Where the spare tire lives and what you'll need

The 2023 Hybrid Pacifica stores its spare tire under the floor of the cargo area, behind the third-row seats. To access it, you'll need to remove the cargo floor panel — a flat piece of plastic that lifts straight up — and then unbolt the tire from its carrier underneath. Before you start, gather a lug wrench (usually a four-way wrench that came with your van), a jack, and jack stands if you have them.

The spare itself is a full-size tire, not a compact donut, so it's heavier than you might expect. If you're replacing it because the current spare is damaged or flat, you'll need a new tire that matches your Pacifica's specifications. Check your driver's door jamb or owner's manual for the exact size — typically 235/65R17 for the 2023 model — and bring that information to a tire shop.

Key Takeaways

  • The spare tire is stored under the cargo floor panel behind the third-row seats, not in a traditional wheel well.
  • You'll need a lug wrench and a jack to remove the spare, plus a replacement tire that matches the size listed on your door jamb.
  • The carrier bolt is accessed from underneath the floor panel and requires turning it counterclockwise to release the tire.
  • Once you've removed the old spare, the new tire bolts on the same way — hand-tight first, then snug with the wrench.

Removing the cargo floor panel

Start by clearing everything out of your cargo area. Fold down the third-row seats if they're up, then locate the cargo floor panel — it's a rectangular plastic piece that covers the storage space underneath. You'll see two or three plastic handles or grips along the edges.

Grip one of the handles and lift straight up. The panel is not bolted down; it straightforward rests in place. Once it's free, set it aside in a safe spot where it won't get damaged. You should now see the spare tire carrier, which looks like a metal bracket bolted to the floor of the van.

Unbolting and removing the spare tire

The spare tire is held to its carrier by a single large bolt that runs through the center of the wheel. You'll see this bolt from above once the floor panel is up. Use your lug wrench to turn it counterclockwise — it's hand-tight, not extremely tight, so it should come free without excessive force.

Once the bolt is removed, lift the tire straight up and out of the carrier. The spare will be heavy — around 40 to 50 pounds — so use your legs and get a good grip on both sides of the wheel. Set it down on a flat surface where you can inspect it or transport it to a tire shop for replacement.

Installing the new spare tire

Before you bolt the new tire into place, inspect the carrier bolt and the threaded hole in the carrier itself. If either looks rusty or damaged, clean them with a wire brush or cloth. A little light surface rust is normal and won't cause problems, but heavy corrosion can make the bolt hard to remove later.

Position the new tire on the carrier so the valve stem faces outward and the tire sits flat against the carrier. Insert the bolt through the center of the wheel and into the threaded hole below. Turn it clockwise by hand until it's snug — you want it tight enough that the tire won't move, but you don't need to crank it with all your strength. A firm hand-tight fit is the right amount of tension.

Reinstalling the cargo floor panel

Once the spare is bolted down, lower the cargo floor panel back into place. It should sit flush with the edges of the cargo area. The panel will rest on the tire carrier and the floor of the van — no bolts or clips hold it down, so make sure it's seated evenly before you load anything on top of it.

Test the panel by pressing down on different spots to confirm it's stable. If it rocks or feels loose, lift it up again and check that the spare tire is fully tightened and that the panel is sitting in the right position. Once everything feels solid, you're done.

When to replace your spare tire

A spare tire should be replaced if it's flat, visibly damaged, or more than six to ten years old — even if it looks fine. Rubber degrades over time, and an old spare may fail if you actually need to use it. Check the date code on the sidewall: it's a small oval with four digits, where the first two are the week and the last two are the year. A tire made in week 15 of 2018 would read "1518".

If your spare is holding air but you're not sure about its age or condition, a tire shop can inspect it for free and tell you whether it's safe to keep. Replacing a spare costs the same as replacing any other tire of that size, and it's worth doing before you need it on the side of the road.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different tire size for the spare?

No. The spare must match the size listed on your door jamb — typically 235/65R17 for the 2023 Pacifica. Using a different size can affect your van's handling, speedometer accuracy, and all-wheel-drive system performance. Stick with the correct size.

Do I need to jack up the van to remove the spare?

No. The spare is stored underneath the cargo floor, not in a wheel well, so you don't need to lift the van at all. You only need a jack if you're replacing a tire that's currently on the road — the spare itself comes out from underneath while the van sits flat on the ground.

What if the carrier bolt won't turn?

If the bolt is stuck, spray it with penetrating oil (like WD-40) and wait 15 to 30 minutes. Then try again with your lug wrench. If it still won't budge, a tire shop can remove it for you — don't force it, because you can strip the threads in the carrier and create a bigger problem.

Is the spare tire the same as the road tires?

Yes. Unlike some vehicles that use a smaller donut spare, the 2023 Pacifica's spare is a full-size tire that matches your road tires in size and type. You can drive at normal highway speeds on it, though it's still meant as a temporary solution until you can repair or replace the damaged tire.