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loose handling

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by hox, Oct 4, 2020.

  1. hox

    hox Junior Member

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    I purchased a 2020 prime limited in March 2020 and after a few road trips I can say the car feels somewhat loose/spongy on turns and on the interstate. I also own a 2013 prius 2 and the handling comparison between the two cars is very different. The new prius drives like a much bigger car almost like a large GM car from the 70s. The older prius almost seems sporty in comparison, planted with less body roll and drift. The new car does not pull or act like the alignment is off, just loose.

    I read that the tires or wheels could be the issue. Standard 15 inch Prius Prime Rims . Tires are Toyo 195 65 R15. What is the forum experience switching to a 16 inch rim and a higher speed rated tire?

    I am looking at a wheel/tire combo from TireRack. Liking the Enkei Dako 16 wheels
    Continental Contact LS 205 55 16 tires. Does anyone have any experience using these wheels. Fitment, rubbing etc. Also It looks like I have to either swap the OEM TPMS sensors or get new ones and a tool to have the car relearn the new TPMS sensors. Tire Rack sells the Autel Maxi system. Does anyone have any experience with this TPMS programming tool and/or my wheel tire choice. I like this car but I want to improve its handling.

    Thanks in advance,
    Scott
     
    #1 hox, Oct 4, 2020
  2. PT Guy

    PT Guy Senior Member

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    The optional size on a Prius is 215/45-17, but...there is something uniquely wrong with your car. It should feel tight. Check that the cold tire inflation pressure matches what's on the placard on the driver's door jam. If the tire pressures are OK and the car still feels loose, any part of the suspension could be brand new/defective.
     
    #2 PT Guy, Oct 5, 2020
  3. Dennis_MA

    Dennis_MA Active Member

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    I have the same car and I can't say that I have noticed the handling that you describe. This is my second Prime and third Prius and they seem to handle the same- safe and secure at reasonable speeds. I do check the tire pressure on a regular basis. That being said, my 4 series BMW handles a lot better. It has larger wheels and tires and a much better suspension I suspect. So, I would be surprised if it did not.
     
    #3 Dennis_MA, Oct 5, 2020
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  4. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    You might want to check this thread for information on oversize wheels and tires. Aftermarket Wheel Fitment Guidelines | PriusChat

    As for the handling issue on PRIME, I have never felt anything wrong with my car, but that's just me. I don't even know what it means by loose handling. With the way I drive, handling in tight corner or at high speed is very much moot points, but yes PRIME is much heavier and bigger car than my previous Gen3 and HCH before that. I have done many highway drive up to 90mph on 2017 PP and recently on 2020 PP, but did not feel anything bad about the way the car drove.
     
    #4 Salamander_King, Oct 5, 2020
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2020
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Could be something's off on OP's car; fourth gen is touted to have improved handling.

    They can vary: we first test drove a gen 3 with 15" wheels, then a touring with 17" wheels and suspension/steering revisions; the latter felt much more planted.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Oct 5, 2020
  6. mrchowmein

    mrchowmein Member

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    since you have a 2020, you probably still have warranty, ask the dealer to check your suspension and steering so see if anything loose or leaking.
     
    #6 mrchowmein, Oct 5, 2020
  7. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Scott, what was your previous car and what, if, other vehicles do you drive regularly?
     
    #7 fotomoto, Oct 5, 2020
  8. hox

    hox Junior Member

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    My previous car was a Gen 3 prius 2, sold it to my son when I bought the 2020 prime. The old prius was running Michelin Defender 195 65 R15. Other cars are Volvo XC90 and a Mazda Miata. My Miata is lowered and runs a racing suspension 15x8 wheels and 200 tw tires.
    Same roads with some good twisty turns and both the volvo and the miata seem to give a decent amount of feedback as to what the car is doing and what the balance points are and the cars track properly. They are much easier to drive than the Prime, particularly on the freeway. At 70 mph it gets downright frightening, the Prime wants to just wander and you have to keep very focused on its lane position. It is not pulling to one side or the other you really cannot relax on a long drive as it seems to have a mind of its own. I did top off the tires recently as the car sat forever during the first few months of stay at home. I have less than 2K miles on it, and only used 3/4 of a tank of fuel. My commute is 12 miles each way so can do a round trip on all electric. I did change the oil and checked out the underside, I cannot recall seeing much of the suspension. Brakes are quite good. Just not digging how I have really focus on the car or I will get the lane departure beeps. I hate the dealership that I bought it from, so I will have to find another dealer in my area that I trust. I am hoping it is a combination of the Toyo tires but I agree the 2020 prime is lower to the ground than my 2013 prius and it should handle better
     
    #8 hox, Oct 6, 2020
  9. Leon1972

    Leon1972 Junior Member

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    I had the same issue . you're not alone. i have also made a post regarding this matter.car feels unstable at speed above 50. its like the wind is swaying you're car side to side..hope that makes sense.. don't bother going to the dealer, because I've done that and it was no help.i knew it had something to do with the tires and the groove of the certain freeways. The dealer couldn't duplicate the problem and wanted to charge me a $210 diagnostic fee. I got into a big argument with the manager regarding the charge when i felt this definitely was a safety matter (car had 600 miles at the time).So after doing lots of research on the forums ended up with the lightest 17 inch wheels possible and don't go cheap on tires. Problem was solve and the issue was gone.Car was stable at any speed(that's how it should've been)and handles really well.Hope this helps..
    I ran a 17x7 wheel(48offset)
    205-50-17 michelin as-3 tires.
    fitment was perfect and looks awesome!!
     
    #9 Leon1972, Oct 6, 2020
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  10. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Aerodynamic cars like the Prius can feel unstable on highways with even a light cross breeze, but You should know what that feels like with the gen3.

    Have you checked the alignment? It's possible for two wheels to be out, but their pulling cancelling out the other. That could lead to wandering. Same with just a low toe in that high efficiency cars can have as spec.
     
    #10 Trollbait, Oct 6, 2020
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    What exactly causes excess wandering? Caster off? Toe too?
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Oct 6, 2020
  12. hox

    hox Junior Member

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    Thanks Leon,
    What wheel choice did you go with? Inventories are pretty low right now due to production disruptions and shipping disruptions.
     
    #12 hox, Oct 6, 2020
  13. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    My guess is toe, as that is what is set for staying straight by having each wheel set to pull just a tiny bit to the side opposite the wheel. Which of course contributes to overall rolling resistance. So in a car designed for fuel efficiency, like the Prius, the specification is set closer to zero, the wheel being straight. Between the narrower tolerance, and bumping during transport, it is more likely to be off enough to cause issues than with other cars.
     
    #13 Trollbait, Oct 6, 2020
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  14. Leon1972

    Leon1972 Junior Member

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    #14 Leon1972, Oct 7, 2020
  15. hox

    hox Junior Member

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    Those look nice. So far I cannot seem to find what the OEM 15 x 6.5 wheels weigh that came on my 2020 prime limited. I am guessing somewhere around 18lbs as that is the initial weight that the aftermarket wheel thread said to shoot for (or less). Does anyone know?

    Thanks again
     
    #15 hox, Oct 10, 2020
  16. bluespruce

    bluespruce Member

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    Go ahead with Tire rack for tires and wheels but you can get the Autel Tool far less on Ebay. Approx $180.
     
    #16 bluespruce, Oct 11, 2020
  17. bluespruce

    bluespruce Member

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    Hello Leon1972

    If you don't mind could you post some photos of your setup. It sounds like a nice setup but have not seen others like this. Thanks
     
    #17 bluespruce, Nov 3, 2020
  18. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    Get a wheel alignment and suspension inspection, check the air pressure in the tires, check your tire gage for accuracy.

    I have a Gen 3 and I can tell you my Prime handles better.

    A change to a performance tire may be in order, although you will probably take a mileage hit.
     
    #18 MikeDee, Nov 3, 2020
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2020
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