You can have a flat tire when you least expect it. This can be an awful experience, especially if you are in a remote location where you can not get professional help and don’t know how to fix a flat tire on your own.
The first step in fixing a flat tire is knowing where the spare tire is located in your car. After that, you need to know how to remove the spare tire. The spare tire on a Toyota RAV4 is located at the vehicle’s back door and is covered by a spare tire cover. One of the most frequently asked questions by those trying to access the tire is, how to take off the spare tire cover on RAV 4?
Taking off the spare tire cover on RAV4 is an easy task, as demonstrated below:
Step 1: Unlock the Latch Handle
The spare tire cover on RAV4 features a latch handle. To take the cover off, you must first unlock the latch. Unlock the latch handle by following the easy steps listed below:
- Open the back door of your RAV4. This allows you to access the bottom part of your spare tire cover where the latch handle is located.
- Trace the latch handle of the cover located at the lower portion of the cover. All you need to do after finding the latch handle is to pull it and release it. This will unlock the spare tire cover.
Step 2: Take Off the Spare Tire Cover
After the latch handle is unlocked, the cover can now be taken off. To take off the spare tire cover on RAV4, you will need to hold it firmly, twist it slightly anti-clockwise, push it down, push it up, and pull it outward to remove it.
How To Remove the Spare Tire on Toyota RAV4
Removing the spare tire on your Toyota RAV4 shouldn’t be challenging. Below are the steps involved in removing the spare tire on a Toyota RAV4:
Step 1: Remove the Spare Tire Cover
The spare tire on Toyota RAV4 is usually mounted at the exterior part of the vehicle and is covered by a hardshell spare tire cover. The first step in removing the spare tire on your RAV4 should be removing the spare tire cover. The spare tire cover on a RAV4 can be removed by following the abovementioned steps.
Step 2: Remove the Spare Wheel Nuts
The next step should be removing the spare wheel nuts that are attaching the spare wheel to the spare wheel mount. This can be accomplished by first loosening the nuts with a wheel-nut wrench and then removing the nut with your hands.
Before moving to the next step, ensure that you have placed the nuts in a safe place.
Step 3: Remove the Tire
After removing all the nuts attaching the tire to the mount, the last and final step should be pulling off the spare tire from the mount. The spare tire is now ready for use.
What Are the Alternatives to Tire Spares
Spare tires are slowly becoming non-standard equipment for many cars. One in every vehicle being manufactured nowadays does not include a full-sized spare tire but instead comes with alternatives to the spare tires. Below are some of the alternatives to spare tires you will find in some cars:
Run-Flat Tires
Run-flat tires are one of the most common alternatives to spare tires since they offer more control and flexibility. These tires feature internal support rings or reinforced sidewalls, allowing a driver to drive for some distance after experiencing a tire puncture.
Their drawback is that they can only be used once, and after that, they become unusable. This is expensive as opposed to having a spare tire in your car.
Tire Inflator Kits
Another common alternative to spare tires is the built-in tire inflator kits. These kits feature an aerosol seal kit that can offer a short-term solution to the minor punctures on the tire tread. The inflator kits function by spraying the sealant into the car’s flat tire via the air-inflation valve. They then inflate your tire to the point where it can be driven a short distance.
Prices for tire inflator kits usually range from $20 to $200. Be cautious because these kits may lead to a buildup of dirt within the tire, disturbing the TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system).
Tires that Self-Seal
Self-sealing tires are your final option if you don’t want to have a spare tire in your automobile. Should your tire develop a puncture, these are made with a specific built-in lining and coated with a sealant that will immediately fill the hole.
When using them, you must first securely remove any foreign objects puncturing the tire (such as a piece of metal or nail) before the sealant can fill the hole. Unfortunately, the sealant won’t work if the hole is too big or if it penetrated the tire’s sidewall.
Rav4 Spare Tire Cover Repair
- Clean the area around the tear or hole in the spare tire cover using a damp cloth.
- Cut a piece of patch material slightly larger than the tear or hole. Patch materials can include vinyl, canvas, or a rubber patch.
- Apply a thin layer of adhesive to the patch material and press it onto the spare tire cover, covering the tear or hole.
- Use a roller or a flat object to press down firmly on the patch, ensuring it adheres properly to the spare tire cover.
- Allow the adhesive to dry completely, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Once dry, check the repair to make sure it is secure and there are no bubbles or wrinkles in the patch material.
- If necessary, apply a waterproof sealant over the patch to protect it from further damage.
- Reinstall the spare tire cover on the vehicle, making sure it fits securely and is properly aligned.
Note: If the tear or hole is too large or the cover is severely damaged, it may be best to replace the spare tire cover entirely.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (Tpms) Market
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) market is a rapidly growing industry, driven by increasing government regulations mandating the use of these systems in vehicles, as well as the benefits they provide in terms of improved fuel efficiency and safety. The market is expected to continue growing in the coming years, driven by the increasing production of vehicles and the adoption of advanced technologies such as wireless TPMS. Key players in the market include Continental AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, Denso Corporation, and Pacific Industrial Co., Ltd, among others.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does the 2022 RAV4 Come with a Full-Size Spare Tire?
The 2022 RAV4 comes with an economy spare tire.
How is the Jack Removed from a 2010 Toyota RAV4?
To downsize the jack, turn the main screw in the anti-clockwise direction. This will allow you to remove the jack easily. To secure the jack and stop it from moving around after you’re done, spin the main screw clockwise.
Where is the Car Jack Located?
The car jack is mostly located in the trunk of the car. However, you will also likely find it under some SUVs’ cargo cover.
Do Cars Come with a Jack?
Most cars come with a jack. However, some models nowadays are not including it due to weight concerns.
Why Do Some Cars Not Have Spare Tires?
The main reason why many cars do not include a spare tire is to reduce the car’s weight. This also helps increase the space in the trunk for storing your goods.
Final Take
We hope the steps to remove the spare tire cover on RAV4 discussed in this article were helpful. If you’re considering buying an alternative for a spare, choose one from the list above.
