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Snow Tires, Wheel costs

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by jamesbalch, Jan 20, 2007.

  1. jamesbalch

    jamesbalch Junior Member

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    Location:
    Northeast
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Living up here in the Northeast and always having had a 4 wheel drive vehicle to commute in, I am hesitant to drive the Prius in snowy conditions. This after having read the many threads here about how dissappointed some are in their Prius's performance in slippery going. I actually took my Trailblazer into work the other morning because we had snow, I had to go in super early and could just see myself getting stuck in an inch of it!

    I am thinking of buying an additional set of wheels, putting the best snow tires I can on them and running them only on the front (drive) wheels. I haven't read the owners manual about this yet, but I figured there would be someone here on the thread that has.

    Anyone know if it's OK with Toyota to run two diffent tires on the back and front of the Prius (snows on the front and M+S on the rear)?

    Anyone have an idea on the cost of a Prius wheel?

    TIA :)
     
    #1 jamesbalch, Jan 20, 2007
  2. kb0ou

    kb0ou Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jim B. @ Jan 20 2007, 02:50 PM) [snapback]378347[/snapback]</div>
    I think I would check the junk/wrecking yards for a couple of wheels, I would not care what Toyota says about putting different tires on the front, don't know what it would hurt.
    I used to have a set of studed snow tires for my chevete just for times like this.
    I am in Joplin, it has been pretty bad, the Prius does really well, I can't see the problems some have had on here. :unsure:

    John C
     
    #2 kb0ou, Jan 20, 2007
  3. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Never just put snows on the front. When you try to stop, the rear wheels will try to pass the front ones - the most dangerous skid. You will not see what you're going to hit, and you will not have a chance to steer around it. Think "snap spin". You will not find a reputable tire store that will put snows on the front only, and no, it's not because they want to make more money. It's because they don't want to deal with the lawsuit they would face if they did it and you crashed!

    You can get aluminum wheels for around $100 each or less. Or just steels for $30-40.
     
    #3 David Beale, Jan 20, 2007
  4. Bohous

    Bohous New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jim B. @ Jan 20 2007, 03:50 PM) [snapback]378347[/snapback]</div>

    If you don't mind taking a trip there are a lot of wheels and snow tires available on Boston's Craigslist (I saw few on NH's). I'm sure somebody in the know can chime in but you just need to find out what out lugnut pattern is for the wheels. As stated above, most tire dealers won't do 2 for safety concerns.
     
    #4 Bohous, Jan 20, 2007
  5. BORNGEARHEAD

    BORNGEARHEAD New Member

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    Info:
    http://www.snowtire.info/#four_snows


    If I found myself strapped for cash, I would run snow tires only on the front. I know plenty of people who have run only two snow tires on their FWD vehicles and have had no problems.
     
    #5 BORNGEARHEAD, Jan 20, 2007
  6. Squint

    Squint New Member

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    I checked Tirerack.com and they are apparently sold out of 15" steel rims for the season. There are alloy rims available but not a great variety in 15".
     
    #6 Squint, Jan 20, 2007
  7. meezercat

    meezercat New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Squint @ Jan 20 2007, 09:14 PM) [snapback]378436[/snapback]</div>
    I suggest calling. When I bought my snow tires in early December, they did not list the 15" steel rims on their website, but they had them when I called. I had my tires in 2 business days too.
     
    #7 meezercat, Jan 21, 2007
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