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16" or 17" wheels

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Coopers ST, Sep 23, 2017.

  1. Coopers ST

    Coopers ST Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2017
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    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I am in need of new warm weather tires. I have snow tires I am going to keep on the stock wheels, but if I need new warm weather tires I may as well get new wheels also, so...do i get 16" or 17"? The search function seems to be giving errors now, does anyone have real world experience with either on a 09? Is a 17" just too big for the car?

    Thanks
     
    #1 Coopers ST, Sep 23, 2017
  2. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2015
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    Location:
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    17" are not too large for the car as long as you go with a lower profile tire. For example, instead of a 185/65-15 (stock size) you might go with a 185/55-17, or 185/50-17 (check TireRack.com for the proper size to maintain overall tire diameter)
    When you get into low profile tires like those, they're likely going to be sport tires which will have drawbacks:
    - they won't be low-rolling-resistance, so will seriously decrease mpg
    - they will wear quickly, so won't last as long
    - they will be more expensive

    The nice thing about the stock size (185/65-15) is that they tend to be the least expensive size for a given tire make/model.
     
    #2 tvpierce, Sep 30, 2017
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