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Secondary Latch System
Your vehicle has an underbody-mounted tire hoist
assembly equipped with a secondary latch system. It is
designed to stop the spare tire from suddenly falling off
your vehicle if the cable holding the spare tire is
damaged. For the secondary latch to work, the tire must
be stored with the valve stem pointing up. SeeStoring a
Flat or Spare Tire and Tools on page 5-97for instructions
on storing the spare or at tire correctly.
{CAUTION:
Before beginning this procedure read all the
instructions. Failure to read and follow the
instructions could damage the hoist assembly
and you and others could get hurt. Read and
follow the instructions listed next.
{CAUTION:
Someone standing too close during the
procedure could be injured by the jack. If the
spare tire does not slide off the jack completely,
make sure no one is behind you or on either
side of you as you pull the jack out from the
under spare.
To release the spare tire from the secondary latch:
1. Check under the
vehicle to see if the
cable is visible. If it is
not visible, proceed
to Step 6.
5-94
Page 395 of 472

Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools
{CAUTION:
Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in the
passenger compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision,
loose equipment could strike someone. Store all
these in the proper place.
{CAUTION:
The underbody-mounted spare tire needs to be
stored with the valve stem pointing up. If the
spare tire is stored with the valve stem pointing
downward, its secondary latch will not work
properly and the spare tire could loosen and
suddenly fall from your vehicle.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If this happened when your vehicle was being
driven, the tire might contact a person or
another vehicle, causing injury and, of course,
damage to itself as well. Be sure the
underbody-mounted spare tire is stored with
its valve stem pointing up.
Notice:An aluminum wheel with a at tire should
always be stored under the vehicle with the hoist.
However, storing it that way for an extended period
could damage the wheel. To avoid this, always stow
the wheel properly with the valve stem pointing up
and have the wheel repaired as soon as possible.
Follow this diagram to store the underbody-mounted at
or spare tire.
5-97
Page 396 of 472
A. Wheel Wrench
B. Hoist Shaft
C. Extension
D. Retainer
E. Spare or Flat
Tire (Valve Stem
Pointed Up)
1. Put the tire (E) on the ground at the rear of the
vehicle.
2. Remove the hubcap, if the vehicle has one, from
the at tire by tapping the backside of the hubcap
with the wheel wrench (A). Store in a safe location
until the at tire is repaired. Once the tire is
repaired, replace the hubcap.3. Make sure the valve stem is pointed up and to
the rear.
4. Pull the retainer (D) through the wheel.
5. Put the socket end of the extension (C) through the
hole just above the rear bumper at a 45 degree
angle downward. Connect the socket end of
the extension to the hoist shaft (B).
6. Raise the tire fully against the underside of the
vehicle. Continue turning the wheel wrench (A)
clockwise until you hear two clicks or feel it
skip twice. This indicates that the tire is secure and
the cable is tight. The spare tire hoist cannot be
overtightened.
5-98
Page 398 of 472