PSA: So, have you ever checked your spare?

philsey

New member
No? I suggest you learn now, before you're on the side of the road .... at night ... in the rain/snow.

Why? Because it's a PITA, and you really should check the pressure anyway. (Mine was 49#)

Helpful hints: Take a flashlight, the owner's manual, a phillips, and something to lay on.
 
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Something go wrong last night in the dark rain? :doh:

I check my spare twice a year. Every time I install, and then remove the studded winter tires. It's easy to drop it a bit and check the pressure when the rig is on the lift.
 
Lube the crank mechanism at least a couple times a year also. I do it twice a year when I check the tire pressure. Really not a big deal to get to at all though, very simple to crank down and back up.
 
I check it several times a year and look at it as a competition with myself to see how fast I can crank the spare down and back up. Could be a handy skill in the breakdown lane.

Plus-I keep the PSI a few pounds above what is needed in case I get lazy and forget to check it.
 
I added an after market hose to mine so I can check it without dropping the tire. Unfortunately can't remember where I got it from
 
Check that spare

Two summers ago I checked the spare in my 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Orvis Edition in preparation for a long trip into Zion and Grand Staircase Escalante. It sits in the back cargo area under a leather cover and I hadn't looked at the spare for about 10 years. I took it out of the back and checked the air pressure. Zero, nada, no pressure. That would have been useless in case of a flat. I filled it and it's been fine for two years now.

Yes, check that spare. I've been working on a lift of my 4Runner for the last few days, lying under the car a lot. The spare catches a lot of dust when off road. The crank mechanism is covered in dirt that's stuck to the grease. That's getting cleaned and lubed before I put the spare back.
 
Know that there is a slight angle you have to master to lower the the tire. Once you know that it is easy. I want to say it's about 10 degrees towards to the drivers side. You will be there all day unless you figure that out.
 
With a proper inflator you don’t have to lower the tire and it takes 5 seconds to check the pressure. I check mine everything I check the rest of my tires (once a month).
 
Know that there is a slight angle you have to master to lower the the tire. Once you know that it is easy. I want to say it's about 10 degrees towards to the drivers side. You will be there all day unless you figure that out.

Hence the flashlight. Without, you could fiddle-fart quite a while to get lined up.


With a proper inflator you don’t have to lower the tire and it takes 5 seconds to check the pressure. I check mine everything I check the rest of my tires (once a month).

Do tell us more.
 
Ironic that this is thread began last night. Picked up a bolt in driver rear 1800 mile old Nitto’s and blew the damn thing. I was able to pull over safely and called toyoytacare. Someone was scheduled to come out within next 90”. No worries as I went over to a Mexican restaurant and went to Pacifico land. After 90” and no one in sight, I started the tire change shitshow..... In a downpour and jeans/collared shirt without rain gear, flashlight, tarp, Phillips, etc.

Note to self: get prepared.

Think this is repairable?
 

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Wait a minute don’t you tell me the high schoolers at discount tire don’t crawl their asses under there and do this for me when I roll up to the tire check lane? I am busy scrolling through Instagram while sitting there before dismissively driving off.
 

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