I decided to take a look at my spare tire, I had my air compressor fired up and was already hot and sweaty so I thought it was a good time.
Preparation steps:
Run the front seats forward and tilt the backs up.
Run the rear seats fully back.
Remove the 2nd row center console, moving it it back a few inches is plenty.
Removal:
Unlatch both sides of the 2nd row floor mat, latches are under the front seats, and remove the mat.
Unlatch the tire cover and slide it out from under the carpet and pad.
Remove the foam tool carrier that sits in the tire, don't tilt it more than needed and all the bits will come out together.
Remove the thumbscrew holding the tire to the floor.
Lift the tire by the center hole while tilting it with your other hand to get it out of the hole.
(it will come out with the console in place but not as easily)
Checking pressure:
The valve stem is pretty tight, lay the tire on a bench and it will be less of a struggle.
Reassembly:
Just reverse the above but you'll likely need a light to see to align the lug hole with the thumbscrew hole.
Align it carefully and don't force the thumbscrew, it is easy to cross thread and that is not good.
Since the valve stem is on the bottom of the tire you'll likely be doing this far too often if you want to keep the spare's pressure up. My spare appears to have lost 20 PSI in just over 90 days. If it does the same again the dealer and I are going to discuss replacing it.
Preparation steps:
Run the front seats forward and tilt the backs up.
Run the rear seats fully back.
Remove the 2nd row center console, moving it it back a few inches is plenty.
Removal:
Unlatch both sides of the 2nd row floor mat, latches are under the front seats, and remove the mat.
Unlatch the tire cover and slide it out from under the carpet and pad.
Remove the foam tool carrier that sits in the tire, don't tilt it more than needed and all the bits will come out together.
Remove the thumbscrew holding the tire to the floor.
Lift the tire by the center hole while tilting it with your other hand to get it out of the hole.
(it will come out with the console in place but not as easily)
Checking pressure:
The valve stem is pretty tight, lay the tire on a bench and it will be less of a struggle.
Reassembly:
Just reverse the above but you'll likely need a light to see to align the lug hole with the thumbscrew hole.
Align it carefully and don't force the thumbscrew, it is easy to cross thread and that is not good.
Since the valve stem is on the bottom of the tire you'll likely be doing this far too often if you want to keep the spare's pressure up. My spare appears to have lost 20 PSI in just over 90 days. If it does the same again the dealer and I are going to discuss replacing it.
