Tire sizes, pressures and snow

I am also curious about this as I'm getting ready to purchase studded tires ... has this been discussed elsewhere?

Thanks,
Diana

 

I officially gave up on getting good MPG during the winter - instead concentrating on security and not getting stuck.

I got 15" wheel metal wells from a Corolla with standard Michelin Winter/Ice tires that go on that rim. Tires inflated to Michelin standard. Which is 35.

Studded is a great idea - simply more expensive. Only worth it, I find, if you get more icy conditions that snow conditions on average. Michelin Winter/Ice have "hidden" studs, that stick out of the tire due to weight/pressure. If you drive very slow you won't slip out of a red light / stop.

With studded, you can almost take off at normal speed (safely - not gunning it).

Like that you keep your aluminum rims nice for the summer months. My 5.0 MPG shoots up to 6.5, due to the wheels and also the drop in temperature.

By far getting a EBH (block heater) and also using a cabin heater for the interior, combined, will save more on gas than tires ever will.

Nothing beats sitting in a cozy warm interior when it's below 20f outside, not having to defrost, not having to use the heater in the first 5 minutes of driving.

 

You want higher pressures in snow. It helps the tire to clear the tread of snow.
Many think you want narrow tires for snow. This is not exactly correct. You want good tread with soft rubber, and once you have that wider is actually better. Especially on ice.

Pearl just got new "shoes" this past week, so this thread is timely. Nokian WRGII replaced the Nokian WRs she had on. I got the stock size (185/65R15). The WRs only lasted 55,000 km but I got $200 back due to the wear warranty. These tires have -lower- rolling resistance than the "stock" Goodyears, MUCH better traction dry, wet, or icy/whitish roads, and the most important point, cost WAY less than running/sliding into something!

 

Narrow tires are better for wading through loose snow, which is why many people recommend them for winter use on 4x4 trucks. The Prius lacks the ground clearance to do much wading, so mostly you are dealing with traction. On ice wider tires will give you more contact surface. On snow wider tires may tend to float on the snow. There isn't any one right answer, as it depends on the conditions.

Tom

 

very few places allow studded tires in the winter, while i'm sure alaska and most of canada does allow it, it is very damaging to the roads so most places in lower 48 don't allow it.

I use 195 65 16 snow tires on heavy steel wheels. with the temperature change I lose 15mpg and I don't give a damn for 2 reasons:
1. its only a few months and losing 15mpg is worth keeping me alive and accident free . . . now if only insurance companies would recognize the wonder of winter tires and give a discount for using them.
2. the prius cannot be 'rocked out of deep snow' like a normal car for fear of damage to hybrid components so going to a larger tire will increase your ground clearance and going to a softer winter tire will allow your tires to still be flexible in extreme low temps

good snow tires include: bridgestone blizzak (ws60 is being clearanced out for the new ws70), michelin x-ice, yokamaha ice guards, continental extremeWINTERcontact, general altimax. each of these has their strengths and weaknesses so go to tirerack and do some research.

also don't forget to lower your insurance premium in the winter time, my body shop says he is 4x busier in the winter. I use $1000 broad (i pay nothing if its not my fault or $1000 of it is) 8 months of the year and $250 broad in the winter.

 

Modern studded tires are less damaging than sanding. Sadly, most states still cling to the old notion that studded tires wreck roads.

Tom

 

Last year (when we lived in Oregon) I finally broke down and got snow tires. I got Toyo Observe G02+ Studless from Les Schwab. They were great! Got me thru the Gorge in a pretty bad snowstorm.

 

I found a set of new Hancook iPike studded tires, but they're 195/60/15 (and stock is 185/65/15, I think).

If I'm understanding sizing correctly, the set I'm looking at is 10mm wider, and the sidewall height is a little lower (117 vs. 120.25mm).

Is this size a good (safe) idea for studded tires for a Prius?

Thanks!
Diana