So I had a tire failure/flat over the weekend, and tried to change it with my spare and the factory scissors jack.
I have had my RX dealer serviced over the years, and was assured the dealer checked the spare during service intervals, to ensure it could be used.

On the RX, the spare is stored under the vehicle, and lowered on a cable to the ground, using a hand crank mechanism. When stored, the spare is held up by threads on the end of the cable with a flange nut.
In my case the threads on the end of the cable and the flange nut had corroded and were fused.
In order to get the spare off, I had to cut the cable.

Once I got the spare down, I realized the it was deflated, and probably had not been checked by the dealership for many years.
Since I carry a Ryobi ONE+ inflator, I could inflate the tire, so this was not a "show stopper".

I had changed flats on my RX in the past, without incident, although I replaced the factory lug nut wrench with a breaker bar and socket, so make sure I could get the lug nut off.
The scissors jack is always questionable, and in this case I had difficulty with it.
Rather than risk injury, I called AAA, and waited 3 hours for them to arrive.
My rationale in attempting the tire change was to avoid the 3 hours wait.
I am interested to hear what other RX owners have experienced in this situation.

My conclusions at this point are:

• Check out your spare from time-to-time to make sure it is usable.
• The spare tire lower cable and flange nut need to be maintained, make sure it works. (Are there alternatives?)
• Have a back-up to the spare tire... Fix-A-Flat?
• If possible, carry a better/more stable jack.

I am aware that major tire failures are rare, so calling AAA and potentially waiting for hours is hardship on rare occasions.
However, in a remote area with limited cell phone coverage, or some other "force majeure" circumstance, being able to do a tire change can be critical.

Looking forward to your thoughts and insights.
Ryo

 

yeah the first time we had a tire issue it was a veritable nightmare. Didn’t have a 21mm socket or anything to break the lugs with so luckily it was a slow leak from clipping the curb. Had to drive to an autozone and borrow a socket but our scissor Jack was not adequate.

bought a $30 2.5 ton Jack from OfferUp and although it’s heavy AF it sure beats depending on that piece of trash Jack it came with. The auto zone employee did us a solid and opened up a trolley Jack to get our tire on. Luckily we had no issue with the tire

 

Didn't have any issue with factory scissors jack. Just use it correctly.

 

I keep a small square of plywood in the back with my jack just to have something flat to put under it since the jack can be ***** on surfaces that aren't perfectly even.

Not worth a dam in the grass but hoping my plywood square can help if I ever need it.

 

I check to see the spare & the jack/tools & to see how accessable it is.....On my lowered cars, I ended up using a alloy race jack vs the oem jacks......I also check the spare tire pressure as well.....The tpms light would be on if I didn't as the spare is tied up to the tmps light.......Anyhow I need to get a new spare tire, which I'm going to when I get new wheels.....I'd for sure lube up the cable & make sure it works where your at, being cruddy weather & possbily salt the roads as well as pressure wash the underneath your vehicle.......

 

you must have the updated version, there is a service bulletin about the first Jack being a safety hazard. It’s total garbage.

 

The piece of plywood is a good idea... easy to carry, increase the footprint of the jack...

 

What kind of jack is the "race jack"? A floor jack? I have seen these are available in a fairly portable config, even with a decent molded case...

 

the jack I got from OfferUp is not a racing jack but it’s similar. Racing jacks are usually lightweight aircraft grade aluminum. This is a heavy af 2.5 ton pitsburvh shop jack. Still worth it to have in an emergency but a lightweight aluminum one would be the *****. Because the one I have is 40kg easy. But for $30 it was a steal. One of the pistons siezed but a screw driver pliers and lubricant fixed that right up.

 

Dealers won't check the spare, assuming was the first mistake.

Most people keep the junky OE Michelin/Bridgestone for emergency only... and it'll be old.

I'm one of the few people that will replace a spare tire with a newer (used) one vs. keeping an unused 15yo tire on hand
I've done this in all my vehicles, and if they came with a junk donut, I replace it with a fullsize wheel with a winter tire (as that is the worst time of year IMO, so I'd rather be prepared for that), at the cost of 1-2" of trunk space lost (in a sedan not made for a full size).

Depending on your climate, get a good used tire and be done with it. Or you can go all out, like they used to, and buy 5 new tires and rotate them each oil change... like on 4X4 trucks, with a fullsize spare...

 

Is it normal for the spare tire to sway back ad forth. Seems loose to me

 

It shouldn't be loose, seems like you need to wind it up a little more......The tire/wheel assembly should be tight up angainst the bottom of the vehicle....

 

Thanks for confirming. I hope I can manage it

 

Should be easy enough, open the rear hatch & grab the Hand crank & under the right side you'll need to remove the little plug & loosen it what & then tighten it up untill it stops. Grab the tire & cover underneath & you can feel if its tight angainst the bottom of the vehicle. You don't want it swaying back & forth......