Changing wheels/tires okay idea?

Americans have some delusion that bigger wheels are better, I see a lot of 22 inch wheels (thankfully not on Prius) so the 'better' trim ranges of Prius models have cosmetically pleasing but horrible MPG and comfort wheels.

The v has a different bolt pattern (5 by 114) than other Prius, (5 by 100) so you can swap with other v owners but not Liftback, c. or PHV owners.

 

I wouldn't make any judgements about low profile tires in general based on what the OEM tires are like. The 17" tire/wheel combo does produce a harsher ride, but it also offers improved handling and performance in general. The 16" set won't alter the noise factor either. Give yourself some time to adjust to the different ride, and maybe even consider getting a better tire.

 

You don't have to go through the dealer for this. You can look into getting something from places such as Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels. Reducing unsprung weight is usually considered a good idea. Tire Rack lists the weight they measured for each wheel, and provides reviews from their testing and user input on tires to give you some more info.

The pros are you can get something lighter, or maybe something more appealing to the eye. It's also probably cheaper.

The cons are you might have to deal with a difficult to remove hub centering ring when in need of changing to the spare. Also, new sensors would need to be programmed to the car, not sure how much a place would charge for that. (Although ATEQ doesn't list '13 or '14 as compatible with it's QuickSet unit, I'd be surprised if it didn't work. Cost of that unit is around $150 so far that I've found.)

 

Regarding rough ride, have you checked the tire pressure?

Some are delivered with 40 PSI, the factory setting for their Pacific Cruise. Dealers are supposed to lower it to the recommended level before delivery, but not all do. That high pressure will create a rougher ride. If high, lower it to the recommended level first, before making any equipment changes.

Many of us like that 40-ish PSI on the regular tires. But that is too much for some folks, and more likely to be excessive on the low profile tires.

 

Another suggestion is to run 225/50R17 which is more aligned to the diameter to the 205/60R16 on the 16" than the standard 215/50R17.

 

I'm sure you could find someone local to you willing to trade their oem 16 inch wheels for your 17 inchers. You might even be able to get them to throw in a little extra cash for the deal.

SCH-I535

 

The 16" you drove might well have been quieter, but it was a different model tire. Around here you won't get many suggestions for tires except LRR tires, and in 17" models the choices are few. I wouldn't suggest anything but Michelin. My Energy Saver A/S tires, compared to the OE Toyo, are quieter, handle WAY better, and increased MPG by 3-4. They did not appreciably change the ride, but I run them at 40psi.

 

No one has mention much improved passive safety. Quiet and comfy ride means nothing if you can't avoid a collision with those awful 16".

 

Which is odd as race cars run wheels as small as 13 inches, must be for the ride as everyone know race cars don't need handling.[/sarcasm]


Formula One


Indy car

 

At the time we purchased our "v"-5 in Feb.of 2012 asked the dealer if they would swap our oem 17" for the "v"-3 oem 16"..they would not go for the swap....My thought was the 16" combo would potentially offer a somewhat softer ride...
Found a set of oem 16" "v"-3 take offs with Michelin energy saver a/s....in Florida thru the Priuschat sales forum...
Eventually sold our "v"-5 oem 17" set to a gentleman in California....
Here's a link to my comparison of the 17" to the 16"
"v" OE 17" vs 16" wheel/tire observations.. | PriusChat

 

I'd check the tire pressures (as mentioned above by fuzzy), just in case.

We alternate between 215/45R17 Michelin Pilot (the OEM) and 195/65R15 Michelin X-Ice (snow tires on steel rims). The latter are more cushy, but I just live with the difference. I set the 15" pressures higher than the 17". The 17" offer marginally better cornering stability I think, but we really don't push them, drive conservatively.

Keep in mind, come trade-in time, there'll be some questions regarding the odd combo: the higher level with base tires.

 

There is no such thing as a perfect tire, you can't buy one with any amount of money.

The manufacturer makes trade offs in dry handling, wet handling, stopping distance, noise, rolling resistance, snow, cold handling, longevity, etc. I've paid 100% more for a tire sometimes recognizing I'd only get improvements in some areas and not all.

Alignment is the same, Toyota will give you some specs but your setup might be on one side of the spec and mine on the other end of the acceptable range and we'd both be OK per the spec but get different results. Don't assume your car was delivered with the proper alignment!

And then there is inflation pressure. Tradeoff between (lower) wear on the outside edges and (higher) wear on the center. MPG (higher) versus ride softness (lower).

And the state of the tread depth.

And the design of the tread.

And your ears. Just drove in my wife's car a few weeks ago and picked up a noise, three of her wheels were aligned out of Toyota spec and the tires were cupping on the edge even though they were very good tires. She had not heard the noise. 25k and I'll have to scrap a few of them even though to the casual eyeball they look good.

And your driving style. I came from a 4wd CRV with aggressive noisy wonderful rain tires and a Porsche with ultra high summer only performance tires. I doubt I drive the v3 the same way I drove either.

And the road surface.

And the weather in your area.

And the amount of noise-dampening material the manufacturer installs in the car. (The v has darn little.)

Lots of variables.

Yes the sidewall and ride can be softer on the 16" because there is more crush area between the pothole and the rim on the 16".

 

I know the comment was in jest but anyway, when you take into account just purely the stopping distance of a high performance tyre vs slippery eco tyre, even a saving of half a car length at pedestrian speeds is the difference between being side swiped and just missing. Sure driving a Prius doesn't help but there isn't a performance 7 seater out there (maybe except the Renault Espace F1)

 

We run 40/41 psi on the v's OEM 17" rims and Proxes 215/45-series tires and don't note any noise or ride quality issues. Love it, in fact.

The higher pressures also reduce the potential for low profile tire sidewall and rim damage.

 

The mandated 13" rims and high aspect ratio spec Pirelli tires are anachronistic, with the sidewalls providing a significant portion of the "suspension travel" in today's F1 design.

Next weekend, at FOM request, Pirelli is set to test 18" rims and low profile tires on the Lotus.