Prius Plugin's lack of spare tire.

U.S. delivered models come with a tie down strap, so check your cargo area and storage compartments. You can loop it through two of the tie down rings and the wheel, and you are good to go.

 

So when I found out my PiP didn't have a spare tire I was a bit displeased because the salesman never mentioned the lack of a spare tire. I have the road hazard through Toyota as well as towing with my auto insurance. My only concern is IF anything happens on a Sunday I would not be able to get it fixed until Monday @ the dealer. Or end up paying out of pocket to get it fixed same day (On Sunday).

So I had a nail in my tire yesterday. When I got back to my car after work the tire was completely flat. I knew it was there but had been holding air w/o issue so I took a gamble and lost. I was able to use a bicycle pump to get 32psi and drove it straight to the dealership.

They fixed it immediately but then told me the bill would be $19 for the plug & $37.50 for mount & balance. I asked why the fee when I have the road hazard and was explained if the tire was not able to be fixed and had to be replaced that it's free but if it's able to be repaired then the charge. I was told it's a liability issue. Previously someone had a plug in there car and drove on it for 2-3 years then had a catastrophic failure and injury or fatality then blamed it on the plug. So by paying for the repair it takes the liability off Toyota. Don't ask me the logic there. I was also told only to use the slime kit as a last resort. It WILL damage the tire pressure sensor and it's approximately $200 to replace. That's not including the cost to replace the slime kit too!

So I will be looking to grab a spare tire to have for road trips-

Just wanted to share this experience with my fellow PiP owners so you too won't be blindsided in the future.

 

thanks for the fyi, dealership story sounds a bit shady tho.

 

$19 for a plug? Are they using gold ones now?

 

I

I think they are plug+patch all in one. But still!

 

my local guy charged me 25 bucks complete.

 

I carry my spare all the time. It doesn't make any difference to me whether the flat is a mile or 100 miles from home- I don't want to get stuck or have to rely on roadside service, but that's just me.

 

Ditto!

 

f

 

My Prius Plug-in flat tire went like this:

Hoboken, NJ on a Sunday night about 10:15. Hit something in the road. Tried to use the repair kit (I had checked it out) but tire too damaged.
Called Roadside assistance. They could only find a tow truck in Brooklyn - maybe two hours from Hoboken. We waited.

The car could not be dropped at a NYC dealer without advanced notice, so it had to go to Brooklyn on Sunday night.
The tow truck driver dropped us off on a street in Manhattan.

On Monday I called Toyota of Manhattan about the Prius, but it wasn't there. I called Roadside assistance who called the tow company who said they would bring the car to Toyota on Tuesday.

I called Toyota on Tuesday and they had the car and would check the tire.

Toyota called me on Wednesday to say they couldn't get a replacement tire until Wednesday.

Toyota called me on Wednesday to tell me the car would be ready on Thursday. New tire: $166 Replacement inflation kit (one use only, sorry) $134

So, flat tire to full operation in 4 days and $300.

Complained to Toyota corporation and my dealership salesperson from whom I have bought Toyotas since 1994.
Still waiting for the "so sorry for your inconvenience."
I think Prius needs a spare tire and was happy to read the Amazon donut for $63 solution.

 

Didn't work for my flat and it's one use only and $134 for the replacement.

 

My Prius Plug-in flat tire went like this:

Hoboken, NJ on a Sunday night about 10:15. Hit something in the road. Tried to use the repair kit (I had checked it out) but tire too damaged.
Called Roadside assistance. They could only find a tow truck in Brooklyn - maybe two hours from Hoboken. We waited.

The car could not be dropped at a NYC dealer without advanced notice, so it had to go to Brooklyn on Sunday night.
The tow truck driver dropped us off on a street in Manhattan.

On Monday I called Toyota of Manhattan about the Prius, but it wasn't there. I called Roadside assistance who called the tow company who said they would bring the car to Toyota on Tuesday.

I called Toyota on Tuesday and they had the car and would check the tire.

Toyota called me on Wednesday to say they couldn't get a replacement tire until Wednesday.

Toyota called me on Wednesday to tell me the car would be ready on Thursday. New tire: $166 Replacement inflation kit (one use only, sorry) $134

So, flat tire to full operation in 4 days and $300.

Complained to Toyota corporation and my dealership salesperson from whom I have bought Toyotas since 1994.
Still waiting for the "so sorry for your inconvenience."
I think Prius needs a spare tire and was happy to read the Amazon donut for $63 solution.

 

Ah, too late for me. I used the slime kit, didn't work, new tire ($166) - and yes, the tire pressure sensor went bad, and yes, the dealer wants $200 for the replacement and "reset". I was out of town - from flat to new tire took four days.

 

My Prius Plug-in flat tire went like this:

Hoboken, NJ on a Sunday night about 10:15. Hit something in the road. Tried to use the repair kit (I had checked it out) but tire too damaged.
Called Roadside assistance. They could only find a tow truck in Brooklyn - maybe two hours from Hoboken. We waited.

The car could not be dropped at a NYC dealer without advanced notice, so it had to go to Brooklyn on Sunday night.
The tow truck driver dropped us off on a street in Manhattan.

On Monday I called Toyota of Manhattan about the Prius, but it wasn't there. I called Roadside assistance who called the tow company who said they would bring the car to Toyota on Tuesday.

I called Toyota on Tuesday and they had the car and would check the tire.

Toyota called me on Wednesday to say they couldn't get a replacement tire until Wednesday.

Toyota called me on Wednesday to tell me the car would be ready on Thursday. New tire: $166 Replacement inflation kit (one use only, sorry) $134

So, flat tire to full operation in 4 days and $300.

Complained to Toyota corporation and my dealership salesperson from whom I have bought Toyotas since 1994.
Still waiting for the "so sorry for your inconvenience."
I think Prius needs a spare tire and was happy to read about the Amazon donut for $63 solution, but didn't find it there.
Also, looks like the using the repair kit makes the tire pressure sensor go bad - $200, please - to replace the sensor and "reset" the other three.

 

Seems like the refill kit (one time use, $134 to replace) affects the tire pressure monitor. Light flashes on the instrument panel,you think pressure is low. One pressure valve replacement is $200 because the whole system needs to be reset.

 

The retail price for the tire presure sensor is $71.00.

 

that is a horror story, sorry you had to endure it,but one we can all learn from. i hope everyone finds a used donut for the rear deck. it's inconvenient, but can save a ton of hassle. thanks for enlightening us.

 

This looks interesting.
Dynaplug® Tubeless Tire Repair Tools and Accessories

 

Leaf owners suffer from the same problem - except in the UK and Australia, where they come with spares! There is actually room under the rear deck for a spare compartment in the Leaf, but since the US doesn't require one, they don't put one in. Nice, eh? It gets worse: the Ecopia tires on the Prius are also OEM on the Leaf, and for a couple of years they were prone to blowouts and sidewall damage. It may have been rectified, but it's pretty suspenseful not knowing! So they sell us cars with no spare and with questionable tires, to save money and slightly reduce rolling resistance. The Ecopias score average or worse in every category except rolling resistance, so we'll be getting a new set of tires in the Spring. Anyone want to buy one or more "Ecrapias" with only a few hundred miles on them...?