Check your spare tire crank!

Went to drop my spare tire today for the first time. Taking a road trip for thanksgiving and giving the truck a once over. Couldn't for the life of me get the crank to lower the tire. After a while of fiddling, cursing, more fiddling, and a lot more cursing, I had a buddy with a 2013 stop by. The notched adapter is a different shape on our 13's than the previous years. More of a cone. Not a big deal, except mine has some kind of plastic cone inside the metal one. Which doesn't allow the hook end of tire tools to grab the notches and lower the spare. So tomorrow, I will be going back to the dealer to have them fix it! I'd put a pic up, but the spare is in the way. I'll try and get the plastic cone returned and show everyone what I'm referring to. If I got a flat in the middle of nowhere in NC on Wednesday, I would have hadno way to change the tire. Long story short, worth a few seconds to slide under and make sure yours doesn't have the problem mine does.

 

No problem! Weirdest thing. Like I said, wish I could get a pic now and post it.

 

Could it be an anti theft something?

 

Bender, I don't think so. I can't find anyway of removing it. Seems like maybe more of a dealer prep mistake to me. I'll find out tomorrow and let you know.

 

I'm not quite sure of the set up as I've only looked at it in passing but the curved end of the rod goes into that cone like a screwdriver in a slotted screw. I had to lightly press to keep the connection engaged while I dropped & lifted the tire. FWIW I hung the spare with the valve facing down so I can check the pressure when I change the oil. No idea why Toyota would put a spare with the valve facing the bottom of the bed...

 

While you got it out turn the tire over so you can put air in it as needed.

 

To protect the valvestem perhaps?

 

Use one of these to check the pressure and air up that spare that's mounted with the stem up (should you have a nice wheel and want to keep the pretty side up to help keep it looking pretty):

 

Or, lower the spare from time to time to check the pressure so that you ensure that the mechanism still works (poor guy at work had a problem with his and couldn't get the spare out).

 

Wonder about people who don't check spares. Granted do not check mine every time, but I carry a 12v pump and a pressure gauge.

When I checked the spare on a truck I bought used, I could push in the sidewall with minimal force, and I know fora fact the guy didn't carry a pump. Of course the tires are also dry rotted...

 

This.

Do it at least every spring to check operation, check spare pressure, and clean off area under spare tire.

I have pulled up on WAY too many people out on the road with spare frozen in place under their vehicle (its usually flat as well).

 

So apparently, there IS a lock on certain Tacoma's and Tundra's. Whats awesome is there is no mention anywhere that it is equipped with the lock! Felt like an idiot at the dealer this morning, until the tech told me that it happens quite often. When doing the walk through on the trucks, no one ever thinks to mention the spare lock.

$46 Genuine Toyota Accessories PT276-34071 Spare Tire Lock for Select Tacoma and Tundra Models, Silver

http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Toyota-Accessories-PT276-34071-Select/dp/B00563HXV0