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 flat tire will create a drag
that pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your
foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. 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 flat, the next part shows how to use the
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel
damage by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on
your vehicle’s hazard warning flashers. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 146for more
information.
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7. Make sure the tire is stored securely. Push,
pull (A), and then try to turn (B) the tire. If the
tire moves, use the ratchet to tighten the cable.
You will hear two clicks when the tire is up all
the way.
8. Return the jacking equipment to the proper
location. Secure the items and replace the
jack cover.
Spare Tire
Your vehicle, when new, had a fully inflated spare
tire. A spare tire may lose air over time, so check its
inflation pressure regularly. SeeIn ation - Tire
Pressure on page 348andLoading Your Vehicle on
page 259for information regarding proper tire
inflation and loading your vehicle. For instructions
on how to remove, install or store a spare tire, see
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire
on page 365andStoring a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools on page 375.
Your vehicle may have a different size spare tire
than the road tires originally installed on your
vehicle. This spare tire was developed for use on
your vehicle, so it is all right to drive on it.
After installing the spare tire on your vehicle, you
should stop as soon as possible and make
sure the spare tire is correctly inflated. Have the
damaged or flat road tire repaired or replaced
as soon as you can and installed back onto your
vehicle. This way, a spare tire will be available
in case you need it again.
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