Toyota Siennas are a reliable vehicle, but like any SUV, there may be a time you need to change a flat tire. But how do you get the jack out of a Toyota Sienna? Let's take a look below.
In order to remove the jack from a Toyota Sienna, follow these steps:
- Open the liftgate.
- Remove the plastic cover.
- Place the tools to the side.
- Use the extension arm tool or tire iron to loosen the jack.
- Remove the jack.
Not knowing how to remove the jack from your Toyota Sienna can make changing a flat tire more of a hassle. To help you out, in this article, we will walk you through the complete process of removing the jack on a Toyota Sienna. In addition, we will answer other frequently asked questions about changing a tire on a Toyota Sienna, so read on!
How Do You Remove The Jack Out Of A Toyota Sienna?
Reliable and big enough to fit a family, the Toyota Sienna is a popular SUV. However, even the most reliable vehicle can suffer a flat tire. Removing the jack can be challenging if you have never had to change a tire on your Toyota Sienna.
Let's take a look at removing the jack from the Toyota Sienna and changing your flat tire step-by-step.
Remove The Plastic Cover
Before changing a flat tire, you should always check that your vehicle is on a flat surface. If it's not, then there is a risk of the jack falling out from under the vehicle and causing serious injury to you and damage to your vehicle.
In order to access the tire-changing tool kit, you will need to open the liftgate. After you open the liftgate, remove the plastic cover that will be on the passenger side or your right side.
The plastic cover looks similar to a vent screen, but it is actually a storage spot for your jack and other tools.
Remove The Tools
You will find tire-changing tools such as a tire extension arm tool, a tire iron, a jack, and a socket for lowering the tire.
You will need to use the tire extensions arm tool in order to loosen the jack.
Loosen The Jack
Using the extension arm tool or tire iron, place it on the top of the jack. The jack will have a metal hole that the tool can fit in. Use it to leverage the jack and loosen it.
Once the jack is loose, you can use your hands to finish removing the jack. Once the jack is loose enough, you can lift it out of the storage compartment.
Remove The Spare Tire
Depending on what generation Toyota Sienna you have, the spare tire will either be behind the front passenger set or on the driver-side cargo area.
If you aren't sure where your spare tire is located, check the owner's manual. If the spare tire is behind the passenger seat, then you will need the socket and extension arm to remove it.
There will be a small square flap in the carpet where the socket will fit. Once you place the socket inside, use the extension arm and rotate the socket counterclockwise until the spare tire is lowered to the ground.
You will need as much slack as possible to remove the tire, so keep rotating the socket until the line is completely lowered. Remove the tire from underneath the vehicle, and remove the tire lock to release the tire.
If your tire is in the cargo area, then use the tire iron to remove the lug nuts holding the spare tire in place. It's important to note that not all newer Toyota Siennas come with a spare tire. Instead, you may have a tire repair kit.
Loosen The Lug Nuts
The next step is to loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire. Do this before you lift the vehicle with the jack. If you don't, the flat tire will spin, and you won't be able to loosen the lug nuts.
The easiest way to loosen the lug nuts is to use leverage. Place the tire iron on the lug nut and pull it towards you with as much force as you can. Repeat this until you have all of the lug nuts loose, but don't completely remove them just yet.
Place The Jack Under The Vehicle
After the lug nuts are loose, it's time to use the jack to lift the Toyota Sienna off of the ground. To do this, you need to ensure that the jack is under the correct contact point on the vehicle.
This will be the part of the frame that is right behind or in front of the tire. You will see two indents in the frame that indicates where you want to place the jack.
Once you have found the jack contact point, you can begin to raise the jack. To do so, use the extension arm hook and place it in the metal loop on top of the jack.
Rotate the extension arm clockwise to the tire jack until it comes in contact with the frame. You may need to adjust the jack so it is aligned correctly with the frame.
When the jack is in contact with the frame, continue to turn the extension arm until the flat tire is off the ground. It's vital to ensure the vehicle is secure before you proceed to remove the tire.
Remove The Flat Tire
With the tire safely off the ground, you can now remove the lug nuts. Do this one at a time until the tire is completely loose.
Be sure to place your lug nuts in a safe area so you don't lose any of them. Next, you can remove the flat tire and set it aside.
Put On The Spare Tire
With the flat tire removed, you can now put on the spare. Place the spare tire onto the wheel bolts, and hand-tighten the lug nuts to keep it in place.
With all of the lug nuts in place, use your tire iron to tighten them. The most effective way is to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. Doing so will push the tire against the wheel bolts evenly.
Lower The Jack
Once the lug nuts are tight, it's time to lower the jack. Again, use the extension arm and rotate it counterclockwise to lower the jack. Once the vehicle is back on the ground, remove the jack from under the vehicle and set it to the side.
Once the jack is removed, use the tire iron to tighten the lug nuts one last time.
Store The Tools
Once you have successfully changed the flat tire, you can put your tools away. We recommend putting the flat tire in the cargo area so it can be inspected by a tire specialist.
Since it's recommended to only drive 50 miles on the spare tire, go to a tire specialist as soon as possible. Depending on the condition of the tire, you will either need to replace it or have the tire repaired.
What If My Toyota Sienna Doesn't Have A Spare Tire?
As we mentioned earlier, not all Toyota Siennas will have a jack and a spare tire. If your vehicle doesn't have a spare tire, you will have a tire puncture repair kit.
Keep in mind that the tire puncture repair kit only works in certain situations. For example, if your tire has a leak from driving over a nail, you may be able to use the tire puncture repair kit.
If your tire has blown for one reason or another, you may have no choice but to call a tow truck or AAA.
The tire puncture repair kit consists of an air compressor and a bottle of tire sealant. You will attach the compressor hose to the tire valve, attach the bottle of tire sealant to the compressor, and turn the compressor on.
When the compressor is turned on, it will push air and sealant into the tire. The sealant will close the hole in the tire so you can get back on the road.
We still recommend going directly to a tire specialist after using the tire puncture repair kit. There is a risk that the sealant won't hold up and your tire will lose air again.
A tire specialist will be able to permanently seal the puncture hold and get you back on the road safely.
Final Thoughts
We understand how frustrating dealing with a flat tire can be. By using the tips in this article, you will be able to get back on the road in no time. If you aren't able to change a flat tire yourself, be sure to call AAA or a tow truck for help.
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