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2020 Prius Ltd - 11k miles - Flat Tire

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Pepper Anderson, Jul 2, 2021.

  1. Pepper Anderson

    Pepper Anderson Junior Member

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    2020 Prius Limited - Got a sidewall puncture on passenger rear tire yesterday and towed the car to Discount Tires since Toyota's "flat tire repair kit" can not repair a sidewall puncture hole.

    Discount Tires put on a decent used Falken 205/50R17 93H at no charge (Highly recommend Discount Tires) since they did not have my tire on hand and it has to be ordered.

    The Prius has YOKOHAMA BluEARTH S34 P215/45R17 87V.

    What issues, if any, are there for running with the 4th tire at a different size, tread, etc?

    What are folks doing to deal with no spare/donuts? I commute 150 miles a day and would prefer a better to fix a flat than the "flat tire repair kit" option.

    Resolution - Should I just go with replacing the 4th tire with a new Yokohama even tho the others have 11k miles on them or ????

    By the way . . . when the puncture occurred I was going about 50 mph . . . no loss of control . . . Prius just started feeling slightly off . . . . squishy is a good word :)

    Thanks !
     
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  2. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    A possibility there will be no appreciable difference. I'd be cautious next time I'm on a wet road and get a feel if it's working properly - and if in ANY DOUBT - get it changed. I've seen MANY cars with odd tyres, and they've driven fine. One we had in the family had 3 different brands on when we bought it - and replaced them only when they wore out because it drove fine.

    That said - some cars are more susceptible to odd wheels - a rear-engined VW was one I remember needed them the same on each axle (it had a different brand spare, and when I added it with rotation, handling suffered).
     
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  3. Pulse07

    Pulse07 Active Member

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    Many people here found a generic steel wheel and went to a tire store to mount . There's many DIY owners here that did that. Some say a Corolla Alloy will fit, some went out of their way to find a foam insert that fits under the cargo area. And Some even found straps to strap it to the cargo area to the backseats like a family heirloom.
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i would replace it with a matching tire.

    i have a donut on my hatch floor.
     
  5. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Active Member

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    If its the front passenger I would get it replaced ASAP. Different sized tires on the drive axle can cause the CV to wear out sooner than later.
     
  6. Valiant V

    Valiant V Member

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    Best never to mix radial tires - especially not on the same "axle". But, any port in a storm. Get the matching tire ASAP.
    In a perfect world - and considering your desire for a real spare:
    1. Put the non-matching tire on the back until the replacement(s) arrive.
    2. Get a new matching (Yokohama) tire.
    3. Find/buy/steal a new/used matching wheel.
    4. Use the Falken mounted tire as your "new" real spare.
    5. Never worry about having to tow your car because of a flat again.

    I guess in a truly perfect world, you could buy two new Yokohamas and use one of your 11,000 mile Yoko's as the spare, but I don't think an identical tire paired on the same axle with an older is gonna be a serious problem.

    I don't know how serious mixing radial tires on the same axle really is. In 40+ years of driving on whatever tires I could find that held air, I've never noticed a problem. Then again, this is my first Prius, and I've read some reviews that some Prius tires aren't great in the rain. (probably because of the high pressure - but that's just a wild guess.)
     
  7. Ozark Man

    Ozark Man Member

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    I ordered a donut off ebay. Had to pay $140 which some people have said is pricey but it is better than the dealer . It seems to be in good condition, holds air fairly well and was an exact fit. I, too, keep it in the trunk with the groceries. They are easy to find on ebay.
     
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  8. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    The Prius eCVT (Hybrid Synergy Drive) is not susceptable to wear issues. That is an issue with friction-based CVTs.

    JeffD
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    or cvj?(n)
     
  10. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    He/she said "Got a sidewall puncture on passenger rear tire"
     
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  11. tucatz

    tucatz Active Member

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    Wow! I’m sorry. I just boasted on another thread that I’ve not had a flat in 30 years, and that was only a tire leak.
     
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  12. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Oddly - I haven't had any with my PRIUS in just on 5 years - previous car, 3 in 5 years.

    BUT - one of those years was 2020 - where I didn't drive much.
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    In the last 10.5~ years owning our 2010, there’s been one slow leak (finishing nail in stock tire tread) and one fast deflation (bolt in snow tire tread). Both maybe 5 years back now. It’s a spin of the wheel; when it happens it happens.
     
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  14. HerbMPG

    HerbMPG Junior Member

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    I got a 3rd gen spare, cut out the styrofoam filler where the “flat repair kit” fit, and I’m all set. I even sold the flat repair kit on eBay.
    It’s not recommended to drive with two different tires on one axle, but you can. Tow different ones will effect the handling and possibly alignment.
     
  15. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

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    I have a full-sized spare in the back. It raised the floor a couple of inches, but the peace of mind is worth it. Used Gen4 Prius aluminum wheel, new appropriate-sized tire.

    I also just bought new tires as mine were getting worn at 29,000 miles. Plus I had two nails or screws within two months on one of the rear tires, and ... coincidentally ... the new 2nd hole was too close to the first hole (directly in line with it) for Costco to feel comfortable applying another patch.

    Depending on where you live, and how much you drive, absolutely consider a spare wheel and tire. It could save more than time, it could save your life or the life of loved ones. This isn't something to play around with - the pandemic and subsequent shut-down of all response services proved that.
     
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