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

Buying wheels in Ontario?

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Main Forum' started by mountaineer, May 31, 2024.

Tags:
  1. mountaineer

    mountaineer Active Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2019
    141
    112
    1
    Location:
    Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Premium
    Hello,

    Before heading out on my first proper road trip (3000km or so around Gaspé), I thought now would be a good time to swap from 19" to 17" tires, specifically the Nokian WRG5 (215/55 R17). Plus there's $70 off a set of 4 at Kal Tire. I don't want to end up in the middle of nowhere without being able to source a next-day replacement.

    So the obvious question: what kind of wheels should I get?

    One important goal is for the improved efficiency of 17" wheels, and from what I've read here more a bit more durability in the tire. The other is finally to get all-weather tires, for decent winter performance without having to swap tires twice a year. (Winters here are quite mild by Canadian standards.)

    My thinking is that I should get alloy wheels, for being lighter weight (and as unsprung weight, more fuel-efficient than steel). Other than that, I'd like to hear what people think I should be looking for, or even what they think looks good. Should I get the wheels at Kal Tire (link) too, or is there a retailer with particularly good deals I should know about?
     
    #1 mountaineer, May 31, 2024
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    55,700
    38,804
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    They’re probably neck-and-neck. There might be a Camry steelie that’ll work, think that was discussed here.

    Is your goal to have 2 sets (all-seasons and snows) or just one (all-weathers for year-round)?

    with our ‘10, within a week of purchase (in November of 2010), I had a dealership set me up with 195/65R15 Michelin X-Ice on Corolla steelies. A year back I replaced those, and also swapped over to nicer 3rd Gen Plug-In rims (15” alloys). Both those rims were around 16 lbs.

    Our stock rims with all-seasons are the 3rd gen 17” alloys, tip the scales around 23 lbs.

    our west coast winters are not that cold; I’ve stuck with 2-set solution with a couple of cars now, but am beginning to wonder. Plus our car usage has fallen off dramatically (think quintessential Sunday Driver); we’re rarely if ever obligated to drive in snowy conditions.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Jun 1, 2024
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2024
  3. Blackat

    Blackat Member

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2023
    300
    204
    0
    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius
    Model:
    Limited AWD-e
    Go alloy. Even when I was off roading my Tacoma I had alloy's
     
    #3 Blackat, Jun 2, 2024
  4. mountaineer

    mountaineer Active Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2019
    141
    112
    1
    Location:
    Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Premium
    One set. I had the WRG (3 or 4, can't remember which) on my Yaris when it needed new tires, and swore I'd never buy anything but all-weather again. They are very close to a winter tire in performance, that the cost & hassle of switching is not even close to worth it.

    I can't believe they're not the norm for half the Canadian population at least that doesn't regularly get snowed in.
     
    #4 mountaineer, Jun 3, 2024
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  5. samsprius1

    samsprius1 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2008
    714
    174
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius
    Model:
    Limited AWD-e
    Get Pics when you’re done! I’m not a big fan of the prime wheels, but I am OK with my limited, I understand you’re going for efficiency.
     
    #5 samsprius1, Jun 3, 2024
  6. mountaineer

    mountaineer Active Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2019
    141
    112
    1
    Location:
    Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Premium
    you got it!
     
    #6 mountaineer, Jun 3, 2024
    samsprius1 likes this.
  7. mountaineer

    mountaineer Active Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2019
    141
    112
    1
    Location:
    Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Premium
    #7 mountaineer, Jun 14, 2024
    Vic F likes this.
  8. Bobo99

    Bobo99 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2023
    32
    15
    0
    Location:
    London ON
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Sorry, a bit late to the thread. Good looking rims!

    I had a co-worker who used the Nokian all-weather tires and we carpooled quite a bit. I find them to be noisy at highway speeds. They're also necessarily a compromise: not quite as good in winter as winter tires, and likely wear out a bit faster in the summer heat compared to summer or all-season tires.

    In what Aluminum rims are concerned, the OEM ones are certainly made for any kind of weather. After-market ones, however, can be a hit and miss. If you read carefully the details on Tire Rack, you'll notice that some alloy rims are NOT recommended for winter because the paint being used will not withstand road salt and sand.
     
    #8 Bobo99, Aug 10, 2024 at 7:04 PM
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)