Storing a Flat or Spare Tire andTools

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. 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 flat 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 flat or spare tire.

A. Wheel Wrench

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 wheel cap, if the vehicle has one, from the flat tire by tapping the backside of the wheel cap with the wheel wrench (A).

Store in a safe location until the flat tire is repaired. Once the tire is repaired, replace the wheel cap.

3. Make sure the valve stem is pointed up and to the rear. Then pull the retainer (D) through the wheel opening.
4. Put the socket end of the extension (C) through the hole just above the rear bumper at a 45 degree downward angle. Connect the socket end of the extension to the hoist shaft (B).
5. 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.

6. Make sure the tire is stored securely. Push,

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 wheel wrench and socket end of the extension to tighten the cable.
7. Return the equipment to the proper location in the vehicle as shown next.

A. Handle

A. Handle
B. Wheel Wrench
C. Instruction Label
D. Extension
E. Knob
F. Wheel Blocks and Jack

1. Attach the handle (A), wheel wrench (B) and extension (D) in the slots provided.
2. Roll up the instruction label (C) and return to the slot in the tool kit.
3. Assemble the wheel blocks (F) to the jack.
4. Turn the knob (E) on the jack clockwise to raise the jack head.
5. Return the rear seat to its proper position.

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