How to Release the Spare on a 2005 Ford Escape

by Leonardo R. Grabkowski

The 2005 Ford Escape's spare tire is mounted beneath the rear cargo area in front of the rear bumper. This is a common storage place for spare tires on trucks and SUVs. A retaining wire and a metal shaft hold the tire in place. To release the Escape's spare tire, you'll need to use the vehicle's factory-equipped jack tools. If your Escape does not have these tools, you'll need to contact an authorized Ford dealer. The owner's manual recommends against using a standard socket wrench to access the vehicle's spare tire.

Step 1

Pull up on the 2005 Escape's emergency brake lever for safety. Open the SUV's rear hatch. Remove all items from the cargo floor.

Step 2

Grasp the rear edge of the cargo floor carpet. Pull it up to access the cardboard cover beneath it. Lift the cardboard cover up. Behind it you'll find a small compartment with the jack and spare tire tools.

Step 3

Unbuckle the strap to free the jack and tools. Lift the lug wrench out of the compartment. The lug wrench is L-shaped and is what you'll use to release the spare tire.

Step 4

Inspect the area on the right side of the Escape's rear bumper. You'll see a hole. Insert the handle end of the lug wrench firmly into the hole.

Step 5

Turn the lug wrench counterclockwise. As you do so, you'll notice that the spare begins to lower itself. Stop turning when the wrench no longer turns. This will happen a few turns after the spare touches the ground and gives you a little bit of slack in the retainer cable.

Step 6

Scoot the spare tire out from underneath the Escape. Lift one side of it up partially. On the other side you'll see a metal shaft. Turn the shaft sideways and slide it through the center of the spare tire's rim. The spare tire is now free.

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