Toyota Sienna Forum - siennachat.com banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Is AWD worth the spare tire headache?

Jump to Latest
21 - 40 of 55 Posts
#21 ·
I'm on my 2nd Sienna AWD - first a 2004, now a 2011. I live in Portland Maine, and used to live in Buffalo NY and still travel quite a bit. AWD is a huge plus in snow. I also have 2 sets of tires with rims - one all season set, and one winter tire set. I don't have tpms sensors in my winter set and ignore the warning during the winter months (some mechanics won't swap the tires without the tpms sensors installed - your results might vary) .

Regarding AWD - In a nutshell, I don't get stuck - period. Poor weather handling is superior, and I don't worry in rain, snow, or even taking my van into muddy terrain on occasion. I also have AAA Premier RV which provides multiple tows (one up to 250 miles) and even gas if I run out. If I get a flat, I have AAA to bail me out.

Regarding a spare - I've had a few flats in the past but nothing requiring a tow yet (18+ years now). Most flats occur when your tires have become really worn and a nail makes it past the tread, others are generally the result from a slow leak. Keeping good tires on your ride keeps your chances of a flat pretty low, and the slow leaks usually give you enough warning to take your van to a mechanic without needing to change your tire.

Just my 2 cents
 
  • Like
Reactions: wrshultz
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#22 ·
My wife is the primary driver and there is no way she is going to change a tire. With older vehicles she would have to call someone to rescue her when she got a flat. I like that now she can just drive the van home. I'm willing to live with the fact that the tire will need to be replaced, it's a tradeoff that I'm willing to accept if it means that she can drive the van home or to a shop.
 
#23 ·
I picked up a 2015+ Mustang spare rim off of craigslist since it's alloy, and had a Dunlop Space Miser donut put on it. The Dunlop has an outer diameter of 28.5", which is close enough to the 29" of the all terrain tires that the van now wears. The total weight of the spare wheel with tire is 33 lbs.
 

Attachments

#24 ·
The spare tire sticky thread discusses the use of an inflatable spare. Does anyone know where a Vredestein space master spare (185/75/17) mounted on a rim can be purchased? Are used ones on ebay the only option other than going to a Merc dealer's parts dept? Is that even an option these days? Thanks in advance.
 
#25 ·
My other car is also AWD on a platform that originally wasn’t designed for AWD so like the Sienna it didn’t come from the factory with a spare.

Only a month after buying it I hit a big pothole on a remote mountain road, got a blowout, and the fix-a-flat just poured out the hole in the sidewall. I had to hike to get cell reception and then there were no tow trucks available for hours because I was so remote. I was very late for work and had to leave the car overnight.

That is to say I love AWD but I also understand the value of a spare. I put a full-time spare in my other vehicle and plan to do the same on my new (used) Sienna AWD. Now I just have to read through all the other threads and find a solution that works for us. I like the idea of a full size spare on a roof basket because I want to make a sort of adventurevan. But that will probably cause wind noise and will hurt mileage... There were some slick looking options where it was hung behind the third row, so maybe I’ll go that route.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#26 ·
LDBirdhouse,

How'd this turn out? I too live in Alberta. Here in Lethbridge AWD isn't needed much. We couldn't find what we were looking for in FWD, somwe opted for an 2007 AWD. LOVE IT. We did swap to regular tires and a compact spare. We throw it in on road trips. Either behind the second row ratcheted down or flat behind the 3rd row when we need those seats. Knock on wood, we've never needed it.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #27 ·
rckymtnsienna said:
LDBirdhouse,

How'd this turn out? I too live in Alberta. Here in Lethbridge AWD isn't needed much. We couldn't find what we were looking for in FWD, somwe opted for an 2007 AWD. LOVE IT. We did swap to regular tires and a compact spare. We throw it in on road trips. Either behind the second row ratcheted down or flat behind the 3rd row when we need those seats. Knock on wood, we've never needed it.
Click to expand...
We bought a Limited AWD. Put Nokian winter tires on it the next day. No way I would have been happy with FWD this past winter.

What did you do for a compact spare?
 
#28 ·
Just this morning I purchased a like new 18 inch oem rim from eBay for 150 which is a steal since they are 500 new. This is not a reconditioned rim. There are about 8 left for anyone interested. I have a 13 limited AWD. We are keeping run flats but want to throw a full size spare in the van for the big trips. I have blown a tire on a pothole on a ski trip in the past and I really don’t want to be without a spare in these situations. It is not always a slow leak with tires- sometimes they explode!
 
#31 ·
I bought a'17 AWD Limited as we live in Canada, and my wife won't drive a vehicle in the winter without AWD and winter tires (with good reason I might add). I bought a set of Nokia Hakkapelitta runflat winter tires on steel rims. That thing is a tank in the winter. Nothing stops it. So glad we did it that way!! No spare tire in the vehicle and TPMS sensors on the winter rims, so no warning light on the dash.
 
#34 ·
bbbuzzy said:
The spare tire sticky thread discusses the use of an inflatable spare. Does anyone know where a Vredestein space master spare (185/75/17) mounted on a rim can be purchased? Are used ones on ebay the only option other than going to a Merc dealer's parts dept? Is that even an option these days? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
I know Vredestein won't sell to customers directly (I asked) so you would probably have to try Mercedes (or other luxury brands that use the same wheel/tire) if you wanted a new one. I think they still use them and assume they would sell you one, although it would probably cost quite a lot. I was lucky and got my unused condition one off ebay for a nice price but it'll take a while looking on ebay, but you could probably get one if you are patient. Used quality ones are easier to find on ebay of course but some are quite shabby (I sent one back due to poor condition).
 
#36 ·
h4ldol said:
I know Vredestein won't sell to customers directly (I asked) so you would probably have to try Mercedes (or other luxury brands that use the same wheel/tire) if you wanted a new one. I think they still use them and assume they would sell you one, although it would probably cost quite a lot. I was lucky and got my unused condition one off ebay for a nice price but it'll take a while looking on ebay, but you could probably get one if you are patient. Used quality ones are easier to find on ebay of course but some are quite shabby (I sent one back due to poor condition).
Click to expand...
Thank you, I appreciate the advice.
 
#37 ·
dball711 said:
If you need AWD then yes its worth it but I really don't see it as a headache. I carry an air pump, cans of fix a flat and a temp spare. you can see what I and others posted in this thread.

http://www.siennachat.com/forum/40-general-discussion/29674-2015-sienna-ltd-awd-spare-tire-3.html

I mount mine behind the 3rd row seat, If I need to lay the seat down I move the spare to the side and attach to the top seat belt and rear seat mount points.
Click to expand...
Where did you find that tier bag? Is there a name?
 
#40 ·
Geezer1 said:
If you are looking to stay in the Toyota family and at a price point similar to the Sienna, have you considered the Highlander and 4Runner? The AWD Highlander comes with a temporary spare tire and the 4WD 4Runner comes with a full size spare tire.



The 4Runner would likely be the best in snow and is a real truck with body on frame. The Highlander is very car-like but still has much more ground (i.e. snow) clearance than a Sienna.



All have three rows of seats but the Sienna has the most interior space. Consider branching out?
Click to expand...


4Runners are very good but speaking from much experience, they are not pleasent to drive the way car type vehicles are.
 
21 - 40 of 55 Posts
About this Discussion
54 Replies
31 Participants
Last post:
GuyWithVan
Toyota Sienna Forum - siennachat.com
posts
298K
members
107K
Since
2009
SiennaChat is the forum community to discuss problems, maintenance, repairs, mods, projects, specs and all things Toyota Sienna.
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Problems, Maintenance, and Repair (Gen 2) General Discussion (Gen 3) General Discussion (Gen 4) Problems, Maintenance, and Repair (Gen 3) General Discussion (Gen 2)