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4-18
Operating Your All-Wheel-Drive
Vehicle Off Paved Roads
Many of the same design features that help make your
vehicle responsive on paved roads during poor weather
conditions
-- features like the locking rear axle and
all
-wheel drive -- help make it much better suited for
off
-road use than a conventional passenger car. Its
higher ground clearance also helps your vehicle step
over some off
-road obstacles. But your vehicle doesn't
have features like special underbody shielding and a
transfer case low gear range, things that are usually
thought necessary for extended or severe off
-road
service. This guide is for operating your vehicle off
paved roads.
Also, see ªAnti
-Lock Brakesº in the Index.
Off
-road driving can be great fun. But it does have
some definite hazards. The greatest of these is the
terrain itself.
ªOff
-roadingº means you've left the great North
American road system behind. Traffic lanes aren't
marked. Curves aren't banked. There are no road signs.
Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill or downhill.
In short, you've gone right back to nature.Off
-road driving involves some new skills. And that's
why it's very important that you read this guide. You'll
find many driving tips and suggestions. These will help
make your off
-road driving safer and more enjoyable.
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. 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.
Page 285 of 417
5-21 Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment is located under the rear seat behind the
driver's seat and behind the left trim panel in the rear
of the vehicle.
Under Second Row Passenger's Seat on Driver's Side
A. Tool Kit with Jack
Tools and GlovesB. Bracket and
Wing Nut
There is a wing nut (B) used to retain the tool kit (A).
To remove it, turn the wing nut counterclockwise.
Rear Access Panel
A. Speaker
B. Bottle Jack
C. Wing NutD. Retaining Hook
E. Wheel Blocks
F. Cover Panel
To release the bottle jack (B) from its holder,
turn the knob on the bottle jack counterclockwise
to lower the jack head.
The wheel blocks (E) and the wheel block
retainer can be removed by turning the wing
nut (C) counterclockwise.
You'll use the jack handle extensions and the wheel
wrench to remove the underbody
-mounted spare tire.
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5-22
A. Hoist Assembly
B. Wheel Wrench
C. Jack Handle
Extensions
D. Hoist Shaft
E. Valve Stem,
Pointed Up
F. Spare TireG. Tire Retainer
H. Hoist Cable
I. Hoist Lock
J. Hoist Shaft
Access Hole
K. Hoist End of
Extension Tool
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5-23
Follow these instructions to lower the spare tire:
1. If the vehicle is equipped with a hoist lock (I),
open the spare tire lock cover on the bumper and
use the ignition key to remove the lock.
2. Assemble the wheel wrench (B) and the two jack
handle extensions (C) as shown. Insert the hoist end
(open end) (K) of the extension through the hole (J)
in the rear bumper. Be sure the hoist end of the
extension connects into the hoist shaft (D)
(the ribbed square end of the extension is used
to lower the spare tire (F)).
3. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower
the spare tire to the ground. Continue to turn the
wheel wrench until the spare tire can be pulled out
from under the vehicle. The wheel wrench has a
hook that allows you to pull the hoist cable (H)
towards you, to assist in reaching the spare tire.
4. When the tire has been lowered, tilt the retainer (G)
at the end of the cable so it can be pulled up through
the wheel opening.
5. Put the spare tire near the flat tire.
The tools you'll be using include the bottle jack (A), the
wheel blocks (B), the jack handle (C), the jack handle
extensions (D), and the wheel wrench (E).
If the flat tire is on a rear tire of the vehicle, you'll need
to use both jack handle extensions.
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5-25
To remove the center cap place the chisel end of the wheel
wrench in the slot on the wheel and gently pry out.
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire
1. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to loosen
the wheel nuts. Don't remove the wheel nuts yet.
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5-27
Front Position
3. Make sure the jack
head is positioned
so that the rear axle
is resting securely
between the grooves
that are on the jack
head. Turn the wheel
wrench clockwise to
raise the vehicle.
Rear Position
Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground so there is
enough room for the spare tire to fit back underneath the
rear of the vehicle.
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5-28
4. Remove all the wheel
nuts and take off the
flat tire.
5. 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.
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5-29
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.
6. After mounting the
spare, put the wheel
nuts back on with the
rounded end of the
nuts toward the wheel.
Tighten each wheel nut by hand. Then use the wheel
wrench to tighten the nuts until the wheel is held against
the hub.
Front Position