I want bigger softer riding tires for next tires.

are you running stock pressure? mine are at 40, and potholes/manholes make me wince too.

michelin energy savers have helped, but i only have stock size.

 

Tires that advertise great "traction" usually have softer treads and sometimes softer sidewalls too.
BUT they likely will crash your gas mileage, especially if they are wider.
And they will wear out faster too.

What are you running for tire pressures ?
If you increased the pressure attempting to eek out some extra fuel mileage, THAT might be part of the problem.

Your stated objectives of having stronger tires that ride softer probably can't BOTH be obtained together.

 

There is no guarantee that extra pressure will help even out the wear. That varies with tire brands and models.
Try dropping the pressure back down to the recommendation on the door sticker or maybe 2 PSI less for about a week and see how you like that.
You might be worrying a lot about a problem that you don't really have.......or that has a really easy solution.
Might.

 

Snow tires are soft, squishy and numb out of season and typically extremely loud.

There are so called comfortread tires that are both less noisy and “softer riding” supposedly


https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?width=205%2F&ratio=75&diameter=14&startIndex=0&search=true&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&RunFlat=All

Tire Size Comparison

Hmm maybe run Gen I 14” rims?

 

Good thought.
But maybe "winter" tires would be a better choice.
They usually put a lot of rubber on the road.

Real "snow" tires have always been kind of a joke......because they are actually worse on ice.

 

4 season treads are usually falling into 2 famous European brands, not sure if either are quiet but both are well regarded and rated in other metrics, may not even need a “different size” to get the benefits

 

If I may channel Sam: most tire shops will not aid-and-abet you, installing non-stock tires. Not sure if it’s legislation, their lawyers’ advice, concern for your well being, or a combo of the above.

 

It’s always monetary, the same reason they won’t install a patch that will be fine in 99.9% of cases, they don’t make much money on the patch and could be held liable for installing it in that 1 out of 100,000 situation where the tire both fails, causes injuries and is traced back

 

Tire integrity aside, it's going to change handling, dramatically.

Sometimes you get a notion, go looking for a way to accomplish it, and get stonewalled. Costco won't do something like this; heck they won't even air up tires to any pressure but stock. And I think most tire shops will have the same policy. Just maybe there's some good reasons?

Too, if there's a chance you're going to be selling or trading-in soon, prospective buyers may not be enamored by this "lifted Prius".

Maybe sleep on it.

 

Wait.....what ??
What is a "non-stock" tire ??

Most tire shops these days can get almost any brand and type of tire that is "certified" and tested to meet US standards.
Some are more expensive than others.

They will not sell you a tire with a lower speed rating than the car maker recommends........usually......but except for that I don't understand what you are trying to say.

 

Non stock size tires.

It's a CYA policy to avoid possible litigation.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

OK, I get that but a very small difference in the size designation might really be a TINY difference in size.
Some cars even list more than one size in the owners manual.

 

The big resellers won’t install a “non-stock “size anymore,
I caught them with their panties in a bind because my cars size was no longer manufactured, then I had to sign a waiver and they would only install 4 at a time.

 

I have heard of 195/80r15’s mounted overseas

I do not remember if he used spring spacers for additional lift

205/70 or 75 may work but ymmv I have never noticed anyone mention those upsizes but there are many rims that fit a Prius, get yourself a cheap full size spare from the wrecker in the size you wish to test and see what happens, be forewarned that what may at first seem like a good fit may eventually get groves wore in the sidewall on each bump as happened with my truck on the front wheels intermittently rubbing brake and suspension components.

 

Putting different sized tires on is going to screw up your speedometer/odometer.

 

Maybe.
But it might "fix" the common error in the speedo/odo too.
Depends on how much different and which way.