Tires - Spare Tire Carrier Icing

SOURCE: Kia Technician Times

TITLE: Spare Tire Carrier Icing

APPLIES TO: Sportage

SERVICE TIP:

CONDITION

In wet, freezing temperatures, the spare tire carrier release cable and/or latch may not operate. If this occurs, the spare tire carrier latch mechanism cannot be released and the rear hatch cannot be opened.

CAUSE

Water enters the cable sheath and freezes to the release cable. When this happens, the release cable will not slide inside the cable sheath so the spare tire carrier release will not work. Also, in some cases, if enough ice forms on the spare tire carrier latch mechanism it will freeze in the locked position. If this occurs, the spare tire carrier release cable can be damaged if excessive force is used trying to open carrier.

CORRECTIVE ACTION

From 2/1/99 production, the factory added grease to the cable with a freezing specification of -30°C. From 11/1/98, the cable wire was changed to stainless, and the cable sheath plating was improved. From 3/10/99 production, a seal is to be added to the knob end of the cable and a rubber cover will be added to the latch end of the cable. For current vehicles experiencing these problems, it is recommended that a heavy low temperature grease be applied to both ends of the cable sheath and to the latch mechanism to reduce ice formation.