If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it is much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a blowout, here are a
few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel rmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you would;
use in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control
by steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without
the appropriate safety equipment and training.
The jack provided with your vehicle is
designed only for changing a at tire. If it is
used for anything else, you or others could be
badly injured or killed if the vehicle slips off
the jack. Use the jack provided with your
vehicle only for changing a at tire.
If a tire goes at, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a at tire safely.
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The following information will tell you next how to use
the jack and change a tire.
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The jacking equipment you’ll need is stored by your
vehicle’s rear doors, along the passenger’s side wall.
1. Remove the jack cover by pulling it away from
the side wall and down to release the tabs
securing the top of the cover.
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2. Tilt the retainer plate downward and through the
wheel opening. Make sure it is fully seated across
the underside of the wheel. Attach the ratchet,
with the UP side facing you, to the extension.
3. Put the at end of the extension on an angle
through the hole in the rear door frame, above
the bumper.
The compact spare is for temporary use only.
Replace the compact spare tire with a full-size tire
as soon as you can. SeeCompact Spare Tire
on page 5-82. See the storage instructions label to
restore your compact spare properly.
4. Raise the tire fully against the underside of the
vehicle by turning the ratchet/wheel wrench until
you hear two clicks or feel it skip twice. The spare
tire hoist cannot be overtightened.
5. Make sure the tire is stored securely. Push and
pull (A), and then try to turn (B) the tire. If the tire
moves, use the ratchet/wheel wrench to tighten the
cable.
6. Return the jacking equipment to its proper location.
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