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Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P225/75R15, P265/75R15,
P235/75R15, P235/50R17 or P235/50R18 size
tires, do not use tire chains. They can damage
your vehicle because there is not enough
clearance. Tire chains used on a vehicle
without the proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes, suspension or
other vehicle parts. The area damaged by the
tire chains could cause you to lose control of
your vehicle and you or others may be injured
in a crash.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it is contacting your vehicle, and do
not spin the vehicle’s wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the rear tires.
Notice:If your vehicle has a tire size other than
P225/75R15, P265/75R15, P235/75R15, P235/50R17 or
P235/50R18 use tire chains only where legal and only
when you must. Use chains that are the proper size
for your tires. Install them on the tires of the rear
axle. Do not use chains on the tires of the front axle.
Tighten them as tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.
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If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are driving,
especially if you maintain your vehicle’s 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 the
jacking equipment to change a at tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your
hazard warning ashers. SeeHazard Warning Flashers
on page 3-6for more information.
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{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over or fall on you
or other people. You and they could be badly
injured or even killed. Find a level place to
change your tire. To help prevent the vehicle
from moving:
1. Set the parking brake rmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift lever
in PARK (P), or shift a manual
transmission to FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R).
3. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle,
be sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear — not in NEUTRAL.
4. Turn off the engine and do not restart
while the vehicle is raised.
5. Do not allow passengers to remain in
the vehicle.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
To be even more certain the vehicle will not
move, put blocks at the front and rear of the
tire farthest away from the one being changed.
That would be the tire on the other side, at the
opposite end of the vehicle.
When your vehicle has a at tire, use the following
example as a guide to assist you in the placement of
the wheel blocks.
The following information will tell you next how to use
the jack and change a tire.
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Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The tools you will need are located under the
passenger’s seat.
For crew cab models, the jack and wheel blocks are
located under the driver’s side rear seat.For regular and extended
cab vehicles, the jack and
wheel blocks are located
under the cover at the
center of the vehicle
behind the front seats.
The vehicle will have a cover if it is an extended or
regular cab.
Crew Cab
Regular/Extended Cab
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To access the tools, do the following:
1. Move the seats forward
to access the cover.2. Turn the wing nut on the cover counterclockwise to
remove it.
For crew cab models, reach under the rear seat to
access the jack and wheel blocks. To reinstall
the jack and wheel block assembly in the mounting
bracket, insert the tabs into the jack base by
pushing the blocks up into the assembly. The outer
hole in the jack base aligns with the tab on the
bracket. When reinstalling, make sure the jack is
secure, but do not overtighten the jack in the
bracket.
3. Remove the wheel blocks and the wheel block
retainer by turning the wing nut counterclockwise.
4. Put the wheel blocks at the front and rear of the tire
farthest away from the one being changed. That
would be the tire on the other side, at the opposite
end of the vehicle.
5. Locate the wing nut used to retain the storage bag
and tools which is under the front passenger’s seat.
Remove it by turning the wing nut counterclockwise. Extended/Regular Cab
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You will use the jack handle extensions and the wheel
wrench to remove the underbody-mounted spare tire.
A. Jack Handle
Extensions
B. JackC. Extension Tool
D. Wheel Wrench
E. Wheel Blocks
1. Assemble the wheel wrench (D) and the jack
handle extensions (A) as shown below.2. Insert the hoist end (chiseled end) of the extension
tool (C) through the hole in the rear bumper and
into the funnel-shaped guide. The chiseled end of
the extension is used to lower the spare tire.
3. Turn the wheel wrench (D) 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.
If the spare tire does not lower to the ground, the
secondary latch is engaged causing the tire
not to lower. SeeSecondary Latch System on
page 5-81.
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