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Lack of spare tire: total cost to me $250 instead of $25

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by antiglare, Aug 10, 2018.

  1. Roy2001

    Roy2001 Active Member

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    Toyota is greedy, but that is not the reason for the lack of spare tire. And if you spend ~$80 to get a spare tire at home, you can let someone to send it to work and then have the leaking one repaired. Just do the math.
     
  2. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    If I was retired or didn't have to be somewhere "on time" when there are driving...maybe...not.
     
  3. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

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    It’s two years unless you have an Advanced.
    From the brochure: Tire service consists of replacing tire with your inflated spare.
     
    #23 schja01, Aug 14, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2018
  4. krushmoto

    krushmoto Member

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    Nexus 6P ?
     
  5. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    A slow leak is not an excuse to use the goo. Just pump it up and drive to Discount Tire and get it fixed. Cost - usually free.
     
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  6. antiglare

    antiglare Member

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    For your entertainment, this was the result of my misadventure. The first photo shows the tire goo after the tire is removed from the rim. I have no idea if the goo is supposed to harden over time, but it's a big mess. Apparently, the inch long object punctured the tire right at the edge of the treads, so a repair would not have been possible, anyways.

    So I needed a new tire regardless, but it still would have been much more efficient to have even just a compact spare. Following the advice of Priuschat members, I now have ordered a Dynaplug kit from Amazon for do-it-yourself repairs when I'm on the road (with a new can of the goo being the last resort backup).

    APC_0143.jpg APC_0145.jpg
     
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  7. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    I admire anyone that fixes stuff...that's what I do for a living. However, if I'm in the car I've got places to be and a clock running, so taking the day off is not the preferred option. Not to harp, but slapping on a spare is so mush faster, easier and cheaper. I can fix, have fixed or replace the flat later...at my convenience.
     
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  8. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Yup. New tire is required. But, a plug and pump would have held fine for getting you to a tire shop.

    I sure feel better having a plug kit. I've even used it to help others.

    Compared to waiting for AAA, absolutely. But, if you're able to plug and pump, you don't even need to get out the jack.
     
  9. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Respects...but it's still faster to swap out a flat. If you are going to spray goo or plug however, take weight off wheel first. ;)
     
  10. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Respects gratefully received and reciprocated. Maybe next time I have a flat I'll do both and time it. Or not. :ROFLMAO: Either way, it's way faster than waiting for a tow truck. ;) As for taking the weight off before inflating, I would agree if the car was rolling when it went flat. Might be a hidden wrinkle down there. If it went flat overnight, I'd just start airing it up and looking for the leak.
     
  11. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    No you can't. The compact spares are emergency only tires. You're supposed to drive straight to the tire shop or your residence and then take the bad tire to the tire shop for repair or replacement. You are definitely not supposed to drive on a compact spare until it's convenient to replace it.
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah my first thought. It's NOT kosher to plug repair there, but I'd lay even money a plug repair would hold short term, just stay off the freeways, and make replacement top priority.

    I tried to explain that to my daughter, with temp spare on a front corner of 4WD Pilot. Even gave her money for a complete new set of four. She had that temp spare on for well over a month. Drove to the States on it. Twice.
     
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  13. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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  14. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Respects again...but if a person doesn't understand what I said, they are probably better off just calling a tow...for their own safety.
     
    #34 frodoz737, Aug 17, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2018
  15. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Interesting, I had not heard of that one. I've added it to the pile in another thread.

    -Chap
     
  16. CaliforniaPrius

    CaliforniaPrius Active Member

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    sealant = nonono
    Costco tire = yesyesyes
     
  17. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    I assumed you meant what you said, but if I was wrong you should know I've been changing tires on cars, trucks, and trailers literally since I was 4 years old.
     
  18. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    ...and this old man still does almost every night I work.
     
  19. SeattleBicycler

    SeattleBicycler Junior Member

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    It's not out of greed that they don't provide a spare tire .. it is too keep the weight of the vehicle down for better gas mileage. Also, because of the size of the car and battery placement there is no place to locate a spare tire.

    Personally, having owned a Prius before and having had issues with the rolling resistant tires I put Michelin's on my Prime and lost no MPG. Rolling resistant tires have hard sidewalls and soft traction to give the tire less resistance but try to keep the ride somewhat smooth and comfortable. Hence the reason these tires are more susceptible to flats.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Oh I'm sure greed plays a part, both with Prius where there is room for a spare, and with the Plug-In version where they don't invest the effort to make one fit.
     
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