Before the summer is over or when gas prices go above $5.00, whichever comes first, I either want to go across America to California or south of the border to Florida. Aside from minor issues,I feel that the Scion xD may not be up to the job mostly because of the donut spare tire in the back.

I had a very bad experience when my 1993 Honda Tin Can AKA Civic blew a tire on Interstate 95 in Conneticut. I had to fix it amid trucks and SUV's going 80+ mph on the right lane. In the worst case scenario, I really don't want to be going 55 mph MAX using a donut on an interstate where soccer moms and alike drive 80+ mph.

I just want to hear some suggestions if I should do this or just rent a car. If so, what adjustments do I have to make on the xD including that spare tire? Thanks.

 

I'm on my way to Memphis next week but since I'm going with 4 other people, I have to rent a van! Many people have gone cross country in an xA and xB, so I see no problem driving it. Should be fun!!!

 

I did it in a 1993 Toyota Tercel twice... in August... w/o Air Conditioning... you'll be fine.

 

Well, if it makes you feel more secure, find a full size spare and pack it, but it will take up alot of room. Other than that, you should have no worries about driving the D across the states, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

 

Um... probably 90% of cars have a donut spare. If that's the reason you don't want to take it across the country, you better start researching cars with full size spares now.

 

^^^Well said!

 

or u can carry a can of flat fix

 

I wouldn't let the spare tire stop you from making trip. HEck , some vettes didn't come with a spare at all. A can of fix a flat and a small air pump....and AAA (or the auto club of your chosing) and you're good to go

 

If folks can routinely do it in old ___ air cooled VWs (my other hobby), the xD will do great. Check the fluids before you leave, and drive safe.

 

I sure wouldn't let fear of a flat stop a fun road trip. How often do flats really happen after all? Very rarely and when they do it's big pain near home too. The real inconvenience is changing the tire and getting a new one - not what the spare is. Donuts are just fine to limp into a tire shop. (Besides trucks and even cars are driving slower now to save gas!)

I'm with the fix-a-flat, AAA, and a cell phone crowd. Probably don't need a spare at all! Just go and enjoy!

Do wonder if fix-a-flat may ruin the tire pressure monitoring sensor. Any thoughts or experiences.

 

It'd probably be screwed if you put that stuff in there... who knows, might work fine.

 

Like the folks said above I wouldn't worry about a flat tire in a new, well-maintained car on a long x-country trip. Just head out and have a blast.

I would recommend considering renting a car, though, because in 4 or 5 years you may wish you didn't have all of those extra miles on your xD. In our area AVIS rents Toyota Camrys and the weekly/unlimited mileage rates are pretty good considering the miles you are going to put on the car. The 4 cylinder Camry will get you 34 mpg at around 70 mph on the interstate as well.

Head west and take a northern route out and a southern route back to give you a variety of experiences. Good luck!

 

We recently took a 5,000 road trip and did not have one single problem with the XD. I drive between Oregon, Vegas and Souther California very often, at least once every 2 months, that's why I bought the car.

Knock on wood, I;ve had 1 flat tire in 15 years and that was just two weeks ago in my BMW with brand new ($450 each) Bridgestone run-flat tires. I had just got off at my exit and the BMW went "ding" and the display said "you have a flat tire". I didn't even know it. I stopped at the gas station and sure enough there was no air in the tire but it was NOT flat. I called BMW, they said drive it home and bring it to dealer in the morning. The problem was BMW had damaged the tire during installation and caused it to leak. After having to call BMW Amnerica, they paid for the new tire. The dealer would not, they said it wasn't their fault. Never trust any delaer. Sorry the last part was off subject a bit.

 

Oh I'd absolutely LOVE to go across country in my xD I've been on the road with my xD for 5 hours or so before one way and it wasn't bad at all. Of course we'd stop and stretch for a bit but it was a comfortable ride The only thing that is holding me back is the funds for gas and lodging

 

Full size spares are being switched to temp tires now since tire pressure monitoring systems are standard on all vehicles 08+. You will typically only find full size spares on SUVs now. Even the Lexus have moved to temporary spares since their current direct tpms works so well. Their old system (counting wheel revolution variance...) had much to be desired.

 

I've taken an 8 hour trip 4 times in mine and it does fine. Just take usual long trip precautions (fluids, tire pressure, energy drinks etc...)

 

toyotas ,especiall, are so damn reliable!
i took my tC from michigan to seattle 2 months ago,
packed an extra tire, flat fix, tools, etc incase anything goes wrong...
drove 12hrs a day, for 3 days
i ran over a deer, wood logs, ran on gravel, etc NOTHING happened,

so i guess it all depends on your luck?