

Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
If the wheel has a center cap, use the handle of the
folding wrench to pry it off. Then, with the other end of
the folding wrench, loosen the nuts.
If your vehicle has the plastic bolt-on wheel covers,
loosen the bolts completely using the folding wrench,
and remove the wheel cover.
Once the center cap and/or wheel cover are removed,
use the following steps to remove the at tire and
install the spare tire.1. Loosen the wheel
nuts — but do not
remove them — using
the folding wrench.
Turn the handle
counterclockwise about
180 degrees, then ip
the handle back to
the starting position.
This avoids taking the
wrench off the lug nut
for each turn.
For wheels equipped 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 your vehicle has wheel locks and you
use an impact wrench to remove the wheel nuts,
you could damage the lock nut or wheel lock key.
Do not use an impact wrench to remove the
wheel nuts if your vehicle has wheel locks.
Notice:If you use a jack to raise the vehicle without
positioning it correctly, you could damage your
vehicle. When raising your vehicle on a jack, avoid
contact with the rear axle control arms.
5-67

Your vehicle uses the underbody tire hoist assembly
to store either the compact spare or a at road tire. See
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools on page 5-74
for instructions on storing the spare or at tire correctly.
{CAUTION:
Before beginning this procedure read all the
instructions. Failure to read and follow the
instructions could damage the hoist assembly
and you and others could get hurt. Read and
follow the instructions listed below.
{CAUTION:
Someone standing too close during the
procedure could be injured by the jack. If the
spare tire does not slide off the jack completely,
make sure no one is behind you or on either
side of you as you pull the jack out from the
spare.To release the spare tire from the secondary latch,
do the following:
1. Place the jack under the vehicle, ahead of the rear
bumper. Position the center lift point of the jack
under the center of the compact spare tire.
2. Turn the folding wrench clockwise to raise the jack
until it lifts the secondary latch device under the
wheel plate.
3. Keep raising the jack until the compact spare tire
stops moving upward and is held rmly in place.
This lets you know that the secondary latch
has released.
5-73

4. Lower the jack by turning the folding wrench
counterclockwise. Keep lowering the jack until
the compact spare tire is resting on the folding
wrench.
5. Grasp the compact spare tire with both hands and
pull it out from under the vehicle.
6. Reach under the vehicle and remove the folding
wrench and jack.Have the hoist assembly inspected as soon as you can.
You will not be able to store a spare or at tire using
the hoist assembly until it has been repaired or replaced.
Storing a Flat or 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.
5-74

Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture if necessary.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-21for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper uid if necessary.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Visually inspect your vehicle’s tires and make sure they
are inated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to
check the spare tire. SeeTires on page 5-47for further
details. Check to make sure the spare tire is stored
securely. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-62.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for high mileage highway
drivers prior to the Engine Oil Life System service
notication. Check the tires for wear and, if necessary,
rotate the tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-54.
At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-37if
necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the starter works in any other position, contact
your GM Goodwrench
®dealer for service.
6-9