How do you remove the spare tire on a 2004 suzuki xl7?

Answer 1

The spare tire is on the outside of the rear cargo door. It is under a plastic cover. There is an elastic drawstring around the rim of the cover, in the soft flexible part, not the hard plastic part. Find the end of the drawstring (usually tucked back under the edge of the cover or left dangling near the base of the rear wiper) and slide back the plastic lock to loosen the string. Gradually pull the edges of the tire cover, spreading it open wider and wider until it is big enough to pull straight off the tire. It's a tight fit so you will have to work it a bit to get it off, just follow the edge around and pull it off gradually. Once the cover is off, you will see the tire and wheel held onto the mounting bracket with three wheel nuts. These are identical to the wheel nuts on the main wheels and can be removed using the same wrench that is located adjacent to the jack under the right rear passenger seat. If one of these three nuts doesn't look like the other two, it is an anti-theft lock. Insert the ignition key into the slot at the end of the lock, push in on the key and pull the lock toward you with your other hand, it should pop right off, exposing a nut underneath. Then undo the nuts and remove the tire from the bracket. I won't tell you how much fun it is to re-install the spare tire cover - you'll find out for yourself!