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Let's talk Prime tire/rim mods

Discussion in 'Prime Accessories and Modifications' started by 4rpr15, Sep 17, 2017.

  1. 4rpr15

    4rpr15 Senior Member

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    Here's my old Gen4 with a few mods. I'm highly considering putting the same 17" Niche M129 Anthracite rims on my Prime. I know I may sacrifice a few EV and mpg miles....or will it be a huge difference. It wasn't that much different with my Gen4 and the ride felt much better. I did look at a few rim options on here, but just don't like any of them. Tirerack.com also has a ton of options.

    I also wrapped the top, but I don't think I'll wrap the Prime. I haven't seen too many people on these forums do that yet, plus I'm not sure I liked how it looked as wraps tend to fade, tear and have to get replaced again over time.

    Thoughts?

    tapatalk_1505661608238.jpeg


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    Insighter and kevins007 like this.
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I haven't read any feedback from the owners who have swapped out their rims for 17". In Japan, the official rating between the 15" and 17" factory rims is a 19% drop in AER. (from 68.2km to 55km)
     
    Pierre Kay and 4rpr15 like this.
  3. 4rpr15

    4rpr15 Senior Member

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    So about 8 miles that really isn't bad.
     
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  4. 4rpr15

    4rpr15 Senior Member

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  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yeah.. basically winter range in the summer.
     
  6. 4rpr15

    4rpr15 Senior Member

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    Even with 16's?

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  7. 4rpr15

    4rpr15 Senior Member

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    I may reconsider then. Not worth it.

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  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Oh I don't know about 16s. I think only one person on PC swapped out to 16s. The rest were 17s. I would imagine 16s would split the difference since they would weigh approximately in between 15" and 17" rims.
     
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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  10. OptimalPrime

    OptimalPrime Member

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    Go for it, then. I'd just swap them on and try them out, at least. Or is your Gen 4 already sold/gone?

    The difference in energy consumed by swapping two sets of wheels on the Prime is almost exactly the same as on the Gen 4. The slight differences in vehicle weight and wheel-well aerodynamics between the two cars aren't significant at all, and even if they were, you can't change them.

    The hit in number of gallons of gas (or electric equiv, etc) will be the same as on Gen 4, so with the Prime being a bit more efficient to begin with, it will be a bit more of a percentage hit on the Prime. But that bigger percentage is applied to a smaller original fuel cost, and comes out to the same dollar change in fuel cost.

    In general, people far overestimate the effect of wheel size on energy consumption, and very very far overestimate the effect of wheel/tire weight (and cargo weight, too) on mpg. The only time it's actually significant, is when you switch from aerodynamic/low-airflow wheels to non-aerodynamic/high-airflow wheels; and/or from low rolling resistance tires/pressures to high rolling resistance tires/pressures.

    And let's face it, when you put a bigger wheel with a lower profile, more expensive tire on, you're also likely to drive faster, corner harder, accelerate harder, get onto the friction brakes more often, and everything else. So, I think a lot of people's observations of mpg changes are more due to driving changes than equipment changes. They also grossly overestimate the mpg hit of using real winter tires.....because mpg drops in cold conditions, and they compare their February mpg to their August mpg, which is an unfair comparison with any one set of tires, much less with two.

    Even the Japanese test results regarding wheel size, are probably more easily explained by the specific wheel aerodynamics and tire selection than just a change in wheel size with all other things remaining the same. Plus, you'll notice that they're already at the nearly-zero-fuel-consumption end of things, way better than our own EPA ratings. So, adding an extra 1/10 oz of fuel consumption per mile to support a less efficient particular wheel/tire choice for styling reasons, changes the Japanese numbers more than it would change EPA numbers. Both are true, just different tests/conditions/speeds/etc.
     
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  11. PavelTune

    PavelTune Member

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    I’m running O.Z Formula HLT in 18x8 at 22lb
    with General G-Max tire (non LRR) 225/40/18 at 20lb

    It affected my range by about 5 miles on EV and I get around 12mpg less then used to with stock 15in
     
  12. Rashid K

    Rashid K Junior Member

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    Did you use a gloss black or matte black to wrap the roof?
    Why do you say it has to be constantly replaced? Don’t these wraps last for a long time?
     
  13. citiprius

    citiprius Active Member

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    I wonder if the change in overall tire outside diameter affects the odometer / speedometer's reading? the diameter differences between the 225/45/17 vs 195/65/15 is about 5%, so one rotation of the wheel on the 225/45/17 is 5% more. so I suspect the odometer reads a 5% less distance travel than actual, and hence the MPG is less? Do you need to re-calibrate? Also, will a larger size tire requires more torque so might decrease the efficiency especially on stop and go traffic?
     
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    ^ Why not 215/45R17, more or less same OD, very slightly less?

    Do a nice 15" rim, or that's not on, lol?
     
  15. PHV PLS

    PHV PLS Member

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    I have my roof wrapped glossy black here’s a back picture of it, any questions just lemme know!
     

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  16. Rashid K

    Rashid K Junior Member

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    Sweet, they did the shark antenna too... did they have to take it off?
    I found a place in Oc that wants $225 for the roof and $25 for the antenna....did you have this done in SoCal?
     
  17. PHV PLS

    PHV PLS Member

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    Yeah they took it off, they knew how to take apart everything, I was surprised that the attena disambles from the bottom so they showed me because I was curious. They did such a good and killer job! Yes I did have it done in SoCal. A place called “Sync Wraps” in Santa Ana I highly recommend them! They use high quality vinyl and none that cheap stuff.
     
  18. PHV PLS

    PHV PLS Member

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    Here’s the attena up close
     

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  19. MSAGRO

    MSAGRO 2010 Prius Five with Advanced Technology Package

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    I’m having mine done next week can you post a front angle High shot of the roof?
     
  20. PHV PLS

    PHV PLS Member

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    Here’s a pic of the front taken a week ago! When it was cleaned :D
     

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    Travis64 likes this.