1. Locate the Tool Kit: Open the rear hatch of the vehicle and open the storage compartment near the spare tire. Inside this storage compartment, you should find the necessary tools, including a jack and a lug wrench.
2. Loosen the lug nuts: Using the lug wrench, turn the lug nuts on the spare tire counter-clockwise to loosen them. Do not remove the lug nuts completely at this stage.
3. Jack Up the Vehicle: Place the jack under the vehicle, near the spare tire well but avoid placing it on plastic parts or low-lying components. Refer to your vehicle's owner's manual for the specific jack placement location. Slowly jack up the vehicle until the spare tire is about six inches off the ground.
4. Remove Lug Nuts and Tire: Use the lug wrench to remove the lug nuts completely and take off the spare tire from the vehicle.
5. Lower the Vehicle: Carefully lower the vehicle using the jack until it's back on the ground.
6. Secure Spare Tire: If you're replacing the flat tire with the spare, make sure to secure it properly before driving by reinstalling the lug nuts and tightening them in a star pattern.
If the spare tire is your destination, you can leave it in the storage area and secure the compartment. Make sure to lower the vehicle safely and store the tools back in their proper place.
Remember to consult your owner's manual for more specific instructions related to your vehicle's model.
