How to Change a Pontiac Grand Prix Tire
by BretN
Eventually, after driving for some time, you will get a flat tire. When your tire goes out, do not panic. Softly press on the brake and move to the side of the road where you can be safe as you change the tire. Changing the tires on a Pontiac Grand Prix is much like changing a tire on any other vehicle. The Grand Prix does have some false plastic lug nuts on the hubcaps -- which could cause confusion.
Step 1
Turn the engine off and pop the trunk. Remove the spare tire, jack and lug wrench from the trunk and place them within arm's reach of the flat tire.
Step 2
Place the lug wrench over a plastic lug nut and turn it counterclockwise. The plastic lug nut will not come all the way off so just turn it until it is loose. Do this with the rest of the plastic lug nuts.
Step 3
Place the skinny end of the lug wrench between the hubcap and the wheel and pry the hubcap off of the wheel. Place the hubcap upside down on the ground next to you. This will be where you put the lug nuts to keep them from getting lost.
Step 4
Loosen the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Do not take them off but just loosen them a little. Place the jack under the chassis of the car closest to the flat tire. Under the side of the car you will see a line where the metal under the car is a little longer than the rest of the chassis. Place the slot on the top of the jack so that it goes over this, and jack the car up until the tire is not touching the ground.
Step 5
Remove the lug nuts completely with the lug wrench and place them inside of the hubcap for safekeeping. Remove the flat tire and place it in the trunk.
Step 6
Place the holes on the new tire over the lugs so that the tire is on the hub and replace the lug nuts. Hand-tighten the lug nuts. Lower the jack and put it back into the trunk. Tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench in a star pattern. When they are all tight, go around and tighten each of them a little more.
Step 7
Replace the hubcap so that the plastic lug nuts are over the real lug nuts. Push the hubcap onto the wheel until it snaps on. It will take some force and you may have to kick it. Screw the plastic lug nuts on and tighten them with the lug wrench. Do not tighten them too tight or they might break.
References
Tips
- Have the flat tire fixed as soon as possible so the next time you get a flat time, you will not be stranded with no spare.
Things You'll Need
- Jack
- Lug wrench
- Spare tire
Warnings
- Keep your car on a flat surface if at all possible. Always engage the emergency brake and if you are on a hill, chalk the tires with a rock or something so the vehicle will not roll down the hill while the tire is off.
