WARNING: When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transmission alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park).

WARNING: To help prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be sure to place the transmission in P (Park), set the parking brake and block (in both directions) the wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to the tire being changed.

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

WARNING: Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid the danger of being hit when operating the jack or changing the wheel.

Note: Passengers should not remain in the vehicle when the vehicle is being jacked.

1. Block the diagonally opposite wheel.

2. Remove wheel cover (if equipped) with the lug wrench tip and loosen each wheel lug nut one-half turn counterclockwise but do not remove them until the wheel is raised off the ground.

3. Align the slot on top of the jack with the sheet metal flange indicated by the jack locator triangle next to the tire you are changing.

Turn the jack handle clockwise until the wheel is completely off the ground.

Note: DO NOT LIFT ON THE PLASTIC MOLDING, as this could damage molding. ONLY LIFT ON THE SHEET METAL NOTCH.

4. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench.
5. 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.
6. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
7. Remove the jack and fully tighten the lug nuts in the order shown.

Refer to Wheel lug nut torque specifications later in this chapter for the proper lug nut torque specification.
8. Install the wheel cover (if equipped). The wheel cover will only install if the Ford/Mercury logo is aligned over the valve stem on the wheel.

Stowing the tire and jack

1. Fully collapse the jack, fold the lug wrench socket into the handle and place the jack and wrench into the felt bag as shown. Place the extension bolt into the external pocket of the felt bag. Take care to position the jack as shown to ensure that the locating holes in the jack base can be placed on the locating tabs of the jack mounting bracket in the spare tire tub.

2. Securely close the wrench compartment and the jack bag using the VELCRO strips.
3. Place the jack kit on the angled bracket in the spare tire tub, using the locating tabs to position the jack correctly.
4. Insert the straight end of the jack retention bracket through the eyelet of the angled bracket and swing the retention bracket over the jack. With the jack in place, place the end of the retention bracket over the threaded stud in the trunk floor and secure it with the plastic wing nut.

If you are stowing the flat tire:

1. Remove the extension bolt from the exterior pocket of the felt bag.
2. Install the jack as shown in Step 4 under Stowing the tire and jack.
3. Screw the extension bolt onto the threaded stud of the jack retention bracket.
4. With the temporary spare tire on the vehicle, place the flat tire in the spare tire well with the wheel facing up.
5. Safely secure the wheel by screwing the large wing nut onto the extension bolt.

If you are stowing the temporary spare tire, place the tire over the jack and secure it with the large wing nut.