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Largest 15" tire that does not rub?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by softdown, May 23, 2020.

  1. softdown

    softdown Junior Member

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    I drive on dirt roads with brush in the middle. What is the largest 15" tire that does not rub?

    Hoping to do a lot of driving to see Alaska and seven other states I have never visited. So fuel economy is another priority.

    I can use the current Blizzak snows next winter. Summer heat reportedly kills snow tires on hot pavement fwiw.

    Also wanting a spare set of wheels. Guessing salvage yard is best bet for that. I find that buying from consumers is like pulling teeth all too often anyway.

    If that isn't enough - pulling a teardrop camper as well. Just changed transmission fluid due to trailer and 234,000 miles. Not a job for the everyday hacker - most should let the dealership do it.

    If you unpacked all that - congrats.
     
  2. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    Not sure of the largest tire that will fit, but you should be able to easily find a set of wheels & tires on Craigslist of FB Marketplace. Someone who has a set of winter/summer tires from a car they sold/traded-in.

    Doesn't have to be from a Prius. Corolla, Celica and some others use the same lug pattern (5 x 100mm). FYI: wheels from a Prius V Wagon will not fit -- those are 5 x 114.3.

    Regarding transmission fluid change: what did you find difficult about it? It's a simple drain and fill. I'd argue it's easier than an oil change because you don't have to deal with a filter.
     
  3. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Poster is a self proclaimed every day hacker, good on keyboards but another story on wrenches :ROFLMAO:
     
  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    They will tell you life time fluid, then the drive of shame to go home begins.
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Better clean the intake manifold and Exhaust Gas Recirculation system asap.
     
  6. softdown

    softdown Junior Member

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    I maintain 19 cars, trucks, trailers and campers. Prius take some getting used to. Not going to respond further to asinine attacks from Ingsoc juveniles.
     
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  7. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    There was another thread on here where an overseas gent bought the tall skinny 15” tires that fit an antique bug believe they were 185sr15 or 185/80r15 and they fit fine.

    Vertically you can usually fit taller skinnier tires and if you can’t
    simple spring spacers are only about $5 a side to “jack up” the car.

    there should be a thread about it.

    now if you want much wider you will be out of luck unless you get rims with different offset.

    Grit is your elder,
    I’m not sure if anyone can claim to be his.
     
  8. softdown

    softdown Junior Member

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    Thanks for that info. Sounds like 5 lug Toyota wheels have a maybe 33% of working. Just inquired about some 16" wheels with 215/65 tires. Making them 27" tall vs the stock 25" tall. More than I wanted but I also do not want to drive the Blizzak snows on a summer road trip.

    The fluid change was a challenge because:
    1) Required 10mm hex. Had to order 10mm.
    2) Prius sit very low, I am very tall and require some room. Also working in sandy soil where jacks can fall over unless perfect. By comparison trucks are easy.
    3) Upper bolt simply would not extract. I think a garage put an air tool on it. Needed extraction tool which took forever due to C-19.
    4) Goat knocked over the container with fluid so I had to re-order.
    5) Aluminum washers that I ordered were not the same.

    It should have been pretty routine. All wrench twisters know that is not always the case. This time many things went wrong.

    After 4000 miles I would say that Prius are generally excellent but take some getting used to.
     
  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    A fluid change is required for bigger wheels not scrub? Now I’m even more confused
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That'll put the kibosh on things, lol.
     
  11. softdown

    softdown Junior Member

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    Good chance I will try 205/75r15 tires. These are 27.1" tall - or 2" taller than stock.

    It has proved impossible to find a decent match on craigslist. The majority of Toyota's are 4wd or trucks here in Colorado.

    Then we have the many four lug wheels and the 114mm wheels and some 17" wheels. Plus I am a couple hundred miles from Denver.

    People have no clue when asked about 101mm wheel, they can't even read the date code as a strong rule. "Toyota wheels" doesn't make me want to drive 500 miles round trip.

    Now if I wanted 195/65r15 snow tires right now? Easy.
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    • 27" diameter, vs stock 25", so one inch of lift.
     
  13. softdown

    softdown Junior Member

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    Yes - but how will it perform with mpg and acceleration and towing? I would try hard to avoid a 10% pass with significantly larger tires. A 75 tire vs a 65 tire seems fine. Most of this tire size are trailer tires.
     
  14. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    many old cars and suburbans used 205/75r15 was moderately common back in the day,

    there are also old school non-p-metric “English” sized tires that are moderately common almost in that size that would work as well
     
  15. softdown

    softdown Junior Member

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    That is mostly who buys that size. I don't buy old tires - age may be more important than tread. A lot of people are selling old tires and playing innocent.
     
  16. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    No need to buy old tires, go to any fleet farm and they have plenty of new tires in that size my fathers Buick used that size

    your fuel economy will go down as tires that size have much higher weight ratings.

    best choice for fuel economy is one of the Goodyear all season options in that size.
     
  17. softdown

    softdown Junior Member

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    I just can't find a 185 or 195 that is over 25" tall. I'm sure one could if willing to spend a lot more - that defeats the purpose of a Prius - affordable driving. Ground clearance is a big problem for me - dirt roads with brush in the middle.
     
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  18. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    195/65-15 puts you right at 25" and that's as tall as I could find in a 15" car tire. Much larger truck tires are available, but they'll likely be too tall to clear the wheel wells.

    If you're open to a 205 width, there are all sorts of affordable options.
    205/70-15 are 26.3" tall
    205/75-15 are 27" tall.

    But I have no idea if they'll clear the wheel wells.
     
  19. softdown

    softdown Junior Member

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    Thanks for inserting the 205/70r15 option. Had not considered that for some odd reason. I believe either would fit, talked to a guy who added ~3" of wheel height successfully though he noted the hit to performance and gas mileage. Do not recall if rubbing was a real issue so I would "guess" it wasn't a major problem.

    Going back and forth on a Westlake 205/70r15 vs a Hankook 205/75r15.
    The Hankooks cost $10/tire more and weigh two pounds less - 19 pounds vs. 21 pounds. I feel there are pros and cons to less weight. Pulling a teardrop camper, a heavier tire may be advantageous if the tire is stouter. Lighter tire likely equals better mileage.
    They both enjoy a 500AA (Westlake) or 500AB (Hankook) tread rating. Both have 10/32" tread depth.
    Hankook have a 4.6 rating, Westlake a 4.8 rating. Though few consumers seem to have a real clue about rating tires. The low price of the Westlakes is bound to buoy some ratings.

    With 238,000 miles I am not buying a premium tire. In fact I think I will wait a few days and see if my favorite salvage yard has a set of Toyota tires and wheels. That is 220 miles away - but going anyway.

    Buying tires is usually so simple. Not this time.

    Thanks for the ideas to date.
     
    #19 softdown, Jun 6, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2020
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