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Is there a difference in weight of OEM 15" wheels?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by dynasty, Nov 6, 2014.

  1. dynasty

    dynasty Member

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    ive owned two 2010 Gen III prius and my first car was averaging 52mpg easily.. the second car i cant seem to get over 45mpg. my driving style is the same.
    When i removed the wheels from my new car it felt much heavier than the car i had before.
    the only difference between the two 2010s is that one is an earlier model than the other.. some minor mods includes the USB port and the tires are different.. i had yokohama Avids on the first one and my current car has Ecopia tires.. do you think the tires are the main reason for the drop in MPG? thanks
     
    #1 dynasty, Nov 6, 2014
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Maybe has something to do with that software recall, to protect the inverter? Some owners had no problems, others had significant mpg drop.

    Kinda doubt it's the tires. What Ecopia? EP20?
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Nov 6, 2014
  3. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I agree with Mendel, it's not the tires or the wheels. The Ecopia EP20 is just as afficient as the AVID S33D. The wheels are the same weight. Wheel weight wouldn't cause such a loss in fuel economy anyway.

    Do you notice the engine running more often than it should (after it has warmed up)? I.e. While sitting at a stoplight with the AC and heater off?
     
    #3 F8L, Nov 8, 2014
  4. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    trying to guess why mpg is lower in one car than it was in the other?

    What was the mpg of both when you got them?
     
    #4 vvillovv, Nov 8, 2014
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    You might be a good candidate for testing the vagaries of mpg, post inverter software update. Cold comfort I guess.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Nov 8, 2014
  6. dynasty

    dynasty Member

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    It could be software. I read going higher in tire pressure. 36/34 lbs. might help. whereas I was running 32 all around. I have my 18" wheels on at the moment but I want to test with the stock 15's. With the higher tire pressure.
     
    #6 dynasty, Nov 10, 2014
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  7. dynasty

    dynasty Member

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    The mpg on my first car on stock wheels was easily over 52mpg and my new car is about 45mpg. No matter how much I hypermileage I can't get it higher than that. This is based on running a full tank or so in Eco mode. With my 18's. And they are super light volks I can only muster 43mpg.
     
    #7 dynasty, Nov 10, 2014
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    What make/model/size tire?

    They're very likely dropping your mileage.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Nov 10, 2014
  9. tv4fish

    tv4fish Member

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    I read going higher in tire pressure. 36/34 lbs. might help. whereas I was running 32 all around

    That could be PART of your problem - most of us going for high mpg will go higher than those tire pressure - I run 40 front - 38 rear.
    I can assure you that will help on your mpg.
     
    #9 tv4fish, Nov 13, 2014
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    ^ That tire pressure Dynasty mentions is maybe with his 18"? Toyota's recommendation is 35/33 (front/back) with 195/65R15, but 33/32 with (optional) 215/45R17.

    FWIW, I run our 215/45R17 around 36~38 all around. But the ride is progressively stiffer/harsh with the lower profiles.
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Nov 13, 2014
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