Tire Upgrade

[F8L]

Originally Posted by apriusfan

You might try posting on PC to see if anyone has done what you are contemplating doing (66 psi for a 44 psi rated tire). I personally wouldn't go more than 44 psi on a 44 psi rated tire. But you may have a higher risk tolerance level than I do.

I'm running 66/64psi. I have been doing so for probably about 5,000 miles or so now. They were at 60/58psi. I drive so much and time goes by so quickly I cannot be accurate with my # of miles guestimates but it's close enough to get an idea.

My wear patterns are excellent after having run 50+psi for the last 40k+ miles. Could I be more likely to have a blowout? Who knows, I've never seen any proof of that opinion. I do know that the car handles better and gets better milage north of 50psi and the wear is not effected in any visible manner. I will likely drop them back down to 60psi as I do not notice any major mpg inceases after going to 66 but I do feel more bumps in the road and that may not be great for the shocks.

I'm going to have to side with Highly ImPriused on this one.

[ursle1]

Originally Posted by ken1784

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nyprius @ Jun 27 2006, 12:46 AM) [snapback]276822[/snapback]</div>
Above is not true.
In Japan (the 2nd largest Prius market)...
- Both types of tires, 185/65R15 and 195/55R16.
- All Prius come with the rear drum brakes.

Ken@Japan

I'm in hong kong building a prius, specification sheet says both front and rear brakes are disk
Toyota - Prius
seeing is belivin

[dwreed3rd]

Originally Posted by ursle1

I'm in hong kong building a prius, specification sheet says both front and rear brakes are disk
Toyota - Prius
seeing is belivin

Did you notice the fine print at the bottm of the spec sheet?

"Details of specifications and equipment provided here are subject to local conditions and requirements and may, therefore, vary from models available in your area. Please enquire at your local dealer for details on your local specification and equipment."

Do they also have EV mode and Plug-in?

[birdsquared]

Highly ImPriused and F8L (kinda ironic nickname given the topic...), have you considered posting a separate thread on "Overinflation" to see if there are more people out there with experiences to share. These posts on page 31 and 32 of a different topic might only be reaching a very small minority of readers. I would also be very interested to see more anecdata on this issue.

[F8L]

Originally Posted by birdsquared

Highly ImPriused and F8L (kinda ironic nickname given the topic...), have you considered posting a separate thread on "Overinflation" to see if there are more people out there with experiences to share. These posts on page 31 and 32 of a different topic might only be reaching a very small minority of readers. I would also be very interested to see more anecdata on this issue.

I did a threa sort like that titled Integritys at 30k and 50+psi or something to that effect.

[birdsquared]

I searched for that thread and read it, but it turned into more of a discussion on Integrities rather than on experiences with overinflation generally... Maybe I'll start a thread...

[PriusSport]

I guess I don't understand why anyone would pay a lot of money to upgrade tire performance on a car like the Prius. I'm not talking about replacement tires for your worn out OEs. That makes sense to me. What doesn't make sense is upgrading your new OE tires, and spending several hundred dollars in the process. That's a lot of gas in a Prius--a car built more for efficiency than performance.

[Boo]

Originally Posted by PriusSport

I guess I don't understand why anyone would pay a lot of money to upgrade tire performance on a car like the Prius. I'm not talking about replacement tires for your worn out OEs. That makes sense to me. What doesn't make sense is upgrading your new OE tires, and spending several hundred dollars in the process. That's a lot of gas in a Prius--a car built more for efficiency than performance.

Most people don't care, but I did. Here were my reasons:

1. Improved Handling. I bought the Standard Prius without test driving it first. Big mistake. Even on the short drive home from the dealer, I was disappointed by its poor handling. I submit that the Standard Prius is the worst or one of the worst handling cars of its size (175 inches long) sold in America. I wasn't looking to turn the Standard Prius into a BMW. But I did want it to have at least average handling (e.g., like a Corolla or Matrix) or above average handling (e.g., like a Civic or Mazda3) for its size.

2. Improved Braking. The Standard Prius' braking distances are subpar. In Consumer Reports' tests of approximately 270 current model cars, the Standard Prius had a 60-0 mph dry braking distance of 143 feet, putting it in the 30th percentile of all cars tested by Consumer Reports.

3. Improved Wet Handling. Ever since I had the experience of hydroplaning in a car, I've always been concerned about the issue. So when I've had to get replacement tires for cars I've always gone with tires known for their wet traction performance. But in the Prius' case, I decided to replace the tires early because I read too many posts here on PriusChat about people hydroplaning on the stock Integrities.

So because of the above, I opted to replace the Integrities with Goodyear TripleTreds in the wider 195/60/15 size. I'm very pleased with them.

[dwreed3rd]

Boo; Exellent reply!

[kazie60]

You really did your homework. What would you recommend for me? I have a 2008 Touring Model and I need good all season tires for Wisconsin winters. Thanks much.
Kay