Subaru Forester: If you have a flat tire (with spare tire) / Removing and storing the spare tire

The compact spare tire is mounted externally under the rear chassis of your Kia Telluride, directly beneath the cargo floor structure.

Removing the spare tire

To lower and release the spare tire assembly from its underbody carrier, follow these steps:

1. Open the rear liftgate to access the trunk area.

2. Locate the protective rubber access cover over the spare tire winch bolt and remove it.

   If your model features an upper tool storage tray, unlatch the retaining clamp and set the tray aside to expose the drive bolt.

   

3. Assemble the hoist drive socket together with the lug nut wrench to create a winch crank handle.

4. Fit the socket wrench assembly securely onto the exposed hoist hex bolt.

5. Rotate the wrench handle counterclockwise to unwind the winch cable, gradually lowering the spare tire down to the pavement.

6. Once the spare tire rests completely flat on the ground, continue unwinding the cable slightly so you can slide the tire out from under the bumper. Do not over-wind or force the cable assembly beyond its slack limit, as excessive torque can kink or snap the internal carrier mechanism.

7. Tilt and pass the central holding plate retainer (1) vertically through the center hub opening of the spare wheel. When extracting or re-attaching the wheel, maintain light tension on the steel cable to prevent binding, overlapping, or backlashing inside the hoist drum.

Storing the spare tire

To securely winch the flat road wheel or spare tire back into the underbody carrier, follow these steps:

1. Position the wheel flat on the ground behind the rear bumper with the outer valve stem side facing upward.

2. Slide the wheel under the chassis center and feed the hoist cable holding retainer plate (1) vertically through the wheel center hub hole until it lays flat against the wheel center bore.

3. Fit the socket wrench onto the winch bolt and turn clockwise until the carrier mechanism clicks distinctly, indicating the wheel is fully raised and torqued flush against the underbody frame support.

WARNING