If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your hazard warning flashers.

Caution: Changing a tire can be dangerous. The vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over or fall on you or other people. You and they could be badly injured or even killed. Find a level place to change your tire. To help prevent the vehicle from moving:

1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever in P (Park).
3. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear -- not in N (Neutral).
4. Turn off the engine and do not restart while the vehicle is raised.
5. Do not allow passengers to remain in the vehicle.
6. Put the wheel blocks at the front and rear of the tire farthest away from the one being changed. That would be the tire on the other side, at the opposite end of the vehicle.

The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and change a tire.

The jack and the wheel blocks are located under a cover near the passenger side rear seat.

To remove the jack and wheel blocks, do the following:

Rear Seat (Passenger Side) Jack Cover




1. Remove the jack cover by turning the two wing nuts one-quarter turn counterclockwise and pulling the jack cover off.




Wheel Blocks

Knob

Wing Nut

Retaining Hook

Jack

Jack Head

Mounting Bracket

2. Release the jack (E) from the mounting bracket (G) by turning the knob (B) on the jack counterclockwise to lower the jack head (F) from the mounting bracket.
3. Remove the wheel blocks (A) attached to the jack (E) by turning the wing nut (C) counterclockwise. Place the wheel blocks where needed as indicated in the previous Caution.

The tools for changing a flat tire are located in the passenger's side Top-Box storage unit.

To remove the tools, do the following:

1. Open the top door on the passenger's side Top-Box Storage unit. Use the ignition/door key to unlock it if it is locked. See Top-Box Storage for more information on the Top-Box Storage unit.

Top-Box Storage Unit (Passenger Side)




2. Remove the black pouch from the storage box.

You now have all of the tools you will need to lower the spare tire and change a flat.

You'll use the jack handle extensions and the wheel wrench to remove the underbody-mounted spare tire.

1. 
   
   

   Spare Tire (Valve Stem Pointed Down)

2. Hoist Assembly

3. Hoist Cable

4. Tire Retainer

5. Hoist Shaft

6. Hoist End of Extension Tool

7. Hoist Shaft Access Hole

8. Wheel Wrench

9. Jack Handle Extensions

10. Hoist Lock (If Equipped)

Follow these instructions to lower the spare tire:

1. Your vehicle may be equipped with a hoist lock (J). Open the spare tire lock cover on the bumper and use the ignition key to remove the lock.



2. Assemble the wheel wrench (H) and the two jack handle extensions (I) as shown.




Insert the hoist end (open end) (F) of the extension through the hole (G) in the rear bumper.

3. Be sure the hoist end of the extension connects to the hoist shaft (E). The ribbed square end of the extension is used to lower the spare tire.
4. Turn the wheel wrench (H) counterclockwise to lower the spare tire to the ground. Continue to turn the wheel wrench until the spare tire can be pulled out from under the vehicle.

If the spare tire does not lower to the ground, the secondary latch is engaged causing the tire not to lower. See "Secondary Latch System" later in this section.




5. The wheel wrench has a hook that allows you to pull the hoist cable towards you to assist in reaching the spare tire.



6. When the tire has been lowered, tilt the retainer (D) at the end of the cable so it can be pulled up through the wheel opening.
7. Put the spare tire near the flat tire.

Use the following pictures and instructions to remove the flat tire and raise the vehicle.

The tools you'll be using include the bottle jack (A), the wheel blocks (B), the jack handle (C), the jack handle extensions (D), and the wheel wrench (E).

If your vehicle has wheel nut caps, loosen them by turning the wheel wrench counterclockwise. If the vehicle has a center cap with wheel nut caps, the wheel nut caps are designed to stay with the center cap after they are loosened. Remove the entire center cap.

1. If the wheel has a smooth center cap, place the chisel end of the wheel wrench in the slot on the wheel and gently pry out.




Use the wheel wrench to loosen all the wheel nuts. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to loosen the wheel nuts. Don't remove the wheel nuts yet.

Jack Positions (overall view)




2. These locations (A) front position, (B) rear position are the general area of jack placement. See text and art following for the exact jack placement.

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.

3. Position the jack under the vehicle.

Front Position




4. Front Tire Flat: If the flat tire is on a front tire of the vehicle, you'll need to use the jack handle (C) and only one jack handle extension (D). Attach the wheel wrench to the jack handle extension. Attach the jack handle to the jack. Position the jack on the frame behind the flat tire where the frame sections overlap. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise to raise the vehicle. Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground so there is enough room for the spare tire to clear the ground.

Rear Position 1500 Series





Rear Position 2500 Series




5. Rear Tire Flat: If the flat tire is on a rear tire of the vehicle, you'll need to use the jack handle (C) and both jack handle extensions (D). Attach the wheel wrench to the jack handle extensions. Attach the jack handle to the jack.On all 1500 Series vehicles, use the jacking pad provided on the rear axle. On 2500 series vehicles, use the axle between the spring and shock bracket. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise to raise the vehicle. Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground so there is enough room for the spare tire to clear the ground.



6. 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.

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.




7. After mounting the spare, put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end of the nuts toward the wheel. Tighten each wheel nut by hand. Then use the wheel wrench until the wheel is held against the hub.

Front Position





Rear Position 1500 Series





Rear Position 2500 Series




8. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower the vehicle. Lower the jack completely.



9. Tighten the nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence as shown by turning the wheel wrench clockwise.

Caution: Wheel nuts that are improperly or incorrectly tightened can cause the wheels to become loose or come off. The wheel nuts should be tightened with a torque wrench to the proper torque specification after replacing. Follow the torque specification supplied by the aftermarket manufacturer when using accessory locking wheel nuts. See Capacities and Specifications for original equipment wheel nut torque specifications.

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.

When you reinstall the full-size wheel and tire, you must also reinstall the wheel cover with attached plastic nuts, the plastic nut caps or the smooth center cap.

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.

Notice: Storing an aluminum wheel with a flat tire under your vehicle for an extended period of time or with the valve stem pointing up can damage the wheel. Always stow the wheel with the valve stem pointing down and have the wheel/tire repaired as soon as possible.

1. 
   
   

   Spare Tire (Valve Stem Pointed Down)

2. Hoist Assembly

3. Hoist Cable

4. Tire Retainer

5. Hoist Shaft

6. Hoist End of Extension Tool

7. Hoist Shaft Access Hole

8. Wheel Wrench

9. Jack Handle Extensions

10. Hoist Lock (If Equipped))

1. Put the tire on the ground at the rear of the vehicle with the valve stem pointed down and toward the rear of the vehicle.
2. Tilt the retainer (D) downward and through the wheel opening. Make sure the retainer is fully seated across the underside of the wheel.



3. Attach the wheel wrench (H) and extensions (I) together.



4. Insert the hoist end (F) through the hole (G) in the rear bumper and into the hoist shaft.
5. Raise the tire part way upward. Make sure the retainer is seated in the wheel opening.
6. Raise the tire fully against the underside of the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench clockwise until you hear two clicks or feel it skip twice. You cannot overtighten the cable.

(A) Push and Pull (B) Rotate or Turn




7. Make sure the tire is stored securely. Push, pull, and then try to rotate or turn the tire. If the tire moves, use the wheel wrench to tighten the cable. Reinstall the spare tire lock (if equipped).

To store the tools, follow these procedures:

1. Return the tools to the tool bag and place it back in the Top-Box Storage unit.
2. Assemble the wheel blocks and bottle jack together with the wing nut by reversing Step 2 under "Removing the Spare Tire and Tools" earlier in this section.
3. Replace the jack cover and tighten the jack-cover wingnuts.

Your vehicle has an underbody mounted tire hoist assembly equipped with a secondary latch system. It's designed to stop the spare tire from suddenly falling off your vehicle. For the secondary latch to work, the spare must be installed with the valve stem pointing down and toward the rear of the vehicle. See "Storing a Flat or Spare Tire, Jack and Tools" earlier in this section.

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 do the following:

1. Check under the vehicle to see if the cable end is visible.
2. If the cable is not visible proceed to Step 6.

If it is visible, first try to tighten the cable by turning the wheel wrench clockwise until you hear two clicks or feel it skip twice. You cannot overtighten the cable.

3. Loosen the cable by turning the wrench counterclockwise three or four turns.
4. Repeat this procedure at least two times. If the spare tire lowers to the ground, continue with Step 5 of "Removing the Spare Tire and Tools" earlier in this section.
5. Turn the wrench counterclockwise until approximately six inches (15 cm) of cable is exposed.



6. Stand the wheel blocks on their shortest ends, with the backs facing each other.
7. Place the bottom edge of the jack on the wheel blocks, separating them so that the jack is balanced securely.





8. Attach the jack handle, extension, and wheel wrench to the jack and place it (with the wheel blocks) under the vehicle towards the front of the rear bumper. Position the center lift point of the jack under the center of the spare tire.
9. Turn the wrench clockwise to raise the jack until it lifts the end fitting.
10. Continue raising the jack until the spare tire stops moving upward and is held firmly in place. The secondary latch has released and the spare tire is balancing on the jack.
11. Lower the jack by turning the wheel wrench counterclockwise. Keep lowering the jack until the spare tire slides off the jack or is hanging by the cable.

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 under the spare.

12. Disconnect the jack handle from the jack and carefully remove the jack. Use one hand to push against the spare while firmly pulling the jack out from under the spare tire with the other hand.

If the spare tire is hanging from the cable, insert the hoist handle, extension and wheel wrench into the hoist shaft hole in the bumper and turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower the spare the rest of the way.




13. Tilt the retainer at the end of the cable and pull it through the wheel opening. Pull the tire out from under the vehicle.
14. If the cable is hanging under the vehicle, turn the wheel wrench clockwise to raise the cable back up.

Have the hoist assembly inspected as soon as you can. You will not be able to store a spare or flat tire using the hoist assembly until it has been replaced.

To continue changing the flat tire, see "Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire" earlier in this section.