No Spare Tyre in the Toyota 86... Here is the reason why

[Matt]

Toyota has shed more light on the reasons behind its decision to pull the spare wheel out of its range-topping 86 sports coupe only weeks after its launch – put simply, it stuffed up.

Company spokesman Mike Breen told Drive that when the company's local product planning team went to see the Toyota 86 in Japan late last year, no one noticed what the spare wheel looked like.

However, they were taken by surprise when the first of the built-for-Australia Toyota 86s arrived here and they realised the full-size spare chewed up much of the boot space.

"We hadn't seen the vehicle until some of our product planning people visited Japan late last year," Breen says.
"They actually hadn't seen the spare wheel in the boot at the time, and we had not realised how much it intruded into the area, and we realised that, apart from cosmetics, it just wouldn't provide useable luggage space that you'd need to fit a full-size overnight bag and things like that.

Advertisement "That's why we decided to go with the tyre repair kit"

The Toyota 86's twin, the Subaru BRZ, continues with a full-sized spare tyre.

"When we requested it [the full-size spare] initially we didn't realise just how much it would intrude."

Breen says the cost of replacing the full-size spare wheel, jack and wheel brace works out to about the same as the cost of fitting the compressor and can of tyre repair goo inside a special housing in the boot well.

"We'd talked to TMC [Toyota Motor Corporation] in Japan about replacing the spare tyre with a repair kit and they told us they could do it for us because of how it intruded into the boot space," he says.

"They said because they'd already started to build them with a full-size spare it would take them probably six months after the start of production to do that.

"We hadn't had confirmation of that from TMC when the car was launched, so as soon as we found out we sent a bulletin out to dealers to advise them that customers that had already placed orders, but that bulletin made its way online before we could contact customers and talk to them.

"That is why, I guess, there was such a response from the customers."

Breen said a space-saver spare tyre was not available for the Toyota 86.

"That option wasn't available to us," Breen says. "I can't tell you why. All I know is that the option for us was the tyre repair kit."

Breen says the change to a tyre inflation kit included many benefits, including adding about six litres of luggage volume to the boot.

He adds that because the spare tyre protruded from the spare wheel well, removing it has also increased versatility by creating a flat load space.

Other reasons provided include the "reduced risk of damage" to items put in the boot, and a reduction in vehicle weight that improves the 86's power to weight ratio slightly, which Breen says is "a good thing for a sports car".

However, he was unable to provide figures on how much the weight saving gained from removing the spare wheel would alter the car's performance.



Source: http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/we-stuffed-up-with-86-tyre-toyota-20120726-22tcy.html

[Matt]

So lack of boot space was the real reason.. Personally i'd prefer to have the rim regardless of how much boot space it takes up... Having said that there is nothing stopping me from buying an additional rim from Toyota and putting a tyre on it.

I wonder what they'd cost and if there would be a 12 month wait on them like there is the car

[Frak]

Back when RX8 was released I was working at a Mazda dealer, all RX8's were coming with a compressor/goo kit only, which they deemed no good for Australia, so kits were fitted here in Aust to locate a space saver in the boot hanging from the rear bulkhead, I probably fitted all of those in South Aust in the early days(some were fitted well, others a bit dodge ;-) )I remember doing training on RX8 before release and the trainer was saying that once the goo was in the tyre, it was a throw away, it was to get you to a place of tyre replacement, the goo couldn't be removed 100% and would result in a tyre that would be hard to balance. The original rims also don't fit in the boot, so I asked "where do you put the flat tyre once the (Aust fitted) space saver is on", he commented "put it on the back seat", to which I replied "what if you have 4 people in the car?", he said "hide it under a tree and come back later", to which I commented "yeah that'll work in Elizabeth!"

[McLEVIN]

that was the first thing i noticed when i saw the boot, how the tire was not flush. i thought how ridiculous. whats so hard about fitting a space saver. ive said this before but i did not sign up for this car because it had a full size spare.

[Nikkojoe]

that was the first thing i noticed when i saw the boot, how the tire was not flush. i thought how ridiculous. whats so hard about fitting a space saver.

My first thoughts exactly on both things.

They said tyre sealant was the only option, yet other markets for this car (like North America) get a space saver.

The other thing with the sealant kit is you don't get tools.... Looks like I'll be ordering through amayama.

[jakel]

Just go get a spacesaver from a late model car with same stud pattern and worst case swap one of the front tyres to the back if tyre size is different to rolling diameter of standard wheels.

[meadan]

Mercedes provides no spare wheel and goo standard in their sprinters for ambulances in europe.

I dont see the issue, Id rather have the goo than a space saver anyway. Its cheaper to tow the car than it is to rebuild a new lsd im sure.....

[jakel]

Wouldn't need to rebuild LSD (pretty sure they don't come with one standard anyway?) just put a front wheel on the back and spacesaver on front.

[meadan]

I think they do have an lsd.

And yeah good point....

But in the grand scheme of things for car manufacturers, Australia is probably the only country outside of america where you would really need a spare tire.
Seeing as Australia is by no means considered the main market for any car model, manufacturers dont really cater for our needs. If a car is to get a flat in japan or some european country, how far away from a town can they really be to actually be bothered to change the tire on the side of the road.

[Matt]

Dear Matthew,

Thank you for your recent email received by the Toyota Customer Experience Centre.

Toyota has made a specification change to the 86 sports car, replacing the full-size spare tyre and wheel with a tyre repair kit, effective from September 2012 production. While the initial vehicles released in Australia did have a full size spare-wheel-and-tyre combination, this inclusion intruded into the car’s luggage area, restricting the storage volume and flexibility of the compact boot space.

As the 86 is already priced very aggressively, to ensure that it is as affordable to as many people as possible, the specification change does not impact the pricing.

To countermeasure the boot volume restrictions, Toyota has developed a polyurethane mat to be fitted to all cars from September 2012 production. The mat covers the spare wheel well. In addition the new 86 has a tyre repair kit, which incorporates an air compressor, sealant and associated signage, fitted within the wheel well. Tyre repair kits are common in many other vehicles currently in the market.

There are significant benefits through this new initiative, including:

1. More boot space – approximately six litres,
2. The flexibility and convenience of a flat luggage floor,
3. Reduced risk of damage to belongings placed in the boot,
4. Greater convenience – where the tyre is capable of repair by the tyre repair kit
5. A reduction in vehicle weight and small improvement in the power-to-weight ratio contributes to performance characteristics,
6. Lower real-world fuel consumption – due to the weight reduction,
7. Environmental benefits – fewer wheels and tyres will be produced (and recycled).

Toyota believes most sport car buyers will appreciate these advantages and many are likely to be familiar with the sealant used as part of the tyre repair kit.

If you have paid a deposit and do not wish to proceed with the purchase you will need to contact your dealer about the situation, including your wish for a refund.

Thank you for contacting Toyota Australia and allowing us the opportunity to respond.

Kind Regards,

Customer Experience Consultant
Customer Experience Centre
Toyota Motor Corporation Australia

[ae8zn6]

I personally drive interstate and back twice a week at the moment and want a spare. I would be much happier with a spacesaver and jack than a goo kit because if I get a flat in the middle of nowhere I would prefer to change the rim than hope the goo will work and hold. Further when I signed the dotted line it was with the expectation and advise that the car had a full sized spare.

Finally, no-one bought an 86 because of the excellent boot space.


This is a cop out to try an save Toyota expense. If this wasn't the case they would have asked all of those who had placed orders for their preference before making the change and wouldn't be telling people to remove their order if they weren't happy with it.

-my 2c

Wouldn't need to rebuild LSD (pretty sure they don't come with one standard anyway?) just put a front wheel on the back and spacesaver on front.
All models come with a factory torsen LSD (other than the GT auto)

[jay70]

i really dont think the goo is any worse than a space saver. ive used it before on a hilux and it held up fine

[mm.mitch]

im sure s15 spacesaver or similar would be the right size if it concerns you that much.

[Nikkojoe]

Unless the goo can repair torn sidewalls I'd like a spare. (and the only time I've had to use one that was the case)

Imagine the people having to get their car on a tilt tray because the tyre could not be repaired. People driving by could think "oh look at that new Toyota getting towed... Must be unreliable....."

Oh and I'm getting a Subaru space saver since this car uses 5x100

[Saikou]

i wish they made it up to the customers to decide if they want the repair kit or the space saver. ...

[Rice86]

this is awesome because this means dumb arse cops will ask where is the spare tyre and you can just LOL in their faces and say "it comes out from factory without one you newb"

[jakel]

No spare tyre ion QLD at least is not a roadworthy item, you can however still get defected if you have one but the tread is illegal.