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Toyota Prius Tire/Wheel Questions
Discuss tire & wheel questions for the Prius here
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What this means is that if you move to another type of tire, you will lose MPG because of more tire and more rubber on the road. This means more friction and more work for the engine to "push" the car down the road, which means more fuel used.
My suggestion is to air those new tires up as high as you are comfortable with and be happy you are driving a high mileage car.... :shades:
What is certain from many other owners reports, is that new tires must be "broken in" before you see the mileage return. It can take a few thousand miles before this happens.
I don't like "airing up for mileage". Too much pressure in the tire for the load it's carrying will cause the center to wear faster than the sides of the tread. It seems to me this alone could cause more friction and lower mileage a bit (unless the pressure is so high the sides of the tread aren't in good contact with the road - in which case you have just lowered your braking and handling capabilities).
If there is any question, proper inflation can be determined by using tire chalk across the tread. Drive a short distance and check for even loss of chalk. If the center wears faster than the sides, lower pressure, in the sides wear faster, raise the pressure.
1. Air to mfg specs, or
2. Air higher.
He or she may be "comfortable" with either option. :shades:
24,000 to 30,000 would be normal mileage for TWO YEARS on average, so you are running the heck out of those tires. :sick:
Prius Chat also has THIS THREAD about what some consider unusual wear.
From YET ANOTHER FORUM a user wrote:
"I use the Goodyear Integrity on my 2002 Prius. It's wearing much better than the stock Bridgestones. My first set of Potenzas wore out at 16,000 miles; the second at 30,000 (14,000 miles later). My Integrities are looking good with 45,000 on the odometer (15,000 miles of wear), and they cost half as much. I keep them inflated to 42/40 PSI.
Mind you, when I go into the Toyota dealer, they yell at me saying that I'm using a tire that is not rated for that weight, 42/40 is over-inflating the tire, blah blah. But Goodyear still recommends the Integrity for the Prius Classic. So yes, you're doing this at your own risk.
My MPG has not changed, but the ride is more rough with the Integrities, because of the higher tire pressure."
My experience is Toyota vehicle wheels may not be aligned correctly from the factory or they take a beating during shipping. That may have had an effect. Also, if you were not watching the tire pressure closely you could have worn the tires faster than normal. Toyota's recommended pressure seems to be right at the lower limit. Many have been running the Integrities at 42PSI front and 40PSI rear and report even wear. Note also that the Integrities are just about the least expensive tires Goodyear makes, so rapid wear should be expected.
Get new tires, have a "four wheel alignment" done (the front can be adjusted, but they usually just check the rear - to correct it shims are needed - not a "normal" job according to Toyota). You may want to try a little higher pressure in the tires. Never exceed the "max pressure" indicated on the sidewall. If you try a higher pressure, watch the wear of the tread. If the centre wears faster than the sides of the tread, lower the pressure, but never lower than the placard on the door jamb indicates.
Most owners get 40,000 to 60,000 mi. on tires.
Please remember to check the discussion list for the appropriate discussion for your comments and questions. You'll get a better and faster response by posting in a discussion that's about the subject or problem you're interested in.
Others have reported much faster wear. Check out the Tire Rack here for recommendations -- including user reviews. You can mail-order the tires from them, at typically much lower prices than your local tire store, and they have a network of installers nationwide.
This damn web site does not even let me sign in half the time. This technology stuff is way overrated.
I believe that newer Prius models will allow the Traction Control to be turned off, or they modified the computer to allow more wheel slippage in icy conditions. Not sure which one was done, but the newer models are apparently better than 2005 and before.
Just over 41K miles on '05 Prius and two tires need replacing despite dealer rotation(or so they claim) every 5K, along with every other servicing recommended. After an earlier servicing, I had pressures checked a mile from dealer and it ranged from 25-32psi among the four tires, which also had not been rotated. Went back of course and dealer assured it would not happen again.
On Monday's servicing this week, service rep at dealership wanted in excess of $560 for a set of ?didn't say what brand? including installation and balancing. I have to think that there is a better price and value out there through a tire dealer, and would appreciate a suggestion on that too.
Since the remaining two tires are not in great shape tread-wise either, I will be going for 4 new ones.
Service rep said it was "due to cornering"--hello, 75% of driving done on daily freeway commute between Pasadena to Santa Monica-- one is lucky to travel at speeds as much as 30mph for even a small portion of the distance!
Car came with Goodyear P185/65/R15. Bought pkg. #4 for VSC(Toyota patented Anti-skid Control System (www.freepatentsonline.com/4912641.html).
Live in southern CA.
Please do not recommend I buy another size tires as I just went through an EXHAUSTING process to buy required (by Highway Patrol)tire cables, non-refundable even though not used, when I had a scheduled meeting in Yosemite Valley in early March.
Love the Prius. Thanks for reading through.
Sunny 9
Tire Rack has a list of recommended installers -- I'm sure there are many in your area.
Rick
Bellingham
But try a few more tankfuls before you give up. Was there a headwind on this one trip?
Many owners use 42 PSI front and 40 PSI rear for better mileage. Do check the tire sidewall for the max. inflation pressure, and do set the tire pressure when the tires are "cold" (not driven on for 5 hrs.).
1) It is a little known fact that new tires have more RR than worn out tires, even if they are otherwise identical.
2) Tires designed for hybrids generally have less RR than other OE tires.
3) OE tires generally have lower RR than tires designed for the replacement market.
The above means that if you buy new tires for your hybrid, you should expect redictions in fuel economy, and the amount could be significant if you selected a different tire.
4) If the pressure listed on the sidewall says 35 psi max, then the tire can be safely inflated to 44 psi. However, there is a risk associated with using pressures significantly higher than what the vehicle manufacturer specifies. I consider anything more than than 5 psi as significant and the risk is that the tire will be more prone to impact type failures and punctures.
Any suggestions re: replacing just one tire? The current tires are the originals that came with the car, which has 26,000 miles. I think they are Goodyear Integrity. Can I just get another one?
This is my first car, and my first tire issue, so any advice would be helpful.
You can get one stock tire to replace the destroyed one. You should ensure it is placed on the rear, and never rotated to the front, as it will be larger in diameter, and will put more wear on the differential if used on the front with a 26,000 mi worn tire. It's not a big issue, just recommended to keep wear at normal levels.
Next best option would be to purchase two tires, and keep them on the same "axle", front or rear. This would allow standard directional tire rotation, front to rear, but never side to side.
Your best option would be four new tires.
Choose based on what you can afford. Safety improves as the option is "better", but all would be acceptable safety wise.
Yes, it takes life off the tire. Drag races shave DR's (Drag Radials), for instance.
Tire Rack will shave any tire you buy from them I believe. You just need to tell them how many mm's of tread you want left.
We had one go flat/road hazard in the tread and needed a new one. No One has these tires! Wound up having a shop order one from Tires.com, other than that these tires are on National Back Order!
What is a good Alternative for these when they wear out? Is the speed rating related to a lower rolling resistance/higher mileage? I paid $141 for this one tire and had quotes from $ 180 from a Firestone Dealer to $220 ffrom a Toyota Dealer ( if they had them)
I suspect that these "expensive tires" are what I'll need to keep on it if I want the mileage to stay reasonable?
Thanks for feedback!
During the winter, I have observed 18 Vail Pass road closures. At least 20 vehicles per season strike the cable rails on the curve at Officers Gulch, 198 Mile Marker Eastbound. In the past week, I experienced an 8 hour road closure due to a 70 vehicle pile-up and single fatality on Vail Pass, 189 Mile Marker Westbound. However, I have not experienced any slippage problems with the original-issue tires on my Prius, driving 35 MPH in white-out; 45 MPH on snowpack; 55 MPH on sanded mulch and slush; and 65 MPH on dry pavement.
Please provide me with some Prius owner experiences with winter driving conditions. I do not mind burning through tires a bit faster, but have limited space in my studio condo for storing tires in summer. I have studied various recommendations for winter tires:
All-Season: Michelin HydroEdge, Michelin X Radial, Goodyear Assurance Triple Tred
Softer Rubber Performance Winter Tires [H Rated]: Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 H
Soft Rubber Grip Winter Tires [Q Rated]: Michelin X-Ice, Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice
:confuse:
Please share any experiences with winter driving conditions. I have researched winter and all-season tires, without any conclusions. Goodyear Assurance sounds like a good all-season tire. Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip sounds good in a softer H-rated tire.
How much of a snow tire will I need?
What is the weight of a Prius, with light construction materials, compared to the average SUV?
What is the life expectancy of tires on a Prius versus other typical vehicles?
What is the cost of tire replacement?
I cannot imagine any basis for any problems with a Prius over the lifetime operation costs of SUVs. I am tired of hearing from the misinformation campaigns. :mad:
I was wondering if I should stick with the stock tires or have the dealer trade them out for something that handles better, but does not impact the gas mileage....??
Looking for advice and experience.......
Gas gauge is not precise, nor is fuel economy meter - just an estimate, due to bladder and mpg averaging computation. I average about 45 mpg, 90% highway at 70 mph. Does better around town - about 51 mpg. Not as advertised, but great!
NAV system good, but wasn't up-to-date. Still isn't, even with latest update. Wasted money - should have bought a "constantly updated" add-on instead of CD loaded.
I bought a 100K-mile platinum extended warranty from dealer for under $1,000. Just had an HID headlamp go bad, and was covered.
Per dealership, "Brakes will last well over 100K due to recharge braking system." But then, hasn't ever replaced an HID headlamp, either!
VERY disappointed with lack of dealership Prius savvy. I've had to guide THEM! Better info on Prius forums. Lazy service technicians!
Can't tow a trailer, temporary bike rack slashed MPG. Aerodynamic lesson learned.
Electric A/C compressor is fantastic, once you learn how to lock the Prius! (I have the SMART keyless entry/ignition proximity system.) Can leave dog in A/C comfort.
If I were buying another car, it would be another Prius (but WITH the Touring Pkg), unless I needed trailer-towing capacity. For HIGHWAY USE, the Corolla would have been almost as good a choice. But with today's gas prices, I'm GLAD I bought this PRIUS!!! I tested a Civic hybrid - powerless contender! Prius is QUICK!
And believe me, it's bigger than it appears.
Could the tire rotation be related to the sudden occurrence of the light?
S is nominally good for 112 mph tops, T for 118 mph. So the T is nominally a better tire, all else being equal.
About Hd lt bulb replacement...I've had to replace 2 bulbs in nearly 6 yrs. They're a sonofagun to do. I finally had the dealer do it for $10.00.
About trailering...There are hitches available for light usage (like Jetskis,small boats, small trailer for motorcycles) I've considered this too but of course Toyota frowns on this.
As to the car and its' inovations. I too am impressed after closeing in on 100K miles and trouble free to boot. The shiftless tranny, the AC, the 500 mile plus fill-ups, the running on electric while others are wasting gas in standstill traffic and my favorite...explaining the quality, durability, and the over $10,000.00 in savings on gas I've saved. I'm always happy to see the 2010 Prius still looks just like my '04