Low profile tires destroyed my front end

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by IwasBirchyFirst, Sep 3, 2025 at 12:29 AM.

  1. IwasBirchyFirst

    IwasBirchyFirst Junior Member

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    So one of my 2010s had the low profile tire and I live in N TX, where the cement roads develop multi-inch deep potholes in a matter of days (bad soil, every house has huge cracks, curbside utility boxes look like the leaning tower of Pisa) and it takes months for the cities to repair. Normal wheels/tires survive these sharp edged monsters well enough, but those low profile tires absorb almost none of the impact and my front end is rattling greatly in just a short year. (I drive for a living).I will add, that I replace worn tires with used rubber. I get about 6 months from a $40 used tire, even driving about 30 hrs/wk, but they are always on the last 6 months of the tread.

    Just looking for validation, that others have experienced the same issue.
     
    bisco likes this.
  2. Hayslayer

    Hayslayer Member

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    If you have those driving conditions, why not install tires/rims that are more forgiving in those conditions and/or lower your tire pressures?

    I have 195/65/15 tires on my car. If I put 42/38 psi in the fronts/backs to get max MPG I feel every stone in the road. If I put 30 psi in the tires, it's like the smoothest ride ever made.

    Low profile/high pressure is a recipe for destruction.
     
  3. 462disco

    462disco Junior Member

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    Get some stock 15's and run 205/70R15.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yeah, those bad boys have always been on my no-no list
     
    #4 bisco, Sep 3, 2025 at 1:49 PM
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2025 at 2:33 PM
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    You're on 215/45R17, with the stock 17" rims? What's the speed limit? Alternate route?