Ford Windstar (2003 year). Manual — part 40

Use of a temporary spare tire 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 driving capability

Location of the spare tire and tools

The spare tire and tools for your vehicle are stowed in the following
locations:

Item

Location

Spare tire

Under the vehicle, just forward of
the rear bumper

Jack, wheel nut wrench,

Behind the access panel located
on the right rear quarter panel
interior trim

Jack handle

Attached to jack with clip

Removing the jack and tools

1. Locate the access panel on the interior trim. Rotate the two panel
retaining clips and remove the panel.

2. Remove the jack and lug nut wrench by turning the thumbscrew
counterclockwise.

Removing the spare tire

To remove the spare tire:

1. Open the liftgate and open the
plastic cover from the carpeting on
cargo floor to expose the hex nut.
On cargo van model, lift flap in mat
to expose hex nut.

2. Insert the lug nut wrench on the
hex nut in cargo floor.

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3. Turn the wrench
counterclockwise until tire is
lowered to the ground and the cable
is slightly slack.

4. Remove the retainer from the
spare tire.

To install the spare tire:

1. Reverse the removal steps 2
through 4. When the tire is raised to
the stowed position underneath the
vehicle, the hex nut ratchets and will not allow you to overtighten.

2. Check seating position of tire for looseness against the underbody
supports and retighten if necessary.

Ensure the position of the tire is not too far forward to avoid
contact with the axle.

Tire change procedure

When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transaxle
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the

jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park).

To prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be
sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both directions) the

wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.

If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be
seriously injured.

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1. Park on a level surface, activate
hazard flashers and set parking
brake.

2. Place gearshift lever in P (Park),
turn engine off, and block the
diagonally opposite wheel.

3. Remove the spare tire, jack and
lug wrench.

4. If equipped with a bolted-on
wheel cover, remove the wheel
cover with the tapered end of the
wheel nut wrench.

5. Loosen the plastic nuts on the
center ornament with the wheel nut
wrench, then remove the plastic
nuts.

6. Remove the center ornament or wheel cover from the wheel with the
tapered end of the wheel nut wrench. Insert and twist the handle, then
pry against the wheel.

7. Loosen each wheel lug nut
one-half turn counterclockwise but
do not remove them until the wheel
is raised off the ground.

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If Ford Accessory Running Boards
have been installed, use the jack
adapters supplied with the running
boards as described on the inside of
the jack storage area.

8. Locate the jack notch next to the
door closest to the tire you are
changing, then place the jack on the
frame rail directly behind the notch.

9. Turn the jack handle clockwise
until the wheel is completely off the
ground.

To lessen the risk of
personal injury, do not put

any part of your body under the
vehicle while changing a tire. Do
not start the engine when your
vehicle is on the jack. The jack is
only meant for changing the tire.

10. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench.

11. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem
is facing outward. Reinstall lug nuts until the wheel is snug against the
hub. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been lowered.

12. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.

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