Tire warning from TireRack -- what gives

[kirbinster]

I've been looking for new tires for my car and have studied what others have done and research on TireRack.com. Today I called them and told them I wanted something other than the Potenza in the 175/65 R14 size on the car now. They told me they have specific warnings from Toyota not to go to any other size. Others have said they have had good luck with the Hydroedges in the 185/64 R14 size. What goes? Am I stuck with the Potenzas on my '02 Prius or can I safely change to the slightly larger Hydroedges?

[ghostofjk]

Did you ask them the specific nature of the "warning" from Toyota?

Scores (at least) of people on the Yahoo groups and some on PC have changed sizes, and I don't remember one negative post reporting an ill consequence.

'Course, maybe all who did so are now dead...

[naterprius]

I believe the load rating is an issue on the older Prii.

Nate

[c4]

Yes, the Classic requires XL rated tires in the 175-65R14 size, which are only available in a few brands, but if you go wider, for example, to a 185/65R14, you can use standard-load tires.

[keydiver]

I've had similar issues with Tire Rack not wanting to sell me the size tire I requested. Again, I think it had to do with the gross weight limitation. Next time, I'm just not going to tell them what kind of car its going on! :P

[pendetim]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(keydiver @ May 9 2006, 11:33 AM) [snapback]252137[/snapback]</div>

I've had similar issues with Tire Rack not wanting to sell me the size tire I requested. Again, I think it had to do with the gross weight limitation. Next time, I'm just not going to tell them what kind of car its going on! :P
[/b]

AFAIK the load limit ratings are put on tires for your protection. Why would you make a conscious decision to put yourself and your passengers at risk over a tire?

[mikepaul]

Goodyear Regatta 2.

P175/65R14

Max Load: 1,019 @ 44psi

Is that good enough?...

[kirbinster]

[quote=mikepaul @ May 9 2006, 03:32 PM) [snapback]252303[/snapback]</div>

Goodyear Regatta 2.

P175/65R14

Max Load: 1,019] 44psi

Is that good enough?...
[/b]

No its not good enough, and as the previous poster mentioned it is a safety issue. In the 175 size tire you need an 84 load rating and standard 175 tires only have an 81 rating which is about 1019 to 1024 pounds. The XL gives you about 1100. By going up to a 185 you can use the standard tire which has an 85 ratings which is just over 1100 pounds.

I just went out and got a set of the michelen hydroedge directional tires. They seem much more sure footed already. I can go around corners much faster and I know they will do much better in rain and snow.

I have heard there is about a 2 mpg penalty in using them, but I can live with that for the sake of safety. I average about 48-50 mpg year round in my classic, so I will live if that drops to 46-48 with the better tires.

[john1701a]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kirbinster @ May 9 2006, 03:48 PM) [snapback]252343[/snapback]</div>

No its not good enough.[/b]

Actually, it is.

The "warning" is just a standard cover-their-butt disclaimer, since most people follow the standard automaker PSI suggestion rather than acknowledge the tiremaker specifications.

So if you choose just 35 PSI, that matching non-XL size isn't enough. But if you just pump up the PSI to 42, that's an entirely different matter. Then you are just fine... as countless Classic Prius owners (including myself) have already proven many times over. In fact, I even have photos.

[keydiver]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pendetim @ May 9 2006, 03:13 PM) [snapback]252290[/snapback]</div>

AFAIK the load limit ratings are put on tires for your protection. Why would you make a conscious decision to put yourself and your passengers at risk over a tire?
[/b]

Because 1) they don't know/care about my particular application. All they care about is what the "original" tire was rated, and 2) because, as someone else just said, those load ratings are generally overkill.
If you have to know, the car in question was NOT my Prius, and it was for a specific racing application. But, the butt-inskis wouldn't sell me the tire I needed/wanted.
But, its nice to know you care, mom. :P