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

Not impressed w/lack of spare & flat-sealant

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by longterm, Jul 23, 2012.

  1. gbrown

    gbrown New Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2012
    58
    5
    0
    Location:
    LA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    probably in the trunk tied down securely w/ straps. Thats what I plan on doing as there is rarely anything back there larger than a gym back.
     
  2. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    19,676
    8,070
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2018 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    Premium
    NO one loves tire goo fix. It's not for anyone to love it. It's cheep - and since using it costs less than a spare for auto manufacturers to make - AND - saves space, the goo will most likely be stock equipment in all new cars. BTW, after using it, you have to replace your pressure sensor, too.

    .
     
  3. I take it you have disposed of your doughnut spare?
     
  4. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2012
    2,593
    763
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Most all late model Toyota Corolla steel five lug wheels and tires will work as a spare on Generation III 2009-2012 Prius models, including the plug in hybrid.

    The complete wheel and tire is readily available at most wrecking yards.
     
  5. ryogajyc

    ryogajyc Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2004
    985
    165
    0
    Location:
    Reseda, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    That's correct, b/c that is professional tire repair. A tire plug kit is a temporary fix to get you along your way and does not require removing the tire from the rim, like how a spare tire is temporary and does not require tire removal. Afterwards, you get the tire professionally patched/repaired for permanent use.
     
  6. stu lb

    stu lb Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2012
    59
    4
    0
    Location:
    Long Beach
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I store it in the back "trunk" area--it takes up a substantial amount of room, but to me it's worth it.
     
  7. mitch672

    mitch672 Technology Geek

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2004
    1,077
    197
    0
    Location:
    Randolph, MA
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    This is where I keep my full size OE spare:

    [​IMG]
     
    cwerdna and Andyprius # 1 like this.
  8. longterm

    longterm Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2007
    152
    11
    0
    Location:
    Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Call it whining all you want, none of your solutions are adequate. I love my PHEV but I hate not having a spare; would it change my purchase? No, but it's a negative.
     
  9. longterm

    longterm Member

    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2007
    152
    11
    0
    Location:
    Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    In 5000 miles in this car I've had one unfixable flat. A plug, if I were crazy enough to think I could use one on the side of the road, wouldn't fix it; the tire was ruined.

    Whether the dealer would sell me a tire is totally irrelevant; my tire dealer would also be glad to sell me a spare nd a rim.

    I don't WANT to carry a spare in my hatch; I like a clean car with space for other things, like groceries, luggage, etc.
     
  10. bielinsk

    bielinsk Gremlin

    Joined:
    May 4, 2012
    505
    115
    0
    Location:
    Anaheim
    Vehicle:
    2013 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
    You knew the car didn't have a spare when you bought it. I don't understand complaining about something after the fact. You are a consumer, the only way to have them change it, is not to buy it.
     
    Tracksyde likes this.
  11. chesleyn

    chesleyn Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    596
    158
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I have AAA and the complimentary Toyota Care. I'm not too concerned but yes it does suck when you have a flat. I've only had 2 thus far in my lifetime and I'm 40.
     
  12. LeoArt

    LeoArt Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2012
    32
    5
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Funny how the dealer/salesperson didn't mention anything about this car not having a spare. Of course I knew about it since I looked under the back carpet after the test drive, but some of us buyers might not have the time or knowledge of this board before purchasing the car.

    Our previous Prius had 3 flats, different tires during one 2 week span. Since they were screws just adding extra air got us to the tire shop- this pump will manage that right?

    Now I do expect the "repair system" to work properly if I need it even if it is only worth $20! It's a shame I keep having to add disappointments to my list on this $32k car... congrats to those Advanced buyers. Hopefully I will have better luck with the repair system when I need it (I need the room in the trunk so putting a spare in there isn't going to work on a long trip- one of the main things this Prius was supposed to have going for it over the competitors.)
     
  13. bielinsk

    bielinsk Gremlin

    Joined:
    May 4, 2012
    505
    115
    0
    Location:
    Anaheim
    Vehicle:
    2013 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
    Unfortunately it appears you have buyers remorse and forums will be unable to help with that. There is no way to have space magically invented to provide room for a spare.

    Personally, I think without a spare they should have run flat tires on them. But that would suffer MPG.
     
  14. devprius

    devprius /dev/geek

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2006
    979
    291
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    My wife has runflats on her Mini Countryman. The cost to replace one of them was outrageously expensive. Something like over $300 for one tire. The dealership did try to sell us a flat repair/replace plan when we bought the car. Cost was around 6 or 7 hundred dollars. Not sure if it would have been worth it.
     
  15. LeoArt

    LeoArt Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2012
    32
    5
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Not expecting magic, just ENGINEERING. Yea, buyers remorse, thanks. I think the forums may help- misery loves company right? ;)
     
  16. LeoArt

    LeoArt Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2012
    32
    5
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Wow, so the compressor will not manage to top off the tire without using the sealant? (I just noticed your earlier post bielinsk.)
     
  17. bielinsk

    bielinsk Gremlin

    Joined:
    May 4, 2012
    505
    115
    0
    Location:
    Anaheim
    Vehicle:
    2013 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
    What can we do here to help make you happy with your $35k car? As you said, you knew all this before you bought the car, why buy something you know you won't be happy with?

    Masochistic I believe is the correct term.
     
  18. LeoArt

    LeoArt Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2012
    32
    5
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Wow, now tell me what you really think.
     
  19. ultraturtle

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2011
    108
    81
    0
    Location:
    Peachtree City, GA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Seems like a simple choice between appealing alternatives:
    • Want a spare included with the purchase of your new vehicle, conveniently hidden below the rear deck and do not care about EV capability? Get a Prius Hatchback.
    • Want ~12 miles of EV range? Get a PiP and strap a $40 doughnut or $250 full size spare to the attach point of your rear seat bench.
    Toyota has given us some excellent choices. No need to be snippy.
     
  20. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2005
    29,110
    8,589
    201
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Didn't the literature which came with the car basically say it would not work on the type of damage your tire suffered? It is basically good for nails and screws and you have to leave them in of course, don't pull them out when using the sealant.

    I am nervous on road trips what could happen not having a spare but I bought the car knowing it did not have one. I could buy a small donut and strap it down somewhere if I choose but I don't. I understand you are upset at the time lost and what happened but you still bought the car knowing the spare tire issue. To try and enjoy the car you really have to choose do you want to chance it again or get a small spare to keep in the car.

    I just read more of this thread and the engineers did what they had to do to engineer this car to be a plug in. This meant removing the tire. What kind of engineering do you want? Raise the floor of the trunk from what it is now to man inches more to fit a spare? The engineering which went into this car is quite intense actually. The 'floor' in the trunk of the plug in Prius is not even the same as the Prius lift back to reduce weight; they used a honey comb cut material to save weight to make this car weigh close to a Prius lift back and help with range etc using the smaller battery they went with.