How to Remove a Spare Tire From a Ford F-150
by Allen Moore
The spare tire on a Ford F150 hangs below the truck's bed, just forward of the back bumper. Having a properly maintained spare tire can be a life saver if you get a flat tire while driving your F150. With that in mind, it's best to set the tire pressure on the spare at least once a month or every time you set the tire pressure on the other four tires, whichever comes first. Anyone with a little mechanical inclination can remove a spare tire from a Ford F-150 in about five minutes.
Step 1
Open the F-150's hood and remove the tire tool, located over the radiator.
Step 2
Slide the pointed end of the tire tool into the opening next to the rear license plate in the back bumper until it connects to the spare tire winch.
Step 3
Turn the tire tool counterclockwise to lower the spare tire to the ground.
Step 4
Crawl under the rear of the truck and slip the spare tire carrier cable end out of the rim's center hole by hand. Pull the tire out from under the F-150.
References
- "Ford F150 1997 Thru 2003: Haynes Manual"; Ken Freund; 2003
- "Ford F150 2004 Thru 2009: Haynes Manual"; Ken Freund; 2009
Tips
- Some F-150s built in the late 1990s and early 2000s have a locking spare tire carrier that necessitates the use of a spare tire key on the end of the tire tool before you can lower the spare tire. If you do not have this key, which comes from the factory in a plastic bag placed in the glove box of the truck when it's delivered to the dealership, you can either order a new key or have a Ford service technician cut the tire down and install a new spare tire carrier.
Writer Bio
Allen Moore's career includes awards in poetry and creative fiction, published lyrics, fiction books and nonfiction articles as well as a master certification in automotive service from the Ford Motor Company. Moore is a contributing writer for RF365.com and various other websites, a ghostwriter for Rainbow Writing and has over a dozen works of fiction currently in print.
