Subaru Forester: Flat tires / Changing a flat tire

WARNING

• Use only the jack and the jack handle provided with your vehicle. The jack supplied with the vehicle is designed only for changing a tire. Never get under the vehicle while supporting the vehicle with this jack.
• Do not jack up the vehicle on an incline or a loose road surface. The jack can come out of the jacking point or sink into the ground and this can result in a severe accident.
• Before jacking up the vehicle, be sure that there are no occupants or cargo on board.
• Do not jack up the vehicle with an object on or underneath the jack. The jack can be unstable and this can result in a severe accident.
• Always turn off the engine before raising the flat tire off the ground using the jack. Never swing or push the vehicle supported with the jack. The jack can come out of the jacking point due to a jolt and this can result in a severe accident.

NOTE

Contact a SUBARU dealer when jacking up the vehicle using a garage jack.

CAUTION

Do not hit and bend the disc rotor backing plate when removing and installing the tire. A bent backing plate may scrape against the disc rotor and cause noise while the vehicle is in motion.

1. Park on a hard, level surface, whenever possible, then stop the engine.
2. Apply the parking brake securely and shift the select lever to the “P” (Park) position.
3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher and unload all occupants and luggage from the vehicle.

   

4. Put wheel blocks at the front and rear of the tire diagonally opposite the flat tire.
5. Take out the jack, jack handle and wheel nut wrench.

   The tools and spare tire are stored under the floor of the cargo area. Refer to “Maintenance tools”.

   NOTE

   Make sure that the jack is well lubricated before using it.

   

6. Take out the tool bucket and turn the attaching bolt counterclockwise, then take the spare tire out.

   NOTE

   If the spare tire provided in your vehicle is a temporary spare tire, carefully read “Temporary spare tire” and strictly follow the instructions.

   

7. If your vehicle has wheel covers, after your hands are protected by gloves, grasp the wheel cover spokes and pull toward you to remove the wheel cover.

   

8. Loosen the wheel nuts using the wheel nut wrench but do not remove the nuts.

   

   Jack-up points

9. Place the jack under the side sill at the front or rear jack-up point closest to the flat tire.

   

   Turn the jackscrew by hand until the jack head engages firmly into the jack-up point.

   

10. Insert the jack handle into the jackscrew, and turn the handle until the tire clears the ground. Do not raise the vehicle higher than necessary.
11. Remove the wheel nuts and the flat tire.

    

    

12. Before putting the spare tire on, clean the mounting surface of the wheel and hub with a cloth.

    CAUTION

    If the threaded part was damaged, we recommend that you immediately contact your SUBARU dealer.

13. Put on the spare tire. Replace the wheel nuts. Tighten them by hand.

    WARNING

    Do not use oil or grease on the wheel studs or nuts when the spare tire is installed. This could cause the nuts to become loose and lead to an accident.

14. Turn the jack handle counterclockwise to lower the vehicle.

    

15. Use the wheel nut wrench to securely tighten the wheel nuts to the specified torque, following the tightening order in the illustration.

    For the wheel nut tightening torque, refer to “Tires”. Never use your foot on the wheel nut wrench or a pipe extension on the wrench because you may exceed the specified torque. Have the wheel nut torque checked at the nearest automotive service facility.

    

    Support holder

16. Store the flat tire in the spare tire compartment. Install with the support holder facing upward and secure the flat tire by firmly tightening the attaching bolt.

    NOTE

    If you cannot fix the flat tire firmly, try turning the support holder upside down.

17. Store the jack, jack handle and wheel nut wrench in their storage locations.

    WARNING

    Never place a tire or tire changing tools in the passenger compartment after changing wheels. In a sudden stop or collision, loose equipment could strike occupants and cause injury. Store the tire and all tools in the proper place.