HOW TO CHANGE PRADO SPARE TIRE: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE

A flat tire can quickly turn an enjoyable journey into a stressful roadside emergency. For Toyota Prado owners, understanding how to access and change your spare tire is an essential skill that can save you time, money, and inconvenience. The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado comes with different spare tire configurations—some models feature rear-mounted spares while others have floor-mounted options. This guide will walk you through the complete process for both configurations, ensuring you're prepared for this common roadside situation.

Safety First: Preparing to Change Your Tire

Before attempting to change your Prado's tire, ensuring your safety is paramount. When you experience a flat tire, find a safe location away from traffic on flat, solid ground¹. This provides stability for the jacking process and keeps you safe from passing vehicles¹. Once parked, follow these crucial safety steps:

Essential Safety Precautions

• Engage your handbrake and put the vehicle in "Park" (or in gear for manual transmissions)¹
• Turn on your hazard lights to alert other motorists²
• Place wheel chocks or rocks under the wheels diagonal to the flat tire to prevent rolling¹
• Keep your keys in your pocket to prevent anyone from accidentally starting the vehicle¹
• Never place any part of your body underneath the jacked vehicle¹
• If available, set up warning triangles or use reflective vests for added visibility³

Taking these precautions significantly reduces the risk of accidents while changing your tire. Remember that safety should never be compromised, even if it means taking a few extra minutes to properly secure your vehicle.

Essential Tools for Changing Your Prado's Tire

The Toyota Prado comes equipped with all the necessary tools to change a tire, but knowing where to find them and how to use them is crucial. The toolkit location varies slightly between different Prado models.

Locating Your Tools

For most Prado models, the toolkit is located behind a panel in the rear cargo area⁴. To access it:

1. Open the rear door or tailgate
2. Locate the small panel on the inside of the door or in the cargo area
3. Flip the knobs or clips and lower the panel
4. Remove the toolkit from its storage compartment⁴

Required Tools and Equipment

Your Prado's toolkit should include:

• Jack and jack handle
• Wheel brace/lug wrench
• Extension rods for lowering the spare wheel
• Special security key (if your vehicle has locking wheel nuts)
• Flat screwdriver (for accessing certain compartments)⁴⁵

Ensure all tools are in good condition before beginning the tire change process. A damaged or malfunctioning jack, in particular, can create a dangerous situation.

Accessing a Rear-Mounted Spare Tire

Many Prado models feature a distinctive rear-mounted spare tire, which requires specific steps to access. This configuration provides easy accessibility but includes several security measures to prevent theft.

Removing the Spare Wheel Cover

1. Locate the small panel covering the rear camera (on models with reversing cameras)
2. Use your fingers to release this panel, which is attached by a small plastic cord⁴
3. Use the 12mm spanner from your toolkit to unscrew the bolt revealed behind this panel⁴
4. Open the rear door slightly to access the clip at the bottom of the spare wheel cover
5. Pull down on this clip to release the lower portion of the cover⁴
6. Grasp the sides of the cover and gently wiggle it until it comes off⁴

Releasing the Security Lock

The Prado features a security system that prevents unauthorized access to the spare tire:

1. Locate your key fob and look for a small switch near the top
2. Flick this switch and pull the ring to release a hidden key
3. Insert this key into the security lock slot on the spare wheel mount
4. Turn the key counterclockwise to release the locking mechanism
5. Remove the security bolt⁴

Once you've removed the security bolt, you can proceed to remove the remaining wheel nuts using your wheel brace and access the spare tire.

Accessing a Floor-Mounted Spare Tire

Some Prado models, particularly newer ones, have the spare tire mounted underneath the vehicle rather than on the rear door. This configuration requires a different approach.

Assembling the Lowering Mechanism

1. Retrieve the spare wheel lowering kit from your toolkit (typically four interconnecting rods)⁶
2. Connect these rods together, ensuring they lock securely
3. Tighten the connecting bolts using a star screwdriver if needed⁶
4. The final piece should have a special end that connects to the lowering mechanism⁶

Lowering the Spare Tire

1. Locate the access hole above the rear bumper (often covered by a small lid)
2. Use a flat screwdriver to open this lid⁵
3. Insert the assembled rod into this hole, ensuring it engages with the chain block mechanism
4. Place a cloth between the rod and bumper to prevent scratches⁵
5. Insert the right-angle rod into the middle hole of the straight rod for better leverage
6. Slowly rotate the handle counterclockwise to lower the spare tire⁵
7. Continue rotating until the tire rests completely on the ground
8. Disconnect the tire from the chain to free it for use⁵

Take care during this process, as the spare tire is heavy and could cause injury if it falls unexpectedly.

Changing the Flat Tire: Step-by-Step Guide

Once you've successfully accessed your spare tire, the process of changing the flat tire is relatively standard across all vehicles.

Loosening the Wheel Nuts

1. Use the wheel brace to loosen the wheel nuts on the flat tire by turning counterclockwise
2. Only loosen the nuts at this stage—don't remove them completely²³
3. If the nuts are particularly tight, you may need to use body weight or an extension for leverage²

Jacking Up the Vehicle

1. Consult your owner's manual to identify the correct jacking points for your Prado model¹
2. Position the jack under the designated jacking point nearest to the flat tire
3. Place the spare tire under the vehicle frame as a safety precaution²¹
4. Raise the vehicle slowly until the flat tire is just off the ground²

Removing the Flat Tire

1. Completely remove all wheel nuts, keeping them in a safe place
2. Carefully pull the flat tire straight off the hub
3. Set the flat tire aside or place it under the vehicle for added safety²

Installing the Spare Tire

1. Align the holes in the spare tire with the wheel studs
2. Push the spare tire onto the hub as far as it will go
3. Hand-tighten all wheel nuts in a star pattern (opposite nuts rather than adjacent ones)
4. Lower the vehicle slightly so the tire contacts the ground but still bears minimal weight
5. Use the wheel brace to fully tighten the nuts in the same star pattern
6. Lower the vehicle completely and remove the jack
7. Give all nuts a final check for tightness³

It's important to have your regular tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible, especially if you're using a temporary spare (donut) tire.

Best Practices and Additional Tips

The following recommendations will help ensure your tire changing experience is as smooth and safe as possible:

Regular Maintenance Checks

• Periodically check that your spare tire is properly inflated
• Ensure the spare tire's pressure sensor is functioning (on models with TPMS)⁵
• Familiarize yourself with your vehicle's toolkit before you need it in an emergency
• Practice accessing your spare tire at home before an actual emergency occurs

After Changing Your Tire

1. Stow all tools back in their proper locations
2. Secure the flat tire either in the spare tire mounting area or in your cargo space
3. Check the tightness of the wheel nuts after driving a few kilometers³
4. Have your original tire repaired or replaced by a professional as soon as possible

When to Seek Professional Help

While changing a tire is a skill every driver should possess, there are situations where professional assistance is advisable:

• If you're in an unsafe location (busy highway, narrow shoulder)
• During extreme weather conditions
• If you have physical limitations that make changing a tire difficult
• If your wheel nuts are severely overtightened or rusted

Conclusion: Be Prepared or Choose Convenience

Learning how to change your Toyota Prado's spare tire is an essential skill for any owner. The process may seem complicated at first, but with practice and familiarity with your specific model's requirements, it becomes manageable even for those with limited mechanical experience.

However, if you prefer not to deal with such maintenance issues, consider the convenience of renting a well-maintained vehicle from EliteMotion Luxury in Nairobi. Their premium fleet includes Toyota Land Cruisers and other luxury vehicles that undergo rigorous maintenance to minimize the likelihood of experiencing a flat tire during your journey.

Whether you're planning an off-road adventure through Kenya's national parks or need reliable transportation for business in Nairobi, EliteMotion Luxury offers both self-drive and chauffeur-driven options with 24/7 support. This means that even if you do experience a tire issue, help is just a phone call away.

Remember, preparation is key to handling roadside emergencies confidently, but sometimes the best preparation is choosing a trusted transportation partner who prioritizes your safety and convenience.