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XL Tires for a 2001 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by ElizaDay, Mar 29, 2012.

  1. ElizaDay

    ElizaDay New Member

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    2001 Prius
    I couldn't find a forum for 1st generation Priuses so I posted here. If this belong somewhere else, please let me know.

    I have a 2001 Prius. I have had it for about 6 years. When I first got it, 3 of the tires were bald so I bought new ones. I have since replaced the 4th. Never was I told that there was a "special tire" required for my model of Prius until today.

    I decided to get all new tires. I called around. One store said that I needed Extra-Load tires. There were only a couple of models and both were extremely expensive. I explained that I had used non-XL tires since I bought the car and inquired about getting those on it and he responded that he wouldn't do it. He would only install the XL tires because if I were in an accident, the insurance company could refuse my claim and he might be held responsible.

    I went to another tire store and they said that my car would be fine with a wider tire and I wouldn't have to go to the extreme of buying tires that would cost about $50 more each.

    Besides, I'm hoping to get a Prius C within the next couple of years so, from my perspective, it made no sense to spend this much money on tires. The tires I got are a little wider per the store's recommendation. I'm not sure if that my tires have been bad so long or what, but the car rides like the wind... better than ever.

    Now, however, I'm wondering...Could an insurance company refuse my claim if, God forbid, I was in an accident and I had different tires on my car that what Toyota "requires"?
     
    #1 ElizaDay, Mar 29, 2012
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    2015 Prius
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    Two
    I owned a 2001 in the past and bought several sets of tires for it during the course of my ownership. I at first tried to buy only the XL-rated tires but for the last set did as you did, which was to purchase slightly wider tires with an appropriate load-carrying rating.

    The Classic Prius was spec'd with relatively narrow tires (175 mm width) to reduce rolling friction. Narrower tires typically have a lower load carrying capacity compared to wider tires of similar design. The idea of the XL (extra load) tire is that it is rated to carry a heavier load vs. the SL (standard load) tire of the same size.

    Note that only Classic Prius in the US were spec'd with the XL tire. Perhaps Toyota thinks that the Prius in other parts of the world will carry lighter cargo (or on average, lighter drivers & passengers) and therefore don't need to be equipped with the XL tire.

    Regarding your insurance company question, you should ask your agent. However, people buy wider tires for their cars all the time. As long as you don't buy a smaller tire than was spec'd for your car, it is hard to imagine that there would be a problem.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Mar 30, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  3. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    Five
    You were close the 1st generation Prius area is a sub forum of the Gen II Prius Main Forum.

    PriusChat Forums>Gen II Prius Main Forum>Generation 1 Prius Discussion


    Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.
     
    #3 dustoff003, Mar 30, 2012
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