olivelexus

I recently had to switch out one of my wheels for the spare due to an internal crack of the rim which is leaking out all of the air from the tire. I've been driving with that spare for about a good two weeks already and I'm wondering how long can I drive with my spare? Also is there any kind of fluid I can buy to patch up the crack on the rim? I am a college student and don't have the kind of money to purchase a new oem wheel, unless you guys know where to find a decent priced one. I have an '01 ES300.

Dave Mac

If you are talking about a "donut" or spacesaver spare tire there is a limit to how long it can be used and although I don't recall how long that is I recall that it is relataively short - not to mention the diminished handling you have with that spare mounted.

If your old wheel is damaged that badly I don't think there is any real option other that a professional wheel repair facility or probably better just search salavage yards or used wheel shops for a used whee. There must be plenty out there by now. I would even check ebay or Craigslist.

Dave Mac

sbristow84

iTrader: (1)

My 1995 ES came with a full size spare. I put a new tire on it when I got the car just in case. Low and behold about a week after I put the new tire on, one of my aftermarket rims took a pretty bad hit. Dented the rim and popped the tire. I have been running the spare since.

PFB

You can purchase an old fashioned Inner tube.

Phil

88Legend

The 2001 Es300 has a full size spare. I know this because there is a full sized spare in our 2000 ES300.

You can probably run 50-60K miles on that stock spare Michelin. The spare tire is the same as the ones that came with the car from the dealer. The only difference is that it is mounted on an ugly steel wheel versus a nice alloy one. You can buy a wheel from the junkyard, craigslist, or ebay. The wheels are the same from the mid 2000s Avalon too I believe.

Wait are the wheels on your 2001 the platinum series 5 spoke wheels?

olivelexus

Thanks for the helpful tips guys! To answer your question 88legend I have the standard 2001 alloy wheel. So would it be an issue for me to continue to drive with my spare on? Im hearing mixed suggestions from people saying since my spare runs on the same tire size as the rest of my tires, im able to drive it for a long while. Other people are saying i should drive no more than 50 miles. Also how much does a single oem wheel normally cost if I were to buy one off ebay, craigslist, or a local junkyard?

Timothyj

In the Detroit area there are several wheel repair shops that do wheel repair and sell used wheels that have been refurbished. I'm sure CA has a few around. If the spare is the same size, you should be o.k. Be careful buying online.

olivelexus

alright i'll look into that, thanks!