I had a flat tire today. My spare tire lift was very stiff to turn, a lot more so than the last time I had a flat. I can see the lift is loaded up with dust and grit. How do you guys lubricate it? I couldn't find recommendations in the 2010 FSM. I'm concerned that grease might attract and hold dirt.

A post on a different Toyota forum recommends lubricating the chain. That doesn't make sense because the chain rolls over a pulley and loops back onto the wheel.

I'm in Phoenix, so no rust, but I have accrured about 5,000 miles on dry gravel roads. A YouTube video recommends testing the lift at least once a year in the rust belt.

So, what do you use to lubricate the lift? Do you remove it to lube it?

I use silicone spray (Super Tech-Walmart or pick your favorite brand).

I lower the spare to the ground--spray the cog inside the housing, and up and down the chain until the liquid drips off. This helps wash away grit, dirt, etc and also lubricates everything without leaving oily film. I crank the tire up and lower it a few times to make sure everything gets silicone on it.

If you have driven through lots of mud, you should use water hose to blast away excess dirt before using the silicone spray.

I used this method on my '84 4Runner for 32 years --never had a stuck chain or rust. Now using it on my '16 4R and it stays nice and clean.

Can’t go wrong with silicone spray. It won’t mess up and rubbers or plastics.
White lithium tends to stay on metal that it’s applied to. I use it in the winter here in eastern Canada.
I do just as toyo74 described.