Spare tire - Access panel

[pa31p]

Maybe this is a little much but..

The panel that you open up to lower the spare tire. I’m sure in a panic you’d be tempted to shuff a screw driver in that panel and crack it open. damaging the paint in the process…

Anyone has a handy tip to remove that access panel without damaging the paint ?

 

[Fless]

Plastic trim tool?

 

[Tonyv__]

Plastic trim tool?

My thoughts exactly. They’re under $10. Keep one in the glove box

 

[OR VietVet]

Hell, you would think GM would supply a tool for that, maybe included in the area where the jack and tools are.

 

[Tonyv__]

Hell, you would think GM would supply a tool for that, maybe included in the area where the jack and tools are.

Funny because I just thought about this. I don’t have anything to pop the cover off of mine on the Yukon. Might have to throw one in with my breaker bar

 

[d_hawk]

Maybe this is a little much but..

The panel that you open up to lower the spare tire. I’m sure in a panic you’d be tempted to shuff a screw driver in that panel and crack it open. damaging the paint in the process…

Anyone has a handy tip to remove that access panel without damaging the paint ?View attachment 381402

Small flat blade screwdriver with a wrap of electrical tape on the tip has worked for me. I have removed the access panel to lower the spare tire 3 times now (twice to check air pressure and once for a flat).

 

[OR VietVet]

I would also assume the owner's manual makes a recommendation for the cover removal.

 

[Stbentoak]

My thoughts exactly. They’re under $10. Keep one in the glove box

You can buy a decent assortment on Amazon pretty cheap and share them between vehicles….look like plastic crowbars!

 

[d_hawk]

I would also assume the owner's manual makes a recommendation for the cover removal.

Owners manual leaves it to your imagination on removing the access panel

 

[swathdiver]

I bet a dime or a quarter would pop that out easy peasy without damage.

 

[OR VietVet]

It said just insert metal key and turn 90 degrees.

 

[Stbentoak]

It would be nice if someone would make a short video of doing this correctly and without damage so we would know just wat to do when needed.

 

[gooffeyguy]

There's a small slot on the left hand side of the panel. You can see it in that pic, and the arrow is pointing at it in the owner's manual pic posted above.

Kind of like on some of the center caps on some of the wheel models.

 

[d_hawk]

It would be nice if someone would make a short video of doing this correctly and without damage so we would know just wat to do when needed.

I will take a short video and post it soon.

 

[Blackcar]

Maybe this is a little much but..

The panel that you open up to lower the spare tire. I’m sure in a panic you’d be tempted to shuff a screw driver in that panel and crack it open. damaging the paint in the process…

Anyone has a handy tip to remove that access panel without damaging the paint ?View attachment 381402

Like been said there is small slot that can be seen on left side of removable panel a screwdriver with electrical tape on end will remove cover or like been stated plastic trim tools but that small slot on left side is your helper to keep from marking paint. I would try before a have to case they don't come out that hard.

 

[pa31p]

Won’t let me post a video, but I found this plastic tool in my iphone repair kit. works perfect pops right out, as was suggested above by trying this , an interior tool would do it just fine.

 

[tom3]

So that's what that panel is for. I figured it was for a trailer towing connection or something. Thanks to all for posting about this!

 

[H1Chester]

Take off the hitch cover. Then push the panel open from the back of the bumper.

 

[tmill260]

if you have a hitch on, the hitch cover will be off and you can reach up behind the panel and pop off the little panel.

 

[thegrunter]

How about the edge of a credit card?