1. If your vehicle has an aluminum wheel with a center hub cap that hides the wheel nuts, remove the hub cap by using the flat end of the wheel wrench to pry it off.

If your vehicle has a steel wheel with a wheel cover, the center hub cap must be removed first by using the flat end of the wheel wrench to pry it off. Once the center hub cap has been removed, loosen the plastic nut caps with the wheel wrench. Once the plastic nut caps have been loosened, remove the wheel cover by hand.

When reinstalling the wheel cover, carefully line up the tire valve stem and the notch in the wheel cover.




2. Use the wheel wrench to loosen the wheel nuts, but do not remove them yet.
3. Attach the wheel wrench to the bolt to create a jack handle.



4. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower the jack head until it fits under the vehicle.



5. Put the jack into a notch in the frame which is located near each wheel well.

The front notch is 8 inches (20 cm) back from the front wheel well. The rear notch is 3 inches (8 cm) forward from the rear wheel well. The notches are accessible through openings in the plastic trim at the bottom of the vehicle.

6. Position the jack and raise the jack head until it fits firmly on the ridge in the vehicle's frame nearest the flat tire. Do not raise the vehicle yet.
7. Put the compact spare tire near you.

Caution: Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up is dangerous. If the vehicle slips off the jack you could be badly injured or killed. Never get under a vehicle when it is supported only by a jack.

Caution: Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly positioned can damage the vehicle and even make the vehicle fall. To help avoid personal injury and vehicle damage, be sure to fit the jack lift head into the proper location before raising the vehicle.




8. Raise the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench clockwise in the jack. Raise the vehicle far enough so there is enough room for the spare tire to fit under the wheel well.
9. Remove all the wheel nuts and take off the flat tire.

Caution: Rust or dirt on a wheel or other parts to which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts become loose and eventually the wheel could come off and cause a crash. Always remove all rust and dirt from wheels and other parts.





Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting surfaces and spare wheel.

10. Place the compact spare tire on the wheel-mounting surface.

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.





Reinstall the wheel nuts with the rounded end of the nuts toward the wheel. Make sure each wheel stud is centered in each wheel hole while tightening the nuts. Tighten each nut by hand until the wheel is held against the hub.

11. Lower the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench counterclockwise on the jack. Lower the jack completely.

Caution: Incorrect or improperly tightened wheel nuts can cause the wheel to come loose and even come off. This could lead to a crash. If you have to replace them, be sure to get new original equipment wheel nuts. Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to the proper torque specification. See Capacities and Specifications for wheel nut torque specification.

Notice: Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper torque specification. See Capacities and Specifications for the wheel nut torque specification.





Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence.

Notice: Wheel covers will not fit on your vehicle's compact spare. If you try to put a wheel cover on the compact spare, the cover or the spare could be damaged.

Do not try to put a wheel cover on your compact spare tire. It will not fit. Store the wheel cover and lug nut caps in the trunk until you have the flat tire repaired or replaced.