1996 Ford Explorer Owner's Manual - Page 365

Servicing Your Explorer Tire rotation pattern After each rotation, adjust individual tire pressure as specified on the Safety Compliance Certification Label. Tighten wheel lug nuts to the required torque specification and retighten again after 500 miles (800 km). If your vehicle has aluminum wheels, you may demount the full size, non-temporary spare tire (if so equipped) and remount on an aluminum wheel to rotate the spare tire into your vehicle's rotation pattern. Rebalance the wheel. In addition to rotating the tires, the spare tire retention system should be cycled. Using the jack handle, lower the spare tire to the ground and then proceed to raise the tire until the mechanism "slips." Refer to Spare Tire Location section of the Roadside Emergencies chapter for the operation of the spare tire retention system. 365