Ford F-150/F-250: How to Change a Tire
Everyone should know how to change a tire. If you're coming from owning a car, however, the process for installing a spare on an F-150 or F-250 is a little different. Keep reading to learn how.
By
Pizzaman711
- September 3, 2014Contributors: 03f150lariat4X4, 4x4wolf, and
[email protected]
The basic process for changing a tire is the safe regardless of what you're driving. On a truck, however, like the F-150 or the F-250, installing a spare tire is a more involved process just because of how the spare is mounted. It's not difficult, but this guide will give you a step-by-step walkthrough of how to do this so you don't find yourself confused on the side of the road.
Tools Needed
Tire Iron
Jack (and stand) that can safely support the vehicle
Spare tire key
Your truck key
Aside from using the tools above, it is recommended that you use a pair of cheap work or nitrile gloves to protect your hands and clothing.
All of the tools should have been included with the purchase of your Ford F-150 or F-250 Super Duty, but if you bought it used you may have to source them elsewhere.
The jack and tire iron will be inside the truck under the passenger or rear seat. The tire key on older trucks will be clipped in place across the radiator shroud under the hood and on newer trucks will be with the other tools and will need to be assembled.
Safety Tips
Never lay under a vehicle that isn't supported by jack stands
Make sure to pull a safe distance off of a roadway
Make sure you place your jack in the recommended location
A spare tire is generally not meant to be driven for long periods or at high
speeds so replace your blown tire as soon as possible
If you are replacing a worn tire with a new one, you can skip to Step 2. If you are installing a spare, start with Step 1 below.
Step 1 - Remove spare tire
If you are installing a spare tire, Locate hole in rear bumper to the right of the license plate to feed spare tire key through into the guide tube
On older trucks you will see about an inch sized hole in the rear bumper
On newer trucks you will see a weatherproof cap, open this, using your truck key turn the lock and pull back to reveal the hole
Insert the spare tire key into the guide tube through the hole and turn counterclockwise until tire lowers to the ground from underneath the truck
While supporting the spare tire with one hand to give slack to the cable, turn the tire lock in the center of the wheel perpendicular to the ground to slip it through and release the tire
Step 2 - Remove flat tire
While truck is on the ground, loosen (counter-clockwise), but don’t remove the six lug nuts. If you are working on a Super Duty, you can use a 1/2-inch Super Duty
Air Impact Wrench
.
Place jack under the frame of the truck and jack up the vehicle until tire is off the ground.
NOTE: Use your owner's manual to determine jack points on your vehicle.
If your truck has been lifted, set the jack on 4x4 blocks before jacking up.
Once your F150 or Super Duty has been raised, place the jack stand under a suspension component and then lower the truck so it sits on the jack stand.
Once your tire is off the ground, remove the lug nuts and then remove the tire.
Step 3 - Install spare tire
If needed, jack up vehicle until you can slide the spare tire on.
In a crisscross pattern, hand tighten the lug nuts until you can’t turn them by hand anymore (it’s helpful to push on the spare tire to help align it).
Lower the truck onto its own weight and in a crisscross pattern tighten the lug nuts using the tire iron.
At this point, do a final inspection on your Ford F-150 or Super Duty to make sure the tire is installed straight and all lug nuts are tight, then pat yourself on the back because you’re done!
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