Page 543 of 621
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every 6 months.
Replace them if you find signs of
cracking in the rubber, and areas
that are getting hard or if they leave
streaks and unwiped areas when
used.
To replace the front wiper blades:
1. Raise each wiper arm off the
windshield, lifting the driver's side
first, then the passenger's side.Do not open the hood when the wiper
arms are raised, or you will damage the
hood and the wiper arms.
2. Disconnect the blade assembly
from the wiper arm:
●
Press and hold the lock tab.
●
Slide the blade assembly toward
the lock tab until it releases
from the wiper arm.
When replacing a wiper blade, make
sure not to drop the wiper blade or
wiper arm down on the windshield.
WIPER ARMS
LOCK TAB
Wiper Blades536
Page 544 of 621
3. Remove the blade from its holder
by grabbing the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull firmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.
4. Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal
reinforcement along the back
edge, remove the metal
reinforcement strips from the old
wiper blade, and install them in the
slots along the edge of the new
blade.5. Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
6. Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
7. Lower the wiper arm against the
window.
Windshield: Lower the passenger's
side first, then the driver's side.
BLADE
BLADE
REINFORCEMENT
CONTINUED
Wiper Blades
537
Maintenance
Page 555 of 621

If you need to park your vehicle for
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.●
Fill the fuel tank.
●
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
●
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
●
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park.
●
Block the rear wheels.
●
If the vehicle is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.
●
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
●
Disconnect the battery.
●
Support the front and rear wiper
blade arms with a folded towel or
rag so they do not touch the
windshield.
●
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehicle body wax to the painted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.
●
Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’cover, one made from
a porous material such as cotton.
Non-porous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
●
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches full
operating temperature (the cooling
fans cycle on and off twice).
Preferably, do this once a month.
Vehicle Storage548
Page 558 of 621
If you have a flat tire while driving,
stop in a safe place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
1. Park the vehicle on firm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
2. Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
3. Open the tailgate.4. Push the rear edge of the handle
to raise the handle loop and pull up
the loop to raise the cargo area
floor.
CARGO AREA
FLOOR
TOOLS
SPARE TIREJACK
CONTINUED
Changing a Flat Tire
551
Taking Care of the Unexpected
Page 559 of 621
5. The tools and jack are under the
cargo area behind a cover on the
driver's side. Remove the cover by
turning the knobs
counterclockwise, then pulling out
the cover.
6. Turn the jack's end bracket
counterclockwise to loosen it, then
remove the jack.
7. The spare tire is stored
underneath the rear cargo area.
Remove the plastic cover on the
cargo area lining to access the
shaft for the spare tire hoist.
KNOB COVER
PLASTIC COVER
Changing a Flat Tire552
Page 560 of 621
The wheel nut wrench supplied with
your vehicle is specially adapted to fit
the hoist shaft. Do not use any other
tool.
8. Put the wheel nut wrench on the
hoist shaft. Turn the wrench
counterclockwise to lower the
spare tire to the ground.
9. Keep turning the wheel nut
wrench to create slack in the
cable.
10. Remove the bracket from the
spare tire.
11. Loosen each wheel nut 1/2 turn
with the wheel nut wrench.
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
BRACKET
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
CONTINUED
Changing a Flat Tire
553
Taking Care of the Unexpected
Page 561 of 621
12. Place the jack under the jacking
point nearest the tire you need to
change. Turn the end bracket
clockwise until the top of the jack
contacts the jacking point. Make
sure the jacking point tab is
resting in the jack notch.
13. Use the extension and the wheel
nut wrench as shown to raise the
vehicle until the flat tire is off the
ground.
14. Remove the wheel nuts, then
remove the flat tire.
15. Before mounting the spare tire,
wipe any dirt off the mounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully; it may be hot from
driving.
JACKING POINT
EXTENSION
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
BRAKE HUB
Changing a Flat Tire554
Page 563 of 621
22. Slowly turn the wheel nut wrench
clockwise to take up the slack of
the hoist cable. Make sure the
bracket is seated in the center hole
of the flat tire.
23. Turn the wheel nut wrench
clockwise until the flat tire rests
against the underbody of the
vehicle and you hear the hoist
click.
Always raise the spare tire hoist, even if
you are not stowing a tire. If the hoist is
left down, it will be damaged during
driving and need to be replaced.
24. Store the jack in its holder. Turn
the jack's end bracket to lock it in
place. Store the tools, and install
the cover.
25. Refer toChanging a Tire with
TPMS(see page 459).
Loose items can fly around the
interior in a crash and could
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools
securely before driving.
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
Changing a Flat Tire556