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On models with no spare tire, what are folks doing?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by dpbsmith4, Apr 21, 2016.

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  1. dpbsmith4

    dpbsmith4 Junior Member

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    Our 2016 Prius Four Touring does not come with a spare tire of any kind, nor is there any obviously-good place to carry one. There is a "tire repair kit."

    On the one hand, in our 2005 Prius, I did use the bright yellow compact spare twice--in both case it was AAA that put it on for me, and last time he had great problems getting the old tire off and I know I would not have been able to do it myself. I put perhaps 100 miles on that tire. On the other hand, in my life experience almost all tire problems were punctures in the tread area with the object remaining in the tire, so a reasonable chance the kit would work. (Two exceptions: sidewall slashed by a vandal, and sidewall damage that left the tire inflated and drivable but obviously unsafe).

    I'm curious to know what other owners are actually doing, and what their experiences have been.
     
  2. Frederickdawg

    Frederickdawg Active Member

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    I'm assuming the tire repair kit consists of an air machine and some gunk? I haven't looked properly in the wife's Prius 4 hatch area to verify.
    If indeed it's gunk sealant then I'm assuming the nail hole on the tread area can no longer be repaired since gunk was used. Heard they cause a lot of mess and time consuming when removing from rim to install new tire.

    Mrs was even concerned about her new car not having a spare. Can one not buy a gen 2 or 1 spare donut with Jack and make the needed space in trunk to accommodate these two parts ?

    LG-H901 ?
     
  3. I'mJp

    I'mJp Senior Member

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    See "Compact Spare for Two Eco" in the modification section
     
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  4. priusgto

    priusgto Active Member

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    I recommend avoiding new home construction areas as those guys drop more nails on the ground than they get in the wood:D
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i carry a spare above decks. never used it, and hope it stays that way.
     
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  6. Frederickdawg

    Frederickdawg Active Member

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    Can anyone confirm that any 5*100 15" donut will work?

    LG-H901 ?
     
  7. vince22

    vince22 Active Member

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    No donut for me, full size installed with my Eco.
     
  8. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Just to let new Gen4 users know that the Plug-In Prius (PiP) since 2012 has not had the spare tire.
    So there are some lengthy past threads. PiP owners (eg; Bisco) are our "no-spare" pioneers.

    As mentioned above by I'mJp, a few Gen4 owners are pioneering the idea of cutting into the foam of the rear floor to add a spare.

    Broadly the options are (1) carry a spare or (2) do without.
     
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  9. JohnF

    JohnF Active Member

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    For me, option (2) and prayer.
     
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  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Maybe get something like a Corolla rim and a cheap 195/65R15, and keep it at home. Then, if/when you get a flat, get a friend/relation drive it over to you, or via cab?

    Personally, I would never buy a car without a spare, so problem solved, lol.
     
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  11. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    In that case we can possibly develop a list of preparedness items.
    Of course you got some stuff in the car.
    Maybe join AAA
    Maybe carry a nail plug fix kit
    pump
    etc
     
  12. JohnF

    JohnF Active Member

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    I'm already a member of Better World, the better alternative to AAA.
    Perhaps a Bible too.
    And my cell of course.
     
  13. ATHiker

    ATHiker Senior Member

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    FWIW, I had 4 tows last year with better world (a whole lot more can disable a car than a flat tire) in the Boston area, and their service was excellent.

    Having a spare tire would not have helped!
     
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  14. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Yes the cell phone is big difference...maybe we can blame the cell phone for loss of spare tire.
    Although sometimes if you're really out there in wilderness, it cannot help.

    I did not know there was a better world...see there you go right there
     
  15. JohnF

    JohnF Active Member

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    Actually you stay right where you are (not that you have a choice) and they come to you:
    betterworldclub.com
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i looked up better world, very interesting. never heard of them before. i have triple a.
     
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  17. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Corolla rim the cheapest way to go? Also saw a post on lug nuts and rims somewhere.
     
  18. Frederickdawg

    Frederickdawg Active Member

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    The corolla donut that was for sale on my local Craig's list was a 16" one. I thought the donut wheel would be a 15"? For those.

    I just wanted a donut that fits and is small and light enough to carry in back. Something that'll take vehcile to tire store in case of blow out.

    LG-H901 ?
     
  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I was thinking of a regular Corolla rim, just because they're more ubiquitous, cheap too. I use them with snow tires on a 2010.

    Corolla 15" black steel rims p/n: 42611-02471
     
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  20. zmre2b

    zmre2b Junior Member

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    Teslas don't have spare tires. And buyers are fine with it. They have a repair kit with sealant. Or Tesla Road side assistance dispatches either a flat bed to tow it or a ranger with extra tires to put an extra tire on it. With tire pressure sensors the service is v rarely used.

    Technological change is sometimes scary but spare tires are going the way of snow chains and paper maps.
     
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