Dreaded flat tire and I dont like it a bit :(

uh, that's the same place?

 

wan was 2010 the other was 2012 prius plug in

 

neither has the donut.

 

ah.....you hafta go to Duncan for that

 

Yikes! $330 for spare tire and rim? Ski season. I might buy a extra wheel and put one of my regular tires on it and put in the trunk for a spare.

The TPMS saved me once (staple in side of tire but had a warning and was able to keep pumping it up to get to dealer) but on the ski roads, road survivalist tools are probably in order.

 

Within the first week of taking delivery I went to a Discount Tire and bought their non-prorated hazard warranty for my OEM tires. It was something like $89 and includes regular rotations, balances, as well as repairs. I have done this every time I get a vehicle. On my SUV I probably have had 20 tires replaced under warranty (off-road) and each $300 tire has only cost me $25, the price to add hazard protection to replacement tire.

My auto insurance includes towing to the nearest repair facility so in the case of not having a spare I would get trailered to Discount Tire.

I won't use the sealant. You still have to have the tire serviced immediately afterwards and many TPM sensors have to be replaced after using sealant. That would cost me more than having the tire replaced.

 

Apparently there were a few of us on the road this weekend going the same way. I traveled I-10 and US-60 through Wickenburg. It cuts off a mile or two if your destination is neighborhoods to the north like Peoria. At one point on I-10 there were three or four Prii in a row going 80+ mph passing everyone. I was having fun picturing all those out of state people we were passing thinking, "Oh man, there are a lot of crazy environmental hippies in California. Look at all these hybrids and we're not even to the state line yet."

 

The difference in the size of a regular tire and the donut is not that much. I bought the donut, but now wish I had just gone ahead and bought a regular wheel and tire. Either one can sit in the cargo area, tied to the built in metal anchors with the strap provided with the car. I rarely haul anything but groceries, so it's not a big deal for me to carry the spare all the time.

 

it has to be the same diameter, so i guess its just the weight and width?

 

Tires are never covered. They are normal wear items and you probably just ran over something. I needed a new tire at 9K miles after running thru a construction zone on the 405 and damaging mine. My new rubber was $121 here, but your dealerships up there do charge more. If your tire damage was so large that it wasn't pluggable, it is good that your car is at a dealership.
Hey, stuff happens.
I'm not sure why you're blaming the car or the manufacturer. And, you had damage on a terribly busy holiday weekend fraught with accidents, hazards, damage, and tows galore, I am sure.

 

Get a used spare donut from a late model Corolla from a auto salvage dealer. I got one for $35. There are tie downs in the back hatch area to secure the tire. Sorry for your ordeal, what a bummer.

 

I wonder what problems would result from using a 195/65/15 spare with 205/65/15 snows or vice versa? It's only going to be for a short period in an emergency.

 

If your flat is on the front, take a good tire from the rear and put on the front so both tires on front are the same size, important. Then put your spare on the rear, then if small diffrence in tire size is not a big thing if on the rear.

 

+1

AAA on all vehicles and a simple call will tow it anywhere you want in 60-100 miles depending on where you break down for free. I haven't had to use them for a real breakdown yet, I always use them to tow cars between houses if I have to which is free as well.

 

aaa covers you no matter what/who's vehicle you're in.

 

Good advice ESPECIALLY if it's the snow tires.