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Safe to replace mag-style rims with standard aluminum?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by DS Justice, Sep 20, 2018.

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  1. DS Justice

    DS Justice Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    My 2010 Prius came with the 17" aluminum rims, clamped with mag-style lug nuts with a flat washer and a conical tip. I've never had this style of nut before -- the nut goes all the way through the rim, and the clamping force appears to come from the washer.

    I just happen to have a perfectly-sized set of brand-new 215/45zr17 X-ice tires from my old Subaru. The rims are 7jx17 et55 5x100, an almost perfect match for the Toyota rims -- just 5mm more offset and a slightly larger bore.

    I only observe two differences:

    (1) the bore diameter, which I understand is easily corrected with a set of hub centric adapters, and

    (2) the stud holes. On the subaru, they're 14mm dia, and about 12mm deep, and used normal (non-mag) conical nuts. The Toyota mag-style nuts fit into the counterbore and appear to center properly, but do not go through the wheel the way the do on the original. It's all sufficiently different to make me a bit nervous.

    Questions:

    (1) Will I have enough thread engagement, given that the new nuts won't be going through the rim?

    (2) Are the toyota mag-style nuts dual-purpose? IE, do they have conical tips so I can use them on a non-mag-style wheel?
     
    #1 DS Justice, Sep 20, 2018
  2. DS Justice

    DS Justice Junior Member

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    According to this note at TireRack, an M12x1.5 lug needs to engage by 6.5 turns -- about 10mm of stud. That seems reasonable to me, and I have a little tiny bit more than that.

    Closer examination of the lugs suggests:
    - the subaru OEM lugs appear to be conical, not ball. This seems odd to me.
    - the conical tips on the toyota lugs are much smaller

    It seems pretty clear to me that if I get new conical lugs to fit the toyota studs, I should be pretty safe using these, especially if I get a set of hub centric bushings.

    Contrary opinions welcome -- I'm in coastal BC, so I probably have another month before it's time to switch tires.
     
    #2 DS Justice, Sep 20, 2018
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2018
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    You might be able to make those work, not sure. Just for a counterpoint:

    Our car came with the 215/45R17 too. Sounds like we both have the Touring? We bought in mid-November, and within a week I went with:

    snow tire: Michelin X-Ice2 195/65R15
    Corolla steel rim, part no: 42611-02471 (2003-2008 corolla or matrix, CE, LS, S)
    steel rim lug nuts, part no: 90942-01007 (plain, open-ended, galvanized)

    I do have some Plug-In Prius 15" rims, may swap them in place of the Corollas, to dress them up. I was thinking to wait till the snow tires need replacement, but that's still at least a year off, so I may do it sooner.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Sep 20, 2018
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  4. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
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    Five
    The Toyota lug nuts are quite unique -- and very well designed/made. I've not seen anything that approaches their quality even on some of the older luxury cars I've owned. Looking at them, they're really only designed to be used with Toyota alloy wheels... I wouldn't feel comfortable using them on a non-OEM wheel. I have steel rims for my current fleet of Toyotas with winter wheels, but have had aftermarket alloys in the past too. I've always had a separate set of lug nuts for the non-OEM wheels. I believe I even have a spare set in my parts bin. PM me if you're interested in purchasing them -- I'll make you a deal.
     
    #4 tvpierce, Sep 21, 2018
    DS Justice and Raytheeagle like this.
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The stock lug nuts have a tapered seat can be used on regular wheels with that style of opening, the Prius temp spare for example, but they look odd: sticking out kinda far, and having the washers.

    The lug nuts I referenced above are utilitiarian, stubby, open-ended. They're ok for our Corolla steel rims, but the tips of the studs are exposed, and tend to rust. I put drop of oil on each, and that works. They're just galvanized though, utilitarian.

    IMG_9394.JPG
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Sep 21, 2018
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2018
    DS Justice likes this.
  6. DS Justice

    DS Justice Junior Member

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    I appreciate the offer! I'm in Canada though, so I expect shipping alone would cost more than the cheap galvanized set I've already ordered from Amazon.
     
    #6 DS Justice, Sep 21, 2018
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The nuts I got were $31 (CDN) IIRC. Just through dealership, they came up with the rims, mounted the tires, etecetera. They asked if I wanted TPMS, while empatically shaking their heads (no, no).
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Sep 21, 2018
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