Tire wear question

You probably have the highest PSI ever posted. What is the printed Maximum PSI for each tire currently. Compare this manufacture's maximum against what you currently have inside.

Most people run the PSI higher than the factory tire placard, but still maintain the 2PSI differential, between the front and rear. I have seen lots of 42/40, 40/38, and 38/36. I have never see 50-44.

Is this a rhetorical question? You do realize the human eye would not be able to detect 0.5degree increments that an alignment machine can. As you probably also know, the alignment machine would know how far out of specifications each side is, and alert the mechanic when each side is back to specifications.

How much tread is left on the tires?
What will be cheaper? Front end alignment (Prius lacks adjustable rear angles, unless a shim is used) or frequent premature tire replacement?

Camber-Caster have tradeoffs for stability and cornering. Read this.
Alignment Measures | Yokohama Tire Corp. | Yokohama Tire Corporation

When were the suspension components last changed?
What is the current ride height of each corner? Compare the Front Left vs Front Right and Rear Left vs Rear Right.

 

At 50 and 44 and you are seeing inside tire wear on the fronts, I would suggest you need the alignment checked for openers but most likely aligned and I would not be surprised if some suspension components have reached the end of their service life. Your choice tires or alignment. But at 50psi in the fronts those things should be riding on the center rib of the tire not the inside edge.

 

Tires will tend to wear faster on the inside edges, due to the negative camber on the rear. It's by design: having the rear wheels slightly splayed out at the bottom keeps the car more planted during cornering. By the time the tires are near done that will take it's toll, but it's not that significant.

I'd take no action, other than to lower your tire pressures a bit, stay closer to the spec. in the driver's door jamb, maybe give them another rotation, and start window shopping for replacements.

 

I am new with Prius' and don't know they are set to wear the inside front tire. Could be as many cars are.

Easiest check for a home DIY would be toe.
If you have excess toe out the inside fronts would wear.
That could explain why outer tire wear is reduced with higher pressure.

Home DIY caster/ camber (especially 4 wheel alignments) with internet bought tool kits I have no experience with.
Might be best to look for a $99.95 alignment special have a pro do the alignment.

Good luck.

 

Cool Mike, sounds like you have a firm understanding of what you are talking about and more importantly the ambition and where-with-all to be as self reliant as you can be. Props brother!

 

...or... you can just buy another set of tires.

Honestly, couldn't catch half of what you wrote down. What I can say is the inside wore faster on my Prius tires as well and I had to replace them prematurely. Even though I got 90k miles out of them, like you I am stretching the dollar. Seeing perfectly good tread on the rest of the tire was disappointing. As Mendel Leisk said, the camber is designed that way. Messing with the car to increase tire life for tires you didn't even purchase new sounds like penny wise pound foolish. You don't know what the previous owner did.

Cheap new tires cost $50 each anyway. A pair would be the same cost as an alignment.

 

The fuel filter is not a serviceable item in the traditional sense; it is not a la carte replacement, like an air filter, oil filter, spark plugs. Fuel filter replacement requires a NEW gas tank.

Ball joints and bushings too.

Wouldn't it be wise to spend your limited funds on proper maintenance (ie suspension work as the struts and shocks may have never been changed) and a genuine alignment instead of accessories?