Yet another tire question

My brother-in-law who lives in Maine purchased Prius rims on e-bay and mounted studded snows on them. He did not bother with the tire pressure monitors and just ignores the dash warning light during the winters. He has had no problem getting around in the snow and ice of Maine.

 

I replaced my stock tires with Nokian WR. Nokian claim they have as much traction as the Mich. Ice, yet can be used year round. They are quiet, and handle great. No snow or ice yet, just had them put on the car two weeks ago. I used the 185/65R15-88H. Speedo reads exactly the same.

I had them on two other vehicles and they worked great. I think mrv has them on her car too.

I think they are a more practical solution than dedicated snow/ice tires. I don't have to worry about when I'm going to mount/dismount them.

 

1. Michelin Ice-X are rated as great tires. Any of the top rated winter tires will do however. Buy 4.

2. The TPMS system is not really essential if you check your own tire pressures frequently. Your options are:
a) Move the TPM valves each time you change tires. $$
bee) Forget them, especially if you have a second set of wheels. Put black tape over the dash warning signal if it bothers you. $
c) Buy another set of TPM valves at $85 EACH and pay the Toyota dealership $50 everytime you change tires to re-register the valves with the system. $$$$

3. If you have moved to wider tires as most of us have done, get narrower tires for the winter, i.e. go back to 185s for you winter tires. This was just discussed in the Tire Rack's new mailing. Visit the Tire Rack site, even if you are not buying from them. There is much useful info there, in addition to what you have gathered here.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Renocat @ Oct 12 2007, 03:01 PM) [snapback]524754[/snapback]</div>

I've got to ask: are you new to this part of the country? And can you be a little more specific about where you live and have to drive? I've lived here for 30 years and long ago gave up on any sort of special tires on my cars. We keep the roads around here in pretty good shape (through the use of perhaps more salt than any other area in the country - we used to call it "Rustchester") and the impact of snow and ice is really quite minimal.

I'll admit that we are new to a Prius - so we haven't driven it in winter, but we did just fine with conventional tires (Michalen Hydroedge) on our Sienna or on my 1999 Neon. Driving intelligently in bad weather goes a long way!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Doc Willie @ Oct 12 2007, 10:58 AM) [snapback]524660[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Doc Willie @ Oct 12 2007, 11:58 AM) [snapback]524660[/snapback]</div>

Am I correct in assuming that the move to wider tires - instead of the OEM 185/65-15 - is primarily to improve handling and not to improve fuel efficiency? Also, is their a recent consensus on the recommended all season replacement tire - both size and brand - for a non-touring Prius (15") - assuming that you're primarily looking for improved handling? Granted getting a consensus on anything in a web forum is about as likely as Britney Spears getting a degree in Physics.

For example, the Goodyear Assurance Triple-Treds size 195/60/15 seems to be one popular choice. However, this size didn't turn up on sears or tirerack.

Corrected to Add: looks like 195/65-15 is the more widely available "wider" tire.


Nokian WR 195/60R15 also seems popular. From what little I've read (or know), the Nokian WR seems to be a great choice.

http://www.tiresbyweb.com/showproduct.aspx...p;ProdVar=49906

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(joe1347 @ Oct 13 2007, 09:15 PM) [snapback]525299[/snapback]</div>

Yes, it is mainly handling. Some report a 1-2 MPG hit, but often compensate by higher pressures.

The consensus seems to be 195/65s. Some go to 205s, but these begin to affect speedometer readings.