I was looking around at replacement tires for our gen5 prime. There are a lot of good tires out there, but very few of them are available in size 195/60R17. We do get some snow and ice (not a lot, but some), so l am wondering what folks have found and/or can recommend in good quality, long lasting, low rolling resistance all-weather tires in size 195/60R17 or 205/60R17. And that don't appreciably harm mileage or EV range. Thanks.
215/55R17 is an acceptable size for the original 17x6.5" rims, and a lot more common. I suggest including that size in your search. (Can't advise on all-weather - I'm switching between summer 195/50R19 and studded winter 215/55R17).
Thanks, but l don't want to go that wide. Plus, a narrower tire does better in snow and mud too. Anyone know of decent tires in the OE size (for 17" rims)?
If you wait a bit, CrossClimate 3 in 205/55R17 is a possibility. 1.1% smaller than the stock. You'd only lose about 1/8" of ground clearance. It was just announced in Europe. Should eventually make it to North America. For the 19" owners, Michelin Europe has also added a CC3 205/50R19. 1.5% bigger than stock. I think I've found my next tire.
Thanks, that is a good tire, but l really want a sidewall equal to stock or, better, slightly taller than stock, like a 205/60R17 (but that size seems even harder to find).
Yeah, I'm not certain anyone out there(in North America at least) makes a 205/60R17. Your realistic choices are between the 205/55R17 and the 215/55R17. You need to decide whether a small reduction in sidewall/clearance or a small reduction in mpg is more important to you. 205/55R17 Pros - Should be about the same mpg. Probably very, very slightly better at city speeds and very slightly worse at highway speeds. CC2 available now. Cons - Tiny bit smaller tire. Lose about 1/8" ground clearance and about 3/16" sidewall. CC3 not available yet - maybe not until next year. 215/55R17 Pros - Very slightly bigger tire. Less than 1/8" more sidewall and negligible increase in clearance. Lots of great tire choices. Cons - Small but noticeable hit in mpg due to increased weight and air resistance. Starting to be a little wide for the wheel, but still acceptable. 215/60R17 Pros - A full 1/2" more sidewall, and 1/2" more ground clearance over stock. Cons - Bigger hit to mpg over 215/55R17. Not many great tires in this size, but some are available. Also a little wide for the wheel(but still acceptable).
Going to a taller sidewall might be reasonable for me. But anything available in the usa that is decent that is in the actual OE size, so 195/60R17 ?
Nope. Only mediocre(at best) all-season and a great winter. No all-weather. All-Season: Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus Toyo Extensa A/S II B Goodyear Assurance MaxLife2 Winter: Michelin X-Ice Snow
Good info, thanks. I got the stock toyo on there now, do you know much about the ecopia or the goodyear? Also, l noticed this one also comes in 195/60R17, and it also appears to be an all-weather tire. Is it any good ? Nexen Tire › N'Blue 4 Season 2
Sorry, no idea to either question. I suspect there are no major differences between the Toyo, Bridgestone or Goodyear. I think they're all standard quality tires that emphasize efficiency and economy over grip performance. As for the Nexen, I had never heard of that brand before. Google says it's a budget South Korean brand that's been around for 70 years(so they were founded shortly after the Korean War). I don't think I'd personally try them, but I probably live in harsher conditions than you do. I'm also a bit of a tire snob. I had several bad experiences due to bad tires when I was in my teens/twenties, so I'm no longer willing to compromise to save a few bucks.
Thanks for all of the suggestions and input. l too would be more of a tire snob, but not many decent choices for the gen5 SE. Totally unrelated, l got myself a Toyota OE spare and jack at very low cost with your forum suggestions, so thanks. The jack is in the car, l keep the donut spare in my shed unless l take a road trip (no easy space in the prime). But, l am curious, is it necessary (or recommended) to get the spare balanced?
No, you don't need to balance it. A compact spare has low mass, isn't meant to be driven over 50/55mph, or driven more than 50 miles. A full size spare should be balanced like any other tire, but not a compact spare.
True, all other things being equal. If you open the search to other sizes, those things may not be equal though. A narrower ultra low rolling resistance tire may do quite a bit worse in snow than a wider all season. There are so many choices in 215/55 that they can be bewildering for someone like me who doesn't make a hobby of tire shopping. The Dunlop Enasaves that came on Corolla were pretty good on a dry road and provided measurably better efficiency than the tire with which I replaced them, but were not safe in the wet and snow. I bought new wheels and mounted Michelin Defenders, a good all season tire with good water evacuation. Efficiency dropped a bit but I gained consistently mediocre adhesion in rain and snow. Choosing from a size everyone makes may allow you to better pursue your priorities.
What about 205/55/17? Only 1.9% difference in circumference than stock. Several all season options including non run flats like Michelin Cross Climate 2 and Continental TrueContact Tour 54. I do not have experience with any new tires yet for this vehicle, but these two did receive good ratings on Tire Rack.
Yeah, if I went with a tire size different from OE (which I might end up doing, not sure yet), I would want to go to a slightly taller sidewall vs a shorter sidewall. Lots of killer potholes out here.
Sounds like 215 width is what you will need if you want taller sidewalls and a decent tire selection. Hopefully someone can chime in with winter environment experience too. Maybe difficult to find a tire with eco focus if you also prefer a tire that favors winter.
I don't have any personal experience, but it looks like michelin makes a winter tire in the OE size (for 17" rims), see one of hammersmith's posts above.
Are you planning to have two sets of wheels and tires? The Michelin X-Ice snow are dedicated winter tires.
Oh no, I am not. Sorry, I thought you were looking for good winter tires for a gen5 (with 17" rims). I am likely going to do all-seasons or all weathers, well, if I can find some that are good.
