So, most people recognized this as a wheel and tire. (I would have been like Myra and would have had to wait for the explanation.). But it wasn’t a wheel being used so there were no missing lug nuts. It was mounted on the back of the Jeep as a spare tire.
The problem was Andy noticed that if he needed to use the spare he couldn’t get to the bottom lug nut. So he assumed the purpose of that middle plastic thing was to prevent someone from stealing the tire.
So he phoned our salesman at Lithia Motors, who wanted a picture of what we had. When the salesman saw the picture he said no problem. The Jeep came with a tool kit which had the torx bit Andy needed to take the plastic thing off. That sounded great, except Andy wasn’t sure if he actually had the kit and if he did have it it was buried under all the valuable things he had moved from the old Jeep.
That turned out not to be a big problem. Andy had a T-40 torx bit that fit the hole.
That and a wrench was enough to move the latch holding the plastic thing on. So in an emergency Andy can now use the spare.
The latch on the plastic thing did break when he turned the bit the way he was supposed to, but I’ll write about that tomorrow.
April 14, 2024
oh no! Just when you think all will be good – at least Andy knows he can use the spare – but the “plastic thing breaking” not the best
It still works, but see tomorrow’s post.
I can’t believe I was Wrong, I am NEVER wrong! brahahaha.. even cars are now complicated, would never have thought of the spare tire. ours is hanging under the Kia , which means when we had a flat tire in the parking lot of a restaurant we had to wait and hour for AAA to come and change it. Bob could not lay down under the Kia to get the tire down.
😀 Yes, we do need more help nowadays.
Laughing at Mad Snapper, and also ‘all of Andy’s valuables’ he moved from one vehicle to another. I had a lot of those in the Rav, but did not put them in the new vehicle. Some might still find their way there, and the jumper cables are in there.
😀 Andy needs more things than you do.
It’s good to work these kinds of things out before you have an emergency. I’m sure Andy learned that the same way I did….from having common sense which isn’t always all that common.
Yes, a lot of experience goes into common sense. 🙂
Gosh, I’m glad he noticed it. And I’m betting he found a way to fix the plastic thing as well.
I’m glad he noticed it before he needed the spare. And that plastic thing sticks just fine. It has to be pried off.
I’m glad Andy considered all the ‘what-if’s’ and ‘how-to’s’ before anything happened. Looking forward to hearing the rest of the story!
We’re glad he noticed it too. 🙂
Life has become much too technical except that solutions to everything can be found on the Interwebs!
The internet is a true blessing!
It’s been years and years since I had to change a tire and I hope it stays that way!
Same here!!
Well that’s good that he found out now rather than trying to get that off when he needs to change a tire.
Yes. 🙂
Well that’s good news. I’m glad he got that figured out.
Me too!