How to remove spare tire from trunk


HOW TO GET THE SPARE TIRE OUT OF THE TRUNK? -

One of the most important steps when replacing a flat tire is how to get the spare tire out of the trunk.

Without being able to do this, you’ll get stuck, and replacing it will be impossible.

In this article, we’ll be showing the basic principle which can, more or less, be applied to every car. If you’re not in the mood for reading, you can watch a video tutorial at the end of the article or on our YouTube channel.

Also, if you have a fix-a-flat system, then you don’t have a spare tire and the problem is solved differently.


 

LOCATION OF THE SPARE TIRE

If you want to learn how to get the spare tire out of the trunk, the first thing you have to know is where it’s located.

Different cars have different locations but the most common location is:

In this case, the spare tire is usually located underneath the trunk floorboard, in a compartment made especially for it.

Alongside the spare tire, there may be other compartments made for keeping the usual necessary things like spare bulbs, first aid kits, towing cable perhaps, and so on.

Most cars also have a convenient plastic tool kit molded to fit inside the tire rim. The kit contains the car jack, tool wrench, tow hook, etc.

If the spare tire isn’t inside the trunk, this is the next place to look.

When it’s located under the trunk, it’s usually held in place by a hoist mechanism which, when operated, lowers the tire down.

It’s lowered by using the tire wrench in a combination with another lever. So, first, you assemble the lever and then lower the tire down.

 

For cars that have engines in the rear, the tire is usually located in the front compartment (front trunk).

The spare tire might also be located inside the side panel of the trunk. It can even be located in the engine bay.

Of course, for pick-ups and terrain vehicles, the tire may be attached to the back door or even the hood (bonnet).

In this article, we’ll be focusing on the first location (in the trunk) as it’s the most common.


 

HOW TO GET THE SPARE TIRE OUT OF THE TRUNK?

 

1. RAISE THE FLOORBOARD AND SECURE IT

On most floorboards, you’ll find a handle of some sort for pulling it up.

Also, there will likely be a system for keeping it in place so it doesn’t fall on you when working around the spare tire.

Some boards are foldable or retractable and stay that way in place. But in this case, the handle also serves as a plastic hook. One side of the handle, when unlatched, reveals a hook.

It’s intended to be hooked on a convenient place on the car. Here, it’s on the upper part of the trunk.

Make sure to secure the floorboard properly so it doesn’t fall on you while you’re taking out and returning the spare tire.


 

2. OPEN THE TOOL KIT LOCATED INSIDE THE SPARE TIRE (OPTIONAL)

If your car doesn’t have a tool kit inside the spare tire, then skip this step.

But if it does, you’ll have to remove it to gain access to the spare tire. The tool kit is usually a plastic container molded specifically to hold the car jack, tire wrench, towing hook, or other useful things regarding a tire change.

In this example, the tool kit has a plastic lid that you have to raise. After that, the car jack has to be removed for the next step to be possible.

Worth mentioning is that these tool kits were, in most cases, logically made. When you have to change the tire, you first have to take out the car jack. After that, you can take out the whole tool kit for more practical usage. This also reduces the possibility of leaving tools behind when you’re finished.


 

3. TAKE OFF THE SCREW HOLDING BOTH THE SPARE TIRE AND TOOL KIT

 

 

Even if there isn’t any tool kit, the tire will probably be held in place with a screw.

The point of the screw is to tighten the spare tire in place so it doesn’t move and thump while driving.

When you have a tool kit inside the rim, the screw usually holds both the tool kit and tire in place.

The screw is easily recognized as it has, in most cases, a big plastic handle on top of it, suitable for taking off by hand.

Grab the screw and turn counterclockwise. It may take some time to remove it because of the long thread.


 

4. TAKE OUT THE TOOL KIT

Best put the tool kit aside for further usage if you need to change the spare tire.


 

5. TAKE OUT THE SPARE TIRE

 

You can grab the spare tire at a place best suitable for you. The only thing you should take care of at this point is to avoid damaging any of the trunk interior (like the holders, plastic trim panels, or else).

Perhaps the best holding place is the middle hole, where the lug nuts are supposed to be. Here the balance is best and if the tire is smaller, you can do it with one hand.

Another option is to grab it by the side with two hands and then pull it out.

Whatever you choose, try to pull out the spare tire in one sweep. From the compartment directly to the ground.

This is perhaps the heaviest part of learning how to get the spare tire out of the trunk. Especially if the spare tire is bigger and the trunk is deeper. But with some average strength, it can be done.

If you have problems replacing a spare tire, check out this article dedicated solely to that topic.


Once you’ve finished changing, you may want to return the flat tire back into the compartment. If this is so just use the same procedure but in reverse:

  • Return the spare tire back into the compartment
  • Put the tool kit (with tools inside) back into place
  • Insert the screw and tighten it. Make sure the tool kit fits properly into place so it doesn’t rattle while driving.
  • If you have to, return the car jack or other tools back into place
  • Lower the floorboard (if you need to, return the handle (hook) back into place).

 

CONCLUSION

As you’ve hopefully noticed, learning how to get the spare tire out of the trunk is very easy.

It’s considered basic and necessary knowledge for every serious driver.

One more piece of advice for the end: know your car and its basics. The least a driver can do is to know where everything is stored in the car.

Having this knowledge, not only for a spare tire but for other things like the spare bulbs, first aid kit, warning triangle, car jack, and else will enable you to get yourself out of trouble faster and with more ability.

Otherwise, you may get stuck in a serious situation because of a trivial thing.


 

Written by: Sibin Spasojevic

 

Former car technician, life-long car and DIY enthusiast, author for Despairrepair.com


HOW TO GET THE SPARE TIRE OUT OF THE TRUNK-YOUTUBE VIDEO

 

 

How To Remove A Spare Tire From A Truck

If you're used to having your spare tire on your trunk, it can be quite a daunting task to remove the spare tire under a truck. But don't worry. We got you covered. We've asked automotive experts how this procedure is done so that you can get started on changing your flat tire and be back on the road in a jiffy.

Follow these steps to remove the spare tire from your truck:

  1. Insert the extension rod inside the hole leading to the lowering mechanism of your spare tire.
  2. Turn the handle counterclockwise to lower the tire all the way to the ground.
  3. Pull the tire towards you and remove it from the cable and holder.

Hang on so we can elaborate on the given instructions so you can remove your spare tire from your truck with no hassle. We'll also share with you how to do this task when you don't have your tire removal kit. We'll also have a short discussion on how long you can expect your spare tire to last and how far you can drive using your spare tire.

Before you continue reading, let us say we hope you find the links here useful. If you purchase something through a link on this page, we may get a commission, so thank you!

How do you get a spare tire off a truck? 

Unlike regular vehicles that conveniently have their spare tires in their trunks, pickup trucks have theirs underneath the truck bed. This is actually a genius move by manufacturers so that the spare tire won't take up valuable space on the bed of the truck. However, it makes removing the spare tire more challenging. 

Don't worry because there's an efficient way of removing the spare tire without breaking your back or endangering your life. Just follow these steps. You can also watch this YouTube video for the demonstration.

  1. Get your tire-changing tools. They can usually be found at the back of the driver's seat.
  2. Put the extension rods together until you hear them click in place. Attach the handle on the groove near the top.
  3. Go over to the rear bumper side of your vehicle to find the hole. You have to remove the lock using your ignition key to expose the hole.
  4. Insert the extension rod inside the hole and allow it to connect with the tire-lowering mechanism of your truck.
  5. Once they're connected, turn the handle counterclockwise to disengage the tire.
  6. Do this until the tire reaches the ground.
  7. Get the lug wrench from your tool kit and use its hooked end to grab the cable that holds the tire in place. 
  8. Pull the cable towards you. In doing so, the tire will be dragged closer to you.
  9. Remove the spare tire from the cable's tire holder.

Easy, right? You don't have to go under your truck after all! 

What is the tool called that lowers the spare tire?

Brand new vehicles come with a set of factory jack kits or tire removal kits to aid you in getting the spare tire off the truck. You need to familiarize yourself with these tools, so you'll know what they are used for.

The tool that you use to lower the spare tire is called the jack handle. As mentioned above, this is a long piece of tool that you need to assemble so that you can connect it with the vehicle's tire-lowering mechanism. You turn the handle counterclockwise to unfasten the tire until it reaches the ground and you can remove it from the cable and tire holder.

If you don't have this in your tool kit, it's best to buy one as soon as possible. You never know when you're going to need it. Always be prepared for what can happen on the road. 

Check out this spare tire jack handle on Amazon.

How do you get a spare tire off a truck without a tool? 

In case you have a tire blowout and you don't have a jack handle with you, there are other ways for you to remove the spare under your truck. But it would still involve other tools that hopefully you've got in your tool kit.

Method 1

What you need:

  • pliers
  • crank

Steps to lower the tire:

  1. Safety first. Make sure your car is parked properly on flat ground.
  2. Get under your vehicle right where your spare tire is located.
  3. Remove the cover from the guide tube. You will be able to see the drop mechanism.
  4. Use your pliers to pull out the key. This will leave you with a hole to work with.
  5. Insert the crank into the hole to engage with the tire-lowering mechanism.
  6. Turn it counterclockwise to loosen the tire.

Method 2

What you need:

  • 14 mm socket
  • extender (60 to 70 cm in length)
  • hammer
  • wrench
  • flathead screwdriver

Steps to lower the tire:

  1. Always prioritize your safety. Park your truck in a safe location.
  2. Connect the socket to the extender.
  3. Insert the socket on the hole near the license plate of the truck.
  4. When you feel that the socket is already connected to the key, you can gently hit the extender with a hammer so that the socket will have a better grip on the key.
  5. Use a wrench to turn the socket and its extender counterclockwise. This will lower the tire. 
  6. Keep turning until the tire hits the ground.
  7. You can now remove the extender from the hole.
  8. Use a flathead screwdriver to take off the key from the socket.
  9. Disengage the tire from the cable and tire holder. 

These are just two ways for you to remove the spare tire without a jack handle. Basically, you can improvise with the tools that you've got to see which one will work best for you.

How long does a truck spare tire last?

The lifespan of your spare tire will depend on its tire type. There are usually three types of spare tires: a donut, run-flat, and a matching spare tire.

Donut spare tire

A donut is also known as a space-saver or compact spare tire. This is smaller and lighter than a regular tire. In recent years, manufacturers began using donut spare tires on their vehicles to reduce cost and save valuable space since a full-sized tire takes up so much room.  

Since they are more lightweight, they help improve the fuel economy and power consumption of your vehicle. However, this type of tire is made of weaker materials than traditional tires. They have a shallower tread depth which makes them more vulnerable on the road.

As such, a donut spare tire is just meant to be a temporary replacement for your worn-out tire.  It has to be replaced immediately before you get yourself into trouble while using it.

Run-flat spare tire

A run-flat spare tire is more commonly found on newer vehicles. It is also called a zero-pressure tire. It is more durable than a donut tire. It is made of tougher materials that's why it can resist deflation even when it has been punctured.

But still, this is a temporary fix for your vehicle. You're better off having it replaced right away. 

Matching spare tire

This is the most durable among the different spare tire types. It may not be made by the same manufacturer as your regular tires, but it is at par when it comes to performance on the road. As such, you can use it for a longer time after replacing your flat tire with this spare. 

How far can you drive on a spare tire?

Again, the distance and speed at which you drive using a spare tire would depend on the type of tire that you have.

Donut tires are not designed to be driven for long distances. You have to maintain a speed of 50 mph or less. This means that you cannot use this on the highway.

Since donut tires are smaller than your other tires, they have to work harder to keep up with the rest. This makes them more susceptible to damages on the road.

With a run-flat tire, you can go beyond 50 mph since it has better endurance on the road. You can drive up to 100 miles with it. This will give you more allowance to find an able auto repair shop.

Lastly, a matching spare tire can be driven similar to a regular tire. You can go at the maximum allowable speed on the road and there's no limit on the distance.   

Take note though that spare tires have different speed ratings so it's best to check yours. Don't go beyond the recommended speed to avoid damaging other components of your vehicle such as the transmission. It's bad enough that you had a flat tire, you don't need the added expense of additional repairs or part replacement.  

Final Thoughts

Make sure you always have your tire removal kit with you so you can take off your spare tire under your vehicle without any hassle. With the right tools, this task doesn't have to be a chore.

Check out these articles for some related reading:

Does Firestone Patch Tires For Free?

20 Types Of Tires You Should Know

 

Removing the spare tire from the trunk - Audi A4 (B8)

DIY

Frequently asked questions about cars and motorcycles
  1. by car
  2. :
  3. Audi
  4. :
  5. A4
  6. : Removing the spare wheel from the trunk

Audi A4 - Video Lesson

Model: Audi A4 B8 - Years 2007-2016
Part: Tires
Operation: Removing the spare wheel from the trunk

The spare wheel of the vehicle in question is located in the luggage compartment under the floor: when buying a used car or in any case before driving, it is recommended to check the pressure condition as well as the spare wheel. inflation, the presence of all the tools necessary for replacement (jack, wrench, screwdriver, anti-theft nut). So lift up the boot support, unscrew the plastic ring nut securing the spare wheel, then remove the spare wheel from its seat and its support from below to gain access to the toolbox, making sure everything is in place. nine0008

Posted on 22 November 2021 by ScegliAuto


How to remove and change the Nissan Juke cabin filter

How to disassemble the Nissan Juke cabin filter? Let's see the procedure. Use a plastic lever to remove the rivets located on the trim at the bottom of the dashboard (right side under the glove box). Take a screwdriver or cordless drill; remove the coupling screws that tighten the lower casing (if any). Remove the worn cabin filter, insert a new cabin filter, fitting well against the box walls, replace the filter box cover and tighten the screws (cover everything with a cloth placed under the dashboard). We check the correctness of the assembly of previously assembled parts. nine0008

Watch the video!

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Ford Mondeo | Wheel replacement

Ford Mondeo

Service and operation

Manuals → Ford → Mondeo (Ford Mondeo)

GENERAL INFORMATION

sedan50195

Remove the boot floor cover and protective disc, covering the spare wheel. This disc is held in place by a latch that must be turn left 1/8 turn.
The spare wheel is attached with a long bolt.
nine0202 The jack is attached to the rear wall.

Combi vehicles

Spare wheel and jack located in the back trunk in two compartments, closed with lids held by latches, to unlock them, turn them 1/4 turn.
The jack is located under the floor covering in a niche on the right side. nine0005

Replacement

PROCEDURE
1. Place the vehicle on a firm horizontal surface.
2. Apply the handbrake and engage reverse gear.
3. In case the wheel replacement is carried out on an inclined surface, one of the wheels should be supported vehicle to further secure it, thus from possible rolling. nine0005
4. Take out the spare wheel; jack and wrench for wheel bolts.
5. Use a screwdriver to remove the decorative removable wheel cap.
6. Before lifting the vehicle loosen wheel bolts.
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7. Insert the jack lever as far as possible deeper into the place provided for it in the body next to the replaced wheel (A - recess in the lower part of the body, B - hole).
8. Tilt the top of the jack as close as possible to the body and turning the handle to raise the car.
9. Remove the bolts and remove the wheel. nine0005
10. Install the spare wheel and tighten the fastening bolts.
11.

Learn more