How to Perform a Roadside Tire Change on a 2023 Jeep Cherokee

The purpose of this instruction is to provide drivers with an easy step-by-step guide to perform a roadside tire change on a 2023 Jeep Cherokee using the vehicle's supplied spare tire, scissor jack, wheel-bolt wrench, and wheel alignment pin.

A flat tire can happen at any moment while operating a vehicle. This guide offers knowledge of a basic automotive task that can save a timely and costly vehicle tow to a repair facility.

Verify the following is present and in good condition.

1. Spare tire
2. Scissor Jack
3. Wheel-bolt wrench
4. Wheel alignment pin
5. Wheel chocks

WARNING: Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle exposed to traffic. Doing so can cause serious injury or death.

1. Turn on the hazard lights.
2. Move as far away from traffic as possible.
3. Stop on firm, level ground.
4. Shift the transmission into Park.
5. Apply the Parking Brake.
6. Turn off the vehicle.

NOTE: The factory spare tire should be periodically checked for proper inflation in accordance with the owner's manual. If inflation checks have not been accomplished and there is no tire pressure gauge to perform the check, stop and call roadside assistance.

1. Open the trunk door.
2. Lift the trunk floor panel to access the spare tire and tool compartment.
3. Rotate the wing nut counter-clockwise until removed.
4. Remove the scissor jack assembly.
5. Remove the wheel-bolt wrench from the scissor-jack assembly.
6. Place tools near the flat tire.
7. Remove the spare tire.
8. Place the spare tire near the flat tire.
9. Insert wheel chocks on the wheel diagonally opposite of the flat tire.

1. Rotate all of the wheel bolts on the flat tire counter-clockwise 1 full turn with the wheel-bolt wrench.

CAUTION: Use only the designed jacking points to raise the vehicle. Incorrect placement can cause damage to the vehicle.

1. Place the scissor jack under the closest jacking point to the flat tire.
2. Rotate the jack screw clockwise until the jack saddle is 1/2 inches from the jacking point.
3. Center the jack under the jacking point.
4. Rotate the jack screw clockwise until the jack saddle contacts the jacking point.

WARNING: Do not raise the vehicle higher than needed. Doing so reduces the stability of the jack and can cause it to fail. Never put any part of your body beneath the vehicle while supported by the jack. Risk of serious injury, death, or damage to vehicle exists.

NOTE: When the jack screw becomes difficult to turn by hand, the wheel-bolt wrench can be used to turn the jack screw.

1. Rotate the jack screw clockwise to raise the vehicle.
2. Stop raising the vehicle once the flat tire is 1/2 inches off the ground.

1. Remove all of the wheel bolts.
2. Pull the flat tire away from the wheel hub.
3. Place the wheel in a stable location where it can not roll away.

1. Remove the wheel alignment pin from the scissor jack assembly.
2. Insert and rotate the wheel alignment pin clockwise in the wheel bolt hole closest to the 12 o'clock position on the wheel hub until it is tight.

CAUTION: The spare tire must be mounted with the valve stem outward. Incorrect installation of the spare tire can cause damage to the vehicle.

1. Position the spare tire onto the wheel hub using the wheel alignment pin.
2. Insert and rotate 4 wheel bolts clockwise into the wheel bolt holes until they are tight.
3. Rotate the wheel alignment pin counter-clockwise until removed.
4. Insert and rotate the final wheel bolt clockwise into the wheel bolt hole until it is tight.

1. Rotate the jack screw counter-clockwise and completely lower the vehicle.
2. Remove the scissor jack from underneath the vehicle.

CAUTION: Wheel bolts should be tightened until they are difficult to rotate. An overtightened wheel bolt may shear and an under-tightened wheel bolt may fall out of it's insert. It is important to check that the wheel bolts are properly torqued as soon as possible.

1. Rotate all the wheel bolts clockwise in a star pattern until tight.

1. Remove the wheel chocks.
2. Install the wheel-bolt wrench and wheel alignment pin onto the scissor jack assembly.
3. Stow the scissor jack assembly in the spare tire and tool compartment.
4. Install and rotate the wing nut clockwise until tight.
5. Install the trunk floor panel.
6. Stow the flat tire in the trunk compartment.
7. Close the truck door.

1. Start the vehicle.
2. Release the parking brake.
3. Turn off hazard lights.