2002 Ford Windstar Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 211

Roadside Emergencies Removing the spare tire To remove the spare tire: 1. Open the liftgate and open the plastic cover from the carpeting on cargo floor to expose the hex nut. On cargo van model, lift flap in mat to expose hex nut. 2. Insert the lug nut wrench on the hex nut in cargo floor. 3. Turn the wrench counterclockwise until tire is lowered to the ground and the cable is slightly slack. 4. Remove the retainer from the spare tire. To install the spare tire: 1. Reverse the removal steps 2 through 4. When the tire is raised to the stowed position underneath the vehicle, the hex nut ratchets and will not allow you to overtighten. 2. Check seating position of tire for looseness against the underbody supports and retighten if necessary. Ensure the position of the tire is not too far forward to avoid contact with the axle. Tire change procedure When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transaxle alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park). To prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both directions) the wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to the tire being changed. 211