Lincoln Nautilus: Changing a Road Wheel / Changing a Flat Tire

WARNING: If the tire pressure monitor sensor becomes damaged it may not function.

Note: The use of tire sealant may damage your tire pressure monitoring system and should only be used in roadside emergencies. If you must use a sealant, use the Tire Mobility Kit sealant. Replace the tire pressure monitoring system sensor and valve stem on the wheel by an authorized dealer after use of the sealant.

Note: The tire pressure monitoring system indicator light will illuminate when the spare tire is in use. To restore the full function of the monitoring system, all road wheels equipped with tire pressure monitoring sensors must be mounted on the vehicle.

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.

Have a flat serviced by an authorized dealer in order to prevent damage to the tire pressure monitoring system sensors. See Tire Pressure Monitoring System Overview. Replace the spare tire with a road tire as soon as possible. During repairing or replacing of the flat tire, have an authorized dealer inspect the tire pressure monitoring system sensor for damage.

Dissimilar Spare Wheel and Tire Assembly Information

WARNING: Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.

If you have a dissimilar spare wheel and tire, then it is intended for temporary use only. This means that if you need to use it, you should replace it as soon as possible with a road wheel and tire assembly that is the same size and type as the road tires and wheels that were originally provided on your vehicle. If the dissimilar spare tire or wheel is damaged, replace it instead of repairing it.

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

1. T-type mini-spare: This spare tire begins with the letter T for tire size and may have Temporary Use Only molded in the sidewall.
2. Full-size dissimilar spare with label on wheel: This spare tire has a label on the wheel that states: THIS WHEEL AND TIRE ASSEMBLY FOR TEMPORARY USE ONLY.

   When driving with one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above, do not:

   • Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
   • Load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the Safety Compliance Label.
   • Tow a trailer.
   • Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare tire.
   • Use more than one dissimilar spare tire at a time.
   • Use commercial car washing equipment.
   • Try to repair the dissimilar spare tire.

   Use of one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above 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 weather driving capability.
   • Wet weather driving capability.
   • All-wheel driving capability, if applicable.
   • Full-size dissimilar spare without label on wheel
3. When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare wheel and tire assembly, do not:

• Exceed 70 mph (113 km/h).
• Use more than one dissimilar spare wheel and tire assembly at a time.
• Use commercial car washing equipment.
• Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare wheel and tire assembly.

The usage of a full-size dissimilar spare wheel and tire assembly can lead to impairment of the following:

• Handling, stability and braking performance.
• Comfort and noise.
• Ground clearance and parking at curbs.
• Winter weather driving capability.
• Wet weather driving capability.
• All-wheel driving capability.

When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare wheel and tire assembly additional caution should be given to:

• Towing a trailer.
• Driving vehicles equipped with a camper body.
• Driving vehicles with a load on the cargo rack.

Drive cautiously when using a full-size dissimilar spare wheel and tire assembly and seek service as soon as possible.

Tire Change Procedure

WARNING: Do not work on your vehicle when the jack is the only support as your vehicle could slip off the jack. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death.

WARNING: To help prevent your vehicle from moving when changing a wheel, shift the transmission into park (P), set the parking brake and use an appropriate block or wheel chock to secure the wheel diagonally opposite to the wheel being changed. For example, when changing the front left wheel, place an appropriate block or wheel chock on the right rear wheel.

WARNING: Never place anything between the vehicle jack and your vehicle.

WARNING: Never place anything between the vehicle jack and the ground.

WARNING: Park your vehicle so that you do not obstruct the flow of traffic or place yourself in any danger and set up a warning triangle.

WARNING: Do not get under a vehicle that is only supported by a vehicle jack.

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.

WARNING: Use only the specified jacking points. If you use other positions, you may damage the body, steering, suspension, engine, braking system or the fuel lines.

WARNING: Always use the jack provided as original equipment with your vehicle. If using a jack other than the one provided, make sure the jack capacity is adequate for the vehicle weight, including any vehicle cargo or modifications. If you are unsure if the jack capacity is adequate, contact the authorized dealer.

WARNING: The jack supplied with this vehicle is only intended for changing wheels. Do not use the vehicle jack other than when you are changing a wheel in an emergency.

WARNING: Make sure there is no grease or oil on the threads or the surface between the wheel lugs and nuts. This can cause the lug nuts to loosen while driving.

Note: The jack does not require maintenance or additional lubrication over the service life of your vehicle.

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

1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake and activate the hazard flashers.
2. Place the transmission in park (P) and turn the engine off.

   

3. Block both the front and rear of the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire. For example, if the left front tire is flat, block the right rear wheel.
4. Lift and remove the carpeted load floor panel to access the minispare and jack kit.
5. Remove the wing nut securing the spare tire by turning it counterclockwise.
6. Remove the spare tire and jack kit from the spare tire compartment.

   

7. Remove plastic wing nut and jack and lug wrench assembly.
8. Detach the lug wrench from the jack by turning the jack hex nut drive screw counterclockwise. This will lower the jack and loosen the mechanical lock.

   

9. Unfold the wrench for use.

   

10. If your vehicle has wheel trim covering the lug nuts, use the tool provided with the jack assembly to remove the wheel trim.

    

11. Loosen each wheel lug nut one-half turn counterclockwise, but do not remove them until the wheel is raised off the ground.
12. If your vehicle has a warning triangle and you are jacking the vehicle on the roadside shoulder, set the warning triangle upright on the shoulder of the road facing the direction of oncoming traffic.

    

13. Arrows depict vehicle jacking points on the underside of the vehicle at the locations shown above. The warning label on the jack depicts the details.
14. Find the arrows embossed on the vehicle downward flange next to the tire you are changing.
15. Position the jack so that the vehicle downward flange rests in the jack saddle flange between the arrows, as shown above. Raise the vehicle by using the lug wrench to turn the jack nut clockwise. Once the flat tire is off the ground, remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench.
16. 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.
17. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
18. Remove the jack and fully tighten the lug nuts in the order shown. See Wheel Nuts.

    

19. To store the jack kit, fold the jack wrench handle and engage it to the bracket of the jack base using the lug wrench pin. Swing the wrench upwards, adjust the jack height until the wrench hook engages to the hole on the jack. Turn the hex nut clockwise by hand until secure. Re-position the jack kit assembly into the original vehicle position and secure with the plastic wing nut. Make sure the jack is fastened securely before you drive.

    

20. Unblock the wheel and retrieve the warning triangle.

Stowing the flat tire

You cannot store the full-sized road wheel in the temporary spare tire well.

1. Find the flat tire retainer strap tucked inside the jack channel. Lower the carpeted load floor.
2. Stow the flat tire in the cargo area on the load floor with the wheel facing up. Secure the flat tire with the retainer strap by following the next steps.

   

3. Locate the rear left side and right side cargo tie-down rings. Push the loop end of the retainer strap through one cargo tie-down ring. Thread the non-loop end through the loop.
4. Weave the retainer strap through the wheel openings.
5. Locate the cargo tie-down in the opposite rear corner of the cargo area. Thread the retainer strap though the tie-down and pull tight.
6. Secure the flat tire by tying a 2-half hitch knot.