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

Please share wisdom on replacing my tires... 91v vs 90w, and why? (Prius V 5 2012)

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by fpfpfpfpfp, Feb 4, 2023.

  1. fpfpfpfpfp

    fpfpfpfpfp Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2015
    34
    3
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Hello

    Need to replace tires asap. But very inexperienced (not a ‘car guy’) and want to make a slightly more empowered/informed decision instead of just having a sales clerk tell me what I should get without knowing why (what I would rather do to avoid further risky driving, tbh but I want to try to make this a skillful purchase as I can atm).

    Got the car used in 2015 and has had the same tires since then. Just over 72k miles. Prior to drafting this post, I only recently learned what the symbols on the tires mean. And the tires are not exactly what the manual recommends for a Prius V 5. It’s supposed to be 215 50 r17 90w, but for some reason they are 91v (which is for the Prius V 2, and 3. i.e., for 16” wheels).

    Basically the current tires have a higher weight capacity and higher speed rating…. Is it bad to get the same 91v tires, if so why or why not (or, just get the 90w)? What would be the difference? Cost? 91v SEEMS better (higher weight capacity and higher speed rating). Couldn’t find anything in the manual about this.

    Also: any reason I should NOT get all season (M+S) tires? ..pros cons? Was thinking of getting them all-season (same as current ones).

    Btw, for new tires, what is a good deal and what is a bad one, in terms of price? And brands to seek/avoid?

    Thanks for reading.
    Wish you well.
     
    #1 fpfpfpfpfp, Feb 4, 2023
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2023
  2. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2016
    2,567
    1,595
    0
    Location:
    Somewhere in Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2013 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
    Higher weight rating (specs) is OK but you might loose a fuel economy

    higher rated tires usually last longer but usually are heavier also.

    The loss of speed rating to 149mph is inconsequential
     
  3. fpfpfpfpfp

    fpfpfpfpfp Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2015
    34
    3
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    thx. got it. how much fuel econ loss would u say? significant?

    Btw, for new tires, what is a good deal and what is a bad one, in terms of price? And brands to seek/avoid?
     
    #3 fpfpfpfpfp, Feb 4, 2023
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2023
  4. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2012
    3,295
    1,005
    0
    Location:
    Arcadia, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Tires with the same size have two load ratings: SL and XL. 91 vs 90 suggests to me that tire manufacturers improved the load capacity of the SL a tiny bit. I would not be surprised if most (if not all) SL being sold have 91. The XL of this size is 95. You can find tire loading charts online based on pressure and for a long part of the graph the two tires 91 vs 95, will have the same load capacity. In the highest PSI area is where the load carrying capacity is greater for the 95 spec tire, usually beyond recommended by Auto Manufacturers (in this case Toyota).

    UTQG: ### (letter(s)) (letter)



    The higher the ###, the longer the tread will last, relatively.

    Letter(s) AA highest traction

    Letter A highest temperature rating

    Your car came with W speed rated tires which are high performance/high top speed capability tires. Yes the V 149 MPH top speed may never be achieved in any “mortal/normal” Prii yet alone 168 MPH for W, but the construction is different so the tires “act” differently at normal speeds. You’ll get more responsive handling with the W vs the V.

    I actually moved up to size 225/50WR17, per recommendation here. (I can’t remember the member’s ID otherwise I’d share as I am happy with making the switch as well). Yes we may have lost a little MPG. I keep the same pressures as recommended 33 PSI front 32 PSI rear…

    Once I found a good alignment place I always go there. Sadly sometimes they are hard to find. Try to get an alignment as soon as possible with the new tires.
     
  5. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2012
    3,295
    1,005
    0
    Location:
    Arcadia, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Regarding brands and pricing, it is quite difficult to say get this brand and this model tire. Each brand usually has a broad range of choices. Some brands such as Michelin have built a reputation of making excellent tires. Does it sound French to you? Yes, world headquarters is in France. Does the country of domicile matter to you? (GoodYear is USA). What characteristics are important for you, long lasting, better performance dry, better performance rainy, better performance snow/winter? Usually there are trade offs. Tires with higher cost may have better engineering and do better at more aspects than cheaper ones, (you get what you pay for).

    Get your priorities in order and then go to http://www.tirerack.com and/or http://www.tires.com and use their selector to search for what you want….
     
  6. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2012
    3,902
    1,064
    0
    Location:
    New Yawk
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    We use Continental 225/50R17 98V rated tires and saw no degradation in MPG. The v tracks better with the 225s.
     
    jzchen likes this.
  7. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2012
    3,295
    1,005
    0
    Location:
    Arcadia, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Thanks for the recommendation. I have been thinking yesterday was Saturday and today is Sunday. Gulp.

    (If there’s a worldwide conflict coming, I hope Germany is on our side this time, home of Continental)…
     
    Air_Boss likes this.
  8. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,471
    4,373
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Speed rating differences in your choices are insignificant. All season tires will ride better and have lower road noise but you will lose 2-5 mpg.

    You can make any tire give more mpg by increasing the tire pressure 5-8 psi. This will hurt the ride some and too much pressure over recommended will start causing more rattles etc.

    You can't go wrong with Michelin. Tire life on my Prii have always been 80-100k miles. That alone can save you the cost of a second replacement set over a period of time. So the higher cost of the best is mitigated. They also hold balance well.

    Costco and Sams Club have Michelin sales every other month. Plus you get free rotations and repairs. Discount Tires often is close in price. Costco is my choice but if you have one of these close by, use them. Only after you price check with an out the door quote.

    Rotations are important. You can lose 1/3 to 1/2 of a tires life if you don't rotate, ideally every 5-10k miles.
     
    fpfpfpfpfp likes this.
  9. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2012
    3,295
    1,005
    0
    Location:
    Arcadia, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Discount Tire/America’s Tire has no problem matching Costco or Sam’s Club pricing, as far as I’m aware…
     
  10. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,471
    4,373
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Costco and Sams often have sales on four tires that effectively give you $150 on their already competitive prices. Sometimes buy three get one free with free installation especially around holidays. When you buy long life tires you have the luxury of waiting a month or even longer. The best Costco deal I got was a few years ago on New Years day when you ordered online. Maybe $300 off.
     
  11. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2013
    3,492
    1,231
    1
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    I'll give an example of the M-S spec which is also know to some as the snowflate spec since there is usually a snowflake tattooed somewhere on the sidewall of an M-S tire. My example also includes the weight rating to compare with your 90 and 91 rating.
    I was fortunate to find a set of Michelin Defender LTS M-S XL 99T 205 65r 15s (discontinued making that size) that are slightly wider, with a half inch larger diameter than the OEM spec for some of the regular Gen 4 Prius trims and the Prime plus / le trims. The tires are sold as Light Truck and SUV tires which explains the higher weight capacity of the 99T rating.
    I like the tires in all 4 seasons and they work just as well in the winter as our other set of 195 65 15 Nokian Nordman 7s which are rated 95T.

    And for comparison the Michelin Defender T+H 195 65r 15 91T which have the OEM size weight rating...
    It looks like there is also a new model of the Michelin Defender T+H that is rated 91H

    Tire shopping these days sure isn't like how it used to be.

    One member that had some great threads about wheels and tires was rob43 one example is
    GET YOUR DEDICATED SNOW TIRES NOW !!! | Page 14 | PriusChat
     
    #11 vvillovv, Feb 4, 2023
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2023
  12. fpfpfpfpfp

    fpfpfpfpfp Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2015
    34
    3
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    this first part was slightly over my head. but then started making a little sense when scrolling thru a search on walmart and tirerack, and seeing that indeed, it seems as tho all 95w are xl and sl are likewise 91w. interesting that 90w seems very hard to find compared to 95 and 91.

    UTQG: ### (letter(s)) (letter) [/QUOTE]
    read this in the manual last week, but went over my head. after ur comment, googled and makes a little sense, now. turns out the car came w some pretty nice tires w 700 a a. 'pirelli cinturato' the current equivalent worth 188$ per tire...yikes. saw a couple diff tires at walmart w 500 a a for under 75$.

    am aiming to stick to w but, there's tons of other letters that pop up in searches.

    why tho--if u lose mpg, what are the benefits? performance? *btw, are they all season, or summer?

    the manual was making a big stink out of any service that was not official toyota. didnt realize there are special transmitters that need to be replaced or calibrated in each tire by certified technicians. your trusted service shops wouldnt be out on the westside, by chance? haha

    good to hear from you again.
    thank you
     
    #12 fpfpfpfpfp, Feb 8, 2023
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2023
  13. fpfpfpfpfp

    fpfpfpfpfp Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2015
    34
    3
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    tbh, rn it's a matter of compromise between what would be ideal and a very low cost tire. bc it turns out there are other surprisingly major (according to the toyota concierge, over 6k worth if i recall correctly) car related services that are needed and the pocket book is very strained. would have preferred just a patch job but have been rejected multiple times.

    yes, will be looking around but so far walmart has the best prices
     
  14. fpfpfpfpfp

    fpfpfpfpfp Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2015
    34
    3
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    did not know.

    based on searches, major brands like michelin are way too expensive atm. so unless costco/sams has deals below 70$ it's off limits. but, i have no access to a membership for either store, so...

    sounds worth knowing.

    thanks a bunch
     
  15. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,471
    4,373
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    If you save replacing the tires one or more times PLUS you are not paying dealer prices for rotations, the effective price of the michelins are far less than $70. The whole idea of a $45 membership at Costco or Sams is to save money by buying quality and quantity. If the math puzzles you sent me a message.
     
  16. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2012
    3,295
    1,005
    0
    Location:
    Arcadia, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    You're probably looking at the Kumho LX Platinum KU27 at $78.93 per tire. With UTQG 500 A A and W speed rating I'd pounce on them before they sell out.

    Tire Central (San Gabriel) is one of the best alignment places around this side of LA. (I know the west side is quite a ways away). As for repair work I do all repairs as much as I can, but haven't had much trouble with only 33,7xx mi on our v...
     
    fpfpfpfpfp likes this.
  17. fpfpfpfpfp

    fpfpfpfpfp Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2015
    34
    3
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    haha. actly had that very same tire in a tab open. maybe it's a sign to go w the kumho, lol.
    however, i was thinking that was the highest price point to consider in my range of options, and leaned more toward the 4 below $70

    speaking of range/below $70, do u have experience w sourcing used tires? i read that often they get harvested from cars w low mielage, that u could find some like new tires. and u just need to know how old they are/how they were used...

    had thot this was an alternative but, then read the manual and it also says we should never get used tires, incl avoid service from non Toyota places! just to scare consumers into spending more on official Toyota?
    also, i wonder how practical it is in terms of time/effort. seems like i'd have to do lots of research calling up or going to diff tire places all over. tho less than $50/tire would be amazing for the pocketbook, esp w the $5-7k in service that is due

    i recall u do alot of stuff DIY from last time i posted. would be great to hear ur feedback on the service that;s been pending for some time now--if u are able.
     
  18. fpfpfpfpfp

    fpfpfpfpfp Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2015
    34
    3
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    well, the highest end i'm consdiering atm is the kumho mentioned in another comment around $78, but would rather go for the ones below $70, or if possible some used tires below $50, but idk how feasible it would be to find a full set that is not obvisouly a dumspter fire of red flags within a relatively short amt of time (the next week or two, ideally).

    and so, yes, i would need baby level explanation of math to comprehend--it's like u knew me or smth! ..that plus i dont have an account so i cant buy nor see prices as proof. and getting an account just for this purchase would RLY have to be competitive w the walmart prices or even used. (plus, a membership for other uses doesnt rly make sense, considering normal household needs, here. not to mention no stores nearby).

    thx
     
  19. fpfpfpfpfp

    fpfpfpfpfp Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2015
    34
    3
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five