CHEVROLET MALIBU 2002 5.G Owners Manual

5-20
3. Turn the wing nut
counterclockwise and
remove it. Then lift off
the adapter and remove
the compact spare tire.
See ªCompact Spare
Tireº later in this section
for more information
about the compact
spare tire.
4. Remove the jack and wrench from the trunk. Your
vehicle's jack and wrench are stored in a foam tray.
The tools you'll be using include the jack (A) and the
wrench (B).

5-21 Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire
1. If your vehicle is equipped with a wheel cover or
hubcap that has plastic wheel nut caps, then loosen
the plastic nut caps (you may need to use the wheel
wrench to loosen them). Do not pry off wheel covers
or center caps that have plastic wheel nut caps.
2. Then remove the center cap from the wheel to find
the wheel nuts.3. If your vehicle is equipped with a wheel cover or
hubcap without plastic wheel nut caps, gently pry on
the edge of the plastic wheel trim to remove it from
the wheel to find the wheel nuts.

5-22
4. Then use the wrench to loosen all the wheel nuts.
Don't remove them yet.5. Position the jack and raise the jack head until it fits
firmly into the notch in the vehicle's frame nearest
the flat tire. Put the compact spare tire near you.

5-23
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.6. Raise the vehicle by turning the wrench clockwise.
Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground so there
is enough room for the compact spare tire to fit.
7. Remove all of the wheel nuts.
8. Then take off the flat tire.

5-24
9. 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.

5-25
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. Install the compact spare tire. Put the wheel nuts
back on with the cone end of the nuts toward the
wheel. Tighten each nut by hand or with the wrench
until the wheel is held against the hub.
11. Lower the vehicle by turning the wrench
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.

5-26
12. 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 a wheel cover on your compact spare
tire. It won't fit. Store the wheel cover and wheel nut
caps in the trunk until you have the flat tire repaired
or replaced.
NOTICE:
Wheel covers won't fit on your compact spare
tire. If you try to put a wheel cover on your
compact spare tire, you could damage the cover
or the spare.

5-27 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.
Store the flat tire in the compact spare tire compartment.
Place the tire in the compartment, then secure the
adapter and wing nut. Place the cover and the nut on
top of the flat tire. Store the jack and the wrench in the
tool tray.
A. Nut
B. Cover
C. Wing Bolt
D. AdapterE. Wrench
F. Jack
G. Tool Tray
H. Flat Tire

5-28 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 tire is for temporary use only.
Replace the compact spare tire with a full
-size tire as
soon as you can. See ªCompact Spare Tireº later in this
section. Store the compact spare tire and tools as shown
in the diagram.A. Nut
B. Cover
C. Wing Bolt
D. AdapterE. Wrench
F. Jack
G. Tool Tray
H. Spare Tire

5-29
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. 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.