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6. Turn the wrench clockwise to raise the cable back
up after removing the spare tire.
Do not store a full-size or a at road tire under the
vehicle. SeeStoring a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools on page 5-96.
To continue changing the at tire, seeRemoving the
Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire on page 5-88.
If the spare tire will not lower, the secondary latch could
be engaged.Do the following to check the cable:
1. Check under the vehicle to see if the cable is
visible.
2. If it is not visible, seeSecondary Latch System on
page 5-93.
If it is visible, rst try to tighten the cable by turning
the lug wrench clockwise until you hear two clicks or
feel it skip twice. You cannot over-tighten the cable.
3. Loosen the cable by turning the wrench
counterclockwise three or four turns.
4. If the spare tire did lower to the ground, continue
with Step 5 under “Removing the Spare Tire” listed
previously.
5. If you still cannot lower the spare tire to the ground,
seeSecondary Latch System on page 5-93.
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Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. Do a safety check before proceeding. SeeChanging
a Flat Tire on page 5-84for more information.
2. If the vehicle has a wheel cover, loosen the plastic
nut caps with the lug wrench. They will not come
off. Then, using the at end of the lug wrench,
pry along the edge of the cover until it comes off.
Be careful; the edges may be sharp. Do not
try to remove the cover with your bare hands.
Store the wheel cover securely in the rear of the
vehicle until you have the at tire repaired or
replaced.
If your vehicle has aluminum wheels, remove the
wheel nut caps using the lug wrench.3. Loosen the wheel nuts — but do not remove
them — using the lug wrench. For wheels with
a wheel lock key, use the wheel lock key between
the lock nut and lug wrench.
Notice:If your vehicle has wheel locks and an
impact wrench is used to remove the wheel nuts,
the lock nut or wheel lock key could be damaged.
Do not use an impact wrench to remove the
wheel nuts if your vehicle has wheel locks.
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Page 406 of 488
7. Place the jack under the vehicle as identi ed in
Step 3. Raise the vehicle by turning the lug wrench
clockwise in the jack. Raise the vehicle far enough
off the ground so that there is enough room for the
spare tire to t under the wheel well.
8. Remove all the wheel nuts and the at tire.9. Remove the spare tire heat shield by pulling the
rubber latch. Store the spare tire heat shield. See
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools on page 5-96
for more information.
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Page 407 of 488
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, you can use a cloth or a
paper towel to do this; but be sure to use a
scraper or wire brush later, if needed, to get
all the rust or dirt off. SeeChanging a Flat
Tire on page 5-84.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on bolts or nuts.
Because the nuts might come loose. The
vehicle’s wheel could fall off, causing a crash.10. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces,
and spare wheel.
11. Place the spare tire on the wheel mounting surface.
12. Put the nuts on by hand by turning the clockwise
until the wheel is held against the mounting surface.
Make sure the rounded end is toward the wheel.
13. Lower the vehicle by attaching the lug wrench to
the jack and turning the wrench counterclockwise.
Lower the jack completely.
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Page 409 of 488
Secondary Latch System
Your vehicle has an underbody mounted tire hoist
assembly that has a secondary latch system. It is
designed to stop the compact 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 stowed with the valve stem pointing down. See
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools on page 5-96for
instructions on storing the spare 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.To release the spare tire from the secondary latch:
{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.
1. If the cable is not visible, start this procedure at
Step 3.
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Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools
Storing the Spare Tire
{CAUTION:
The underbody-mounted spare tire needs to be
stored with the valve stem pointing down. If the
spare tire is stored with the valve stem pointing
upwards, its secondary latch will not work
properly and the spare tire could loosen and
suddenly fall from your vehicle. 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 down.
{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.
To store the spare tire:
1. Lay the compact spare tire near the rear of the
vehicle with the valve stem down.
2. Reinstall the plastic spare tire heat shield on the
compact spare tire.
3. Slide the cable retainer through the center of the
wheel and start to raise the compact spare tire.
Make sure the retainer is fully seated across
the underside of the wheel.
4. When the compact spare tire is almost in the stored
position, turn the tire so the valve is toward the rear
of the vehicle.
This position helps when checking the air pressure
in the compact spare tire.
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5. Raise the tire fully against the underside of the
vehicle. Continue turning the lug wrench until you
feel more than two clicks. This indicates that the
compact spare tire is secure and the cable is tight.
The spare tire hoist cannot be overtightened.
6. Make sure the tire is stored securely. Push, pull (A),
and then try to turn (B) the tire. If the tire moves,
use the lug wrench to tighten the cable.Storing the Flat Tire
Notice:Storing the full-size at tire in the
underbody hoist system can expose it to heat
from the exhaust system. This can damage the
tire and underbody hoist system. Do not store the
full-size at tire in the underbody hoist system.
1. Remove the cable package from the jack
storage area.
2. Remove the small center cap by tapping the back
of the cap with the extension of the shaft, if the
vehicle has aluminum wheels.
3. Put the at tire in the rear storage area with the
valve stem pointing toward the rear of the vehicle.
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At Least Once a Month
Tire In ation Check
Inspect the vehicle’s tires and make sure they are
in ated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to
check the spare tire. SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-56. Check to make sure the spare tire is stored
securely. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-84.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for high mileage highway
drivers prior to the Engine Oil Life System service
noti cation. Check the tires for wear and, if necessary,
rotate the tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-63.
At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-34.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle
should start only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the vehicle starts in any other position, contact
your dealer/retailer for service.
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