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Tires after accident

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Chris11, Jul 2, 2012.

  1. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    Recently someone pulled a U-turn in front of me and I hit her. My front right to her front left. My car is a 2009 by the way.

    The estimate just came in from the body shop... $10,183.

    He said that included one tire and one new wheel. I don't have a problem with one new wheel but I told him I did have a problem with just one new tire since the wear won't match. He said he'd see what the insurance company says.

    Afterwards I started to think that I'd read somewhere that all four tires must be replaced in instances like this.

    My question .... should all four be replaced or will it be acceptable for just two to be replaced? The tires are the Michelin "green" ... great low rolling resistance.

    Thanks. Chris
     
    #1 Chris11, Jul 2, 2012
  2. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    OK imagine you had a blow out or someone slashed one tyre on your car - would you replace it or would you replace the other three too? You'd replace just the one wouldn't you. So why should it be any different if someone else is paying?
     
    #2 GrumpyCabbie, Jul 2, 2012
  3. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    This isn't a question involving money. It's a question as to whether the Prius HAS to have all tires replaced at the same time for some unknown to me technical reason.

    By the way ... no, I wouldn't EVER replace just one tire. Two as a minimum, paired up on one end of the car.
     
    #3 Chris11, Jul 2, 2012
  4. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    There's your answer then :)
     
    #4 GrumpyCabbie, Jul 2, 2012
  5. ftl

    ftl Explicator

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    According to Tire Rack: "Ideally tires should be replaced in complete sets. However when tires are replaced in pairs, the new pair of tires (assuming the vehicle is equipped with the same size tires all of the way around) should always be installed on the rear axle and the existing partially worn tires moved to the front axle."

    Lots more good info there.
     
    #5 ftl, Jul 2, 2012
  6. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Get two new tires (Michelin Energy Saver A/S) and put them in the rear. New tires always go in the rear regardless of the vehicle drive system).
     
    #6 F8L, Jul 2, 2012
  7. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    Yep, those are the ones I have on now. And I would put the new ones on the back. ( I remember when it used to be the new ones were put on the front.) :)

    Do you happen to know though .... is there any reason that a Prius HAS to have all tires replaced at the same time? Or is just two fine?

    Thanks.
     
    #7 Chris11, Jul 2, 2012
  8. ftl

    ftl Explicator

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    If the consensus is that new tires should go on the back, then unless the front tires have minimal wear on them, obviously you can no longer rotate the tires between front and back to even out the wear. Check the Tire Rack link in my post above for more info on this.
     
    #8 ftl, Jul 2, 2012
  9. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    If the front tires have minimal tread then they should be replaced as well. If you live in a Medditerranean climate like I do then putting tires with less tread in the rear for the summer is not so risky. Again, if the tires are below 4/32 the you should be thinking about replacing them anyway. :)

    You don't need to replace all 4 tires unless the older tires are very worn. In some cases it is still a good idea to replace all four but that is usually required when changing to significantly different tread designs and load ratings.
     
    #9 F8L, Jul 2, 2012
  10. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    Thanks. I did look at what you posted but my concern is that the Prius HAS to have complete sets. I seem to remember reading that somewhere on here but I'm not certain. And since rotating is now front left to back left and rear left to front left...ditto on right side it shouldn't change rotation if I just had two new ones.

    Perhaps it would be better to phone my Toyota dealer for the definitive answer. Thanks again everyone.
     
    #10 Chris11, Jul 2, 2012
  11. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    I wouldn't expect the insurance company to pay for an undamaged tire but maybe you can work a deal. I'd be more concerned about getting THE tire you want rather than A tire.
     
    #11 JimN, Jul 2, 2012
  12. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    Guess I was typing when you posted this. No, the old ones aren't that worn. Perhaps 20,000 miles on an 80,000 mile set. (Or maybe it was 100,000 mile set...can't remember now. It's just the different circumference I'm worried about between the new and the old and any fancy sensors the Prius has on it from front to back.

    Exactly. That's why I asked on here. So I'd have some ammunition for the argument. Even the appraiser must understand that two new would be the minimum. But they deal in cost, not necessity.
     
    #12 Chris11, Jul 2, 2012
  13. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    You'll be fine, the difference in diameter between the older tires and the newer is insignificant if you stick with the same model tire. Most cars are running tires that are off by 2/32 to 4/32 anyway just due to normal wear, alignment issues, etc.
     
    #13 F8L, Jul 2, 2012
  14. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    How much tread is remaining on the other time on the same axle?

    Generally if there is more than 50% left on the other tire I would be OK with replacing one tire only.

    This is not a Screwbaru so Toyota does not have any Prius-specific recs.


    iPhone ?
     
    #14 The Critic, Jul 3, 2012
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