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Full-Sized Spare Tire Fit in Cargo Spare Storage Well of 2017 Four?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Priifan, Mar 8, 2017.

  1. Priifan

    Priifan Member

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    There appear to be several discussions of spare tire storage, but none as to the 2017 Prius Four. I finally bought the matching Dunlop ENASAVE P195/65R15 89S tire for this car after realizing just how rare this tire is. The dealer (Hendrix Toyota of Apex) had to order it, and it can take five days to arrive. Price was $110. out the door including a 10 percent discount and $12. freight. I looked online but did not find much of a deal anywhere, and prefer to buy it from the dealer so they can take care of any problems that might arise. They normally do not stock this tire because there are too many different tires being placed on this newer model.

    Probably will not be buying a rim because it makes the tire too heavy for me to lift and lowers mileage. Will place it in the car for rare trips out of town as we do go to rural spots in the boonies now and then...with no cell phone service. Had a terrifying experience with a blowout on the DC Beltline 28 years ago with my infant son in a car seat in 100F weather at 9pm returning from a night class. We almost got killed when a drunken tow truck driver barely missed us parked on the narrow shoulder of the Cabin John Bridge. No way I would let him touch my car that night. Took four days to locate a new tire for my new Acura even though we were in a huge city. Forget that.

    SO my question is will this tire fit in that hole, and if so does it affect the car in aspects besides gas mileage? Is it difficult to remove the foam? And why did Toyota not turn this into a storage area for light clothing, a small tarp, etc.? Will the interior noise be louder without the foam? Does the foam play a role in rear impact collapse zones?

    Pleased that the new tire is sitting in our garage now. I can take a peak at it each time I drive out, and feel reassured that it is right there. Many of us women do know how to change tires, but like many seniors have mobility issues, that is we can't easily lower to the ground or get up from it. I am more worried about my son and his generation who don't know anything about cars and don't even want to own one, but are forced to for a daily commute.

    The good news is that even when these tires are replaced, we can still keep this spare and use it on the rear if needed to get back to a city and a new matching replacement tire. Also there seems to be no mileage guarantee or rating for this Dunlop tire. Anyone have experience with it as to how long it should last for a gentle driver on paved roads? We had to replace tires on our other two Prii at 40K or so. Is there some reason there is no mileage rating? Thanks!
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you're going to carry a spare tire without a rim?

    foam removal will be the same as outlined in other threads. toy probably didn't leave it for storage, because you would have the option of filling it with gold, instead of light clothing.
     
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  3. Priifan

    Priifan Member

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    Yup, because most tow trucks and garages can put a tire on a rim. Does that make any sense? Hubby thinks not, but then it is my car.
     
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  4. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I think you're going to have to try removing the foam, and see if the tyre fits. If the tyre fits, you might be able to modify (cut) the foam to mould around the tyre - not sure if anyone has tried it. There's a photo on this page of PriusChat of the foam removed from a 4:

    On models with no spare tire, what are folks doing? | Page 4 | PriusChat

    I agree with your thoughts about carrying a spare tyre - I'd noted on that same thread that it had taken 660km before I could find a new tyre, some of which was on unsealed roads. Very nervous.

    But as far as your mileage - I suspect you're not going to notice any difference.
     
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Some thoughts:

    1. If this tire is for temporary use, it's not necessary to be exact match; any 195/65R15 would do.
    2. Tow truck will not be able to mount (and balance) a tire.
    3. Stowing a tire under the hatch floor, either full size or temp spare, is a real can of worms, on 4th gen Prius that don't come with one. It can cost upwards of $1000 to do it kosher, ie: replace all the pieces.
    4. A temp spare will be easier to stow, due to it's reduced thickness.

    Some ideas:

    1. Just give up, see if you can get a refund on that tire.
    2. Get something like Corolla black steel rim (p/n 42611-02471) (they're around $70), have the tire mounted/balanced, with a plain (non-tpms) valve stem, and just carry it in the hatch, maybe in a tire bag.
    2. Refund the tire, get a temp spare (per spec in Owner's Manual), and either go the can-o-worms route to stow it kosher, or carry in the hatch, per #2.

    Long shot: how long have you had the car? Trade to a model with spare??
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Mar 8, 2017
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2017
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    agree with both above. your likely to wind up getting towed to a repair shop to put the tire on. if you want to keep the matching tire, get a cheap steel rim, and carve out the foam as explained elsewhere. then, a tow truck driver can change it for you, so you won't have to lift it out.
    personally, since i only carry a spare when heading for the boonies, i just toss it in the hatch, and pile everything on top of it.
     
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  7. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    If you're going to carry a spare tire or wheel, DO strap it down. You don't need that thing flying around inside the car in an accident! There are "D" rings in the hatch just for this and Toyota has the strap web made for it. Some models come with the tie-down strapping, some may not. I'm sure the dealer can get it for you at reasonable cost if they or you don't have it.

    I do understand what you're trying to do. I'm not so sure it's a solvable problem at reasonable expense.
     
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i strap everything down in the hatch when i go shopping, doesn't everyone?
     
  9. jtg61

    jtg61 Member

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    Is there a reason why people are so hesitant to use the provided 'Emergency Tire Puncture Repair Kit?' In the rare instance that you have a flat tire, it seems quite adequate to get you out of jam until you can get the tire repaired or replaced.
     
  10. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Yes:
    [​IMG]

    (Not my actual tyre - mine was similar)
     
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  11. jtg61

    jtg61 Member

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    Is this what the 'Emergency Tire Puncture Repair Kit' does to a tire?
     
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  12. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    No - but the "Emergency Tyre Puncture Repair Kit" would have just wept at the hopeless sight.

    Fortunately we did have a spare wheel and it was fine (it had a new tyre), but it was 660km before we found somewhere which had a replacement tyre. Even if I had a pretend temp spare - with an 80km driving range, I'd have to walk the last 580km and back carrying a spare wheel.
     
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  13. jtg61

    jtg61 Member

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    Makes sense in your situation but for the majority of Prius owners, they'll likely never use their spare tire during the lifetime of their vehicle and if their tire ever goes flat, it will likely be close to home. I'm having trouble processing why people are so uptight about not having a spare tire when having to use it is so unlikely and the 'Emergency Tire Puncture Repair Kit' would be adequate to get them going in 90% of the cases.
     
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  14. ATHiker

    ATHiker Senior Member

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    While the option is not available In the states, this sketch in our owner's manuals suggests that a full size spare will fit fine, once you remove or modify the foam:

    IMG_3857.PNG

    I removed just the left side piece of foam on my 4-touring and stuffed the void with all sorts of essentials that I will probably never need and didn't notice any sound issues -- now that my Glock trenching tool is wedged in tight.

    That said, I am going to stick with my compressor, foam and tire repair kit.

    I did a risk assessment, and it turns out that it is far more likely that I will get two (or even 4) flat tires after the roads are seeded with caltrops during a general strike and/or food riot, than getting a single tire mangled like Alan's.
     
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  15. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    You're probably right in the majority of cases. My Dad, in the last 15 years of his driving didn't drive beyond 10km from home (we wouldn't let him). My last workplace, we had a fleet of 8 cars which never went outside our 3 suburbs wide territory - about 7km maximum range.

    But the previous workplace had an operational area 1200km x 700km - we carried 2 full size spares on most of our cars.
    upload_2017-3-9_10-32-49.png

    My territory was - larger than the UK:

    upload_2017-3-9_10-37-37.png
     
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  16. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Didn't I read that in the MIDDLE EAST they supply a full-size spare wheel? And they get 15" on both versions of their cars.
     
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  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Maybe various countries' regs drive it. I'm fine with temp spare: it works.
     
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  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i read how to use the tire goop and compressor. i also watched a video. then i went out and bought a spare.
     
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  19. Priifan

    Priifan Member

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    I vote with Alan. Having driven alone from Alaska to the Lower 48 twice, the word "remote" has a different meaning for me. And having been through the Acura blowout described above, this possibility is near the top of my "Worst Way to Die List." It does not help that the last three tires we have had to replace have been due to damage on the side of almost new tires; they could not be repaired. Even now I enjoy driving in the boonies where there is next to nothing on the side of the road, much less a Toyota dealership that most likely would not carry the tire I need to get back home. I will consider getting an inexpensive rim, covering up the tire, and strapping it into the car after reading the responses. I realize that I opened a can of worms here!
     
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  20. Priifan

    Priifan Member

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    BTW...I adore our 2017 Four! It is a blast to drive and gets about 55 mpg on short trips of 5-50 miles. Would not trade it for any other car at this time. We bought it for Hubby, but he prefers my 2013 V Three. Fine with me! If you are on the fence about whether or not to buy this car, go for it! (I don't lose much sleep over the lack of a spare. That is a First World problem for sure.)
     
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