When a big storm is forecast, the waiting line at local shops isn't just an hour or two, it is all day. Having a set mounted on separate rims, and doing the swap yourself, means you can quickly do it when you want, not when the shop can fit you in. I wasn't sure, as your profile shows a 2012, conflicting with the thread title. Winter tire needs vary drastically with location. My experience with All Season tires in my wet but mild location is that they are adequate near home the first winter, but if run year-round, will degrade to Three Season tires by the second winter. Your experience of not needing better tires on your 4WD suggests a similarly mild winter drive. Many other owners drive in considerably worse conditions demanding true winter tires not only on the Prius, but on the Range Rover as well.
I had an 05 Prius. I live in Colo. at 10000 ft where snow and ice are huge. After 2 years with the '05 I got snow tires and it made a phenomenal difference -- 4 tires. Now I have a 2013 PiP. Sadly the wheel size is such that I cannot use the old snow tires (so we sold them with the '05). But we will soon get snow tires for the new car.
Yeah lol. I let the auto type change things. I used to have a jeep grand Cherokee as well. Never used snow tires on the Jeep either.
Oh. Yeah I just leased the pip in October. Great deals on the car. It is a 2013 white base model. Last one on the lot.
I went with these rims: Corolla steel rim, part no: 42611-02471-SW (2007 model year?) (15" black steel rim) steel rim lug nuts: 90942-01007 Alloy rims look a LOT better, but then no one knows you've got snows.
Does anyone have the rim specs? I want to find another set for our PIP. Will 114mm x 5 lug 16" 2 3/8" opening fit?