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Should I downgrade to stock 15 from 215/45/17 ?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by dram91801, Jul 12, 2020.

  1. dram91801

    dram91801 Junior Member

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    Hi All

    My 2013 Model 4 has currently had 215/45/17 with Yokohama Avid Envigor tires. I live northeast of downtown LA. I never seem to get past 42 MPG even when paying close attention to power bar and employing hypermiling techniques. I've been thinking about swapping the wheels and tires for the stock 15s. The question for the forum is...do you think that will boost me MPG to ~50 ? I'd also note that the ride while bot horrible on the current set can be a bit noisy and rough on certain unmaintained streets here. For what is is worth, I feel that the low profile wheels don't coast as effectively as they could.

    Thanks in advance
     
    #1 dram91801, Jul 12, 2020
  2. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    I would say that it probably is not worth the time, trouble and cost.......
    UNLESS you can sell your present wheels/tires for enough to break even or come out a bit ahead, money wise.

    I think the increase in mileage will be small.......and depending on what tires you choose, the noise might go UP.
    It's a crap shoot.
     
    #2 sam spade 2, Jul 13, 2020
    GardenWeasel likes this.
  3. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Wait, you mean the measure that Californians decided to keep alive to were gas prices will continue to build the $54 billion fund for road improvement haven't taken effect yet? The $0.50 gas tax increase kicked in last week.
     
    #3 Grit, Jul 14, 2020
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I alternate between stock 215/45R17 all-seasons (on stock 17" rims, porkers...) and Michelin X-Ice 195/65R15 (on Corolla steel rims) through winter, get about the same mpg with both. So yeah, the 17's do impose a mpg penalty.

    What pressure are you running the 17''s at? I do 33 all-around, and ride's not bad (currently have Primacy hxm4). Still a little harsh, but if you're up any higher it can be punishing, and kinda pointless, not any appreciable better mpg.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Jul 14, 2020
  5. dram91801

    dram91801 Junior Member

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    I usually run the 17s at 38 psi.
    Would be cool to find a site that collected MPG data from users by zip code
     
    #5 dram91801, Jul 16, 2020
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Have you tried lower? Spec is 33/32 front/rear. I run 33 all 'round, find the ride more comfortable, little if any mpg diff.

    Simplest way to test is drop them and yours for a tank or two.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Jul 16, 2020
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