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Mount 17" Wheels? Firestone said absolutely not.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by RatedN, May 18, 2008.

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  1. RatedN

    RatedN New Member

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    Thanks! You are correct 4-6MPG is the loss. If it changes significantly in either direction, I'll definitely update again.
     
    #21 RatedN, May 31, 2008
  2. theegg

    theegg Junior Member

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    Don't see how you are still getting high MPG. Why do you think Toyota didn't put alloys on the Prius to begin with? They tried to keep it as light as possible. I actually don't mind the hubcaps. I watch out for curbs, but if I catch one, I only have to replace the hubcap!
     
    #22 theegg, Jun 2, 2008
  3. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Sounds good, thank you. Keep up the good work. :)
     
    #23 F8L, Jun 2, 2008
  4. cairo94507

    cairo94507 Active Member

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    The same shop that refused to mount 17" wheels on a Prius probably has no problem putting 24" spinners on some old ghetto Impala or Malibu.....
     
    #24 cairo94507, Jun 2, 2008
  5. RatedN

    RatedN New Member

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    Actually, you do have alloy rims if you have the stock setup, with both the standard and touring models. The plastic part is just a decorative trim ring that comes off to reveal part of the spokes on the standard model and all spokes on the touring. Alloy rims (aluminum in the case of the stock prius) are also actually lighter than steel rims that cars with real hubcaps come with. Aside from aesthetics, that's also why you'll only find alloy rims on real sports cars; they're not only stronger, but they're significantly lighter than steel wheels.

    Granted, the rims I put on my car are heavier (by about 12lbs on each wheel) than the stock 15" rims, but very well engineered larger rims (but quite expensive) can actually be lighter than even the smallest stock wheels.

    What works against me really isn't the weight, as I'm a fairly light fellow, but the rolling resistance of the wider tires. What works for me is warm weather, flat terrain and a little bit of good 'ol hypermilling.

    55MPG is not really all that impressive when considering that there are many here on PriusChat that get well over 60MPG. Even this fellow is able to get almost 60MPG out of a non-hybrid Honda Accord (granted he's a little...or rather really really insane with the hypermilling):
    59MPG in a regular Accord

    Really, the base of high mileage of the Prius is only partially attributed to the mechanics, another part is driving environment, and the last part is how you drive the car. It's what makes everyone's mileage here vary anywhere from 33MPG to 70MPG+.
     
    #25 RatedN, Jun 2, 2008
  6. Joekc

    Joekc Member

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    "Costco wouldn't even put 195/60-15 tires on my Prius."

    I had a similar experience buying tires for my now departed and unlamented Explorer.

    When I finally did find an acceptable tire at Costco, they filled them with nitrogen and put green caps on the stems. Later, when having my oil changed at Valvoline, they refused to top off my tires when they saw the green caps. The guy said mixing nitrogen and air was explosive. :eek: I told him he was breathing mostly nitrogen every second, but no light came to his dim eyes. True story.
     
    #26 Joekc, Jun 3, 2008
  7. clifford

    clifford Member

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    Your wheels do look great.
    Just a note about Firestone and their refusal.
    Don't be too hard on them. They make their living selling tires and not just installing those you bought elsewhere.
    Most businesses would frown on taking on the work and liability for little profit.
    Try and take a new diamond and a ring you bought on the internet to a jeweler some time and ask them just to mount it.
    I am sure you would have to go far and wide to find someone who would do this for you.
    Just makes business sense!
     
    #27 clifford, Jun 3, 2008
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