CPO 2010 PRIUS Tires / MPG

congrats! as long as you don't exceed the sidewall rating.

 

safe is a relative term. it really depends on the road conditions and your driving style. i've never had an accident in ten years of 42/40.

 

A 2010 V? That's with 215/45R17 tires?

Our Canadian Touring model is similar, same tires. The 17" low profiles have much less give than the 15". I'd be inclined to not go much above the pressures recommended by Toyota, on the driver's door jamb placard: 33 psi front , 32 psi rear.

I've been running 36 psi all around, but was having a few concerns:

1. The integrity of my fillings.

2. The aforementioned braking, and cornering, grip.

3. The transmission of more of the road's irregularities into the suspension.

The latter in particular is concerning me, I'm thinking higher pressures may accelerate suspension wear. Anyway, yesterday I brought them all down to 34 psi, only marginally higher than specification. The ride is a bit smoother, and so far it doesn't feel like rolling resistance is being impacted.

I'm gonna leave them there for a tank or two, see how it goes.

 

Every credible study I've found show higher tire pressure:

• improves handling
• reduces hydroplaning
• shortens stopping distance

So I run at max sidewall pressure and enjoy the ride.

Bob Wilson

 

I am on my second set of Michelin Energy Saver AS, 195x65x15 on our 2010 Prius. The first set lasted nearly
70,000 miles. I keep all at 44 psi (max. sidewall listed pressure). The second set is wearing the same evenly in
on the way to another 70,000 miles. MPG increased 2-3 mpg over stock Yokohama Avid factory tires...

 

I just completed a round trip to Erie, Pa from Dallas, Tx. On the way to Erie route was up thru Ok,Mo,ind,and Ohio , mostly flat running. Tires at 40/40 speed 75 to 85 mph. Got 47 mpg. On the way back southern route thru Ky, Tn, Ar. A lot more hilly and mountains. Back loaded with about 400 lbs we didn't have we didn't have on the way up. Tires at 35/35 lbs. .Got about 44 mpg. Ride much smoother and quieter. No diff. in handling at 75 to 85 mph. Excellent wet traction both to and from Erie( rained hard there and back.) Diff in mpg I think was from hilly route and extra weight. Notice smother ride now with extra weight gone. Absolutely no diff in city mpg from 40/40 to 35/35 psi.195/65-15 Yokohama AVID Ascend tires with about 10,000 miles on them.

 

I dropped tire pressures at the beginning of the last tank, from around 37 to 34, this is with 215/45R17. So far the accumulating mpg on the trip meter is about the usual. The ride is noticeably smoother, the tires absorbing bumps better. I'm sure there's mpg benefits in running higher pressures, but I'm beginning to question how much benefit, and weigh against the increase stressing of the suspension system.

Regardless of all that, if I can drop the pressures a bit, have a smoother ride, with little or no drop in mpg, where's the downside?

 

I totally agree. I'll go for the smother ride every time.!!

 

IMHO, the shocks are too stiff.

Bob Wilson