1998 Mercury Villager Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 262

Stowing the spare tire 1. To raise the tire to the stowed position, lay the tire on the ground with the inboard side facing up. Install the retainer through the wheel center and slide the tire under the vehicle. Fit the hex-shaped end of the lug wrench over the hex nut in the floor of the cargo area. Turn the lug wrench clockwise until the tire is raised to its original position underneath the vehicle. NOTE: The lug wrench ratchets when the tire is raised to the stowed position. It will not allow you to over-tighten. 2. Check for proper seating against the underbody supports and retighten if necessary. WARNING Make sure the spare tire and jacking equipment are stowed and secured in the proper storage location. Preparing to Change the Tire You should only raise your vehicle with a jack properly placed at the front or rear jacking points. 1. Make sure that your vehicle will not move or roll and that the tires and jack are on a level, solid surface. Put the gearshift lever in P (Park). Set the parking brake and block the wheel - in both directions - that is diagonally opposite the tire that you are changing. WARNING 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). 258