Replacing Tire Repair Kit with a Donut

No, the emergency spare is fine with either the 15" wheels or the 17" wheels. The overall diameter of the two wheel/tyre combos is almost the same.
You will need to learn how to remove the styrofoam, because you will have to get a new piece of it for the emergency spare parts to fit in. You will also need to remove it to see if the tyre holddown is in the car (I suspect it's under there). Note that the "stuff" that's in the rear of each car is designed to help with collision energy absorption, so if you change it you need to be aware of what you might be loosing. This is why you should stick with the entire stock setup for each option. In other words, if you want the emergency spare, replace all the parts that you currently have with the parts that come with the vehicles with the emergency spare.

 

don't the models with no spare have the lower hatch floor?

 

Here are some graphics from Tideland Prius ...not too much detail. I am not thinking you have much space under the styrofoam.

With spare (or E-Four AWD)



457L = 16.1 cu. ft.

Without spare:

 

@155 Did you know going in it didn't have the spare? 3T does I think.

 

I see a few German automakers have a collapsible donut spare that needs to be inflated. Also they have storage bag for donut spares so you can put in your trunk a little more neatly.

 

Great idea. Any links to these parts please?

 

Yes, sounds good idea.

For a bag - when I had a car with the tyre [tire] exposed in the boot [trunk] in my first VOLVO 164, I simply got a large plastic bag and put the tyre in it. It was very handy when I had a flat on a wet/muddy road - the contents of the boot didn't get muddy.

Like this - only with the tyre in a bag (GOOGLE image).

 

Couldn't you just put it in a box?

 

Do you NEED a spare?

Just asking. I have not needed a town or a spare since I think in 94 when I had my truck. That was probably half a million miles ago.

Also, most people forget (and not all dealers really check) the air in a spare anyway.

2 of 4 cars have inflation kits.

I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything, just trying to figure out why people get hung up on not having a spare, that's all.

 

When you need it you need it. It will happen.

As for never checking the pressure in the spare, Toyota, in their "wisdom", store the spare in Pearl S with the valve -down-. You have to remove it to check it! I guess nobody's perfect?

 

Honda does that too.

 

Suspect it's so they can fit bits and bobs in the cavity of the wheel and they never even considered the pressure check.

 

I suspect the valve is down to protect it if (when?) the driver tosses stuff in there on the tire.

A spare is sure cheaper than roadside assistance, and usually way faster. I have needed and used a spare three times in the past five years.

 

Right on, Jerry! A spare may add years to your life depending on your location at that time. Especially for a woman on a rainy night in Georgia or wherever. AAA only works if you have cell service. Please bring back spares, Toyota.

 

Is this a report that Georgia is less civilized than North Carolina? Just checking...

 

That would be rough.
From what I have seen, North Carolina is less civilized than Virginia .

 

I would comment but I've got to go get my clothes off the line before it rains

 

LOL!! Not to worry. I think I got your reference. But I wouldn't like changing tires in the rain in any state.