New owner wheel and tire question

Oh yeah.

You could go to 15", but that'd be a shame I think. The 17" are sweet rims, and the main reason we opted for Canadian Touring model, with the same setup. I was a bit gobsmacked when I realized the 15" were utilitarian alloys with plastic covers, to this day I don't understand Toyota on that one.

Anyway, the Pilot Sport AS3 are a likely factor. I doubt they're the OEM tire? Ours came with Pilot HX MXM4, and I see they have the "GreenX" (LRR) label. They are pretty good for rolling resistance, just my feel. However, if I were to replace with same I see they don't have the GreenX label, so you have to be careful. Right now top of my list is Michelin Primacy MXM4, which does have GreenX label.

I've got no illusions that a 17" low profile with GreenX label is going to match something like the Michelin Energy Saver A/S in 195/65R15, but at least it has more potential for good mpg, than a "sport" oriented tire.

My Fuelly icon is currently at 4.9 liters per 100 km, which translates to 48 mpg (US gallons). This is pretty much the lifetime mileage of the car, apart from the first maybe 2000 km's. We get nowhere near 75 mph, ever. Fastest we go is around 80 kmh (50 mph), on secondary highways. The driving is a mix, we're both retired, shopping trips, occasional runs of about 25 kms into town. I try to drive strategically, but I'm not nuts about it. We also use a blockheater before first run of the day, year 'round.

 

Welcome to Prius Chat!

How many miles on your Prius?

When we take out 2010 Prius II on road trips and hot 75 mph, the mpg drops down to around 40-42. This is with 15 inch Bridgestone Turanza serenities.

I have 146 k miles on the odometer and going strong. Lifetime mpg is probably around 49 mpg with mostly highway driving due to commuting.

Depending on the miles on your Prius, there might be other issues (other than colder weather) that might cause moths to drop.

 

I have 17 inch wheels on my 2010 and 2015, both give mileage below 45mpg. I would say low 40s is normal for me

 

I have 17's on my 2013 prius persona and I have averaged about 40.5 mpg over the life of the car (26k miles on oem Toyo Proxes) but I am going up and down the hill on short trips and not much freeway driving. I know my mileage is much lower than most but I'm ok with it. (40 ain't bad in the big picture).

 

I'm in the upper 40's with 15's. I drive whatever speed the car in front of me allows up to 85 mph. The ECO light turns off when you get around 86 mph.

Let's do some quick math. Assume I get 2 mpg less with 17" tires driving the same way I do now.

15000 miles per year / 47 miles per gallon x $2.30 per gallon = $734 per year
15000 miles per year / 45 miles per gallon x $2.30 per gallon = $767 per year

17" tires, $150 each x 4 = $600 every 4 years
15" tires, $100 each x 4 = $400 every 4 years

So roughly $83 a year difference in cost between 15" tires and 17". I'm going to say, I don't really care. I'll actively choose the more economical 15" choice but if the car already comes with 17". It doesn't matter. Assume, I get 4 mpg less or gas price doubles to $4.60, now we're talking a ~$120 difference a year. ...Still not going to care.