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17" Wheels on the 2010 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by ronhowell, Feb 12, 2009.

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  1. ronhowell

    ronhowell Active Member

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    Can anyone tell me what the advantages are of having the 17" wheels available as an option on the new generation Prius?

    I hear that the mileage suffers to the tune of 2-3 MPG, the car is certainly heavier as a result of the heavier suspension, so where are the pros? Do the larger diameter wheels carry low profile tires; is the overall tire rolling radius higher than for the 15" wheels?
     
    #1 ronhowell, Feb 12, 2009
  2. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    Lower profile tires = better handing due to less sidewall flex. There's also an aesthetic appeal. If it were possible to have LRR tires on the 17", that' be the best of both worlds.

    I'm thinking some light 16" rims would be a fantastic compromise.
     
    #2 HTMLSpinnr, Feb 12, 2009
  3. ronhowell

    ronhowell Active Member

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    If there's less sidewall flex in low profile tires than in regular tires, doesn't that mean that the rolling resistance should be lower, since less energy is being used to deform the tire while rolling?
    What am I missing here?
     
    #3 ronhowell, Feb 12, 2009
  4. Husker4theSpurs

    Husker4theSpurs Active Member

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    Let's also mention ... THEY LOOK BETTER TO SOME PEOPLE!
     
    #4 Husker4theSpurs, Feb 12, 2009
  5. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    The wider contact patch contributes to higher rolling resistance.
     
    #5 HTMLSpinnr, Feb 12, 2009
  6. ronhowell

    ronhowell Active Member

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    Who in hell cares ... you don't spend your day staring at car tires do you!
     
    #6 ronhowell, Feb 12, 2009
  7. ronhowell

    ronhowell Active Member

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    So is the effective rolling radius of the 17" higher than for the 15" wheeled tire? Also is the LP tire capable of running at higher pressures? I would guess not, since the tendency for any tire under internal pressure is for the X-section to go circular.
     
    #7 ronhowell, Feb 12, 2009
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Looks good (makes the Prius look a lot better even though it's the same car and only the wheels have changed) as well as better handling (wider tyres = more rubber = better grip plus as Rick said, less sidewall flex. The ride will be stiffer even if the suspension hasn't changed).
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Feb 12, 2009
  9. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    if the car is designed for it, it should still ride well... i spent some time in new Avensis Wagon with 18" wheels (highest available factory package) and it went well over the big bumps we have around here... it might have been firmer overall than Prius, but it also lost a lot less composure over the bumps which actually made it feel better...
     
    #9 spwolf, Feb 12, 2009
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yeah but note you're used to the firmer setup in Europe and your roads are a lot smoother and of better quality (maybe not in E. Europe but in the west for sure).
     
    #10 Tideland Prius, Feb 12, 2009
  11. carz89

    carz89 I study nuclear science...

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    advantages: slightly better handling on dry pavement, better looking (according to some).

    disadvantages: more expensive (both the wheels and the tires), reduced mpg, slower acceleration, slightly poorer handling on wet pavement due to larger contact area between rubber and road; slightly reduced stopping power; reduced ride comfort with the shorter sidewalls
     
    #11 carz89, Feb 13, 2009
  12. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Less sidewall flex would be for more aggresive cornering; turning and sideloads, not rotational loads.

    I'm with HTMLspinner on 16" wheels. I think they would be a nice option. Slap on 205 width tires, and whatever profile for the correct diameter.

    Keep the 16" wheels from the Gen2 Touring for the Gen3. I like them even with the plastic wheel covers. They look like alloys.
     
    #12 cycledrum, Feb 13, 2009
  13. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    17" wheels on the 2010 Prius ...

    That would be the $expensive$ car

    :)
     
    #13 cycledrum, Feb 13, 2009
  14. Mike Dimmick

    Mike Dimmick Active Member

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    It's actually marginally smaller. A 195/65R15 tyre has an approximate rolling circumference of 1993.34mm (78.47"), while a 215/45R17 has a circumference of 1964.44mm (77.34"). The 15" has 807 revs per mile, the 17" 819 revs per mile.

    A 225 width tyre would be a better match at 1992.71mm (78.45"), still 807 revs per mile. However, that probably is too wide.
     
    #14 Mike Dimmick, Feb 13, 2009
  15. twilsonchicago

    twilsonchicago Junior Member

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    Hey, does anyone know if wheels that fit gen 2 will also properly fit gen 3's, and vice versa?


    Tim
     
    #15 twilsonchicago, Feb 13, 2009
  16. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    trust me, you guys get better roads than us... they are not bad here as in some other countries, but we have few on our test drive routes where it gets pretty bumpy. As I said, Avensis with 18" wheels takes on those bumps better than 2nd Gen Prius.
     
    #16 spwolf, Feb 13, 2009
  17. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Hi Tim,

    I don't believe that the 3G bolt pattern or wheel offset is known yet, so it would be difficult to answer your question accurately.
     
    #17 Patrick Wong, Feb 13, 2009
  18. alz

    alz Junior Member

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    I feel silly asking this, but I can't seem to find it anywhere ... is there an actually photo comparison of the different wheel sizes on the 2010?
     
    #18 alz, Feb 13, 2009
  19. Husker4theSpurs

    Husker4theSpurs Active Member

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    I said SOME people, not all ... why do I have to think the way you do? Pious would fit you well. It's an option. Maybe we should have 8" wheels ... why do you need 15"
     
    #19 Husker4theSpurs, Feb 13, 2009
  20. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    haha ok.

    There isn't a side-by-side pic but there are photos of both wheels on different cars in the photo albums. Search for "2010 Prius Official Photos". should be on page 3.
     
    #20 Tideland Prius, Feb 13, 2009
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