5-24 Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire
1. If your vehicle is equipped with wheel covers,
use the wheel wrench to begin loosening the
plastic wheel nut caps. Once you have loosened
the plastic wheel nut caps with the wheel wrench
you can finish loosening them with your fingers.
Using the flat end of the wheel wrench, pry along
the edge of the wheel cover until it comes off.
If your vehicle has alloy wheels, first remove
the decorative nut caps (if equipped) using the
wheel wrench.2. Then use the wheel wrench to loosen all the wheel
nuts. Don't remove them yet.3. Near each wheel well is a notch in the frame which the
jack head fits in. The front notch is 9 inches (23 cm)
back from the front wheel well. The rear notch is
8 inches (20 cm) forward from the rear wheel well.
As is shown in the diagram above, if your vehicle
has flared side moldings, both front and rear notches
are 18 inches (46 cm) from the wheel wells.
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.
