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

Inflation pressure touring tires?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by tucatz, Jan 7, 2017.

  1. tucatz

    tucatz Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    499
    412
    0
    Location:
    Manzanita, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    What is the correct psi for touring tires on a 2016? And how much can you safely 'over-inflate' for increased fuel economy? This is the first car ive owned with low profile touring tires. Today I checked the front tires, at 3800 miles they were set to 32psi, and the door jamb sticker recommends 32. I've always been under the impression that touring tires run on a slightly higher psi. I bumped them up to 40.

    Btw, my new 4 touring is not getting the amazing mileage many of you guys report. My 3800 mi lifetime average is 46 mpg. Granted, it's winter, most of my 25 mile commutes are over a large grade in the Oakland hills, and the Touring model almost certainly takes an mpg hit. This morning I drove a passenger to SFO, and the 60 mile trip over mostly flat terrain averaged 44 mpg. It was raining, with the seat heaters on, but was going a slow 60 mph. Hmmmmm,

    Appreciate your advice on the tires.
     
  2. Tissimo

    Tissimo Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2016
    7
    3
    0
    Location:
    San Carlos, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    Just bought the 4 touring about a month ago and it was already inflated to 44psi at the dealership. I got a leak due to a puncture by a packing staple on the road. When I got it patched by a repair shop the guy just matched it saying it's good for the mileagle. That said, I'm only getting 44.6 mpg. I also live in the bay area, lots of hills near 280 isn't helping.
     
    tucatz likes this.
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,463
    38,101
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Page 734 of Owner's Manual: 33 front, 32 rear (psi)

    That's how it came from the factory, to avoid flat spotting. The dealership is supposed to reduce pressure to spec, as part of pre-delivery inspection. 44 is going to be really rough I think, maybe hard on the suspension/bearings too.

    Third gen with 17" is the same spec, I set ours a little higher, around 36.
     
    tucatz and RCO like this.
  4. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2016
    3,709
    5,182
    0
    Location:
    Cornwall
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Give a little while and a few more tankfulls and it will improve a little. Specially after the temperature goes up next summer.
     
    tucatz and krmcg like this.
  5. GlennCocoBad

    GlennCocoBad Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2017
    5
    4
    0
    Location:
    Pasadena
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    my 2017 Tour4 has been at around 60psi for 7000mi and have got 54mpg in los angeles in the hills. Im happy with the ride comfort. More comfortable than my 2015 was.
     
    krmcg and Prius from Dad like this.
  6. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2014
    2,489
    2,153
    49
    Location:
    Top RH Corner of RH Coast on L side of The Pond
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    ... how's the tyre wear at those pressures??
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,463
    38,101
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Or your fillings? (n)

    I had been running ours at 34 all 'round. But not seeing our tanks improving much this spring, and thinking it might be the pressures in part, I bump them back to 38 all 'round. Again, this is 215/45R17 Michelin Pilots. For 17", even 38 seems pretty harsh, to me.

    (I've got a sweet set of 15" PIP rims in the crawl space, but no foreseeable way to swap them for our OEM 17's. The only way I was able to swing that acquisition was if they were relegated to snow tire duty. :()
     
    kithmo likes this.
  8. tucatz

    tucatz Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    499
    412
    0
    Location:
    Manzanita, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    60psi? Wow, that's like bicycle tires.
     
    RCO and Tyfly like this.
  9. ePWR

    ePWR Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2017
    131
    137
    0
    Location:
    PRIUSchat
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    60psi is insane! And dangerous. All these crazy tire pressure threads, I wonder if half the comments are fake. I never inflate more than 2psi over the recommended factory specs -- what it says on the door frame. I allow for a little natural bleed. The ride is smooth and comfortable, the tires wear well, and my mpg is always excellent. I have the 15" tires on my Prius model.
     
    kithmo, RCO and alanclarkeau like this.
  10. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2014
    2,489
    2,153
    49
    Location:
    Top RH Corner of RH Coast on L side of The Pond
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    60 sounds a bit high (in my book) - I just checked my records and I set the winter shoes (Blizzaks on 15" steel-rims) to 38F/36R, and the summer shoes (Antares on 16" OEM alloys) to 46F/44R - wear looks pretty good so far (summers on their 2nd year) - best ever = 67.49mpg, overall 44.42mpg (over past 3 years)
     
    RCO likes this.
  11. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    2,592
    2,388
    0
    Location:
    Whittier, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I run mine @ the max sidewall pressure. Great mileage and tire wear. I drive so slow that the ride is sweet.
     
    jtg61 likes this.
  12. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2010
    2,404
    2,773
    47
    Location:
    South Yorkshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    +3 psi seems about right for me, it evens out the tyre wear, any more doesn't seem to improve mpg by any noticeable amount and makes the ride harsher.
    I would think going to 60 psi would put more strain on the shocks, springs and other suspension components.
     
    alanclarkeau and RCO like this.
  13. Did you mean 50psi instead of 60psi?

    Still, I would not even try to get mine past 50psi because then it feels like I'm driving on loud rocks everywhere.
     
  14. GlennCocoBad

    GlennCocoBad Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2017
    5
    4
    0
    Location:
    Pasadena
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    60Psi on the stock Touring 17in tires with no problems... -\_(oo)_/-
     
    Prius from Dad and krmcg like this.
  15. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2010
    2,404
    2,773
    47
    Location:
    South Yorkshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Yet :cautious:
     
    RCO likes this.
  16. Prius from Dad

    Prius from Dad Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2012
    724
    1,115
    0
    Location:
    Toms River, NJ USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    I ran Yokohama Blue Earth tires at 65 psi on my 2012 v for 100k miles before I changed them due to winter coming and still had decent tread left, just not good enough for snow. The tread wear was very even, no middle tread excessive wear, that is a myth.The ride is a little rougher but not very. There are other chat rooms that have discussed this ad infinatum, (cleanmpg). Before criticizing, please research these forums.
     
    GlennCocoBad and krmcg like this.
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,463
    38,101
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Don't take it as criticism, just concern for your well being. :ROFLMAO:

    Seriously, the ride on the low profile 17's at 60 psi is pretty punishing. Not just for occupants: I'd suspect tougher on suspension and bearings as well. It's above even the max sidewall pressure too. (n)
     
    RCO likes this.
  18. Prius from Dad

    Prius from Dad Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2012
    724
    1,115
    0
    Location:
    Toms River, NJ USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    Actually, when I traded in my 2012 v at 125k, the suspension and bearings had never had to be replaced and the ride is not as bad as you think. I can't speak of the 17's ride but my '99 Solara had the same results, less wear, even wear, better mileage and longevity. I'm running my Prime at 55 psi (15's).
    Granted it is a little louder. ;)
     
  19. narf

    narf Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2005
    611
    44
    4
    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    something to be aware of is that once you move much higher than stock psi, the contact patch begins to get smaller. That hurts both cornering grip and stopping distances. Not to mention the harsh ride,
    On my Touring I'm running 38/37, and I wouldn't go much higher.
    BTW, when I picked up the car the tires were set to 50 all around. The dealer never checked them.
     
    RCO and Mendel Leisk like this.
  20. Prius from Dad

    Prius from Dad Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2012
    724
    1,115
    0
    Location:
    Toms River, NJ USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    Actually that is another myth.