Spare tire/rim says "Temp Use Only"

My spare tire/rim has a sticker on the steel rim that says, "Temp Use Only". I've consulted the manual specifications and cannot find any reference as to why. All five tires are of the same type and size 265/70R16. My only thought is it has to do with the lug nuts of the aluminum rims and the fit to the steel rims. If so I'll just pick up some tapered lug nuts.

Stock 2021 Access Cab Off Road.

 

Its temp use only because they want you to get a new tire. If you just roll on the spare then you have no spare anymore.

*Just my thoughts

 

No TPMS maybe? Required by law to have TPMS on new cars, so maybe Toyota cut costs by not putting one on the spare, therefore they have to tell you not to run it permanently because of that?

 

Definitely a factor. You could also add in the lug nut differences between the steel and alloy wheels for the SR5 and up models and the tread depth / type differences as the years roll on.

I have to believe the TPMS issue is your driving factor.

 

Must be the TPMS. I replaced my tires with 5 new tires, but I feel like the original spare was the same as the 4 on the ground.

 

They want you to buy a new one from them. They also prob don't want someone to ride around on the spare for years, have it break and sue Toyota.

 

Temp means until it needs to be replaced. Like all of them.

 

The answer is... after a visit to a Toyota dealer and an independent tire retailer.

Turns out to reduce weight the full-size steel spare rim is made to a lower standard than the old-time steel wheels we all use to buy with our vehicles back in the old days. So the rim is not designed to be used all the time and that is why the "Temporary Use Only" sticker. It truly is a Temporary use tire/rim assembly.

Had to visit a local tire retailer to get the explanation. The dealer just gave an incomplete evasive answer.