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The BEST Aftermarket MPG Tires and Rims

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Rob95066, Mar 17, 2012.

  1. Rob95066

    Rob95066 New Member

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    Hello everyone, I am a newbie here, so much great info. I just bought a 2012 Silver Prius III and coming from a Cadillac Escalade, it is a TOTALLY different experience altogether but I am LOVING my new MPG versus 14.8 I was getting on my Slade...

    Having said that, I hate the rims and tires with the hubcaps on my Prius and am looking to make it a little more bearable. I am looking to get either 15 or 17s but do NOT want to sacrifice my awesome gas mileage because that is why we drive Prius' in the first place.

    My thoughts are, if I go with 15s, I can just swap out the rims and keep the same LRR tires that came with the car. But will it even look as good as 17s? Is there that big of a difference in appearance between 15 and 17 rims?

    My other thought is, if I go 17, is there a tire out there that is just as good if not better than the factory in terms of LRR/MPG?

    I also see that some people drop their Prius a little, looks kinda cool, but does it affect gas mileage?

    Any feedback would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks everyone...

    Any info or feedback would be appreciated.
     
  2. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    Do some searches on this site, all the info you seek is here already, you just have to find it!:)
     
  3. Rob95066

    Rob95066 New Member

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    Thanks, you are correct! There is just SOOOO much info that it starts to get confusing so I thought I would ask to see if anyone had any updated info or comments.
     
  4. SoCalBPrius

    SoCalBPrius Active Member

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    Hi & welcome to priuschat. Congrats on your new ride:). I, myself traded in a BMW 545i that was getting avg. 18 mpg premium gas. Had to get used to the slower speed at first but am loving it now w/the great mpg & it's actually fun to drive. Have u tried taking off the outer hubcaps that hides your black alloy wheels? They don't look too bad. IMO, if getting new wheels, upgrading to a bigger size is the way to go or it won't be worth changing out design & keeping it at 15" as it won't look as good. With the 17" I upgraded to I've been experiencing avg. 4 mpg loss but still getting about 48 mpg which I'm happy to make the tradeoff for:D.
     
  5. sdtundra

    sdtundra Senior Member

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    As far as 17's go, most are pricy if you want lightweight. The Enkei RPF1's are on the top of my list but I would go with the 16x7 size so you can still use a 195/60/16 tire which is very close to the stock 195/65/15. They are lighter than the stock wheel as well.

    The lower MPG comes with wider/heavier tires, not necessarily heavier wheels. Even with lighter 17's or 18's, going to a 215-225 will increase contact patch which will cause more drag/friction.
     
  6. Rob95066

    Rob95066 New Member

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    So how is it that there are factory 17 rims such as the Prius 5 while still preserving the MPG? Do ALL 17s reduce your MPG?
     
  7. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The Prius EPA rating is not based on the 17" wheel package. Yes, all 17s are going to reduce mpg unless you get some nutty custom magnesium 17x6" wheel that weighs 7lbs, is aerodynamic and is fitted with narrow
    LRR tires. That may mitigate the mpg hit. :D

    Some people still get 50mpg or so with 17s but they would very likely get 55mpg+ if they had 15s.
     
  8. Rob95066

    Rob95066 New Member

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    Thank you! Sticking with the 15 then, I got a Prius for mpg more than anything.

    You guys/gals are the best, thx again!
     
  9. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    If you lived closer we could test fit my 17s on your car. I think I'm going to put them on TheCritic's car and make him drive on them for a couple of weeks. I wonder if he'll drop down to 29mpg. LOL
     
  10. Rob95066

    Rob95066 New Member

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    I just may have to take a trip to Sacramento! :D
     
  11. justana

    justana Junior Member

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    FYI, i've lost 8MPG after putting 18x8 wheels...
     
  12. MrBillTulsa

    MrBillTulsa Member

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    Hey F8L, sing me up! Where do I get a set of wheels like that? (Offset = Flush)

    MrBill

    :eek:
     
  13. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Contact info for Formula 1

    USA
    Call 1-888-205-3315, or 001-702-939-2525 from outside the US (24 hours a day, seven days a week

    Lmao!
     
  14. NineScorpions

    NineScorpions Economy, Meet Style!!

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    Socal...how much of a hypermiler are you?
     
  15. SoCalBPrius

    SoCalBPrius Active Member

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    I consider myself somewhat of a hypermiler driving about half the time trying to be effecient & the other half driving normal/conservative always keeping in mind of the traffic & the flow of it. I think it's pretty hard being a full on hypermiler in L.A. where there are so many cars & aggressive drivers. Don't get me wrong, I have my moments when I put it in to power mode & say f@@k the effeciency & drive aggressively myself but those moments happen only in spurts & not that often as I've gotten older & wiser;).
     
  16. NineScorpions

    NineScorpions Economy, Meet Style!!

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    Gotcha. How many fill ups with you rims based upon your Fuelly info? It would seem we are par for the course since you have 17" and I have 18" if the majority of your fill ups are with the new rims.
     
  17. SoCalBPrius

    SoCalBPrius Active Member

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    All my fuelly info. are w/ the 17" rims:).
     
  18. swich2mac

    swich2mac Go Hard or Go Home!

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    SoCalBPrius,

    What 17" tires (including size) do you have that allows you to maintain that high mpg?
     
  19. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    He has tires that are crummy for mpg but he has skills to make up for it. ;)
     
  20. swich2mac

    swich2mac Go Hard or Go Home!

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    HA! If that is the case, then the Primacy's may be calling my name. I really like the quiet ride out of them! Can't believe I'm putting this much time and effort into researching frigg'n 17" tires and wheels. I wonder if those energy a/s tires are available in a 16". That may be a happy medium between the stock 15" and the 17" dilemma. Goodness...