I was not aware a full size spare would fit in our ES. Will the trunk liner still lay flat.

 

Not perfectly, but almost. I have the Lexus rubber trunk mat, and the extra rigidity it gives the trunk floor makes it so close to flush you'd never notice the difference.

 

No, the trunk liner will not lay flat at all and if the trunk happened to be pretty full, something would have to be relocated to maybe the back seat. But only a temporary inconvenience and well worth the trouble .

Dave Mac

 

Thanks...If I had know that I would have kept 1 of my tires when purchased new ones.

 

With all due respect, I'm confused by your comment. Could our trunks be different somehow? Driving a '22 ES 350 UL here.

 

The trunks are the same, including the 4x4 version of the ES.

This is what you get from the factory, the space saver spare or SSS:



SSS inside the trunk:





As you can see, there’s enough space for the full size spare tire;






I am yet to see a 7ES with the full size spare tire.



There’s a thick piece of foam that goes on top of the SSS to fulfill the gap between the tire and the trunk liner. If you put a full size tire, that foam has to be removed.

 

Mine is and F-sport with the larger wheel and wider tire. The only time I had to put the OEM tire in the trunk I moved the foam piece with the tools to the back seat and quickly got off the freeway. I remember the guy that changed the tire saying "that's not going to fit", and I told him I thought it would and he tried it an of course, it did. I remembered having read that because of the different markets the car was in, room for a full size spare was necessary.

Dave Mac

 

I really don't see the need for a full size spare tire. Ask yourself when was the last time you had a flat tire. I can't remember it's been so long for me. Plus, I have AAA for emergencies... The small spare works fine for me...

 

Totally adequate for pretty much everyone. I had one blowout on the ES in five + years - none on my wife's RX during seven years of ownership. They tried to sell me a multi $000 tire protection plan when we picked up her new RX - why would I buy that: But I still don't want run flats with NO SPARE

 

I'm not urging it on others, I'm just saying it's an option that isn't talked about but is available to those interested.

When I ask myself "When's the last time I had a flat tire?", here's my answer: Two years ago, I had a flat tire 70 minutes of high-speed Interstate driving from home, late at night. Because of the temporary spare's limitations, I had to drive 50 in an 80 zone for 2 hours instead of driving 80 for 70 minutes. Contrary to popular belief, it's my understanding that the speed and mileage limitations specified for compact spares are not because of concerns that the tire can't take it -- we know it can -- but rather because the mismatching diameter of the spare tire can put undue strain on your car's driveline. AAA can put on your compact spare, but they can't fix this dilemma for you. I bought this car specifically to be suitable for long trips, and I don't want to be in that situation again. But literally and figuratively, your mileage may vary.

 

That's true and I agree.

 

My flat experience was 4 years ago with sidewall beyond repair. No one really understands the impact on the drivetrain until you have to put that mismatched so called spare on the car. It sounds like the rear end is going to blow up with such a high whine and you really don't want to drive 50 mph because you think you might be stranded for real with a rear end failure. Manufacturers today are listening less and less to what the consumer really wants. I am a firm believer to plan for the worst and hope for the best.

 

Many of you probably remember that for many years prior to the 7th Generation, a full size spare was pretty much a standard option on virtually every ES and at a good price - maybe something like $200, far less than either buying a replacement wheel and/or tire.. And I always saw it as a no-brainer. You could even use it in a five-tire rotation if you wanted, I guess. I was not happy when the 7th Gen did not even offer the option anymore. But I did check and appreciate that the trunk at least had available space for the full size tire.

And the first on the road flat flat I had in probably 50 years was of course at about 6K miles in my 2021 model. But, I got past it and have come to appreciate the small spare and a little extra trunk/tool space,

Now, run-flat tires and no spare are another story. .
I

 

The good news about getting a flat/blowout is that statistically, you ain't getting another for a very long time

 

I agree more than not. The only thing I'd add is that the carmakers are under extreme financial pressure to eke out an extra MPG absolutely anywhere they can. It's why they do things that don't even save them money that they know are wrong, like recommending 0W-8 oil that makes sewing machine oil feel like pancake syrup by comparison. That weight and cost savings is very persuasive to them.