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Are Jetta wheels compatible?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by bk2049, Jun 15, 2019.

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  1. bk2049

    bk2049 Junior Member

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    Just purchased a 2010 Prius. I'd like to have snow tires & wheels for the winter. I have a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta with snow tires now. I read somewhere that these will fit my Prius. I'd love to use them instead of buying new wheels and tires. I believe that they have the same bolt pattern (5x100). The size is marginally different (195-65-15 vs. 195-55-15). Can anybody shed light on whether it's possible to make this swap and whether it is a good or bad idea? Thank you.
     
    #1 bk2049, Jun 15, 2019
  2. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    If the bolt pattern is the same, the remaining two variables are the hub size and the wheel offset. You can measure both, and if they allow a fit with the proper offset, then you should have no problem.

    As for the difference in tire sizes, from the Tire Rack specs for Michelin X-Ice (may not be your brand, but the numbers should be typical and especially relative to each other in size):

    195/65R15 25" diameter, 832 revolutions/mile

    195/55R15 23.4" diameter, 888 revolutions/mile

    Compared to the larger tire, the smaller tire should provide you with about 1/2-3/4" ground clearance (overall diameter under load is hard to predict), and the speedometer will read faster than you are actually going. Assuming your speedometer is correct for 195/65R15 (and most read high from the factory), then with the smaller tire the wheels will turn faster for a given speed and the speedometer will read faster than it does now, by a factor of (888-832)/832 or 6.7% higher.
     
    #2 jb in NE, Jun 15, 2019
  3. mpg_numbers_guy

    mpg_numbers_guy Member

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    If you have them already, why not just jack up the Prius and try one on for size?
     
    #3 mpg_numbers_guy, Jun 15, 2019
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