Prius Prime and spare tire

IMHO spare tires are going extinct ... they got nixed in high-end cars several years ago as they moved to run flats, they are nixed in high fuel efficient cars, and they will be nixed in all other cars over the next few years, again, imho.
over the probably around 8-900k miles i have driven in my life, I needed the spare tire 2 or 3 times, and 1 was self-inflicted ... the last time I needed one (and had one) was in 2006. I have had more flats than that but they were of the "creeping" kind that let me get to a shop and repair.
Everyone's experience is different, just saying that I don't think not having a spare tire in the Prime is a big deal ...

 

Truck-style battery, suspending from the underbody? They're a pain to access, but preferable to nothing. Even this would require some engineering, to make room, but maybe easier than getting one back into the cabin.

 

Spare tires may be going extinct but flat tires sure aren't. Last week I picked up a long roofing nail in the rear tire of my Corvette. Thankfully GM installed run-flat tires and OnStar.

 

We're seeing a shift to 'goop kit spares' in all cars as the donut spares disappear.

Bob Wilson

 

I'm sorry but the Prius Prime is also an intelligence test. Sad to say, you are not bright enough to own one:
Prius Prime Plus in my hands | Page 24 | PriusChat

Bob Wilson

ps. Some assembly is required.

 

You did not buy a run-flat tire. Why do you assume that the Michelin Defender T+H is less likely to get a puncture than a Toyo Nano?

I find the Toyo Nano tires OK. No problems. No flats yet. No spinning on wet roads (I suspect the person that had them spinning was on an oil spot, but I wasn't there.) I'd likely buy something else next time, maybe Michelin, maybe Continental, maybe Cooper, maybe something else. We'll see who has the newest, best ideas out at that time.

 

I say that I will probably not get any flats with the Michelins versus the Toyo tires, because of my experience with Michelin tires and my experience with Toyo Tires in the past. I have gotten one blowout and three flats within a very short period of time on Toyo Tires which I ended up completely changing. I have since gotten one flat with this set of Toyo tires at 6100 miles on this Prius Prime, which I replaced with Michelin Tires. I have used Michelin tires for well over three-quarters of a million miles, with one slow leak valve stem failure, and one sidewall damaged by debris. I've had Toyo tires for no more than 20,000 miles total. That's my experience, and I'm very happy with the Michelins now and feel safe with those.

.

 

The Prius Prime is an intelligence test? If owning one means you passed, someone is grading on a serious curve!

 

We've had one flat (a finishing nail) with our Michelin Pilot OEM tires, and one (small bolt) with our Michelin X-Ice. They're good tires, but not bullet proof.

 

I picked up a spare donut with the same ratings? (numbers) as the Gen 4 Prius. It'll arrive on Friday, for less than $92 (ebay/shipped). I'm only gonna pack it when I make longer trips, and we usually just put the rear seats down for the extra space anyway. I'll be less worried about it then.

 

Is the bolt pattern of Prime same as Gen3 Prius? I bought a steel wheel and put on a 195-65R-15 OEM ecopia from Gen3 back when I had unrepairable flat on one tire. I wanted to use the other good tire for a full size spare. Now, I traded Gen3 to Prime. Can it fit on Prime?

 

The full size rim is 15 x 6 1/2J
Tire is P195/16R15 89S

per manual

 

15 x 6 1/2J is that for PRIME? I know the tire size is the same as Gen3 Two. I am wondering if wheels are also the same.

 

Yep and also for Gen 4

 

Great! Then i have full size spare for my new Prime which does not have spare on it. I am all set.

 

I have gotten a number of flat tires while driving my Prius (we drive 50k miles per year). I have averaged a flat every year or two. Not having a spare does concern me since I have a very long commute to work and have to be there since a lot of people depend on me.

I saw that Bob had a full-size spare.

1) Do you need to tie it down?
2) How would you tie down a smaller spare?
3) How would this additional weight affect the gas mileage (I'm the only one driving if I'm commuting to work and I'm all of 120 lbs, and I could limit the junk in the car)?

 

weight would not be an issue. there should be straps and tie down points included with the car.

 

I have no flat tire anxiety... Odds are with me I will never have the need for a spare tire... plus if I had one, I'd call AAA anyways... why carry a spare all the time, rather than have more battery range all the time? I haven't needed a spare in 10 years, but I can use more battery every day.

 

Tying it down is a good idea. I use tie down straps when I carry my spare. Inconvenient as heck, but better than having a wheel and tire flying around inside the car next time I get rear ended.
The weight is of very little consequence. Lots of people carry more than that on their bellies.

 

Then they have a built in spare tire.

Just not as useful.