1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

OEM 17" vs Plus Package 17" Wheels

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by d2mini, May 9, 2012.

  1. d2mini

    d2mini Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2011
    519
    106
    0
    Location:
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Anyone know the specs of both wheels, like the weight and offset?
    I'm going from the oem 17's to the plus 17" and just curious... i can't find any specs out there on the plus wheels.
    Any idea if gas mileage might improve? I figure probably not since the oem are probably more aerodynamic than the plus wheels, canceling out any mpg gain from weight loss.
     
  2. cassiocm

    cassiocm New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2012
    19
    5
    1
    Location:
    Fairfax, VA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Hi d2mini, I spoke with the dealer and he told me that while the driving will sharpen and the car will handle better, we can expect an one or two miles drop in MPG. I recommend that if you upgrade that you use some ECO tires. They are a little more expensive, but usually make up a little for the loss. The Prius plus package uses 215/45 17 with +40 offset. I hope this helps. Good luck.
     
  3. cassiocm

    cassiocm New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2012
    19
    5
    1
    Location:
    Fairfax, VA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    P.S: I would be interested in buying your OEM 17's when you do upgrade. Just send me a PM when you do. Thanks!
     
  4. d2mini

    d2mini Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2011
    519
    106
    0
    Location:
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Thanks for the info.
    And you dealer was talking about going from the 17" to the 17" right?
    I have the Toyo Proxes A20 on the car now.
    So is the aerodynamic difference that great that it creates a further drop in mpg?


    The new one's will be here friday and swapped over on Saturday. :)
     
  5. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    952
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I doubt it. You won't see a 2 mpg drop going from factory 17" to Plus 17".
     
  6. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,842
    3,099
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yeah, the dealer was probably talking about going from OEM 15" to OEM 17" wheels.
     
  7. cassiocm

    cassiocm New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2012
    19
    5
    1
    Location:
    Fairfax, VA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yes! sorry for the confusion. The dealer said OEM 15 to OEM 17. I have 15's and can't stand them. Comfortable ride, but not great looking. Thanks all.
     
  8. josh2008

    josh2008 Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2008
    365
    144
    0
    Location:
    Princeton, WV
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The factory 17's and the PLUS 17's are both 17x7" wheels, the PLUS wheels are forged so they are lighter. PLUS wheels weigh 20.1lbs each where as the factory 17's weigh 24lbs each.

    As far as drop in fuel economy, expect up to a loss of 10-12% with 17's. Sounds high, but it's accurate.
     
  9. I wouldn't worry too much about the MPG loss with the PLUS wheels. I just came back from a mini-road trip to Vancouver BC and averaged 48mpg going 70-75mph the whole time. This is with 4 adults, A/C and plenty of luggage in the trunk. I actually lowered the PSI on my non-LRR tires to 36/34 for a comfier ride too.

    When it's just my wife and I in the car, 50mpg is easily attainable.
     
    4 people like this.
  10. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,080
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    The Five 17" wheel (non-PPP) has an offset of 50mm. The OE 15" wheel has an offset of 45mm.

    This could cause the tire to intrude into the airstream going past the wheel well and stick out further than the wheel spats. This could cause a loss in mpg vs. the more aerodynamic and "tucked" Five 17" wheels.

    A bad choice in tire will likely have the largest impact on mpg.
     
  11. ockevin

    ockevin Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2011
    493
    148
    0
    Location:
    Orange County
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Guys...quit bashing things when you have no experience with.

    I have run both tires, along with Seattle and the loss is barely 1-2 mpg. Most people who are interested in the bigger rims, know the changes they will experiece and go with it. The handling is great, the look is even better.

    Be different, dont be that jerk of a guy who complains about everything and comes on here and spits lies.
     
    1 person likes this.
  12. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,080
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    BTW, have you swapped to a set of 15" wheels with LRR tires and measured the difference in a controlled manner?
     
  13. ockevin

    ockevin Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2011
    493
    148
    0
    Location:
    Orange County
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Fatal...

    Yes, I had the stock Prius 15" tires on for a week. They were from a new Prius model 2. I drive the same each week to and from work. Slight changes in traffic do occur. The ride was a hair smoother, but the handling on the freeway on and off ramps was horrible, it just pushed in the turns. Both tires are LRR.

    The 18's I have on now are not LRR and I do see a difference of 4mpg per tank now. But I am ok with that. I just came from a Tahoe with 14mpg.
     
    1 person likes this.
  14. ockevin

    ockevin Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2011
    493
    148
    0
    Location:
    Orange County
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Fatal...

    My comments are now towards you. I respect your opinion, and I know you test things thoroughly.

    I just get tired of the elitist Prius owners who come on here and post there BS in each thread. Why would they post in a custom wheel thread when they know they dont like them.
     
    925PriusGuy and F8L like this.
  15. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,080
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I hear ya, brother. :)

    The 15" tires on the GenII were even worse. I swear the GenIII with 15" tires is 10x better in terms of handling and stability. 17s and 18s are a HUGE improvement in handling!

    I respect your opinion too. I thought I remembered you running 15s at one point but I couldn't remember what the mpg difference was. I am relying on you and a couple of my other SoCal homies to provide the data for the different size wheels since I cannot find the damned lug nut key to install my old 17s from my GenII and do my own testing. Probably a good thing too or else I may never go back to the 15s that are so comfy. :D
     
  16. ockevin

    ockevin Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2011
    493
    148
    0
    Location:
    Orange County
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I lost a lug key back in the day as well. Americas Tire had a wrench to take the lock off...but I did have to buy new locks.
     
    1 person likes this.
  17. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,080
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I sold my old car to a co-worker so I'll check her glove box first. If all else fails I'll hit up America's Tire. Thanks! :)
     
  18. I'm glad this thread is nice n peachy again :). I agree there are a few PC members who just rant away and provide absolutely no value. I wish there was a way to hide their posts but oh well. Luckily those members have been pretty quiet lately.
     
  19. d2mini

    d2mini Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2011
    519
    106
    0
    Location:
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Screw 15" baby wheels! :p
    I'm going from OEM 17 to the forged Plus 17's. :cool:

    So sounds like the new wheels are 4lbs lighter in each corner.
    That's good.
     
  20. dannytech_lt

    dannytech_lt New Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2012
    10
    0
    0
    Location:
    Union NJ
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    what are some eco tires? .. im upgrading my 15s to 17s and the tires i cant find on tire rack and discount tire .. i was thinking about having to settle on hakook v12 tires