Got our stickers today, and our spare tire fits nicely...

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Jon H, Apr 28, 2013.

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  1. Jon H

    Jon H New Member

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    Stickers finally came after exactly a month, received two days after they cashed our check. I wasn't too thrilled about having to be towed somewhere in case of a flat tire, and the mess the flat tire system would make, so I bought a space saver spare (2010 Corolla) from the local Toyota parts recycler for $35, a cover off eBay for $10, and a set of steel rim lug nuts. This way if we get a flat, I change it, or if she's driving, call AAA to put the tire on and were off. I was glad to know there is a full jack and tool kit under the driver seat, you access it from behind.
     

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    #1 Jon H, Apr 28, 2013
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    congrats! what stickers? i like the idea of the cover, can you give us a link? why the extra lugnuts? thanks, all the best!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Apr 28, 2013
  3. Electric Charge

    Electric Charge Active Member

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    Guess he is talking about the HOV stickers.
     
    #3 Electric Charge, Apr 28, 2013
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    ah! thank you.
     
    #4 bisco, Apr 28, 2013
  5. Jon H

    Jon H New Member

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    Yes, HOV stickers, my bad. Here's a link to the cover, I bought the same cover when I bought a spare for my 2007 BMW 328i and converted it from run-flats to regular tires for a significantly smoother ride. This cover is a nylon fine mesh with a draw string that fits and looks great.
    The reason I bought the extra lug nuts is that aluminum mag wheel lug nuts are longer and center the wheel from the circumference of the lug nut and the tightening pressure is centered on the washer near where you put wrench. Steel wheel lug nuts are tapered and all the pressure is on the face of the nut that contacts the rim. The steel wheel nuts are designed for this. Using the stock aluminum mag lug nuts in this manner might work, but increases the odds of damaging the threads. And for what it's worth I'm a retired (2010) Master Technician that spent over 20 years with Toyota/ Lexus.

    Spare Tire Cover 24 5" 26" New Plain Safari Tracker Black | eBay

    Dorman Wheel Nut/Wheel Nut (611-062.1) | AutoZone.com
     
    #5 Jon H, Apr 28, 2013
  6. Vijay C

    Vijay C Junior Member

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    Just curious, how did you secure this spare tire in the open space in the back? Hope you didn't loose much room by having this hanging around all the time ? I guess, it is worth it, considering the peace of mind it brings along.

    Can you post the picture, of this secured spare tire, when you have an opportunity ? Cheers
     
    #6 Vijay C, Apr 28, 2013
  7. Jon H

    Jon H New Member

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    Here is a better picture, it's not secure, and it's not going to be.
     

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    #7 Jon H, Apr 29, 2013
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thanks jon! do you know if the hatchback comes with extra lugnuts if the car has mags, or does toyota just figure any port in a storm?
     
    #8 bisco, Apr 29, 2013
  9. Jon H

    Jon H New Member

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    You know, I'm not sure about that, sometimes I call things as I see them...
     
    #9 Jon H, Apr 29, 2013
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    10-4. i may just pick some up at autozone, better safe than sorry, that's why i got the spare!:)
     
    #10 bisco, Apr 29, 2013
  11. Jon H

    Jon H New Member

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    I put the lug nuts in a bag with a large trash bag included so we can put the damaged tire in a bag first, before putting it in the trunk, a rim and tire that comes off the road is very dirty, and will make a huge mess of the trunk area, and I'm talking grime, not just dirt. I got this idea from I believe it was Audi or Land Rover.
     
    #11 Jon H, Apr 29, 2013
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    good plan, thanks!
     
    #12 bisco, Apr 29, 2013
  13. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    . Jon H: you can build a shelf directly over the spare. = 2X storage.
     
    #13 Andyprius1, Apr 29, 2013
  14. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    . Also try the jack out first, that is: put the doughnut/ spare on and test out the jack.
     
    #14 Andyprius1, Apr 29, 2013
  15. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    Jon,
    Thanks for the tip about the lug nuts. I just tried my donut spare on once when I got it, using the regular lug nuts and figured all was good. So now I will buy some tapered steel ones. Thanks for the link also.
    Now to the scary part: I don't like the idea of that heavy tire&wheel free to fly around the car in the event of a serious accident. I have it strapped down to the rings with the adjustable strap provided by Toyota for tying down a road wheel in case of a flat. (Doesn't make much sense that they would include the strap since the PiP doesn't have a spare.):rolleyes:
     
    #15 rogerv, Apr 29, 2013
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  16. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    I would not worry about it, the strap is secure, right? If you build a shelf with the Doughnut tire below, you hide the tire, it can't fly around if it gets loose, no Sun gets to the tire and now you have twice as much room.
     
    #16 Andyprius1, Apr 29, 2013
  17. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    But what is the shelf fastened to so that it won't come loose? As for the room, I place grocery bags around and on top of the spare, and when I'm not carrying anything else back there, I pull the cover over the cargo area. But Jon was saying he wasn't securing the spare tire, and that is what I was questioning in my post. And yes, I do figure the strap is secure, or at least better than nothing.
     
    #17 rogerv, Apr 29, 2013
  18. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    . The shelf fits all of The space horizontally, so it cannot go anywhere. I made it so it is relatively flush to the walls and The rear seat back.
     
    #18 Andyprius1, Apr 30, 2013
  19. Vijay C

    Vijay C Junior Member

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    Thanks for sharing the picture. Not sure, like others quoted, how to stop this guy floating around causing secondary collisions with the occupants in the Pip.

    I guess, this is one step better than nothing...
     
    #19 Vijay C, May 7, 2013
  20. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Congrats. Enjoy the Diamond lane
     

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    #20 JMD, May 7, 2013
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