1997 Mercury Cougar Owner's Manual - Page 186

2. 3. Get out the spare tire and jack. Remove any optional wheel covers or hubcaps with the tapered end of a wheel nut wrench. Insert the handle of the wrench and twist it against the inner wheel cover flange. For more about removing wheel covers, see the information later in this chapter. Loosen each wheel lug nut one-half turn counterclockwise, but do not remove them until the tire is raised off the ground. You should pull up on the handle rather than push to develop maximum force to loosen wheel lug nuts. See Anti-Theft Wheel Lug Nuts later in this chapter for information on removing anti-theft lug nuts. 4. Removing and Replacing the Tire 1. Find the underbody notches closest to the wheel to be removed. Center the jack between (2) underbody notches and turn the handle of the jack clockwise until the wheel is completely off the ground. RWARNING 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. 185