Prius Tire Upgrades

[nyprius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(theorist @ Oct 22 2006, 06:53 PM) [snapback]336535[/snapback]</div>

My understanding is that size 195/55-16 tires on 16" rims are standard in Europe and Australia, optional in Japan, and now available in the US on the 2007 touring edition. I don't know of anywhere that Toyota equips the Prius with size 195/60-15 tires that will fit our 15" rims.

My choice for my uses is the size 195/65HR15 ContiProContact (or perhaps the Dunlop SP Sport 5000?). If still lived in Phoenix, I'd go with a Sumitomo HTR 200. If I lived in Seattle, I'd go with the Potenza RE960AS. If I cared less about fuel efficiency and was facing a Michelin sale at Costco (like now) -- the Pilot Exalto AS. If I was looking to spend less up front -- the Falken ZE-512.

I bought the BF Goodrich Traction TA 195/60HR15 for our Elantra. I wouldn't buy them again because of the high rolling resistance and loss in fuel economy that I've experienced, other users at TireRack have since complained about, and Consumer Reports has now measured. Otherwise they're good performance tires. (They're too noisy and rough riding to be considered grand touring.)
[/b]

195/60R15 is the OEM size for the Prius in Australia. It causes less speedo/odo distortion than the 195/65R15 since revolutions per mile are .9% higher, versus 2.2% lower. Also, for nearly all brands, the 195/60 will have wider tread than the 195/65 since there is less balloning with a lower tire. Therefore, the 195/60 will handle better than the 195/65 because it has wider road surface contact and the car is slightly lower than the OEM 185/65 versus slightly higher for the 195/65.

[Lim]

My Prius is come with the size 195/55-16 tires on 16" rims. I have changed it with Goodyear Excellence 195/55-16R and changed the rims to Enkei RS+M 16x7.

[fmshire]

Hi;
I just bought Prius 2008 Pkg. 2 Dark Blue. I was thinking upgrading both the tires and rims. And this is what I have in mind.

205/50/17 Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S with Enkei RS+M 17.
Please let me know what you think and any recommendations you may have.

Cheers.

[PriusSport]

For new cars, you can do a new tire swap of the 185/65 Integritys with Goodyear for wider tires--195/60 Comforttreads or Tripletreads. I've done it before with other cars.
The Comforts are quieter, the Triplethread are better in wet/snow conditions. A tradeoff. Both are rated much higher than Integrity on Tirerack. They also cost more.
$81 for Comfort, $97 for Triple vs $65 for Integrity. Is it worth it? Maybe in winter climates.

[PriusSport]

I checked with a local Goodyear dealer, and they will swap the same tire size only--since 185/65 is the only Prius spec size for 15" wheels. The ComfortTread in the same size will cost $25 added plus install per tire.. More of a premium tire than the Integrity. Better traction, wear and lower noise. They currently have a $40 rebate so I'm considering it.

[hiremichaelreid]

Originally Posted by PriusSport

I checked with a local Goodyear dealer, and they will swap the same tire size only--since 185/65 is the only Prius spec size for 15" wheels. The ComfortTread in the same size will cost $25 added plus install per tire.. More of a premium tire than the Integrity. Better traction, wear and lower noise. They currently have a $40 rebate so I'm considering it.

Interesting info. I don't suppose Bridgestone has an equivalent deal ? In Canada ?