2021 Taco factory spare tire

Hi, I'm a newbie and just bought a 2021 Taco TRD Off Road. In reading the Owner's Manual, I find the spare tire is not a full fledged tire: "Do not drive at speeds in excess of 50 mph (80 km/h) when a temporary spare tire is installed on the vehicle. The temporary spare tire is not designed for driving at high speeds." Thought I'd researched this but I got it wrong.

There was a thread from last January on this topic but it didn't talk about whether it would be best to buy a real tire as a spare for overlanding. I could live with the speed issue but I have know a spare will be tough enough out on the trail. You'd think for $40K, Toyota wouldn't cheap out on such an important detail. Would appreciate guidance and advice.

 

It should be the same Goodyear Kevlar tire that is on your Truck but with a Steel Wheel and no Pressure Sensor.

 

2020 came with same tire as spare with a steel wheel. Got rid of it all though when I upgraded my wheels and tires.

If it makes you feel better, the 60k bmw I got rid of for the Tacoma didn’t even have a spare.

 

My sr had all five tires hankook 245/75r16 same and were full sized, no where did it say I couldn’t drive faster than 50 mph. I then bought a full set of five fj rims and replaced all five tires with 265/70r16.

 

On my 2021 SR5 the spare is a hankook and the tire were the Firestone.

My dealer said "that's normal spare and tire aren't installed at the same step in the line they just take what they have". With that great process I'm glad front and rear tires are installed at the same step..

 

That typically applies to the mini-tires in some vehicles but the Tacoma is full-size tire.

 

I’m assuming you’ve actually checked the spare. If it is a mini someone either intentionally or accidentally switched the tires.

Unless Toyota has made a change it should be full size. The dealer saying that’s what should be makes me suspect the dealer. Because as you know folks are extremely honest these days.

 

50miles/50mph is only for compact temp spares (for any vehicle).
If you have a full-size spare, that restriction doesn't apply.

 

Got a flat on Christmas Eve on my way to my parents. Used the factory Goodyear spare and drove another 500+ miles in the interstate at 85 mph. Can confirm didn’t die. If you have bigger tires though and you only have the factory 265/70/16 Goodyear as a spare I’d suggest you move the spare to the front.

 

Thanks to all who replied so far, love it! I agree that the owners manual says steel wheel, no TPMS sensor and goes on to give warning about high speed but doesn't say a word about how trail-worthy it is/isn't. Highway I can work with, but getting a flat off road and not having a "real" spare tire is not going to work for me. Seems like Toyota has changed what kind of spare you get over the years so, I will lower that puppy down, take a look at what's actually on there and then make a decision. I just have stock tires, no plans to go bigger.

 

It’s also always a 16” wheel. Even if you buy a sport with 17” wheels.

 

Did you take a peak under the truck, because it should be the exact same Goodyear Kevlar as the other 4?

 

They must have changed that for the 3G. The 2G Sport had a unique 17" wheel.

I wonder if the temporary usage note is also based upon the lug nut design, because if I recall right the lugs aren't really compatible, but I'm working off memory here.

 

I think some said the change was actually recent as of last years. Some 3rd gens have 17” spares.

 

Not true, my spare was the same Toyo 265/65R17 tire as the rest of the truck, on a steel wheel with a "temporary use only" sticker on it. I believe the lack of TPMS is the reason for the sticker.

 

Guess it's random then? I had bought 5 new 265/70/17s tires first thing and was flummoxed when the tire installer was like, "sir, your spare is 16" wheel" Dealer told me that was standard for 2020s onward? But im sure they probably didn't really have a clue either

 

Mine was the same type tire on a 16” wheel, but then the other 4 are 16” wheels as well.

 

My 2020 SR5 has Toyo open country A31 on all 4 Corners in size 245/75r16. The spare is a steel wheels with Hancook 245/75r16. Tread is similar

 

From my Canadian Edition of the 2020 Tacoma owners manual.

I looked under my truck and it has a full sized spare with a steel wheel. The spare tire is the same 265/65 R17 but a different brand from my 4 Firestone Destination LE2's tires.
Interesting, my 1992 Toyota Truck had the same set-up as my 2020.

I think the warning is a little misleading. I think it was intended as a liability disclaimer in case you used one of those Mini emergency spares or some other random spare.

I think all Tacoma's come with a full size spare from the factory.

 

If you’re all that worried, buy a matching take off rim and tire from someone upgrading. Stuff it in the spare cubby and breathe contented sign.

Then you can do a five tire rotation and get the maximum life out of the set.