One More Spare Tire Question

That is a puzzler; typo on that site? I’ve got a hunch you could put 3rd gen rims on 4th gen with no ill effects.

One gotcha tho: the centre caps are different. there’s a groove in the rim bore that the cap jaws click into, and it’s depth into the bore varies, just enough to screw things up the better.

 

bb, check the age of the compact spare tire. If it is getting up in years (more than 10 years) consider buying a new compact spare tire. The last thing you need is an unreliable spare tire.

I think the 6" wide Prius wheel would be with the wide 17" tire.

 

You do not have to use the OEM wheel for a full-size spare. I had a flat on one tire on my Gen3 but was un-repairable. I ended up buying two new tires. I just picked up a generic steel wheel from Walmart and asked them to mount the one good tire off of Gen3 Prius. Works fine on Prius PRIME. Cost $50 for a rim and $15 for mounting and balancing. The old tire was free repurposed.

 

Sorry, I don't remember the brand or part number for the wheel. I just checked the wheel and tire in my garage. It is so generic, that it has no branding of any kind on the wheel front or back unless they are visible only inside of the wheel. The only identification mark I can find on the inside face of the rime says "MADE IN USA 15x6.0 L.C.1.D. JJ" I got it at the Walmart auto center. I just asked for a cheap steely that would fit my Gen3 Prius at the counter and this was what they had. Paid ~$50 6 years ago.

Maybe not the exact model, but this is a very similar wheel that should work on PP (or Gen4 or Gen3). You can find a similar wheel at eBay cheaper.
www.amazon.com/dp/B00MNTD1KC/

Alternatively, if you want OEM quality, then you can get a 15" Corolla or Matrix steel wheel. The parts number escapes my memory. @Mendel Leisk can provide you that info.

 

Corolla 15” steel rim part no:

42611-02471-SW

Also, a 2” ABS end cap is a near perfect fit over the centre hub opening. It’s slightly loose, but if you push on some sort of rubber band first, it’ll be snug and secure. Sections cut from an old bicycle inner tube work good.

 

For $135.00, can't beat this insurance policy. I know , having 4 flats with no spare.

 

Is that the Corolla rim? Looks like it.

 

I bought the rim and tire together at "American tire". No specs on the rim. I told them what i had ( 2021 prime ) and they set me up.

 

Do you folks keep the spare in your car 24/7, or only on road trips?

 

I kept mine most of the time but removed it when I really needed to use both rear seats. Luckily, I almost never used rear seats and had the spare tire stored in the footwell wedged in between the front seat and folded rear seat with headrest removed as shown in the photo. This made easier storage without needing to invent a way to secure the tire. For trips around town, you can get by having the tire at home as long as you have ways to get the tire delivered to you in case of flat. And yes, having a spare tire would become more important when you are away from home on a road trip.

 

I keep mine in the back 24/7. I'm a little gun shy because of 4 flat tires without one . No more tows to the dealer for me .

 

I am bumping this old thread as this recently became an issue for me. Driving across town, I picked up a large screw of some sort right in the middle of the tread on the front right tire. Should have just driven straight to the local tire shop but I wasn’t thinking, didn’t realize it was punctured until it was too late (after I pulled the screw out, followed immediately by a loud hissing noise). Managed to get home before the tire completely deflated, and got the tire repaired same day, for free no less—but I decided never to be reliant on that lame fix-a-flat kit in case I get a flat under less ideal circumstances.

So I just ordered a spare from a junked 2011 Prius off eBay, which arrived today. I haven’t installed it to confirm it fits, but I’ve been assured by the seller (and posts here) that it will. I will store it in the trunk. Not thrilled about giving up so much trunk space, but I will feel very smart if I ever get a flat tire in the middle of Idaho or something.

My question: What’s the cheapest, most basic kind of cover I can use for this? I was first thinking of just laying an old towel over it or something, but would rather get an actual cover or case of some kind that more or less fits the shape of the tire. I’m finding listings for products for less than $10, but it wouldn’t even have to be a product designed for this purpose. Heck, I’d be OK with a big Hefty bag if the tire fits. I guess I’m just wondering, is there a commonly available product, even maybe something already laying around the house, that I’m not thinking of that would basically fit the dimensions of a spare tire?

 

I use 42 gallon 3-mil trash bags. They fit a full size tire with some room to spare.

For anyone reading this in the future, if you have snow tires on a second set of wheels, you already have four full size spares. It won't ruin a snow tire to use it temporarily in the summer.