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

ANYTHING to help improve ride quality for 2010 prius III

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by tflyyy, Mar 19, 2015.

  1. tflyyy

    tflyyy New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2014
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Hi everyone,

    I'm looking to make the ride in my prius better. Anything at all to make it go over bumps better, and just feel smoother on the road.

    I already know about tweaking the tire pressure and what not with the tires but I'm over that. I need to know if there's anything I can do with the suspension or shocks at all.

    Anything would be great you all.

    Thanks.
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 tflyyy, Mar 19, 2015
    solrunner likes this.
  2. se-riously

    se-riously Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2010
    263
    114
    0
    Location:
    SF Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    A better ride with 17" wheels and lower profile / stiffer sidewall tires? That is not an easy task. How about a gel seat cushion for the driver's seat?
     
    #2 se-riously, Mar 19, 2015
  3. tflyyy

    tflyyy New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2014
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I haven't heard of a gel seat cushion before... but I'm looking for something that would improve the quality like if there were four people in the car. would it be possible to get bigger tires on the 17" rims?

     
    #3 tflyyy, Mar 19, 2015
  4. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,848
    3,102
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Trade your 17 inch wheels for some oem 15 inch wheels. ;)
     
    #4 xliderider, Mar 19, 2015
    ikagan and CR94 like this.
  5. tflyyy

    tflyyy New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2014
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    whats oem?
     
    #5 tflyyy, Mar 19, 2015
  6. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,848
    3,102
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer, or standard equipment. ;)
     
    #6 xliderider, Mar 20, 2015
  7. tflyyy

    tflyyy New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2014
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I would but theyre so ugly
     
    #7 tflyyy, Mar 20, 2015
  8. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2009
    7,543
    1,558
    0
    Location:
    Alaska
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Trade up for a luxury car. ;) It is what it is.

    I find reclining the seat really helps me. I may look like I am lying down but find it more comfortable.
     
    #8 spiderman, Mar 20, 2015
    Okinawa and tflyyy like this.
  9. Jason Fields

    Jason Fields New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2015
    1
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    Get a $10 arch support at Bed batch and beyonf
     
    #9 Jason Fields, Mar 20, 2015
  10. KennyGS

    KennyGS Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2014
    1,243
    1,044
    1
    Location:
    Keystone State
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I agree. Aside from some minor tweaks, there isn't really too much to improve ride quality.

    I was considering an Avalon, but decided on the Prius as a more practical choice, especially after my test drive which I thought was good enough.

    Good luck.
     
    #10 KennyGS, Mar 20, 2015
    tflyyy likes this.
  11. solrunner

    solrunner Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2014
    114
    37
    0
    Location:
    Reston, VA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I would like to improve the ride quality, too. There's another post in this subforum about Koni FSD shocks/struts which cost about $700 plus labor. I've read rave reviews about people installing them in BMWs and did wonders for ride quality. But I haven't found anybody reviewing them in a Prius. The prius version just came out a few weeks ago.

    How many miles do your have on your car tflyy? I was very happy with my ride quality for the first 5,000 miles. Then I took it on a long dirt/gravel road with 44/42 psi. Never been as smooth since. I guess that's just normal wear on the suspension. Nothing rides like a new car I guess. Lowered to 35/33 psi now. I don't think gaining 1-2 mpg by over inflating is worth putting more stress on the bushings and shocks, in retrospect.

    I'm still very happy with the car; getting 50 mpg. But if I could find a way to make this ride smooth I would be enamored.
     
    #11 solrunner, Mar 20, 2015
  12. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2012
    1,621
    375
    0
    Location:
    SF, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Persona
    The 17" wheels do not help but I thought the stock ride was comfy for this type of car. It's not a luxury car as someone noted.

    Even on my PLUS springs I find it plenty comfy but to each their own. I suggest getting 15" or 16" wheels as well as that will increase the profile of the tire and add some cushion to the ride. I am certain you will easily find someone to trade but you noted aesthics.... well.. gotta choose.. kinda like shoes...
     
    #12 Sfcyclist, Mar 20, 2015
  13. css28

    css28 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    1,566
    442
    3
    Location:
    Suburban Detroit
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Not if you leave the plastic wheel covers off and pop in Toyota hub caps.
     
    #13 css28, Mar 20, 2015
    Jerry Mcl likes this.
  14. tflyyy

    tflyyy New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2014
    14
    2
    0
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I see thanks for the update. I'll try to look in to those. My car has 57,000 miles.
     
    #14 tflyyy, Mar 31, 2015
  15. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2013
    1,535
    582
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Deleted.
     
    #15 MikeDee, Apr 1, 2015
  16. alekska

    alekska Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
    435
    138
    0
    Location:
    Atl
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Air suspension ? (airbags instead of springs). Would probably cost ~ 3k or more

    - Alex
     
    #16 alekska, Apr 1, 2015
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,661
    38,205
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    That's precisely what tipped us to get the Canadian Touring model with 17" rims. In retrospect, might go with the 15" rims now, they're lighter, and most any 195/65R15 rolls better, AND absorbs the bumps better. Our mpg doesn't skip a beat going from 215/45R17 Michelin Pilots to our snows: 195/65R15 Michelin X-Ice, lol.

    But..., the 15" utilitarian alloys with plastic wheel covers were just too much. And now they're black to boot. Can't stomach them.

    Regarding your ride quality, just keep the pressures stock? I believe it's 33/32 psi front/back for the 17's.
     
    #17 Mendel Leisk, Apr 1, 2015
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)