New rims and tires

Here is a pic of my 2005 Prius with new 10 spoke Primax Sportmax 920's on Kumho tires size 215/50/17.

I've noticed the gas mileage dropped about 4-7 mpg.

Maybe someone else can answer this, I've been up since Sat morning and I can't do the "math" in my head.

Is it possible the overall diameter is bigger/smaller than the stock tires and your mileage reduction is a computational error? By the way, it looks sweet.

Looks like you actually go 67.65 miles when the gage says you go 65 miles according to this calculator converting 185/65/15's to 215/50/17's. That's another 4% of miles which would only be 2 mpg if you're getting 50. Interesting.

Thanks mdmike. I was thinking it was a computer error myself but no way to tell until I use a full tank of gas and see how many miles I get out of it.

Since my new rims and tires and a full tank of gas I went 103 miles when I lost 1 dot from the fule gauge. The computer said I was averaging 42.8 mpg on this tank of gas at the time.

Any thoughts.

hey ! thats the first time Ive seen a white one.... nice

Wow! That's sharp looking! It makes it look really sporty! How much did you pay for that setup?

Now I'm wondering if I want a white Prius instead of a black one.

Tracy

Thanks for the compliments. I really liked the white color or the black even better. The white became available down here in FL after Hurricane Wilma. There were prius' on the lots everywhere. Before the hurricane there was a 3 month wait for any color.

The car was $25K. The rims, tires and tint were under $1,200 total.

Is there a way to adjust the computer to account for the larger tires so that it estimates more accurately?

I would like to know too.

Hi~ Getting an 06 maybe white...tires and rims look great! Besides the look any other advantages? I live in the western md mts. where it can be icy?!?!?!
Thanks!
Barry

Happy New Year!

How's the handling now with the wider tires?

Hi,
I am considering the following wheels for my Prius. Comments please?

17" Toyota OEM alloy wheels (originally for Toyota Scion TC)
Wheel size: 17" x 7"
Bolt Pattern: 5 lugs on 100 mm center
Offset: 45 mm
215/45ZR17 Yokohama S32a tires

See pics here:
http://www.importtire.com/robsimages/17sciononprius.jpg
http://www.importtire.com/robsimages/17sciononprius2.jpg

Thanks.

Those wheels will work just fine. I have them myself, but haven't had a chance to mount them yet.

Thanks for your comment Doc! I really like the look of these wheels - but I have to say that the 10 spoke Primax Sportmax 920's look very nice too.

Thanks for the compliments guys. The tires and wheels do help with the handling of the car. I felt with the 15" tires the car would not stay straight at higher speeds. The 17" wheels help that aspect.

As for living in the mountains, I can't tell you much since I'm in Florida. No mountains here. I suggest an all-season tire. I believe Kumho's have good snow ratings. Check it out at tirerack.com.

The downfall of the bigger wheels and tires is that the vehicle is sluggish off the line. Pretty noticeable I must say. The gas mileage according to the computer with the 17" wheels is down to 43-44 mpg. Not sure if the computer is miscalculating now. I got 430 mile son 9.1 gallons so that's about 47 mpg.

At higher speeds I find the car must work alot harder between 70-80 mph and mpg drops down to 34 mpg at those speeds for 2-3 hr period. When I had the 15" wheels 75-80 mph was no problem.

Hope that helps.

Oh yeah,

Also try to get lighter tires and wheels if going to 17". My Kumhom ecsta 711's are about 23.9 lbs each I believe. A 45 profile or lower will lower the weight.

I plan on going to 205/45/17's next time I need to replace the tires. That should save about 4-5 lbs per tire and hopefully improve performance i.e. speed, pick up off the line.

Do you know the weight of the wheels? I found similar Konigs that weigh 16.2 lbs (close to the stock 15 inch wheel weight), but like the Primax wheels more. Just don't want to be stuck with 22 lbs wheels. TIA, Brian

Brian,

I could not find specs on the weight of the wheels. I wish I knew myself.

Nick

A comment to those considering doing this to an 06;

I don't know if this applies to some of the '06 owners who have replied, but my '06 with package 8;
1. has sensers in the wheels. Remove a wheel, like when you have a flat and have to put on a spare, and an idot light, lights on the dash, till the original wheel gets re-installed. New wheels have to be programed by the dealer.
2. there is a calibration function, which I have not tried, don't know the process but I have seen that menu choice on my info screen, that is supposed to recalibrate the car to the wheels when the diameter of the wheel changes due to worn rubber, or wheel replacement.

My Prius is still new to me, I have not been through the above processes, I just know it because the salesman told me, and I have read the 2 books and other paperwork that came with the car.

By the way, your white Prius looks pretty cool.

-Roy

I replaced the wheels on my 2006 Prius. Yes, the idiot light stays on, but that's it. No problems. I'm not worried about the light, I just ignore it.