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The Missing Spare...One More time

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by WPMc, Feb 13, 2020.

  1. WPMc

    WPMc New Member

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    I bought a 2019 XLE in October and have been obsessing about finding a spare tire--either a standard size or a temporary spare--ever since. I will be driving across country in the summer and I do not want to be without a spare. But because I am leasing this car, I do not want to change the styrofoam decking to store the spare in the wheel well beneath the deck; I have to return the car without modifications. So I plan to store the spare in the back somewhere.

    Can anyone please write me the size numbers for a spare and, if appropriate, for the rim. The owner's manual doesn't list these specs. My XLE has 17-inch wheels. And if you can suggest where I might find such a tire and rim, I'd be grateful.

    I love this car--everything about it, except that it doesn't have a spare.
     
  2. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    My understanding is that they never equipped 17" cars with spares. 15" cars had compact spares - except in Middle East (possibly Africa and South America?) where I believe they had full size spares. But I think I've heard that only 15" wheels were available in Middle East.
    upload_2020-2-14_23-20-44.png
     
  3. pianewman

    pianewman Active Member

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    Tirerack has them. I've not bought one (yet) but they list them. Of course, your dealership as well, but pricey.
     
  4. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    You could get one from the wrecking yard - but be aware that the safe life of a tyre, even if not used, is 6-8 years. There was mention on PriusChat that certain Corolla wheel/tyres will fit PRIUS as a full size spare - a search might find it.
     
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  5. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Mine (w/17") came with a spare. Maybe a USA thing?
     
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  6. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Great. Shows that they can if they put their minds to it. Same as full size spares in the Middle East.

    In a country where you see this:
    upload_2020-2-15_9-11-33.png

    also means no Tyre Service. Nor Mobile (Cell) Phone service - and they give us a canister of "GOOP" which may or may-not work. Or a temporary spare restricted to 80km/hr and 80 or 100 km maximum distance. Crazy.
     
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  7. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    That is definitely a good case for a full size spare wheel (or two).
     
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  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    As Alan's posted, for fourth gen, Toyota says T125/70D17. Strangely, for 3rd gen, with the same tire sizes (in both 15" and 17"), Toyota says T135/80D16. The 17" temp spare spec is markedly smaller OD than the stock 15" tire OD (roughly 25"), while the 16" option is close to identical.

    Accordingly, for sizing temp spare, I would go with the 3rd gen spec.

    By "never" you mean with 4th gen? IIRC the earlier model year (US) level 3 Touring had the spare. It is the same spare, regardless if the car comes with 15" or 17" rims.

    All 3rd gen's came with spares, regardless of 15" vs 17", fwiw.

    There's nothing special about the 17" riims, that requires different spare: the OD is roughly the same.
     
  9. pianewman

    pianewman Active Member

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    Thanks, Mendel Leisk. I'm going to source a temp spare for my 2018 (17"), I'll be careful to buy the correct diameter.

    (I'd rather trade the 17s for someone's 16s or 15s. I honestly prefer my son's 2018 Prius Two with the 15s.)
     
    #9 pianewman, Feb 16, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 16, 2020
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  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Our stock tires are 17", but we use 15" snow tires through winter, and I find them a lot smoother riding, set around 35 psi, with dug-up-and-patched roads, pot holes, speed bumps.
     
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  11. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Yes - referring to the Gen 4 thread, and his car, a Gen 4.
     
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  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Funny thing, the stamped out body panel hasn't changed, has a hollow ready to accept a temp spare, or even a full size spare, in some parts of the world. Toyota alters the filler panels, and/or drops an AWD motor into the hollow, making it difficult/impossible to retrofit a spare.
     
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  13. pianewman

    pianewman Active Member

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    ...and the threaded hold-down bracket is there, welded into the floor...
     
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  14. pjksr02

    pjksr02 Active Member

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    Silly question: how are the white plastic fasteners, which hold down the foam blocks, removed? These don't screw out, and I fear pulling may damage them. 20200112_143738.jpg
     
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  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Those little voids look promising:

    upload_2020-2-17_12-13-50.png

    A slim screw driver blade might release something? Or some sort of two pronged grabber?
     
  16. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

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    That may be worth paying a toyota dealership to remove them, alone. Like worth hanging out, looking for a mechanic to walk by, and offer them $20 to use their special tool to remove 'em.
     
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Paint can opener would be my opening gambit:

    upload_2020-2-17_13-45-27.png

    I'd never noticed: it's paint can and bottle opener...
     
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  18. Toyo_Tom

    Toyo_Tom Junior Member

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    I guess painting can be thirsty work.
     
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  19. pianewman

    pianewman Active Member

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    I'm usually very good at finding the hidden "tab" to disassemble virtually any household/automotive/electrical item. How do I do this? I always BREAK one first, then have an "Ah-HAH!" moment.
    I've not been able to figure these out, either. When I do, I'm sure I'll administer yet another "dope slap" to myself...yes, I have an extremely high forehead from years of doing so.
    PLEASE...someone...anyone...explain it to us!!!
     
  20. jehbie

    jehbie Active Member

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    They do unscrew, just use some upward pressure on the foam piece while unscrewing. It’s slow but eventually it comes out. If you use force and pry up the white piece it will break.
     
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