2020 Prius Ltd - 11k miles - Flat Tire

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).

 

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.

 

i would replace it with a matching tire.

i have a donut on my hatch floor.

 

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.

 

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.)

 

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.

 

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

JeffD

 

or cvj?

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.