change wheel CHEVROLET C/K 2003 Owners Manual

2-31
The accelerator and clutch pedals must be released in
order for the exhaust brake to engage. The exhaust brake
will not function when the cruise control feature is
active, and will automatically shut off when the
anti
-lock brake system is active.
CAUTION:
Be careful when using the exhaust brake or you
could lock the wheels and lose control of the
vehicle. Operators not familiar with an exhaust
brake should not use this brake on slippery
surfaces before learning to use it on dry surfaces.
If the vehicle's wheels begin to lock when using
the exhaust brake on slippery surfaces, switch the
exhaust brake off immediately. The exhaust
brake will turn off if the anti
-lock brake system
is activated.
Tw o-Speed Rear Axle Electric Shift
Control (If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with this feature, you'll find
a label on the headliner above the windshield or in
another place near the driver that shows how to use it.
Be sure to follow the directions carefully.
Use the following directions based on the type of shift
control you have.
Manual Transmission
The rear axle shift control
switch for a manual
transmission is located
on the shift lever.
When the switch is up, the rear axle is in the high range.
Push the switch down to change to low range.

2-48
Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can raise it to the highest level
to give your legs more room when you exit and enter
the vehicle.
The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located on the left side of the steering column.
To tilt the wheel, hold the wheel and pull the lever. Then
move the wheel to a comfortable position and release
the lever to lock the wheel in place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever located on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:

Turn and Lane
-Change Signals

Headlamp High/Low
-Beam Changer

Windshield Wipers

Windshield Washer

Cruise Control (Option)

2-52
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
30 mph (48 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. Cruise control does not work at speeds
below about 30 mph (48 km/h).
If you have an automatic transmission and you apply
your brakes, the cruise control will shut off.
If you have a manual transmission and you apply your
brakes or push the clutch pedal, the cruise control will
shut off.
CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don't use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don't
use cruise control on slippery roads.
Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.
1. Move the cruise control switch to on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press in the set button at the end of the lever and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
The accelerator pedal will not go down.

4-9
The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure
faster than any driver could. The computer is
programmed to make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.Remember: Anti
-lock doesn't change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti
-lock brakes.
Using Anti
-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly and let anti
-lock work for you. You may feel the
brakes pulsate, or you may hear air exhausting, but this
is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.

4-11
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer
but it will take much more effort.
On vehicles with hydraulic brakes, the power steering
and main hydraulic brake system both use the power
steering pump. See ªHydraulic Brake Systemsº in
the Index.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the ªdriver lost controlº accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here's why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The
traction of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this.The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you're
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve. Then you
suddenly accelerate. Both control systems
-- steering and
acceleration
-- have to do their work where the tires meet
the road. Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can lose control. Refer to
ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on the
brake or accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you
want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are
based on good weather and road conditions. Under less
favorable conditions you'll want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a
curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
This is especially important with a tractor
-trailer. Try to
adjust your speed so you can ªdriveº through the curve.
Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate
until you are out of the curve, and then accelerate gently
into the straightaway.

4-15
Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don't have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
ªoverdrivingº those conditions. But skids are
always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal. If you have the ªTraction Control
System,º remember: It helps avoid only the acceleration
skid. If you do not have this system, or if the system is
off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled by
easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). See ªDiesel Engine Exhaust Brakeº in the Index
for information about using the exhaust brake on
slippery surfaces. Any sudden changes could cause the
tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize
warning clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed
snow on the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº
-- and
slow down when you have any doubt.

5-27
Changing a Flat Tire
Your truck, when new, did not include tire changing
equipment or a place to store a tire in the vehicle.
Few drivers of these vehicles have the necessary
equipment aboard to be able to change a flat tire safely.
For example, you would need a truck jack that can lift
several thousand pounds and a torque wrench that can
generate several hundred foot
-pounds (Newton-meters)
of twisting force.
CAUTION:
If you try to put air back into a tire that has run
flat, or even a tire that was quite low on air, the
tire can have a sudden air
-out. This could cause
you to lose control of the vehicle and have a
serious crash. Don't refill a flat or very low tire
with air without first having the tire taken off the
wheel and checked for damage.
So if you're stopped somewhere by a flat or damaged
tire or wheel, you should get expert help. See ªRoadside
Assistanceº in the Index.
CAUTION:
Your vehicle, when new, did not include tire
changing equipment or a place to store a tire in
the vehicle. Special tools and procedures are
required if a tire needs to be serviced. If these
tools and procedures aren't used, you or others
could be injured or killed while trying to change
or service a truck tire.

6-65
CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a 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 a crash. 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 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.
How Often to Check
Wheel tightness is so important you should have a
technician check nut tightness on all wheels with a
torque wrench after your first 100 miles (160 km), and
then 1,000 miles (1 600 km) after that. Be sure to repeat
this service whenever you have a tire removed or
serviced. See ªMaintenance Scheduleº in the Index for
further information.

6-66 Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rusted.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, replace the wheel. If
the wheel leaks air, replace it.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
CAUTION:
A leaking wheel could fail without warning. A
wheel designed for tubeless tires could be leaking
because it is damaged. Don't use an inner tube or
some other thing to try to stop the leaking. Get a
new wheel of the proper type.
CAUTION:
Without the correct wheel, you may not be able
to stop properly, and you could have other
problems like a tire air
-out. You could have a
collision. If you don't go to your dealer to get a
new wheel, be sure you get the correct one. Each
new wheel should match the original wheel in
load
-carrying capacity, inflation pressure
capacity, diameter, width, offset and mounting
configuration.
Using wheels and tires with higher load-carrying limits
than the original wheels and tires doesn't change the
GAWR or the GVWR of your vehicle.

7-5
Scheduled Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated at the same miles (km)
after those intervals for the life of this vehicle.
Gasoline engine vehicles have a computer that lets you
know when to change your engine oil. This is not based
on mileage, but on engine revolutions and engine
operating temperature. When the computer has
calculated that the oil needs changing, the GM Oil Life
System will indicate that a change is necessary.
The ªFootnotesº at the end of this Maintenance
Schedule further explain maintenance services.
See ªScheduled Maintenance Supplementsº earlier in
this section.
100 Miles (160 km)

Wheel stud nut service. (46)
1,000 Miles (1 600 km)

Wheel stud nut service. (46)

Rear axle air shift motor service.(11)

L18/LB7 Engines Only: Clutch pedal free
travel service. (10)
7,500 Miles (12 000 km)

Gasoline Engine Only: Check Oil Life System.
If engine oil and filter are changed, reset system.
See ªEngine Oilº in the Index. (3)(9)

Check fluid levels (or every 3 months, whichever
occurs first). (1)(6)

Chassis lubrication service (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first). (12)

Wheels and tires service. (15)

Parking brake service (or every 6 months, whichever
occurs first). (8)

L18/LB7 Engines Only: Clutch pedal free
travel service. (10)
10,000 Miles (16 000 km)

DURAMAX Diesel Only: Change engine oil
and filter (or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). (2)(3)