PriusOnline.com

Hi Everyone,

Im not a newbie this is my second prius traded my 05 for 07 had 13,000 miles without a problem

Had A Blowout of my right Rear tire less the 2000 miles on the tire 4 1/2 month old car Traveling at 70 mph it happened near Baker CA 65 miles outside of Las Vegas going to LA It sounded like an object hit the right rear door then the tire pressure warning came on A passing car warned us about the deflating tire. My wife pulled onto the shoulder stopped inspected the car no damage to the car at all BUT the tire had two 3 bb sized holes and a 3 inch split in the sidewall 1/4 of an inch before the tread surface
Before leaving on the trip checked the cold pressure on all four tires they were right on manufactures specs perfect 35fr/33r car is in a locked garage

I have the premium service package and road hazard called Toyota Roadside asst. but the CHP came first helped change to spare tire donut

In Baker searched for a replacement tire p195r55/16 tire garage guy though the had one he had to remove a lot of air to get it off the wheel then he found out he did not have it. and found no external reason for the blowout

so we traveled on to Barstow to get to a TOYOTA DEALER to my shock they didn't have the tire and would have to order it this was Friday they would get it late Monday so I was stranded missed an important meeting in LA I WAS TOLD DEALERS DON'T STOCK TIRES THEY ORDER THEM.

To the dealers credit the parts /tech got me a Firestone replacement to get home


I know the sound I heard was a piece of tire striking the door

I don't trust the tires on my car have the Bridgestone Turanza EL400 BEEN RECALLED CAN ANYONE suggest a super replacement or should I get all new OEM tires

thanks
bob2780

I've had the same problem getting tires replaced when I blew an Integrity in Dec. 2004 (or was it 2005?). Nobody had the tire. Had to wait through the weekend to get it. Dealer didn't even have a temp for me to use. It was an odd size back then (so it probably was Dec 2004).

I'm just curious bob, who is your dealer (which city)?

My normal dealer is here in Las Vegas is Findlay Toyota
Thanks to the tech who pulled a rabbit out of his hat at Soutar's Toyota Id still be in Barstow, CA

OUCH, Bob...

Glad you are all OK! How did your Prius handle in that situation? If you discover the cause of the tire failure, we'd appreciate your sharing it. I, too, drive an '07 Touring with the Bridgestone Turanzas.

Hi Charles, Thank you for the good wishes I will post if I find it .
My Wife excellent driving It handled very well considering what happened It was like driving in a stiff cross wind with moderate vibration.

Thanks again
Bob2780

Dear DanMan32

Thanks for sharing your frustration I am a fan of everyone on this board but up until now I havn't had anything of importance to contribute
I read your post and enjoy them When your tire blow was it a sidewall blowout?

Thanks again Dan Here are other issues Any ideas???

I am looking for four replacement for my tires My Wife and I Don't trust Them
I found out that in Japan the touring edition come with Michelin Pilot Primacy tires
I was also thinking of a runflat tires
A new tire just being introduced in this country Michelin Pilot Primacy HP
But there not available here yet
Also Visiting my dealer here I didn't spot any touring editions on the lot

bob2780

Yes, it was sidewall damage. Caused by driving over a drainage hole with the grate missing.
In another case, I got a fixable flat due to some unknown reason. Dealers (I tried two) had at least 2 hour wait. For a flat fix? Give me a break!
Goodyear took 20 minutes to fix it, but I waited 2 hours for them to try and get reimbursed through the roadhazard warranty the dealer sold me (Fidelity, go figure). I ended up paying for the fix. It wasn't worth saving $20 to wait 2 hours.
But the integrities in the Prius size is now more widely available. I can't make the same comment for the touring. However, when I gave the size of the integrities, the tire dealer was suprised they were only 15"

Hello Again, Bob...

If you are replacing the Bridgestone Turanzas, you might want to check. I believe the "run-flat" tires are not recommended for the Prius since you have the TPMS {Tire Pressure Monitoring System}. In addition, the sensors for TPMS are located inside the wheels at the base of the valve stem and can be damaged by a careless tire shop {I believe I read that they cost >$100 each and would have to be 'registered' by a Toyota dealer if replaced at additional cost}. There's a thread in PriusChat.com regarding this subject.

Seems to me a somewhat "mixed blessing" that our governmental agencies are looking after our safety by adding such features while at the same time increasing the complexity of our cars and accordingly their cost. The same holds true all the way from safety glass, to hydraulic brakes, air bags, etc. etc. etc. I suppose we should be grateful. The TPMS system is to be required on all new vehicles sold in the U.S. beginning with the 2008 models.

Just a "heads up" to be sure new tires don't cause a costly surprise.

Hi Charles,
Thanks Again for your helpful comments The reason I was looking into runflats it like having a built-in spare donut on every tire though if the sidewall were blown it would be a mute point.
runflats Require a TPMS installed they sell them as an added expense
and the other comment the Seeming disappearance of of the touring edition at my dealer here in LV and the one in Barstow is it the new instant Classic edition prius
take care
bob2780

I believe the Touring edition is a thing of the past. My dealer told me they weren't selling and he can no longer get one from Toyota.

Charles, I think if you look a little closer you'll find "runflat" tires originally -required- TPMS. The reason is you can't tell when they go flat unless you check them with a gauge! So a monitoring system was deemed necessary. I believe it was the first use of TPMS on cars. If you think the Prius pressure sender units are expensive, you should have seen the prices for those first ones! BMW and others started using runflats with TPMS.

I personally wouldn't use runflat tires on a car that wasn't designed for them. They are heavier and mess up the handling of cars that aren't designed for the extra wheel weight.

My dealer had them earlier this month. Quite a few in the lot. If it weren't for not being able to get a trade satisfactory to me, I might have bought one.
Therefore, it isn't Toyota that is limiting them. Perhaps it is the dealer or the distributor.

Dear Dave,
Hi I'm Bob I had the blowout on I15 I took the tire into a Local bridgestone dealer He inspected the tire and it blew due to a defect in the belt

Due to past personal similar history with Firestone/Bridgestone I had reservations when I bought the 07 Touring Edition but I gave them one more chance but history repeated itself

So I am looking For a Replacement The originals are not in stock here in LV and would take more the 3 days to get from the dealer and special order from the Bridestone dealer that checked my tire and when I replace the tires I want to replace all 4 of them
I Thought of plus sizing the 195/55/16 86 V tire to the 205 size which would give me more options but the dealers service manager advised not to

Interestingly the only tire wholesaler tire rack that list the 2007 Prius touring Edition as tire replacements under car type not just tire size
the majority of them are runflats
I don't Know If the touring Prius could take a runflat I was Looking into because I travel on a regular bases between LV and LA and Im a Paraplegic and if it wouldn't kill the cars performance

The OEM tire In japan Is the Michelin Pilot Primacy Also the pilot Exalto is listed on the Michelin website by tire size as well as a new tire listed as Pilot Primacy HP but its a Runflat late note the Exalto was discontinued according to Michelin customer Service
and I am Mainly looking for an low resistance tire with decent mileage any ideas?? thanks in advance
bob2780

Hi Dan
The Integrities Dont come in the touring size 195/155-r16 and my blowout was due to a belt defect
thanks Bob2780