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Spare tire pressure when it is on the road

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by toyolover, Jul 11, 2013.

  1. toyolover

    toyolover Member

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    Does any one know what should be the correct tire pressure on the spare when it is running on the road? Still at 60psi as the maximum marking or deflate it to the same as the regular tire +/- 32psi?
     
  2. ForestBeekeeper

    ForestBeekeeper Active Member

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    After rotating tires, all tires on the vehicle should be at the same exact pressure. For any one tire to be at a different pressure may cause an unsafe driving condition.
     
  3. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    The spare dount is to be at 60psi, If front tire is flat you will need to but the spare dount on back of the car, so you can put the rear tire on front of the car. The front tires need to be the same size. Then drive slowly to the nearest repair shop and get the tire fixed.
     
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  4. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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    Absolutely 60PSI. at 32PSI you will have a blow out. Higher pressure is needed to compensate for the smaller size.
     
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  5. toyolover

    toyolover Member

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    Is your answer referring to my specific question of "when the spare tire is on the road"?
    What you are saying is: when I have 3 regular tires on three corners and the donut tire on one corner, I should deflate the donut tire pressure from the 60psi to match the other three corners?
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The temporary spare should be at 60 psi when in storage, and just leave it at that pressure if and when you use it.
     
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  7. heyjack70

    heyjack70 Junior Member

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    If i want to buy a regular tire to use as the spare, will all 2010-2013 wheels interchange? Will the regular wheel/tire fit into the spare storage space?
     
  8. ForestBeekeeper

    ForestBeekeeper Active Member

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    When you rotate your tires, that normally means that the spare comes out and is rotated with the other tires.

    But when you have a flat and use an emergency donut, that donut tire is entirely different. The donut is supposed to be inflated to a much higher pressure when it is used, and it is only to be driven for as short a distance as possible, until you mount a new tire.

    A donut is not a true spare tire, it is for emergency use only.



    Say that you have five regular tires, four running and one as spare. Every 5k miles you are supposed to rotate them. In this rotation, the spare comes out as is used. While one of the running tires becomes the spare.

    If on the other hand, you use a donut. That donut is only for emergency use, for short distances. Until you can get a regular tire.
     
  9. ForestBeekeeper

    ForestBeekeeper Active Member

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    Yes, yes.

    Regular tires can be used as the spare.
     
  10. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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    I actually keep my spare in the well at about 70PSI. I only check them once every 4-6 months. The extra pressure is to guard against nature leaks and temp change. It is easy to bleed it down to 60 from 70 PSI when I need it, than to drive on one with 50PSI and looking for a pump.
     
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  11. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    A "regular tyre" will not fit in the spare well. Try it. Some have jammed one in there by deflating it. It's too bad because, while it would increase vehicle weight, I'd like to have a "real" spare tyre. This could also be engineered to include a TPMS sensor, which the spare doesn't have currently. In fact it's rare to find a TPMS on the market that will accept 5 sensors.

    The "donut" spare is to be run at full pressure indicated on the sidewall, 60 PSI in this case. It is to be used on the rear only, at speeds of 50 MPH or less, for a distance of 60 mi. or less. RTFM! ;)
     
  12. toyolover

    toyolover Member

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    Thanks for your clarification. When I said "spare" in my thread, I meant the donut spare in the trunk. So the conclusion here is: Maximum indicated on the marking is 60psi, it is also the operating psi when it is being used on the road."
     
  13. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Correct! (y)
     
  14. Lord Byron

    Lord Byron Member

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    Thanks all!

    Mine was at 10 psi.. after 196,500 miles I had never checked it. 60 psi it is.
     
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  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Good thing you didn't get a flat at the location in your avatar, lol. And kudos for the belated pressure check. That reminds me...
     
  16. Lord Byron

    Lord Byron Member

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    I’m so glad I checked it.. I’ll be doing that at every oil change going forward.

    Check out my post on my 200,000 “tune-up”. I’m about to have some fun!