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Prius ECO tire repair options and tire pressures

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Robert2P1CT, Mar 26, 2017.

  1. Robert2P1CT

    Robert2P1CT Junior Member

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    I have a 2017 Prius ECO, but I really miss my spare tire. It's nice having Toyota Care, roadside assistance for 2 years, and the extra 2 -3 mpg, but I still worry about when that flat "could' happen.

    Hence, I bought a tire repair kit (with plugs and tools) for less than $10. I also purchased a 12v (cig lighter) tire compressor for under $30 at a major online retailer PLUS an extra can of Fix-a-Flat just in case. You can never be too prepared.

    So...I tried my tire compressor out on my ECO and I was a little shocked, the dealer had my tires set 49.5 PSI. Whoa!! I knocked them down to 40 in front and 38 PSI in back so they don't wear too quick and to have nicer ride. Where do most of you (all trim levels) keep your tire pressures set at?

    Feel free to add your thoughts on tires and PSI levels.

    Thanks
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    42/40. it's a little harsh on rough roads and bumps. sometimes i think about lowering a few psi.
    i keep a donut in the hatch.
    i don't think the higher psi make a major mpg difference, maybe more on the highway than around town.
     
  3. Robert2P1CT

    Robert2P1CT Junior Member

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    Good point!
    Maybe I will get a cheap donut instead of having two compressors and 2 Fix-a-Flats. Good idea!

    I wouldn't use the donut around town, just on long trips and/or remote regions. Just curious, can you use any donut with the same bolt pattern? Where did you get yours?

    Good point on PSI as well.

    Thanks
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i happened upon it at a dealership parts department while talking with the counter person. not sure why they had it laying around, but he let me have it for $35. never used.
    i don't know what wheels fit the gen 4, hopefully someone can help you.
    it might be worth checking some of the other gen 4 spare tire threads. do you have space under the deck in the eco?
     
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  5. Robert2P1CT

    Robert2P1CT Junior Member

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    Yeah, there is a little space. I will look into that. Thanks :)
     
  6. Samprocat

    Samprocat Active Member

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    Ford Fiesta ST factory set is 40/39 FThis are good for MPG and not much giving on softness

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    More like they "mailed in" the Pre Delivery Inspection: tires likely came from the factory like that, to avoid flat spotting. And they never touched them. Hopefully that's all they missed.
     
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  8. Robert2P1CT

    Robert2P1CT Junior Member

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    Interesting!

    Wow! Didn't know that.

    :)
     
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  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Wouldn't be so bad if they didn't charge an arm-and-leg for the inspection. :cautious:
     
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  10. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I have a 2017 Two. My dealer set the tires at 32 psi and I have a 150 mile trip home before I could check. The console still said 59 MPG though.
    I started running my tires at the Eco recommended levels of 39/36 instead of the Two recommended 36/35.
    I recently got my car back after the 5K tire rotation and the dealer paperwork said 35 PSI but the tires are set at 39. I plan on keeping them at 39. My Japanese Ecopia tires have max sidewall pressure of 44 psi.

    I wonder what else was or wasn't done in the 5K inspection. The only extra is I had them change the Reverse to a single beep, at no charge.
     
    #10 Prodigyplace, Mar 27, 2017
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2017
  11. snead_c

    snead_c Jam Ma's Car

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    Be sure tire psi is set with a quality gauge and on cold tire temperatures. Air pump gauges are famously wrong.
     
  12. first_superior_prius

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    I will be "undeleting" my Two Eco spare asap.

    Had a bad sidewall blowout on Friday with my Ecopia tires, only 10K miles on them. The day after my 10K service at the dealer. Didn't hit anything, smooth road... just bam! Blowout. Pretty upset about it.

    I'm wondering if they messed up the tire pressure... they originally came back with them all at 32 and I said hey, read the dang manual, it says 39/32. Please do it by the book.

    I should have checked them all myself afterwards, but didn't.
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    What does that mean, just curious. Your profile says you have a two?

    Did you get the flat fixed, a nail/screw?
     
  14. first_superior_prius

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    Sidewall blowouts are not very fixable. No objects. Tire failure...softball-sized hole in the sidewall

    "Undeleting" means that in the new Gen 4's that come without a spare tire, some people have engineered the room for a spare, and bought one to install in their vehicle
    Undeleting the spare tire from a 4 | PriusChat
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Gotcha. Blowout like that should be warrantied.

    You have 2, or 2 Eco??
     
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  16. first_superior_prius

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    2 Eco. There is not a pulldown choice for that in the profile.
     
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  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah, see that now. Thanks.

    @Danny should fix that; it's a distinct US level and all. I'm even able to identify my Canadian "Touring" now.
     
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  18. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Once again i find myself agreeing with bisco about something new. Last week I checked my tyre pressure for the first time since getting it new. Fronts were at 37 and rears 35, ride was smoother and mid 60s Ukmpg. Since pumping up to 39/36 ride is a bit more sensitive to bumps, but roadholding and mpg the same. Not planning to change pressures again unless I feel the need.
     
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  19. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    After I bought my Prius I was similarly surprised to find my tire PSI way high. So all I know is it happens.

    After a little experimentation, I pretty much settled on keeping the PSI at what is recommended by Toyota in the door jam.
     
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  20. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    My OE tires (Nano Energy) did not have a road hazard guaranty. So when I destroyed one in the Fall (hit a bad pothole), I replaced the front pair with Nokian WRg3 tires which have a road hazard guaranty and I was ready for snow/ice as well.

    JeffD
     
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