While many cars come with a spare tire, you may be surprised to learn that some don't, some not even a donut spare. If you are wondering if the Lincoln Nautilus has a spare tire, we can answer that for you. We did all the research, so you'll know what is on board.
The Lincoln Nautilus does not have a full-sized spare tire on board. It does come equipped with a donut, however, which can be used for limited driving.
In this article, we'll look at how to access Nautilus's spare. You'll also see what limitations its donut tire has and how the Nautilus compares with similar SUVs. Keep reading this post and we'll answer all of those questions and more.
How to access the donut for the Lincoln Nautilus
Before you can put the donut on your Nautilus you'll have to find it first. This compact tire is concealed but is still very easy to get to.
Open the rear hatch
By opening the rear hatch, you'll be able to see the floor of the cargo space of the Nautilus.
The hatch can be opened with the key fob, button on the back of the trunk, or by a sensor underneath that can be activated by your foot. Underneath this floor is where the donut tire has been stashed.
Lift open the cargo floor
If your Nautilus has a cargo mat, it will need to be lifted off the cargo space floor. The floor will then be able to be folded up, exposing the contents beneath. Here you will find:
- Donut tire
- Jack
- Lug wrench
Each of these items can be easily removed and replaced when they are needed.
As you can see, there isn't enough room for a full-sized spare in this space under the cargo floor. But the cargo area will have more than enough room for one should you choose to travel with a spare that is not a donut.
For a video tutorial on how to access the spare tire and jack, watch this YouTube video below:
What limitations do donut tires have?
While donuts are better than nothing, they will have some limitations that you need to be aware of. These limitations will be in the owner's manual for your vehicle and should be followed to the letter.
Donuts cannot be driven for very many miles. Most donuts will have a mileage limitation of 70 miles or less.
Because donuts are much smaller than the other tires, they will need to spin faster. This wears down the tread on the donut, which is already pretty thin, to begin with.
Due to their smaller size, it's recommended to keep your speed under 50 miles per hour when your car is equipped with a donut tire. Driving faster than this will greatly increase the risk of damage to your vehicle.
As a smaller tire, the donut is much more susceptible to road hazards (like potholes) and can be destroyed at higher speeds.
How do you change the tire on a Lincoln Nautilus?
Being stuck with a flat tire can be a frustrating experience. But if you have the tools and the know-how, there isn't any reason why you should wait around for AAA or a friend to help you.
If you get a flat in your Nautilus, follow these steps and we can help get you safely back on the road.
Locate the spare
Earlier in this post, we covered how to find the donut tire for the Lincoln Nautilus. Retrieve the donut, jack, and lug wrench from the storage compartment.
If you are driving a different vehicle, consult your owner's manual on the whereabouts of these items before you continue.
Prepare the area around the vehicle
Check the tires that don't need changing in place, so they don't roll. A block of wood behind each of them will suffice. Next, a warning triangle should be placed behind your vehicle so that the rear approaching traffic can see it.
At night, use road flares if you have them to warn oncoming vehicles.
Loosen the lug nuts
Using the lug wrench, loosen the lug nuts a couple of turns. But do not remove them yet.
Place the jack under the car
Find the arrows on the underside of the car that indicate where the jack should be placed. Once these are located, set the jack in place.
Carefully jack the car into the air
Slowly raise the jack. Keep in mind that you will need it up high enough so that there is space between the damaged tire and the ground so that it can be easily and safely removed.
Remove the damaged tire
Once the vehicle is in the air, pick up the lug wrench and loosen and remove all the lug nuts. Set them in a safe spot so that they will not be lost.
Once the lug nuts are off you will be able to remove the damaged tire. Take it completely off the car and set it aside.
It's a good idea to use gloves when you do this to avoid any cuts or scrapes from the exposed tread or sharp objects that your tire might have picked up.
Place the spare onto the car
Carefully set the spare onto your car. One at a time, screw the lug nuts on. Only give each one a few turns at a time before placing on the next one. Once all of them are on, the hand tightens each of them, a few turns at a time.
Screwing on the lug nuts in this manner ensures that they will be on evenly.
Lower the jack
Once the tire is on, it's time to lower the jack. Bring the vehicle slowly to the ground, then remove the jack.
Tighten the lug nuts
Now that the car is on the ground, you'll want to use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts. Give each one a turn before moving on to the next one. Once they are fully tightened, you're almost finished.
Clean up your area
Put your damaged tire in the cargo area or trunk. Hopefully, it only needs patching.
Stow the lug wrench, jack, and any other materials that you might have brought outside to assist you. Except for the road flares, of course. You'll want to leave those burning on the roadside.
Once you're back on the road, remember the limitations that donut tires have. Get your damaged tire replaced or repaired as soon as possible.
Don't be afraid to consult your owner's manual for the Lincoln Nautilus for any additional questions you might have.
What vehicle is the Lincoln Nautilus equivalent to?
There are a multitude of SUVs on the market today, both new and used. They seem to come in all shapes and sizes these days, each of which belongs to certain vehicle classes.
The Lincoln Nautilus belongs to the mid-sized luxury SUV class. Though there are dozens of mid-sized SUV models out there every year, the luxury class goes above and beyond.
The luxury class of any vehicle type will typically have the latest onboard technology onboard.
Whether it's a premium sound system, heated/cooled seats as a standard feature, or great safety components like the heads-up display, a luxury-class vehicle will have a lot more to offer than its counterparts.
There might be more models in the luxury class of mid-size SUVs than you think. For the 2022 model year, these will include:
- Land Rover Range Rover Velar
- Lexus GX
- Maserati Levante
- Porsche Cayenne
- Land Rover Defender
- BMW X6
- Acura MDX
- Cadillac XT6
- Lexus RX350
- Audi Q7
- Audi Q8
- Mercedes-Benz GLE Class
Final thoughts
Even though having a full-sized spare is the best option, a donut will work in a tight spot. Be sure you follow the manufacturer's guidelines on how to drive on a donut and be especially careful about adhering to the recommended speed and mileage.
Doing so will help keep your Nautilus out of harm's way as well as protect the safety of you and your passengers. Drive safe!
We hope this post on the Lincoln Nautilus answered your questions. For more helpful information on this popular automaker, we recommend the following posts:
Does The Lincoln Continental Have Massage Seats?