Ford Explorer Quiz
Wheels and Tires

Road Wheel Replacement

In this manual: Wheels and Tires
Introduction — 10At a Glance — 3Child Safety — 11Seat Belts — 10Personal Safety System™ — 1Supplemental Restraint System — 10Pedestrian Protection — 1911 Assist — 3Keys and Remote Controls — 10MyKey™ — 8Doors & Locks — 9Liftgate — 7Safety — 3Steering Wheel — 11Wipers and Washers — 5Lighting — 13Automatic High Beam Control — 3Windows and Mirrors — 6Instrument Cluster — 4Information Displays — 4Climate Control — 6Cabin Air Quality — 2Seats — 9Garage Door Opener — 2Auxiliary Power Points — 3Storage Compartments — 2Starting and Stopping the Engine — 5Unique Driving Characteristics — 4Fuel and Refueling — 8Engine Emission Control — 3High-Voltage Battery — 1Infection Transmission — 8All-Wheel Drive Vehicle — 1Brakes — 5Reverse Brake Assist — 4Traction Control — 1Stability Control — 3Hill Descent Control — 3Park Aid — 8Cruise Control — 4Adaptive Cruise Control — 19Driver Assistance — 12Drive Mode Control — 4Loading — 6Tow/Haul — 6Driving Tips — 5Roadside Emergencies — 8Customer Assistance — 9Fuses — 3Maintenance — 21Vehicle Care — 12Wheels and Tires — 8Capacities and Specifications — 16Connectivity — 3Wi-Fi Hotspot — 3Audio System — 6SYNC™ 3 — 14Accessories — 1Ford Protect — 1Scheduled Maintenance — 5Appendices — 4
30steps
~180min
5/5difficulty
Done 0 of 30

If a tire goes flat while driving, do not apply the brakes firmly. Instead, gradually reduce speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly and slowly drive to a safe location on the shoulder of the road.

Have the tire pressure monitoring system sensors inspected by an authorized dealer to prevent damage when servicing a flat tire. Refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Replace the temporary spare tire with a road tire as soon as possible. When repairing or replacing a flat tire, have an authorized dealer inspect the tire pressure monitoring system sensor for damage.

Spare Tire and Wheel Assembly - Miscellaneous Information

If you have a mismatched spare tire and wheel, it is intended for temporary use only. This means that if you need to use it, you must replace it as soon as possible with a road wheel and tire assembly of the same size and type as the road tires and wheels originally supplied by us. If the mismatched spare tire or wheel is damaged, it should be replaced, not repaired.

A mismatched spare tire and wheel assembly is defined as a spare tire and wheel assembly that differs in brand, size, or appearance from the road tires and wheels, and may be one of three types:

  1. T-Type Temporary Spare: This spare tire begins with the letter T in the tire size and may be molded on the sidewall with the words "For Temporary Use Only."
  2. Full-Size Mismatched Spare with Wheel Label: This spare has a label on the wheel that reads: THIS WHEEL AND TIRE ASSEMBLY IS FOR TEMPORARY USE ONLY.

    When driving the vehicle with any of the mismatched spare tires listed above, do not:

    • Exceed a speed of 80 km/h.
    • Load the vehicle above the maximum load capacity shown on the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
    • Tow a trailer.
    • Use tire traction chains on the axle with the other spare tire.
    • Use more than one mismatched spare tire at the same time.
    • Use a commercial car wash facility.
    • Attempt to repair the mismatched spare tire.

    Using one of the mismatched spare tires listed above on any wheel position may adversely affect the following:

    • Handling, stability, and braking performance.
    • Ride comfort and noise.
    • Ground clearance and curb parking.
    • Winter driving capability.
    • Wet weather driving capability.
    • Four-wheel drive capability.
  3. Full-size mismatched spare without a wheel label.

    When driving with a full-size mismatched spare tire and wheel assembly, do not:

    • Exceed a speed of 70 mph (113 km/h).
    • Use more than one mismatched spare tire and wheel at the same time.
    • Use a commercial car wash facility.
    • Use tire traction chains on the axle with the other spare tire and wheel assembly.

    Using a full-size mismatched spare tire and wheel assembly may adversely affect the following:

    • Handling, stability, and braking performance.
    • Ride comfort and noise.
    • Ground clearance and curb parking.
    • Winter driving capability.
    • Wet weather driving capability.
    • Four-wheel drive capability.

    When driving with a full-size mismatched spare tire and wheel assembly, use extra caution:

    • Towing a trailer.
    • Driving vehicles with a camper body.
    • Driving the vehicle with cargo on the roof rack.

Use caution when using a full-size mismatched spare tire and wheel assembly, and have it serviced as soon as possible.

Tire Replacement Procedure

  1. Park on a level surface, apply the parking brake, and turn on the hazard warning flashers.
  2. Apply the parking brake, shift the transmission into Park (P) or Reverse (R) for a manual transmission, and turn off the engine.
  3. If your vehicle is equipped with air suspension, use the touchscreen to enable Air Suspension Service Mode before raising the vehicle with the jack.
  4. Chock the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire. For example, if the front left tire is flat, chock the right rear wheel.
  5. Turn the wing nut securing the spare tire counterclockwise and remove the wing nut.
  6. Remove the spare tire, jack, and wheel wrench from the spare tire storage compartment under the cargo floor.
  7. Turn the hex nut on the jack counterclockwise to remove the wheel wrench from the jack. This lowers the jack and releases the mechanical lock.
  8. Unfold the handle for use.
  9. Remove the strap from the jack.
  10. Loosen each wheel nut half a turn counterclockwise, but do not remove them, until the flat tire is raised off the ground.
  11. Locate the jack lift points shown here, the small arrow-shaped marks on the rocker panels. Refer to the lift point locations illustration.
  12. Place the jack at the lift point nearest the tire you are changing. Turn the wheel wrench handle clockwise until the flat tire is fully off the ground.
  13. Using the wheel wrench, remove the wheel nuts.
  14. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem faces outward.
  15. Install the wheel nuts finger-tight against the hub. Do not fully tighten the nuts until the vehicle is lowered.
  16. Turn the wheel wrench handle counterclockwise to lower the vehicle completely.
  17. Remove the jack and fully tighten the wheel nuts in the sequence shown. Refer to Specifications.
  18. If you have activated the pneumatic suspension service mode, turn off this mode before driving.
  19. Remove the wheel chocks.

Stowing the Jack

  1. To store the folded wrench on the jack, hook the jack base bracket and the wrench pin, turn the wrench upward, and adjust the jack height until the wrench hook engages the hole in the jack. Tighten the hex nut clockwise by hand until it is secure.
  2. Place the jack in the spare tire compartment, install the wing nut, and tighten it clockwise by hand until it stops.

Stowing the Flat Tire

You cannot store a full-size spare tire in the temporary spare tire well.

  1. Locate the strap securing the flat tire, stored inside the jack channel below the carpeted cargo floor.
  2. Place the flat tire in the cargo area on the cargo floor, wheel side up. Secure the flat tire with the retaining strap by performing the following steps.
  3. Locate the left and right rear cargo tie-down rings. Thread the end of the retaining strap through one cargo tie-down ring. Pass the end without a loop through the loop.
  4. Thread the retaining strap through the wheel openings.
  5. Locate the front cargo tie-down ring in the opposite rear corner of the cargo area. Thread the retaining strap through the buckle and tighten it firmly.
  6. Secure by tying a second knot.

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