Changing the tires

If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.

Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.

The use of tire sealants is not recommended and may compromise the integrity of your tires.

Temporary spare tire information

The temporary spare tire for your vehicle is labeled as such. It is smaller than a regular tire and is designed for emergency use only. Replace the temporary spare tire with a full-size tire as soon as possible.

If you use the temporary spare tire continuously or do not follow these precautions, the tire could fail, causing you to lose control of the vehicle, possibly injuring yourself or others.

When driving with the temporary spare tire do not:

  • use more than one temporary spare tire at a time
  • exceed 80 km/h (50 mph)
  • load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the Safety Compliance Label
  • tow a trailer
  • use tire chains
  • drive through an automatic car wash, because of the vehicle's reduced ground clearance
  • try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its wheel
  • use the wheel for any other type of vehicle

Use of a temporary spare tire at any one wheel location can lead to impairment of the following:

  • handling, stability and braking performance
  • comfort and noise
  • ground clearance and parking at curbs
  • Winter driving capability

Tire change procedure

1. Park on a level surface, activate hazard flashers and set the parking brake.

When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transaxle


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) (automatic transaxle) or R (Reverse) (manual transaxle).

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.

If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be seriously injured.

2. Place gearshift lever in P (Park) (automatic transaxle) or R (Reverse) (manual transaxle), turn engine OFF, and block the diagonally opposite wheel.

  • Automatic


  • Manual

3. Remove the jack, jack handle, lug


3. Remove the jack, jack handle, lug wrench and spare tire.

4. Loosen each wheel lug nut


4. Loosen each wheel lug nut one-half turn counterclockwise but do not remove them until the wheel is raised off the ground.

5. Put the jack in the jack notch


5. Put the jack in the jack notch next to the door of the tire you are changing. Turn the handle clockwise until the wheel is completely off the ground.

6. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench.


6. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench.

7. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem is facing outward. Reinstall the lug nuts until the wheel is snug against the hub. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been lowered.

8. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.

9. Remove the jack and fully tighten the lug nuts in the order shown.

10. Put flat tire, jack and lug wrench away. Make sure the jack is fastened so it does not rattle when you drive.

Unblock the wheels.

Jump starting your vehicle


    See also:

    Turbocharger-to-manifold nut check - RS Turbo models (Every 12 000 miles or 12 months)
    Check the tightness of the turbocharger-toexhaust manifold securing nuts using a torque wrench. ...

    Fuel filter renewal (Every 24 000 miles (40 000 km) or 2 years)
    Caution: Refer to the precautions in Chapter 4, Part B, Section 1 before proceeding. 2.0 litre SOHC fuel injection models 1 The fuel filter is located on the left-hand side of the engine compart ...

    Doors - removal and refitting
    Front door Pre-1986 models Removal 1 Open the door fully and support its lower edge on a jack or blocks covered with a pad of cloth to prevent scratching. 2 Unscrew the two bolts which hold the ...