Curmudgeon

With nothing to do today, I took some pictures inside the trunk of my RX-350 while checking the fit of the "flat"--a full sized tire. Four photos are attached:

1. View of the funny spare in place, ready for removal. Note that the tire is below the compartment lip.

2. The spare warning label: do not use over 50mph (that will provide a real thrill on the I-15 between LA and Vegas)

3. View of the "flat" (full sized tire) in place. I didn't see a way to secure the full sized tire. Note how far above the lip the tire extends.

4. View of the trunk floor lowered on top of the full sized spare. Note that the trunk space is considerably reduced by the elevated flooring. IMHO, the flooring would be damaged if anything heavy (like luggage) were placed on top of it.

As a result of the exercise, I have added a plastic tarp to the area below the flooring to keep things protected if a flat is anywhere in the trunk.

I'm adding a large ratchet wrench to the tool kit, as the lug nut wrench supplied with the car is puny, and there isn't enough room under the floor for a full sized crossbar wrench.

Other observations: the left wing floor compartment is not even deep enough for an ice scraper. The right wing floor compartment has an oddly shaped bottom that limits it's capacity. There is plenty of unused room below both compartments.


Summary....don't get me started......but, I'm prepared now.

RXSF

thx for the pictures...

you have too much time

MEP7557

Well, that's just what I thought it would look like. It's better than setting the tire on top of the carpet. Thanks for checking that out and sending the pics.

Curmudgeon

Yep, I do have too much time
The funny spare was a complete surprise after I had bought the car. Had I known in advance, it would have very nearly been a "deal killer". Anyway, now I know what I'm facing with a flat. (and it isn't pleasant)

jclem

A "deal killer"? Really? For something that you only had to face twice in 10 years with your Rx300. Yikes!

tfischer

Thanks for that helpful info.
From my experience, I always carry cotton work gloves in the car and also put a large garbage or "lawn" bag in the tire area in case I need to change a tire; bag the flat and keep the storage area or even the back seat clean.
Secondly, I always carry what plumbers call a "cheater." This is a hollow pipe about 12 or 18 inches long of sufficient size to slip over the Lexus-supplied lug nut wrench. This gives you the leverage you need without taking up as much space as a larger dedicated wrench. It's also very inexpensive and available at any large hardware store (bring in the wrench into the store with you to be sure the pipe you buy is the right size). Highly recommended.

jskennedy

just keep a plug kit & 12v air compressor in your vehicle

should cover 99% of your flats

get a AAA membership if you want to cover the last 1%

i've had 1 blowout in my 23yrs of driving & it was a retread, lesson learned

wyau01

I thought Lexus has 5 years of roadside coverage.

tfischer

Roadside coverage is 4 years, I think, but that means you have to call and then wait for a truck to arrive with help. I had a flat and called AAA (Lexus calls and dispatches the same services that AAA uses), which promised to be there "within the hour." I had the tire changed in about 10-15 minutes, drove away and called AAA to tell them not to bother (their nonchalant reaction implied that this happened to them a lot).
And that was in the city - what happens when you call "roadside assistance" when your tire goes bad in between towns in rural areas?
For something as routine as changing a tire, I'd rather be self-sufficient than dependent on an outside service.

wyau01

I found this from the repair manual.

tazdevl

Looks like someone needs to see if Lexus actually makes a deck lid for a full size spare.

wyau01

All you need now are the part#.

Curmudgeon

Yes, a flat is a real bummer if you are 90 miles from the nearest repair services, and in a location that doesn't have cellfone service. That happens in rural desert areas.

For my driving circumstances, a funny spare is a serious inconvenience during the few times it might be needed.

Curmudgeon

Does no good if you are out of cellfone range