Page 273 of 371
5-20
3. Remove the wheel wrench, jack and the spare tire
from the trunk. See ªCompact Spare Tireº later
in this section for more information about the
compact spare.
The tools you'll be using include the jack (A) and the
wheel wrench (B).
Removing the Wheel Cover
Wheel With Cover
If you have an aluminum wheel with a center cover, use
the flat end of the wheel wrench to gently pry the wheel
cover off. Be careful not to scratch the aluminum wheel
edge and don't try to remove it with your hands.
If you have an aluminum wheel without a center cover,
the wheel nuts and wheel nut covers are exposed.
Use the wheel wrench to remove the wheel nut covers.
Page 274 of 371
5-21 Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire
Wheel Without Cover
1. Using the wheel wrench, loosen all the wheel nuts.
Don't remove them yet.
Page 276 of 371
5-23
3. Turn the jack handle counterclockwise to lower the
jack lift head until the jack fits under the car.
4. Raise the jack until the metal flange fits firmly into
the channel of the jack head.
5. Put the compact spare near you.
6. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack handle
clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the
ground for the spare tire to fit under the vehicle.
7. Remove all wheel nuts and take off the flat tire.
8. 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.
Page 277 of 371
5-24
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.
9. Place the
spare on the
wheel
-mounting
surface.
10. Replace 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.
11. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.
Page 279 of 371

5-26
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 lug nut caps 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 your trunk.
Store the flat tire as far forward in the trunk as possible.
Store the jack and wheel wrench in their compartment in
the trunk. For storage, the jack must be raised until the
screw end is flush with the edge of the jack.
Page 281 of 371

5-28
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.
Page 331 of 371

6-49
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don't forget your compact spare tire. It should be
at 60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket
-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can't tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they're underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) System
(If Equipped)
The Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system uses radio
and sensor technology to check tire pressure levels.
Sensors, mounted on each road wheel, transmit tire
pressure readings to a receiver located in the trunk. Tire
pressure status and tire pressure warnings are shown on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) display. See
ªDriver Information Center (DIC)º in the Index for
details regarding DIC controls and displays.The system operates on a radio frequency subject to
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rules
and with Industry and Science Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
This device complies with RSS
-210 of Industry
and Science Canada. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this device may not
cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
If the TPM system detects low tire pressure, below
24 psi (165 kPa), or high tire pressure, above 36 psi
(248 kPa), a message, CHECK TIRE PRESSURE, will
appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC) display.
Page 333 of 371

6-51 Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate your tires as soon as possible and check
wheel alignment. Also check for damaged tires or
wheels. See ªWhen It's Time for New Tiresº and
ªWheel Replacementº later in this section for
more information.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See ªScheduled
Maintenance Servicesº in the Maintenance Schedule
booklet for scheduled rotation intervals.
When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.Don't include the compact spare tire in your
tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire
-Loading
Information label. Vehicles equipped with the Tire
Pressure Monitor (TPM) system will need to have the
sensors reset after a tire rotation is performed. A special
tool is needed to reset the sensor identification codes.
See your dealer for service. Make certain that all wheel
nuts are properly tightened. See ªWheel Nut Torqueº in
the Index.
CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastened, can make 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 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.
See ªChanging a Flat Tireº in the Index.