Checking Spare Tire Pressure?

Getting ready for a long road trip. The spare "feels" full, based banging on it with my fist. Since there valve stem is facing up, is lowering the tire the only way to check it? Probably asking an obvious question.

Any chance that the tire is also covered by the TPMS system?

I have a 4WD Access Cab 2011 FWIW.

 

Not covered by TPMS system.
You might get lucky and discover the valve stem is not trapped against a crossmember so you wouldn't need to drop it

 

Drop it once, check the pressure, fill if necessary, remount with the valve stem facing down. Good to go.

 

^ This, + you're going on a long trip, now's the time to find out if your spare's ok.

 

One option if you have the time to get it before your trip
I've read they may start leaking after five years or so, can't confirm.
But that would leave you right where you didn't want to be.
Enjoy your trip

36" stainless steel hose for under-chassis system.

 

Good looking out and planning ahead.

Make sure you have a jack and correct size tire iron (and here I am preaching when I have Lexus wheels and Lexus style lugnuts on mine with no stock style lugnuts in the glove box and a different size lugnut head than the stock tire iron )

On a side note I have purchased mre than a few vehicles in the past where the lug nuts were over torqued or the rims were seized to the rotors / drums / hubs. If you really want to be prepared pull each wheel off and anti seize the wheel mounting surfaces and wheel studs and retoqrque to factory specs.

I drove around in 360 degree alternating circles in a parking lot for 10 minutes with only 2 lugnuts barely threaded on trying to get a stuck rim to "pop" off of the hub hoping the side load of the turn would free it before I could put my new rims on. No such luck. I had to get a sledge hammer and ruin the rim.

 

Yup. Just flip the spare over. That's what I did.

 

The garage that mounted my tires flipped my spare. I turned back over (valve stem up) This position protects the valve stem, and it doesn't expose as much of the cable to the elements (rust belt) And its really not that hard to lower it down to check the pressure. A little lube on the cable, and make sure the lift still works.
If your going on a trip lower it down and check it. You don't want to find out on the side of the road that the pressure is low, or the mechanism doesn't work, ect.

 

Hi all.

Keep your spare with the valve stem up as Toyota intended.

Lower the spare and rotate it so the valve stem is facing the rear of the truck then lift it back into place. It's then it's an easy reach from the drivers side while laying underneath.

Cheers
Ray.

 

My valve stem has been facing down for 20k miles now with no problems

 

As mentioned flip it - best solution.

Also coat the steel rim with a rust prevention oil such as Krown (mostly in Canada from what I hear), fluid film, etc and put some on the metal tire hanger that goes through middle --- oh and clean and coat the tire in Aerospace 303 and your spare will still look new after 5-6 years no problem.

I drop and clean it at least once a year.

But I also have winter tires for my truck so I put on anti-seize on the back of the rims so mine never get stuck on. If you have only one set then anti-seize is even more important.

 

Valve stem up or down, do check your spare's pressure. Mine was way low when I checked it. Because if you have Rugged Fails you can pretty much plan on needing it.


These lovely flats were from the same trip.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/wheels-tires/337416-rugged-fails-dont-fail-me-now.html

 

I have had 5 flats with the Rugged Trails in only 15k miles. I carry a small compressor, tire (plug) repair kit, and a can of fix a flat. The tires are "ok" for dry pavement, but are terrible in the snow and are easily punctured on dirt roads. Other than that, they are fine.

 

My spare is definitely covered by TPMS and my 2007 was as well. TPMS light came on, checked all 4 tires and they were normal pressure. Checked the spare, found it low, added air, and light went out. Maybe it's a regional thing but I've personally confirmed it on both of my trucks.

 

My 2008 TRD model also has a tpms sensor on the spare fwiw. But even with the sensors in any of the wheels, the consensus is that they kick in when the tire is ~10-15 psi lower than the tire would need to be at to be safely used. So even with the tpms, it's still crucial to check all 5 tires to make sure they are at a good pressure.

 

I have had this on my '06 for several years with 0 problems. I just used a cable tie to attach it to my frame rail. I check my spare every month when I do my monthly maintenance.

Accu-gage - Chek A Spare, Valve Extender

http://www.amazon.com/Accu-gage-Chek-Spare-Valve-Extender/dp/B0006O2S8M

 

I was not aware! Thanks for the info.

 

I flipped mine and have the stem down, no issues.

Do yourself a favor and marvel at the dumba$$ design mechanism
Toyo used for lowering the tire. Report back as to how many
times it took you to engage the drive socket/Uflange under there...

and just for fun, try it at night in the rain with poor lighting.

you'll get better at it with practice.

good luck on your trip btw...safe travels.

 

^ X2 ^

I figured it was just me that struggled with that spare tire contraption. Glad to hear I'm not the only one.

And, you're right, it gets easier with practice, don't ask me how I know.

 

My 08 has TPMS in the spare. I thought I had a faulty sensor for a while until I finally thought to check the spare. Added air to the spare and light went off.