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4-15 Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out. For
example, be sure to have all necessary maintenance and
service work done. Check to make sure all underbody
shields (if so equipped) are properly attached. Be sure
you read all the information about your
four
-wheel-drive vehicle in this manual. Is there enough
fuel? Is the spare tire fully inflated? Are the fluid levels
up where they should be? What are the local laws that
apply to off
-roading where you'll be driving? If you
don't know, you should check with law enforcement
people in the area. Will you be on someone's private
land? If so, be sure to get the necessary permission.
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
There are some important things to remember about
how to load your vehicle.
The heaviest things should be on the load floor and
forward of your rear axle. Put heavier items as far
forward as you can.
Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on
the off
-road terrain doesn't toss things around.
CAUTION:
Cargo on the load floor piled higher than
the seatbacks can be thrown forward
during a sudden stop. You or your
passengers could be injured. Keep cargo
below the top of the seatbacks.
Unsecured cargo on the load floor can be
tossed about when driving over rough
terrain. You or your passengers can be
struck by flying objects. Secure the
cargo properly.
Heavy loads on the roof raise the vehicle's
center of gravity, making it more likely to
roll over. You can be seriously or fatally
injured if the vehicle rolls over. Put heavy
loads inside the cargo area, not on the roof.
Keep cargo in the cargo area as far forward
and low as possible.
You'll find other important information in this manual.
See ªVehicle Loading,º ªLuggage Carrierº and ªTiresº
in the Index.
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5-20 Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you'll need is located in the rear cargo
area. The spare tire is located under the rear of
the vehicle.To open the jack cover, turn the wing nut
counterclockwise and take the cover off.
To take the jack out, turn the wing
-head bolt
counterclockwise and take it and the retainer off. Take
the jack and storage box out and take the tools out of
the box.
Your vehicle may have a pair of emergency gloves
secured to the jack. You can use them when changing
the tire, or during other emergency situations.
Remember to replace them with the jack, so you will
have them if needed later.
The spare tire is stored under the vehicle in an
underbody carrier.
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5-21
A. Hoist Assembly
B. Hoist Shaft
C. Ratchet
D. Jack HandleE. Retainer
F. Valve Stem,
Pointed Down
G. Spare TireFollow these instructions to lower the spare tire:
1. One side of the ratchet has an UP marking. The other
side has a DOWN marking. Assemble the ratchet
to the hook near the end of the jack handle
(as illustrated) with the DOWN marking facing
you. Insert the other end through the hole in the
rear bumper and into the hoist shaft.
2. Turn the ratchet counterclockwise to lower the spare
tire to the ground. Continue to turn the ratchet
until the spare tire can be pulled out from under
the vehicle.
3. When the tire has been lowered, tilt the retainer at
the end of the cable so it can be pulled up through
the wheel opening.
4. Put the spare tire near the flat tire.
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5-24
To access the lug nuts, place the wheel wrench in the
slot on the wheel and gently pry off the center piece to
remove it.
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire
1. Use the ratchet and wheel wrench to loosen
all the wheel nuts. Turn the wheel wrench
counterclockwise, with DOWN facing you, to loosen
the wheel nuts. Don't remove the wheel nuts yet.
2. If the flat tire is on the rear of the vehicle, put the
jack handle extension on the jack handle.
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5-26
Front Position Rear Position
4. With UP on the ratchet facing you, raise the vehicle
by turning the ratchet and wheel wrench clockwise.
Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground so there
is enough room for the spare tire to fit.
5. Remove all the wheel
nuts and take off the
flat tire.
6. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces and
spare wheel.
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5-30 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.
Store the flat tire where the spare tire is stored.
Put the tools into the storage box and close it tightly. Fit
the storage box on the bracket with the bolt through the
box. Put the jack onto the box. Be sure the jack is stored
as shown in the following illustrations. The jack handle
attachment point is circled in the following illustrations
to show the direction the jack should face when it is
stored properly. Secure the emergency gloves, if your
vehicle has them, to the jack using the provided strap.
Slide the retainer over the bolt onto the jack and put the
wing nut on it. Turn the nut clockwise until it is tight
against the retainer.Replace the jack storage cover by simply reversing the
removal procedure described earlier.
Jacking Tool Storage
A. Wheel Wrench
B. Jack Handle
C. RatchetD. Jack Storage Box
E. Jacking Tool
Storage Box
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5-31
Jack Storage
A. Retainer
B. Nut
C. JackD. Jack Storage Box
E. BracketSpare Tire Storage
A. Hoist Assembly
B. Hoist Shaft
C. Ratchet
D. Jack HandleE. Retainer
F. Valve Stem,
Pointed Down
G. Spare Tire
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5-32
Follow these instructions to restore a spare or flat tire:
1. Lay the tire on the ground at the rear of the vehicle.
Position the tire so that the valve stem is pointed
down and to the rear of the vehicle.
2. Tilt the retainer downward and through the wheel
opening. Make sure that the retainer is fully seated
across the underside of the wheel.
3. Attach the ratchet, with the UP mark facing you,
near the hook at the end of the jack handle. Insert the
other end, on an angle, through the hole in the rear
bumper and into the hoist shaft.
4. Raise the tire fully against the underside of the
vehicle. Continue turning the ratchet clockwise until
there are two ªclicksº or ªratchets.º The spare tire
hoist cannot be over
-tightened.
5. Grasp and push against the tire to be sure it is stored
securely and does not move.
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 transmission 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.