Can't find release for spare
 

I have a 2001 Mazda MPV minivan, with a flat tire. The manual claims that there is a release in front of the passenger side second row seat that you must unscrew to lower the spare tire. There is only carpet as far as I can tell in this location--I don't see anything that resembles the picture in the manual, and I can't for the life of me figure out how to lower the dang tire! Can anyone help me?!

Michael

RE: Can't find release for spare
 

there should be a little cut (shapped like a U) in the carpet underneath the carpetted floor mats near the right 2nd row passenger seat. If you have your 2nd row passsenger seats positionedas capitain seats then you will have to move the right 2nd row passenger seat next to the left 2nd row passenger seat (into a bench) inorder to locate the tire release.

btw i have a 2004 mpv. I dont think there were any major changes from 2001 to 2004 so im pretty sure the tire release module should be located in the same positions.

RE: Can't find release for spare
 

Thanks for the help. I did eventually find this, though I am irritated that the manual said nothing about the release being hidden under carpet, and this little flap was damn near invisible to the eye, which is why I couldn't initially find it. I had to call a dealer to find out!

Michael