2" Makes A Big Difference

[asv]

We got a IV, and plan on replacing the wheels with nice light 17in wheels and good tires. I didn't see the crappy stock wheels and OEM tries as a good reason to get a V.

[p626808]

Originally Posted by hobbit

Anyone compared cornering roll between the 17" setup and the 15"
with the tires up at useful pressure, like 60psi or so? Bet
there's very little difference once you eliminate sidewall roll.
.
_H*

Hey hobbit.. how are you?

Well the 17" do not have any side wall to speak of.. very small.
I don;t think.. no matter how much psi you put in a 15".. you are going to stop the side roll..
But.. I don;t think i would risk putting 60psi in my 17" just yet.

[stream]

Originally Posted by danl

Has anyone determined approx how much MPG is lost going from 15" to 17"?

The only definitive info I've seen is a Toyota spec doc from the UK (it's been posted so do a search if your interested), and the difference was ~1 MPG. Keep the gas tank at half full instead of full and you'll likely offset that.

[tony2654]

I have ordered my new Prius with solar panel, and thus no 17'' wheels. Understood there is a weight problem combining those two, but does anyone know the true nature of the problem: fuel-economy, handling or safety? If it is the first case, then I guess I'll try to fit a set of larger wheels as soon as I get my car (My dealer has assured me that there is no problem doing that) and use the stock wheels for winter driving.

[cairo94507]

Originally Posted by hobbit

Anyone compared cornering roll between the 17" setup and the 15"
with the tires up at useful pressure, like 60psi or so? Bet
there's very little difference once you eliminate sidewall roll.
.
_H*

Wow! I tried my 17" tires at 50 lbs. once and it rode very hard going down the freeway.

I decided that 36F/34R is just fine with me on my Gen II Prius with TRD springs and struts, front strut tower brace, BT frame brace, rear sway bar, and 205/45/17 tires on Gram Lite wheels. Mine actually handles pretty nice.

[HTMLSpinnr]

I know the subject is tempting - but please keep the responses "clean".

[StevieB]

After my first set of tires wears out, I'm going to replace the stock wheels with 17" ones that are much lighter than the bloated stock ones (24 lbs if anyone's counting). Then I'll have better mpg to boot.

didn't see the crappy stock wheels and OEM tries as a good reason to get a V.

Gosh they don't seem "bloated" or "crappy" to me.

[Peterun]

The 17's and the quicker steering ratio transform the V into more of a "Germanic" vehicle. Amazingly tight, reactive, responsive. I tried the IV and then the V. My mind was made up before I got out of the parking lot.

[Jon S]

well, responsiveness would be due to the pack and pinion gear ratio... steering feel would be due to the larger wheels....

[ambrueck]

Originally Posted by danl

Has anyone determined approx how much MPG is lost going from 15" to 17"?

I have not done a designed test, but recently I did a 170 mile trip and achieved 56.8 mpg. I drove in a normal manner with the cruise control set 3 mph over the speed limits (55 to 65). The terrain was all flat and traffic was light with open roads. The air conditioning was on throughout the trip. I am satisfied with that and glad I have the 17" diameter wheels.