OEM 17" vs Plus Package 17" Wheels

The heavier 17" wheel will affect acceleration more then most think. There was a controlled experiment about this years ago from one of the auto mags. It would be neat to see it done with a Prius though.

 

This is true. Heavier weight affects acceleration/deceleration significantly more than mpg.

 

I weighed my Prius Plus wheels with Michelin MXM4's today at 41.25 lbs the stock Yokohama's and black alloys weigh 33 lbs each so an 8.25 lb difference. I will say the car drives and "feels" significantly better with the 17" Plus wheels and MXM4's. It eliminated the slight overstear conditions at freeway speeds and the ride is not only a more solid feel it's actually smoother. I'm sure it's the Michelin's and not the 17's that are making the difference!

 

The Primacy MXM4s are indeed smooth. I swear they were as smooth as my 185/65/15 dB Super E-Specs which were not particularly comfy but they had a Much taller sidewall.

 

I was so freakin happy to see the MXM4's on my car

Anyone pushed them to see which end breaks loose first I've bailed into some corners but haven't even driven a solid weeks worth of driving yet They are still kinda slick.

Mike

 

I have and let's just say if you are pushing that hard then you're doing it wrong. lol The car is an understeer machine!

 

btw I just realized I forgot to weigh the hubcaps with the stocks wheels so that makes up another lb possibly

 

Hmmm, is that with the TRD rear bar installed? If so then it needs a way larger bar back there. I had one of my summer cars setup so well that it would break the rear slightly first then the whole car went into a very controllable drift. Not that I would drive it like that daily but just so I know what to expect. Last summer I took a rental Prii II and yanked the wheel to make it miss a raccoon at 70 something mph and yanked it back and it was like it was on rails. Not a bit of tire scrub and completely controlled. I was impressed. Scared the hell out of Denise though

Mike

 

Doesn't it appear the Solar Prii are thick as flies this year? Every thread appears to have one in it so it seems.

Mike

 

I had the Eibach prokit and Progressive Technologies rear sway bar. Drifting was no problem in a high HP rwd car. The Prius is tough to drift in. It has a ton of under steer from the factory.

 

Justin -

Remind me again what pressures you were running? The Toyos came in at 34 from the dealership. The MXM4s were put on at 35 all around. I bumped them up this morning to 40 front and 38 rear. Ride today still seems comfortable so I may try another bump up. I was running my 15's on my '04 at 42/40.

- Sam


new iPad ?

 

Because it is a cheaper option this year since it is not packaged with the expensive Nav/stereo.

 

Sam,

I tried everything from 35/33 to 51/49. I like them best around 46/44 or 44/42. The ride at 51/49 was too harsh and mpg didn't seem to go up enough to warrant the unpleasant ride.

 

Winding through the Siskiyous on my way back to Seattle after buying my car in Cali was an absolute blast and I was very impressed with how an "economy" car could handle. I also dodged more than one chunk of semi truck tire debris or animal pizza

 

When I drove big truck we called them alligators

Mike

 

I didn't like the Five because of no Solar option and they have those pair of nipples on the front bumper

Mike :madgrin:

 

You must be the only one who purposely didn't purchase the Five because of those nipples.

Everything is a package deal when it comes to the Prius or women

 

No doubt on the chicks I just didn't like those bump things on the bumper. Spoils a clean front end in my eye's

Even bugs on the front end bug me :crazy:

Mike