I've been thrown 2 canisters of sealant away and modified the little compressor so it can actually be used as a compressor. I do keep a larger compressor also in the car, just in case. Anybody have a donut for a Prime? Size the same as 2012- present on NON PIPS ( I believe ). Correct me if I'm wrong.
My 2012 PIP has the same sized tires and wheels as the standard 2012+ prius. I recommend getting a full sized spare. 1) likely cheaper 2) you can drive a decent distance and speed 3) likely weighs about the same as a donut. Not sure how you can modify a tiny compressor, but I have never tried mine, as I also put in a real compressor. I ended up buying a set of 4 used tires and wheels from a 2020 or so prius. Kept one, and sold the rest to PIP owners.
I was thinking about getting a spare just to take on trips. I was over at Tampa Hybrids and Todd even offered to give me a used tire and wheel that had cosmetic damage. Then my ever logical wife, who just happens to drive a Gen 2, says, "Why not just take my donut spare when we go on trips?" Duh! Not only do I already have a free spare available, it'll give me a built in opportunity at least once a year to make sure it's properly inflated -- something I routinely forget to do. (Can we get a face palm emoji? LOL!)
A second gen spare will have a slightly small Outside Diameter though. Contrary to popular opinion: the temp spare outside diameters closely match the stock tire. I have some pic's rattling around here where I checked ours, vs a mounted 195/65R15 X-Ice (one of our snow tires). Still: It might work, or you might get codes, due to the car detecting different rotation speeds? The cheapest, most readily available, most versatile, albeit bulkier route, I think: Corolla 15" black steel rims p/n: 42611-02471 With some sort of stock tire, maybe Bridgestone Ecopia EP20 195/65R15, or the EP422+, or?
Thanks. It's pretty unlikely that I would need to use the spare. I carry a plug kit and my own compressor. Only if I had a blow-out. Then it would be: put on the donut and go straight to a tire store. If the blowout was on the front and it was safe to do so, I'd probably put the spare on the back and move the good back to the front and then go straight to a tire store.
Gen 2 spares are much smaller than Gen 3 spares (>inch). However, Gen 3 stock tires are slightly larger than Gen 2 stock tires (~0.5 inch). This made no sense to me. I'm guessing 0.5 inch is above a safety threshold for the Gen 2 spare forcing Toyota to spend a couple more bucks on a larger spare for Gen 3 & 4. I used my Gen 2 spare on my PiP about 6 months ago and it worked out fine. I was keen to stay on local roads to keep my speed below 40 mph until I got to the tire store. But I'm just an anecdote. This is not an endorsement that it is perfectly safe.
If you put it on the back, the size isn't critical. It's just keeping your back bumper off the ground. I wouldn't be keen on putting any donut tire on the front of any car. Just seems like too much of an emergency stopping compromise. And slowing down with the donut on should be a given.
I just cut the hose and then pushed it into the compressor opening, have not actually tried pumping air into the tire yet. May also need a small hose clamp
yes no spare just a big battery, but you can buy one from a junk yard. I put it into the car behind the passenger seat.
I've pretty much decided to remove the stock Prius compressor/sealant kit and have bought a nice compact rubber strip plug kit and a regular 12V air compressor. All I will need to add is a small spray bottle with dishwasher detergent solution to find air leaks and do quick roadside repairs with the wheel still attached.
I believe for 4th gen Toyota still included scissor jack (crappy quality) and a wrench for the lug nuts? Plug repairs are LOT easier if you remove the tire, have the repair zone at 12 o'clock, and straddle the tire, using your weight. Still, that is a step down from a ready-to-go spare, even temp spare. I wouldn't want to be dealing with that, side of freeway on a rainy night. My preferred workflow (one I've had to do) is to just get the spare on, plug-repair once I get home. Too, if you've a large enough object, or a sidewall gash, and haven't got a spare, you're still screwed.
Good points. I didn't mention that I've also purchased a compact spare from a Gen 3 to store in cases such as you have described I'm waiting for a 5000 mile rotation/balance cycle to roll around before installing the compact spare because I want the service staff to confirm a good fit to the hub (hopefully for free) during the rotation service. Between horrible weather and an accidental fracture of my left shoulder that is slowly healing, I'm unable to do it myself currently.
I struggle with heavier wheels; a tactic that helps: first, have the car raised so the wheel’s no more than an inch clear. When remounting a wheel, roll it up, back and forth, till it’s just about where it needs to be at the bottom, the top leaned back a bit (to clear hub and studs), and oriented so wheel holes and studs are roughly aligned. Then sit facing the assembly, steadying it with your hands around 9 and 3 o’clock, and your toes hooked under the tire tread, say around 4:30 and 6:30 o’clock. Raise the wheel with your toes (this is surprisingly easy), tilt the wheel back to vertical as you raise, and guide it with both your toes and hands to pop it onto the studs. Get one lug nut started (where the wheel would tend to kick out, typically at 6 o’clock), and you’re away to the races. apparel/accessories that helps with this: steel-toe boots to reinforce your toes and strengthen your foot arch, and a headlamp, to help see the alignment of studs with wheel holes. Your arms and shoulders do no lifting; your lower body handles that.
Late to the game... Can the collective please confirm that the spare wheel from G2 fits G3. I've just gone mad and got a '15 Plug-in. Slime Kit... yeah!!!
Gen 2 Prius stock tire size is 185/65R15, and for Gen 3 it’s 195/65R15, which (if my middle of night math is correct) amounts to a 6.5 mm radius increase. I’d suspect a Gen 2 spare rim would work, but the tire size varies. You can verify temp spare tire size by downloading Gen 2 and 3 owners manuals (in pdf format) from Toyota Tech Info. Too, if you’re thinking to buys someone’s Gen 2 spare rim/tire combo: the tire will be at least 13~14 years old now.
Thanks ML. The spare will be used as backup during road trips. I already have a plug kit & compressor in the trunk.
