How to Lower the Spare Tire on a Highlander?
2 Answers
The steps to lower the spare tire on a Highlander are as follows: 1. Before removing it, you need to detach the outer cover of the spare tire. The assembly method is actually described in the vehicle's user manual, which includes diagrams, the tools required (the vehicle comes with these tools), how to use the jack, and their exact locations. 2. Open the rear door, then lift the outer cover of the rear trunk floor (called the 'central cover'). On the right side of the vehicle, you will find a small square cover approximately 7-8 cm in size. Remove this cover to reveal a screw head. Use the tool provided with the vehicle to loosen this screw. The tire is suspended under the vehicle, and loosening the screw will lower the tire. Once the screw is loosened, the spare tire can be removed.
I've encountered a few situations where I had to change the spare tire while traveling with my Highlander. Lowering the spare tire isn't actually complicated. Usually, the spare tire is mounted underneath the vehicle or below the rear bumper. You'll need to crouch down at the rear of the vehicle to locate it. There's typically a metal bolt hole where you insert the specialized wrench that comes with the vehicle. Turn it counterclockwise slowly, and the spare tire will descend along the steel cable. Once it's lowered to ground level, you can pull it out. The entire process takes about 5 minutes, but remember to operate in a safe environment—such as pulling over to the roadside with hazard lights on and using a jack to support the vehicle to prevent it from shaking. Regularly check the spare tire's air pressure as it may leak if unused for extended periods.
