Any RAV4 owner change their own tires?

Sep 28th, 2020 5:58 pm

#1

chico_001 [OP]: Member; Dec 14, 2007; 271 posts; 220 upvotes; Brossard

Sep 28th, 2020 5:58 pm

I have a RAV4 2018 and I want to start changing tires on my own for the first time. From the manual, I can see that the floor jack should be positioned near the center at the front and rear. I am reading on some forums that a floor jack needs to lift at least 20 inches to be able to change the rear tires. Most of the models I see at Canadian Tire can lift up to 18.5 inches...

Anybody changing their own tires on a RAV4 here could share their experience? I know the emergency jack can be used on the side but I want to do this quickly and I think a floor jack would be the best way to go?

Sep 28th, 2020 6:05 pm

#2

fordmaple: Deal Addict; Nov 6, 2014; 1411 posts; 2677 upvotes; 0 downvotes (Maple,O…

Sep 28th, 2020 6:05 pm

Don't do it unless you have a torq wrench and know how to use it.

+7

Sep 28th, 2020 6:11 pm

#3

vkizzle: Deal Expert; Aug 22, 2011; 40462 posts; 28111 upvotes; Center of Universe

Sep 28th, 2020 6:11 pm

A 3ton floor jack will allow the proper lift height.

+2

Sep 28th, 2020 6:18 pm

#4

bembol: Deal Expert; Jan 27, 2006; 19658 posts; 3290 upvotes; Woodbridge

Sep 28th, 2020 6:18 pm

It's what I use on my Audi Q3.

"I'll put up color bars before I'll put you in front of our cameras."

- MacKenzie
THE NEWSROOM (HBO)

Sep 28th, 2020 7:12 pm

#5

derass: Deal Addict; Sep 8, 2017; 4683 posts; 4943 upvotes; GTA

Sep 28th, 2020 7:12 pm

vkizzle wrote: ↑ A 3ton floor jack will allow the proper lift height.

You'd be surprised. I have a standard Motomaster 3-ton and it only lifts 18".

That's part of the reason why I upgraded to the Motomaster long-reach low profile. It lifts 24". I have the 2-ton version which is fine for my two sedans, but they offer a similar 3-ton version as well.

Old jack - https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/moto ... 1047p.html
New jack - https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/moto ... p.html#srp
3-ton version - https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/moto ... 0244p.html

+1

Sep 28th, 2020 7:54 pm

#6

Andy34: Deal Addict; Dec 19, 2015; 4176 posts; 2337 upvotes; Calgary, AB

Sep 28th, 2020 7:54 pm

I have an 18” trolly jack to change the tires on my F150. I don’t see how you can possibly require more than that to do a small crossover! You only need to lift the wheel enough to get it an inch off the ground and the suspension sag on a RAV4 is only a few inches.

+2

Sep 28th, 2020 8:12 pm

#7

vkizzle: Deal Expert; Aug 22, 2011; 40462 posts; 28111 upvotes; Center of Universe

Sep 28th, 2020 8:12 pm

derass wrote: ↑ You'd be surprised. I have a standard Motomaster 3-ton and it only lifts 18".

That's part of the reason why I upgraded to the Motomaster long-reach low profile. It lifts 24". I have the 2-ton version which is fine for my two sedans, but they offer a similar 3-ton version as well.

Old jack - https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/moto ... 1047p.html
New jack - https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/moto ... p.html#srp
3-ton version - https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/moto ... 0244p.html

You're right, the "low profile" type is the one I have.

Sep 28th, 2020 9:59 pm

#8

gdealsrus: Newbie; Sep 16, 2018; 21 posts; 11 upvotes

Sep 28th, 2020 9:59 pm

OP dont make it too complicated for yourself. All you need is -
1. 2.5-3 ton floor jack. Try to get an aluminium-steel hybrid one, yes its a little more $$ than the steel one but you will thank later due to its lighter weight. One I have is from costco brand called Arcan . I have been using it to change tires for all my cars including full size SUV which is way bigger and heavier than RAV4.
2. Breaker bar more than 20 inches long which you can get from Crappy tire for $15 or something. Maybe even cheaper on sale elsewhere.
3. A good torque wrench.

Do one tire at a time, lift enough that your tire is just 1-3 inches above the ground. Change and to the next.

Take you time, it may take you roughly an hour for all 4 wheels but you will get better with experience.

+4

Sep 28th, 2020 10:18 pm

#9

Jigsaw: Deal Addict; Oct 21, 2006; 1081 posts; 900 upvotes

Sep 28th, 2020 10:18 pm

assuming you have the tires on rims already, for the $40-50 in price, I would take it to a shop.

Sep 28th, 2020 10:37 pm

#10

al_chew: Newbie; Sep 2, 2006; 12 posts; 4 upvotes

Sep 28th, 2020 10:37 pm

The centre rear jack point on the RAV4 sits pretty high up near the rear bumper. So I can see how forums would recommend a min 20” jack. I have a regular 3 ton floor jack from princess auto that works but it’s pretty much maxed out in terms of height when I lift the rear. Been doing it for years with no issues.

I’m sure someone will mention it but you should also use jack stands in conjunction with the floor jack.

Good luck.

+2

Sep 29th, 2020 12:48 am

#11

rf134a: Deal Fanatic; Feb 15, 2005; 6754 posts; 2472 upvotes; YEG

Sep 29th, 2020 12:48 am

I use the blackjack low profile 3 ton from Costco. I use the side jack points and not the 2 central ones. The rear jackpoint is far too high for the jack. There are also parts of the frame and suspension you can use...

⬆⬆⬇⬇⬅➡⬅➡BA

+3

Sep 29th, 2020 2:33 am

#12

derass: Deal Addict; Sep 8, 2017; 4683 posts; 4943 upvotes; GTA

Sep 29th, 2020 2:33 am

Those aren't "side jack points". They're for use with jack stands or a lift. If you jack from those spots, you can't put a stand under them.

+2

Sep 29th, 2020 9:38 am

#13

chico_001 [OP]: Member; Dec 14, 2007; 271 posts; 220 upvotes; Brossard

Sep 29th, 2020 9:38 am

so, can I use a floor jack to lift the car from the side and change my tires while the car is lifted on the floor jack?

I know jack stands are recommended, but I don't see how to put the jack stand when the car is lifted on the side using the floor jack..

Sep 29th, 2020 9:42 am

#14

chico_001 [OP]: Member; Dec 14, 2007; 271 posts; 220 upvotes; Brossard

Sep 29th, 2020 9:42 am

this is from the manual..

+4

Sep 29th, 2020 12:15 pm

#15

Ecsta: Deal Addict; Jan 17, 2009; 4459 posts; 4963 upvotes; Toronto, Ontario

Sep 29th, 2020 12:15 pm

chico_001 wrote: ↑ so, can I use a floor jack to lift the car from the side and change my tires while the car is lifted on the floor jack?

I know jack stands are recommended, but I don't see how to put the jack stand when the car is lifted on the side using the floor jack..

Yes I do it like that when I change my tires. I never put the whole car on jack stands if I'm just swapping wheels, it'd take forever.

I just put a jack stand next to the floor jack in case the floor jack fails, and be extra careful about having body parts under the car. Changing wheels are pretty quick if that's all you're doing.

+2

Sep 29th, 2020 12:18 pm

#16

angryaudifanatic: Deal Addict; Nov 10, 2018; 4697 posts; 5251 upvotes

Sep 29th, 2020 12:18 pm

I do this every winter/summer since I was 18 for any my cars. Anything from a Flying Spur to a Corolla back when I was much younger.

In a COVID-19 pandemic, I don't go to the dealership unless I have to, which was pre-pandemic, almost never.

For legal topics and discussions, the opinion, guidance, and thoughts provided are my own and are not considered to be legal advice, in any manner.

Sep 29th, 2020 3:46 pm

#17

chico_001 [OP]: Member; Dec 14, 2007; 271 posts; 220 upvotes; Brossard

Sep 29th, 2020 3:46 pm

Which one would you recommend between these 4 jacks?

https://www.costco.ca/arcan-3-ton-profe ... 17470.html

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/moto ... 1070p.html

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/moto ... 0240p.html

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/moto ... 1047p.html

Sep 29th, 2020 3:52 pm

#18

JanardhananR7411: Member; May 20, 2018; 284 posts; 300 upvotes; Toronto, ON

Sep 29th, 2020 3:52 pm

Jigsaw wrote: ↑ assuming you have the tires on rims already, for the $40-50 in price, I would take it to a shop.

Thats 100$ a year Per car, which you can save with spending 1 hour of your time.
This is RFD

Petrohead to EV-head , if there is one.

+7

Sep 29th, 2020 3:52 pm

#19

JanardhananR7411: Member; May 20, 2018; 284 posts; 300 upvotes; Toronto, ON

Sep 29th, 2020 3:52 pm

Go with the Costco one.

chico_001 wrote: ↑ Which one would you recommend between these 4 jacks?

https://www.costco.ca/arcan-3-ton-profe ... 17470.html

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/moto ... 1070p.html

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/moto ... 0240p.html

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/moto ... 1047p.html

Petrohead to EV-head , if there is one.

Sep 29th, 2020 4:34 pm

#20

Jucius Maximus: Deal Expert; Aug 18, 2005; 21196 posts; 5897 upvotes; Burlington-Hamilton

Sep 29th, 2020 4:34 pm

rf134a wrote: ↑ I use the blackjack low profile 3 ton from Costco. I use the side jack points and not the 2 central ones. The rear jackpoint is far too high for the jack. There are also parts of the frame and suspension you can use...

How do you get this info?
Is it in the manuals somewhere that I missed?

- casual gastronomist -