Spare Tire Access 2013 TE

[BobsTrail]

I tired and failed a few times to learn how to let the spare time down. The manual does not show clearly that the tool needs to go in at an angle. I would guess that it needs to be about 30 degrees toward the driver side and up about 15 degrees. Glad I figured this out before I needed it on a trip. I think someone in Japan must have had some bad fish the day this was designed.

The manual also says to mount the spare with the road side up. This makes the valve stem inaccessible to check the tire pressure.

I put it back up with the valve stem facing down to allow me to check it. Please let me know if anyone has a good reason why it should be the other way. -- Photos follow:

 

[Jeremy556]

Protects the valve stem from damage.

 

[Batang.Gapo]

Great post!

I did simulate tire replacement exercise twice to be familiar with it and making sure that the spare tire is not stuck

 

[jrhaze]

The manual also says to mount the spare with the road side up. This makes the valve stem inaccessible to check the tire pressure.

On a semi-related note I could swear that when I programmed my new TPMS sensors for my winter tires using Techstream that there was a spot for a 5th sensor.

Does anyone know whether one could install a TPMS sensor in the spare and register it using techstream - at least then if the spare was way out of whack we could get an alert...

 

[1000MPH]

I practiced in my garage also. I knew it went in at an angle but still had a hard time getting it all the way in (until I thought of my secretary:frisky.
I'm curious what 1engineer did to address the loose chain issue...because you know he did.

 

[jrhaze]

On a semi-related note I could swear that when I programmed my new TPMS sensors for my winter tires using Techstream that there was a spot for a 5th sensor.

Does anyone know whether one could install a TPMS sensor in the spare and register it using techstream - at least then if the spare was way out of whack we could get an alert...

Just read the other thread that was right below this one when I posted.

Ignore me...

 

[Jeremy556]

On a semi-related note I could swear that when I programmed my new TPMS sensors for my winter tires using Techstream that there was a spot for a 5th sensor.

Does anyone know whether one could install a TPMS sensor in the spare and register it using techstream - at least then if the spare was way out of whack we could get an alert...

In techstream, there are 5 spots. I bought an aftermarket wheel and tire for my spare, as well as an extra TPMS sensor. However, when going to program it, I could only get 4 sensors registered at any one time.

 

[jrhaze]

In techstream, there are 5 spots. I bought an aftermarket wheel and tire for my spare, as well as an extra TPMS sensor. However, when going to program it, I could only get 4 sensors registered at any one time.

gotcha.

Wonder why the 5 slots then... Strange.

 

[Keemonrunnin]

gotcha.

Wonder why the 5 slots then... Strange.

I believe some of the 4th gens have a tpms in their spares. Maybe that's why there is a 5th spot.

 

[harper7]

gotcha.

Wonder why the 5 slots then... Strange.

Because Techstream is for ALL Toyotas,Lexus and Scions not just the 4Runners, and some had or have 5.............Techstream

 

[jrhaze]

makes sense. I had assumed the options would be tailored to the vehicle selected, but this makes more sense.

 

[1000MPH]

IIRC at one time the Lexus had an option to switch between 2 sets of 4 TPMS for snow tires/wheels. They must've improved that feature out of the design.

 

[Boatdreamin]

I know on my wife's 2012 Highlander it has a sensor in the spare. Don't know if it matters to this thread or not, just thought I would toss it out there.

 

[kowski49]

I agree with OP regarding the design. Not intuitive at all initially. The guys at Firestone were gonna patch my tire for free but charge to take it off and put it back on, so I figured it out in the parking lot last summer. In Texas...it was like 105 glorious, sweltering degrees. Luckily I had driven to an empty lot to do the work so my shame was private and the tire guys couldn't laugh at me.

 

[ATL4R]

I tired and failed a few times to learn how to let the spare time down. The manual does not show clearly that the tool needs to go in at an angle. I would guess that it needs to be about 30 degrees toward the driver side and up about 15 degrees. Glad I figured this out before I needed it on a trip. I think someone in Japan must have had some bad fish the day this was designed.

The manual also says to mount the spare with the road side up. This makes the valve stem inaccessible to check the tire pressure.

I put it back up with the valve stem facing down to allow me to check it. Please let me know if anyone has a good reason why it should be the other way. -- Photos follow:

I think it's mounted with the road side up because this makes the lug holes act as drain holes for any water that gets splashed in there. If mounted the other way there are more places water can pool and eventually cause rust.

 

[cbreze]

I took my spare down for the first time today. Thought I better check it out just in case I ever needed it on the road. The manual is funny, saying insert the end of the tool into the slot like that's all there is, piece of cake. Not to bad tho after doing it a couple of times. Dang the factory boys had that sucker on there tight. I found 49 psi in the spare, left it alone. Can always adjust it as needed. Rather have to much than to little.
Side note: while I was under there I noticed a tow hook. I thought I'd read on here somewhere that there were none. Forgot to check the front for one.

 

[flyrv9]

I also noticed the manual was lacking much detail. I'm going to practice when things warm up a bit. I suppose one could attach a flex valve extension to allow checking pressure with the valve up.

 

[Atlanta_man]

I had some window/tire vandalism a couple weeks ago. Out in the country, way out of cell phone range...and they stole my wheel lock key device

Never needed the spare before, but always have done an annual spare lower-it-down, inspect and lube the cable.

Fitting the lowering handle into the slot has always been difficult and took me almost an hour this time.

As a result of this many hour Sunday morning adventure:

1/ I've modified/cut away some of the black triangular housing that guides in the spare tire lowering rod so it no longer interferes with the lowering rod insertion into the cable reel
2/ Got rid of the wheel locks
3/ Quit using the fancy spare tire lock I bought years ago

My advice if you ever plan to be out of cell phone and AAA range:
Be sure you can get your rig jacked up, spare down, and tires off quick.
Give yourself a test run with the little tiny jack that comes with the 4runner, try it out in the country on a dirt or crappy asphalt road. Then throw it out and replace with something that has some chance of working. And take along a piece of board to sit it on.
Buy a truck size tire sealant-in-a-can and a decent portable electric air compressor

Wheel and tire theft is easy if the crook has the wheel lock removers. Pound them on and unscrew 'em. Anyway, crooks take the whole car if they want it, not much legal consequence when they are eventually caught, if ever.