Will a full size tire fit in place of the spare?

Bolt that big sucker on the back like a RAV4 does and you'll have a hybrid SUV.

 

or at least something to grab on to while closing the hatch!

 

We had an extra tire and considered doing that but we priced the rim- over $300 at the dealer. ouch...

 

"..Humm... I guess I could be really cool and mount it on my hood! "

Aha, the first Hybrid Kubelwagen!

 

Curious as to why you “hate†the little spare tires?

Just how often have you needed to use it?

Which is more important?

• a. Being able to drive above its 50mph speed limit for extended periods of time - until you get to a tire store.
  
  b. Saving weight and the corresponding consumption of gas, money, and the environment during the other 99.99 percent of the time you are driving?

There are other benefits to the little spare tire: Less wear and tear on the car and tires, better handling not having the extra weight in the “trunkâ€, extra storage space around the little spare tire, and the lower purchase price associated with a little spare tire.

 

You can find OEM rims as 'take-offs' on EBay for cheap that'd beat t'hell out of the dealer price, and most will include the tire.

I hate those little spares, too. All my other cars have had full-sized replacements. I'll get one for this car, too. I do a lot of driving between Yuma and San Antonio; the last thing I need is to have to resort to the spare to get me to some one-horse town where I'll havta wait for store hours and (possibly) wait for them to order a matching tire. Whenever I'm home and local though, I'll swap out the small spare for economy's sake.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Nov 5 2005, 08:49 PM) [snapback]151317[/snapback]</div>

That is one problem I have with the Prius. I have had other Toyota's with a mini-spare, but the compartment was large enough to hold a regular tire. As I recall the manual indicates that if you have to put the spare on the regular tire is to be strapped down in the hatch area. A big problem if you are on a trip!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(inventor00 @ Nov 6 2005, 08:08 PM) [snapback]151671[/snapback]</div>

? you can get a steel wheel for a full-sized spare from tirerack.com for $42 or so...

rpm

 

Perhaps consider the can type temp repair route. More and more cars are being sold now with no spare tire at all, just the can of sealant with air. One example I have personal experience with is the RX-8. Note if you use this stuff the tire is probably unrepairable due to the gunk it introduces inside, but if you get a flat while moving, most times the tire will be junk anyway. Of course, with no spare in this instance the can will not help, but if you carry the small spare and the can you will be covered.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(windstrings @ Nov 7 2005, 08:50 PM) [snapback]152233[/snapback]</div>

Let's face it ... we drive prius's ... we ARE dorko's. But if looking dorko is all you'e worried about just run FOUR of the spares then it'll be uniform!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hill @ Nov 21 2006, 10:47 AM) [snapback]352567[/snapback]</div>

If you do decide to eliminate the dorko, think about sending it back to Japan COD as a statement that it is unacceptable in your opinion.

 

Read the label on the cans of tire sealant!

I almost bought one til I read "DO NOT USE WITH PRESSURE SENSING TIRE VALVES".

GUESS IT GUMS UP THE SENSORS

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(windstrings @ Nov 7 2005, 07:50 PM) [snapback]152233[/snapback]</div>

Its going to weigh more than a bag of groceries.

Anyways, I think you're mistaking mini-spares of today with mini spares from 20 years ago. Modern spares can be driven on at normal speeds. No need for hazard lights and all of that.

Plus, with tires today being better than ever the odds of you GETTING a flat tire are much less than they were before. I think I've had a flat all of one time in the last 10 years, and I was able to pump it up and drive to the gas station to get it patched because it was a slow leak. I drive 25k miles a year too, so thats one flat in 250,000 miles of driving at least.

I really wouldn't be worried about this.

 

On a hypermiling run, I'd be tempted to put two spares on the rear wheels to enhance the results.

No, not permanently....

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SW03ES @ Nov 21 2006, 11:59 PM) [snapback]352853[/snapback]</div>

You know, I haven't changed a tire for.....at least 12 years. I have AAA. The more I think on this, the more likely I am going to pitch that spare....maybe put it on e-bay.