Where is the Highlander spare tire located?
3 Answers
The Highlander spare tire is located under the chassis of the trunk. Here are the specific details about the Highlander: 1. Vehicle Positioning: The Highlander is a large-sized SUV produced by Toyota. 2. Configuration: It is equipped with a 6.1-inch central control display screen with physical buttons on both sides, supporting basic Bluetooth multimedia entertainment systems. It also features the TSS (Toyota Safety Sense) intelligent driving safety assistance system, which includes PCS (Pre-Collision System), DRCC (Dynamic Radar Cruise Control System), LDA (Lane Departure Alert System), and AHB (Automatic High Beam) functions. 3. Chassis: The Highlander adopts a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear double-wishbone independent suspension.
When I used to drive my Highlander on long trips, I specifically studied the spare tire location. The spare tire on this model is hidden under the chassis, directly beneath the floor of the third-row seats—you have to squat down to see the metal mounting bracket. I remember once changing a tire on the plateau; I had to insert a crank into the small square hole on the right side of the rear bumper and turn it counterclockwise over twenty times to lower the spare tire. However, I should warn you that this under-chassis mounted spare tire is most prone to accumulating mud and water. If left unused for long periods, it might rust and get stuck—a friend of mine actually ran into this issue. Also, I've heard that newer models are often targeted by spare tire thieves, so I'd recommend installing an anti-theft lock yourself. During every maintenance check, it's best to have the mechanic inspect the steel cable for any signs of rust as well.
The Highlander's spare tire is suspended under the rear of the vehicle chassis. Open the trunk to locate the jack kit, which contains an L-shaped crank. Look underneath near the right side of the rear bumper for a coin-sized cover panel - pry it open to insert the crank. Turn it counterclockwise for about half a minute, and the spare tire will slowly lower. Remember to use the jack to lift the vehicle before changing tires to prevent body weight from crushing the tire. The spare is smaller than regular tires, so don't exceed 80 km/h. While this design saves space, the spare tire carrier is vulnerable to damage on rough roads.
