wheel CHEVROLET IMPALA 2002 8.G Service Manual

5-26
The tools you'll be using include the jack (A) extension
and protector/guide (B) and wheel wrench (C).
Removing Wheel Covers and
Wheel Nut Caps
Wheel Center Caps
Your vehicle may have
center caps if equipped
with aluminum wheels.
To remove a center cap use the wheel wrench to
pry gently at the notch in the wheel cap. Don't use a
tool that is narrower than the wheel wrench to pry at
the notch.

5-27 Wheel Covers
If your vehicle is equipped
with wheel covers,
loosen the plastic nut
caps with the wheel
wrench in a counter
clockwise direction.
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 cover until it comes off. The
edge of the wheel cover could be sharp, so don't try to
remove it with your bare hands.
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire
1. Using the wheel wrench, loosen all the wheel nuts.
Don't remove them yet.

5-28
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.Jack placement for a front tire
The diagram shows you where you should place
your jack to change a front tire. Use the bolts (A) as
a guide when positioning the jack lift head (C) near
the rear edge of the front wheel opening (B).
For jacking at the vehicle's front location, put the
jack lift about 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) from the rear
edge of the front wheel opening in the cutout of the
rocker panel molding.
Put the compact spare tire near you.

5-29
Jack placement for a rear tire
The diagram shows you where to place your jack to
change a rear tire. Use the notch (B) as a guide when
positioning the jack lift head (A) near the front edge
of the rear wheel opening (C).
For jacking at the vehicle's rear location, put the jack
lift head about 4 inches (10 cm) from the front edge
of the rear wheel opening in the cutout of the rocker
panel molding.
Put the compact spare tire near you.
2. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack handle
clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the
ground for the compact spare tire to fit underneath
the wheel well of the vehicle. Remove all wheel nuts
and take off the flat tire.

5-30
3. 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.
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.
4. Install the compact spare tire.
5. Reinstall the wheel nuts
with the rounded end
of the nuts toward the
wheel. Tighten each nut
by hand until the wheel
is held against the hub.

5-31
6. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
7. 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).

5-32
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.
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 spare tire on your vehicle,
you'll need to store the flat tire in the trunk. Use the
following procedure to secure the flat tire in the trunk.

5-33
When storing a full-size tire, use the extension and
protector /guide located in the foam holder to help
prevent wheel surface damage.To store a full
-size tire do the following:
1. Place the tire in the trunk, valve stem facing down
with the protector/guide through a wheel bolt hole.
2. Remove the protector/guide and attach the
retainer securely. The cover will not fit over a
full
-size tire, so be sure to store the cover as far
forward as possible.
3. When you put the compact spare tire back in
the trunk, place the protector/guide back in the
foam holder.
4. Put the cover back over the compact spare tire and
tighten the center nut.

5-35
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 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.
NOTICE:
Tire chains won't fit your compact spare. Using
them can damage your vehicle and can damage
the chains too. Don't use tire chains on your
compact spare.

5-36
If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you don't want to spin
your wheels too fast. The method known as ªrockingº
can help you get out when you're stuck, but you must
use caution.
CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured.
And, the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle
can overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you're
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don't
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see ªTire Chainsº in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If your vehicle
has traction control, you should turn the system off.
See ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index. Then
shift back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in
gear. By slowly spinning your wheels in the forward and
reverse directions, you will cause a rocking motion that
may free your vehicle. If that doesn't get you out after
a few tries, you may need to be towed out. If you do
need to be towed out, see ªTowing Your Vehicleº in
the Index.