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Friendly reminder: check your spare!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by macman408, Mar 31, 2014.

  1. macman408

    macman408 Electron Guidance Counselor

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    Today was my annual maintenance day; rotating tires, oil change, new cabin air filter, etc... Anyway, in adjusting the tire pressures to their new locations on the car, I also checked the spare tire, which is always a good idea. I think at last year's maintenance, I just did a thump test, and it seemed pretty solid, so I didn't unscrew it to get to the valve and actually measure it. This year, I measured it, and it was 34 pounds - the spec on both the tire and door jamb says 60 pounds is the correct inflation pressure, so I filled 'er up.

    So friendly reminder: don't forget to check your spare tire's pressure BEFORE you need it. It doesn't have TPMS, so it won't warn you if it gets low. And if you pay somebody else to do your tire rotation and other maintenance, I wouldn't count on them checking it for you - out of sight, out of mind.

    Side note: Why'd they have to make the spare so that you have to remove it to access the valve? It'd be nice if you could check it without removing the tool kit and tire.
     
    WolfpackBill, Yakoma, ptn and 2 others like this.
  2. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    You can get an extender on eBay.
     
  3. Den49

    Den49 Member

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    Good advice to check the spare tire pressure. I check the pressures in my spare tires in the fall just after the temperatures take a drop, spring and before any long trip. They often require air. I inflate the Prius spare tire to 62 psi, a couple psi over the 60 psi spec.
     
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  4. Indy John

    Indy John Member

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    I second the extender idea. I bought one from Accu-Gage. I can check and air up the spare without removing it. If I remember right it was about $10 and worth every penny.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    two great ideas, check the spare and get an extender. i didn't know there was such a thing and hate pulling everything out and flipping the tyre over. thanks guys!(y)
     
  6. NuttyKat

    NuttyKat Member

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    Glad I read this thread! When I first checked my spare pressure and saw that the tire had to be removed, I was not a happy camper. Going to order an extender now. Love this website!
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i see the accu gage for under 10 dollars. it's about 40" long, seems like a good deal.
     
  8. loaddown

    loaddown Loaddown

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    The reviews have complaints that half of them leak when new.
     
  9. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

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    Gives you an opportunity to check your spare tire well for water, too!

    :eek:
     
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    but at least they're easier to fill.:cool: maybe having no spare and putting one above decks is a silver lining.
     
  11. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    I have had mine for several years now and no leak to date. I never put too much emphasis on reviews.
     
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  12. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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    [​IMG]
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    love it!:p
     
  14. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    +1 for removing the spare; might catch an unwanted water leak.

    Don't forget, the extenders will make the spare loose a few pounds when you finally remove it. Air is fed to the hose extension, which is coming from the small volume compact spare.

    Saw the eBay spare tire inflator extender. At $15.67 (1-27-2015), I would rather put that money towards a 12V air compressor. A search on Amazon for "12V air compressor," has them starting from $16.78. $1 more (excluding possible shipping and taxes), you have something more useful. Pepboys and Sears has decent 12V air compressors that go on sale a few times a year; I got one during these sales.
     
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  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    good idea, but it doesn't solve the problem of having to remove the spare to check the pressure. i don't get why the couldn't design it with the valve topside.
     
  16. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Give it the hammer check.
     
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  17. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    Is there any excuse for not carrying an air compressor on-board?
    414rOhKQRAL.jpg
     
  18. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    I went to check my spare, and it was gone! :p
     
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  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    When we took delivery of our (new) 2010 the spare was down to around 40 psi. So much for Pre Delivery Inspection. :rolleyes:

    I'd agree, it's a pain to check. Same thing to access the 12 volt, you need to haul half the hatch floor out.
     
  20. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    The only issue that I have with one of these is that if not used regularly the seals dry out and the compressor does not compress air. I had one for years and when I finally needed it, no air. The compressor just ran and ran.

    If you have one, use it regularly.