1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Mini spare fits Prime?

Discussion in 'Prime Accessories and Modifications' started by crewdog, Nov 2, 2016.

  1. crewdog

    crewdog Acting Ensign Prius Prime

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2009
    492
    388
    6
    Location:
    Woodstock, GA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Wondering if the mini spare with a 5 bolt pattern will fit the Prime and if it's worth keeping. thankfully never had a need for it on the pip.
     
  2. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,309
    3,586
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I'd say it'll probably fit so keep it. Worse case scenario sell on EBay.
     
  3. Blizzard Pearl Prime

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2016
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Glendale, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    Since my new Prime doesn't have a spare tire (although it has a jack, lug wrench and jack handle), I am thinking of going to a local wrecking yard that specializes in Toyotas. Does anyone know if a donut (mini spare tire) from a 3rd generation Prius will fit a Prime?
     
  4. JamesBurke

    JamesBurke Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2009
    1,222
    493
    27
    Location:
    Morgantown, WV
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I recommend a temporary spare from a late model Corolla so the rubber is still fresh. A temporary spare is a narrow tire having approximately the same diameter as the OEM tire so there is no issue with ground clearance, ABS, VSC, traction control ect when mounted. I looked these up in the online owners manuals at Toyota. Seems as though the small diameter compact spare has gone out of favor probably for the reasons I pointed out.

    My 03 Chevy Cavalier has the same size wheels as the Prius and Corolla and came with a mini/compact spare. I use it when I rotate the tires. Last time I took a good look at the ground clearances all around and really didn't like what I saw given the poor local road conditions. This was with an unloaded vehicle. It rubber looks OK but is 14 plus years old. Not much call for spare tires at my local salvage yard. If the spare was damaged the car it was in was likely rear end totaled so what would you need it for?
     
  5. White 17

    White 17 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2016
    59
    17
    0
    Location:
    Nor Cal
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I how do I find what year and model has the same size and bolt pattern? Do all 15 inch Prius wheels fit the primes?
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,481
    38,108
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I'd speculate yes. And the temp spare has same Outside Diameter, btw. Either regular Prius or Corolla temp spare should be fine.

    We're using Corolla rims with snow tires on our 3rd gen, works fine.
     
  7. Swauger

    Swauger Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2016
    37
    34
    0
    Location:
    PA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I got a Prime for my wife and saw the lug wrench in the back but not the jack & jack handle. Where are they located?
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    maybe under the driver seat, but not sure.
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,481
    38,108
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Look in Owner's Manual? My guess would there's a removal panel in hatch wall somewhere, it's in behind there?
     
  10. kevin54

    kevin54 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2005
    57
    65
    0
    Location:
    New Hope, PA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    The jack in the Prime is located under the BACK seat on the driver's side. There's a pop-out panel to access it!
     
    bisco and David Beale like this.
  11. Swauger

    Swauger Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2016
    37
    34
    0
    Location:
    PA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Thank you! But I still don't know why they give you this stuff without a spare tire. I just ordered a set of Bridestone Driveguard tires. Not taking a risk of the wife getting a flat w/ no spare tire. At least with the run flats, she can drive to a garage or somewhere to get it fixed. Well, that's if she doesn't blow the sidewall out on a curb. If that happens it is not my fault, it's hers! Had the Driveguards on her 2012 PIP and they worked well.
     
    bisco likes this.
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    you need them to facilitate the oem flat tyre repair gunk and compressor. did you find them?

    don't the drive guards kill your ride and mpg's?
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  13. Swauger

    Swauger Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2016
    37
    34
    0
    Location:
    PA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    There is no difference in the ride. We aren't nit picky about the mpg. If we lose a few miles per gallon that's fine with us. I bought my wife a little portable air compressor/pump that plugs into the cigarette lighter. This way if the tire does get low or flat she can put some air in it and get home safely. It's more for peace of mind than anything.
     
    bisco likes this.
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,481
    38,108
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Just don't get this: brand new, Toyota's flagship Prius, and immediately you need to swap-out the OEM tires (at considerable expense), for something that'll knock down your mpg, and still isn't a proper substitute for a temporary spare.

    When Toyota's engineers get the thumb out and manage to design an incorporated spare tire I might get interested.
     
    xerox6135 likes this.
  15. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2009
    5,850
    4,017
    0
    Location:
    Westminster, Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Spare tires are going away, little by little. Unless you drive around in new construction and constantly run over a bunch of nails, the chances of needing one are quite low. I'm just going to do a compressor and plug kit.

    Another reason not to include a spare is that lots and lots of people either don't know how to change one or don't have the physical strength to change one. I recently came across a teenager in a BMW who couldn't do it. He called his mom, she showed up and she couldn't do it, so I did it. Not having a torque wrench is another reason. Very few people could tell by feel even approximately how tight to make the lug nuts, and if they aren't at least close, it's not a safe situation.
     
    #15 Lee Jay, Dec 30, 2016
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2016
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,481
    38,108
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    humbug.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  18. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,068
    15,372
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Hummmmm,

    I'll pickup a tire plug repair kit after I get the car. I've not had to use one but the instructions are clear enough and it looks like I would be able to treat it as a proper repair with full speed.

    I briefly thought about tossing a donut tire in the back for the trip back. But a full size spare would take the same space and bulk. IF I decide to go that way, it will be after I get a receiver hitch and spare tire holder. I need to test the tire patch kit first before spending any big bucks.

    Bob Wilson
     
  19. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2013
    1,534
    581
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Plugs are not the proper way to repair a flat. Tire Tech Information - Flat Tire Repairs
     
    scona likes this.
  20. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2009
    5,850
    4,017
    0
    Location:
    Westminster, Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Plugs are a perfectly legitimate way to make a temporary repair. Some people have them last the life of the tire, but the idea is to seal the leak long enough to get to a tire shop where the tire can be unmounted, inspected, and either properly repaired or replaced. Properly done, it has a far higher chance of success than using the goo and a far lower chance or ruining the tire or the TPMS sensor.
     
    drash and Trollbait like this.