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Toyota Prius Tire/Wheel Questions

67 messages,  Last post on May 11, 2009 at 1:37 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Tires, Wheels, Hatchback, Sedan

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#51 of 67 Re: Prius tires - and quirks! [demeritt] by railroadjames Dec 03, 2008 (11:30 am)
Replying to: demeritt (May 14, 2008 8:49 am) You sound like a concerned Prius owner and you show a real want to do right for car & safety's sake. I would also point out that "wheel alignment" is a must at about 40 K (give or take) to maintain proper tire wear. I failed this and paid dearly with chatter wear at 22K on new tires. Save money and do it to avoid what I had to confront. 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
#52 of 67 Re: 86S tires vs. 86T [210delray] by gcramer Dec 03, 2008 (12:19 pm)
Replying to: 210delray (Dec 03, 2008 8:52 am) Thank you very much - that is all I need to know! GC
#53 of 67 Re: Snow Tire Experience Requested [turdfergusson2] by tomm Dec 07, 2008 (6:54 am)
Replying to: turdfergusson2 (Apr 22, 2008 6:22 pm) I only took 45 mins of driving in 1/2" of snow recently ('08 with only a few thousand miles on stock tires) to affirm my decision to order 4 snow tires mounted on rims (and $100 X 4 sensors!) - can't wait for some deeper snow now! Replies to this message: snowboarder4 (Dec 07, 2008 9:04 am) railroadjames (Dec 16, 2008 1:24 pm)
#54 of 67 Re: Snow Tire Experience Requested [tomm] by snowboarder4 Dec 07, 2008 (9:04 am)
Replying to: tomm (Dec 07, 2008 6:54 am) Driving about 80,000 miles per year on surfaces from interstate to forest service roads, I observe an average of five vehicles in the ditch or in a collision each snowstorm. Living at 9,600 feet in Colorado, I drive on snow six months of the year. My strongest impression concerning the drivers in the ditch is not that the wrong tires are on the vehicle, it is that the wrong driver is behind the wheel. Last winter, the interstate closed more than twenty times on Vail Pass and at the Eisenhower Tunnel, including a seventy-vehicle pile-up. The lead driver was killed while taking his wife and two children to Disneyland. Almost every other road closure was caused by driver error, high speeds, tailgating, heavy braking that caused an accident blocking the road.   I do not have snow tires on my Prius. On the interstate, I reduce my speed about ten miles an hour under surrounding traffic most of the time for both safety and fuel economy. My fuel economy due to the low-resistance standard tires is 52 MPG summer and 48 MPG winter. My compromise is traveling a few minutes early to work, rather than rushing at dangerous speeds along curves that take at least thirty hits on the guardrail every winter within one mile of roadway.   If you are going off-roading in winter on forest service traces, then take a different vehicle than a Prius. You are going to need more clearance anyway. However, I have made it up mining road grades with a half foot of powder on ice, experiences some slippage, at slow speeds. I typically leave for work at 4:30 AM, when the roads are not plowed, but still get through because the idiots have not blocked the way yet. I have no place to store tires in my condo, so buying snow tires would put me in an awkward storage situation for six months of the year.   A good snow tire will be made with softer rubber, more tread resistance, and reduce fuel economy. If traction is your priority, then buy a winter tire. If you can be reasonable in driving behavior, you should not experience the need for a snow tire. The vehicles that I pass in the ditch are almost always all-wheel-drive sport utility vehicles operated by over-confident, ignorant, inexperienced, drunk, or hot-headed drivers. Replies to this message: railroadjames (Dec 16, 2008 1:24 pm)
#55 of 67 Re: Snow Tire Experience Requested [snowboarder4] by railroadjames Dec 16, 2008 (1:24 pm)
Replying to: snowboarder4 (Dec 07, 2008 9:04 am) I couldn't agree more with the info provided above by snowboarder. The overall usefullness of a Prius is quite good in snow. I've driven thru 6 winters in NW Indiana and have yet to find a snow that I couldn't negotiate. That's not to say that the Prius is great in snow. It's just reasonably adiquate. A large portion of folks invariably just don't drive at reduced and cautionary levels. Every winter you see the "dummies" that end up Rr ending or off in the ditches because they refuse to slow down (especially 1st snows). I would caution anyone in a Prius to remember ..strong cross-winds are the most significant problem with the hybrid that I've encountered. Winds can be very annoying and troublesome. The car weighs in at just under 3,000 lbs. Stay safe.
#56 of 67 Snow tires for 2004 Prius? What brand and model? by stevegold Dec 21, 2008 (10:12 pm)
I have Blizzak WS-50's that I have used lightly for four Colorado winters (15-20,000 total miles max.). They have plenty of tread but I'm sliding all over the place. I want to get new tires. What brand and model would you recommend?
#57 of 67 Re: Changing Seasons and tire pressure lights [mtufts] by mbw1902 Jan 07, 2009 (7:51 pm)
Replying to: mtufts (Oct 13, 2006 3:27 pm) I have a 2007 Prius, am at 20,000 miles and all tires are equally worn out so I need to buy new tires. And I thought that this nice hybrid was supposed to be so good for the environment. What about all this rubber??? I have been thinking for quite sometime that there was something wrong with the fuel gauge. Says I'm low but only let's me put ~$6.-$7 in.
#58 of 67 Need Tires by oldcoach Jan 10, 2009 (8:42 am)
I am the owner of a 2008 Prius, was thinking about getting winter tires for here in Ohio. Does any one have any good ideas about snow tires for my Prius. Replies to this message: snowboarder4 (Jan 10, 2009 9:15 am) railroadjames (Jan 10, 2009 10:26 am)
#59 of 67 Winter Tires by snowboarder4 Jan 10, 2009 (8:59 am)
I think that the issue of winter tires has been ground into the pavement if you will review posts from the past. Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread 195/60R15 is one possibility or drive carefully and keep your existing tires. Unfortunately, I have no place to store snow tires in my mountain condominium, so stick with the issued tires. If you have room, buy winter tires, which are soft rubber, sticky, wear down quickly, and reduce your fuel economy. Otherwise, simply slow down and stay on the road regardless of conditions.
#60 of 67 Re: Need Tires [oldcoach] by snowboarder4 Jan 10, 2009 (9:15 am)
Replying to: oldcoach (Jan 10, 2009 8:42 am) On winter snow tires, take a look at earlier posts #20, #31, #39, #42. Also, check Consumer Reports, which discusses the rating types for dry pavement tires, all-season, and winter snow tires. Ask a good dealership concerning your choices. The winter season tires will have softer rubber, wear more quickly, and can be studded. Check your local state laws concerning dates when studs must be off the roads because they are restricted due to destruction of pavement in some states. Your dealer should know about any restrictions. Replies to this message: railroadjames (Jan 10, 2009 10:26 am)

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