Steel Wheels?

ededed112233 · 07-29-2005, 01:41 PM

Anyone come across a source for steel wheels for mounting snow tires for a 2005? I currently have standard tires and want to swap them out for winter. I've checked with tirerack and a local tire company in the Boston area and can't seem to locate them. The local guy thought that no one is yet selling after-market steel wheels. There seems to be plenty of cast models to choose from, but a bit pricey for winter use.

Oh yeah, and any thoughts on snow tires?

Thanks

jayman · 07-29-2005, 01:59 PM

There is nothing special about the Prius wheel WRT bolt pattern or offset. According to my local dealer, the Matrix 15 inch rim is the same. I had no trouble finding a "dual pattern" generic steel rim in Winnipeg.

I'm currently away but am flying in Monday, then flying back out the same day. If I have time I'll go to the condo storage area and take a picture of the rim.

tomdeimos · 07-29-2005, 02:42 PM

I bought snows last winter from Tire Rack and they had no problem shipping them on steel wheels for the Prius.

randalla · 07-29-2005, 03:38 PM

Likewise, I also bought snows from Tire Rack along with their steel wheels and wheel covers. No problem at all.

silentak1 · 07-29-2005, 03:52 PM

The 03+ Corolla wheels fit on the Prius, too.

ededed112233 · 07-31-2005, 04:14 PM

When I check for snow tires on Tirerack for 2005, it doesn't show steel wheels. But I'll check out the Matrix and Corolla wheels; thanks for the suggestions. Also, I'd love to see a photo if it's not too much trouble. Thanks!

LeoP · 07-31-2005, 04:52 PM

I also bought snow tires from TireRack.com mounted on steel wheels. If you do not see the option, email or call them. I think they still do it.

onerpm · 08-01-2005, 03:50 PM

I'll be buying Blizzaks from Tire Rack this fall, having experienced the problems with traction control kicking in too easily in deep snow last winter, leaving me about stuck.

I just called them a couple of weeks ago to ask why no steel wheels were listed, and they said they plan to sell (starting maybe end of Aug.) the Prius OEM wheels this fall in their winter tire and wheel package...I forgot the price, but it was cheap...pretty close to steel wheel prices. Apparently, they'll obtain them from dealers, because many people swap to different wheels at purchase.

I hope this turns out to be true...I have no interest in buying nice rims, but am not a big fan of the steel wheels for 5 months out of the year either.

rpm

ededed112233 · 08-01-2005, 03:56 PM

I called tirerack and a salesperson told me that they may not offer steel wheels anymore because steel prices have pushed wheels up to within the range of inexpensive alloy wheels -- he said around $65 -- so he's not expecting to stock them anymore. He also said they were very short on snow tires right now and to check back in September.

jayman · 08-01-2005, 11:24 PM

Please check my photo album at PriusChat. I just uploaded pictures of - among other things - the steel wheels I have for my Prius.

They are a "universal" style steel wheel with a dual-pattern hub. The rim is stamped 15 x 6.0 JJ.

I run Dunlop Graspic DS-2, which is a soft, squishy "studless" winter tire. You're allowed to run studded snow tires in Manitoba but the condo I live in prohibits studded tires in the heated underground parking garage, as they worry it may damage the sealer they applied to the concrete slab.

I've had good luck with the Graspic tires so far. They work as advertised and are WAY better than OEM or all-season on snow/ice.

You can search my user name for some humerous comments I made when I got stuck going up the parking ramp at a local mall. That was with Michelin Harmony "all season" tires on.

With the Graspic tires, 6 inches of fresh snow no problem, 12 inches if you have some momentum.

07-29-2005, 01:41 PM	#1
ededed112233 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 8 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Steel Wheels? Anyone come across a source for steel wheels for mounting snow tires for a 2005? I currently have standard tires and want to swap them out for winter. I've checked with tirerack and a local tire company in the Boston area and can't seem to locate them. The local guy thought that no one is yet selling after-market steel wheels. There seems to be plenty of cast models to choose from, but a bit pricey for winter use. Oh yeah, and any thoughts on snow tires? Thanks

07-29-2005, 01:59 PM	#2
jayman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Posts: 12,194 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 89 Thanked 275 Times in 241 Posts Friends: 14	Re: Steel Wheels? There is nothing special about the Prius wheel WRT bolt pattern or offset. According to my local dealer, the Matrix 15 inch rim is the same. I had no trouble finding a "dual pattern" generic steel rim in Winnipeg. I'm currently away but am flying in Monday, then flying back out the same day. If I have time I'll go to the condo storage area and take a picture of the rim.

07-29-2005, 02:42 PM	#3
tomdeimos Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lexington, MA Posts: 995 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Steel Wheels? I bought snows last winter from Tire Rack and they had no problem shipping them on steel wheels for the Prius.

07-31-2005, 04:14 PM	#6
ededed112233 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 8 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Steel Wheels? When I check for snow tires on Tirerack for 2005, it doesn't show steel wheels. But I'll check out the Matrix and Corolla wheels; thanks for the suggestions. Also, I'd love to see a photo if it's not too much trouble. Thanks!

07-31-2005, 04:52 PM	#7
LeoP Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 7 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Steel Wheels? I also bought snow tires from TireRack.com mounted on steel wheels. If you do not see the option, email or call them. I think they still do it.

07-29-2005, 03:38 PM	#4
randalla Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 347 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Likewise, I also bought snows from Tire Rack along with their steel wheels and wheel covers. No problem at all.

07-29-2005, 03:52 PM	#5
silentak1 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 548 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	The 03+ Corolla wheels fit on the Prius, too.

08-01-2005, 03:50 PM	#8
onerpm Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: MN Posts: 477 My Car: Other Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Steel Wheels? I'll be buying Blizzaks from Tire Rack this fall, having experienced the problems with traction control kicking in too easily in deep snow last winter, leaving me about stuck. I just called them a couple of weeks ago to ask why no steel wheels were listed, and they said they plan to sell (starting maybe end of Aug.) the Prius OEM wheels this fall in their winter tire and wheel package...I forgot the price, but it was cheap...pretty close to steel wheel prices. Apparently, they'll obtain them from dealers, because many people swap to different wheels at purchase. I hope this turns out to be true...I have no interest in buying nice rims, but am not a big fan of the steel wheels for 5 months out of the year either. rpm

08-01-2005, 03:56 PM	#9
ededed112233 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 8 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Steel Wheels? I called tirerack and a salesperson told me that they may not offer steel wheels anymore because steel prices have pushed wheels up to within the range of inexpensive alloy wheels -- he said around $65 -- so he's not expecting to stock them anymore. He also said they were very short on snow tires right now and to check back in September.

08-01-2005, 11:24 PM	#10
jayman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Posts: 12,194 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 89 Thanked 275 Times in 241 Posts Friends: 14	Re: Steel Wheels? Please check my photo album at PriusChat. I just uploaded pictures of - among other things - the steel wheels I have for my Prius. They are a "universal" style steel wheel with a dual-pattern hub. The rim is stamped 15 x 6.0 JJ. I run Dunlop Graspic DS-2, which is a soft, squishy "studless" winter tire. You're allowed to run studded snow tires in Manitoba but the condo I live in prohibits studded tires in the heated underground parking garage, as they worry it may damage the sealer they applied to the concrete slab. I've had good luck with the Graspic tires so far. They work as advertised and are WAY better than OEM or all-season on snow/ice. You can search my user name for some humerous comments I made when I got stuck going up the parking ramp at a local mall. That was with Michelin Harmony "all season" tires on. With the Graspic tires, 6 inches of fresh snow no problem, 12 inches if you have some momentum.

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