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, the secondary latch will not work properly and the spare tire could loosen and suddenly fall from the vehicle. If this happened when the vehicle was being driven, the tire might contact a person or another vehicle, causing injury and damage to itself. Be sure the underbody-mounted spare tire is stored with the 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.

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.

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 flat tire in the rear storage area with the valve stem pointing toward the rear of the vehicle.



4. Pull the cable (A) through the door striker (E), the center of the wheel (D), and the plastic spare tire heat shield (C), as shown.



5. Hook the cable onto the outside portion of the liftgate hinges (B).
6. Hook the other end of the cable onto the outside portion of the liftgate hinge (A).
7. Pull on the cable to make sure it is secure.



8. Make sure the metal tube is centered at the striker. Push the tube toward the front of the vehicle.
9. Close the liftgate and make sure it is latched properly.

1. Tool Bag

2. Wing Bolt

3. Jack

Put back all tools as they were stored in the jack storage compartment and put the compartment cover back on.

1. Ensure that the bottom of the jack is facing toward you.
2. Turn the jack (C) on its side and place down on the holding bracket.
3. Reinstall the wing bolt (B) by turning clockwise.
4. To replace the cover, line up the tab at the front of the cover with the notch in the cover opening. Push the cover in place and make sure that the rear clips are in the slots and push the cover closed.

Store the center cap or the plastic bolt-on wheel covers until a full size tire is put back on the vehicle. When you replace the compact spare with a full-size tire, reinstall the bolt-on wheel covers or the center cap. Hand-tighten them over the wheel nuts, using the lug wrench.