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Toyota Prius Tire/Wheel Questions

86 messages,  Last post on Oct 31, 2009 at 12:13 PM

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

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#53 of 86 Re: Snow Tire Experience Requested [turdfergusson2] by tomm Dec 07, 2008 (5:54 am)
Replying to: turdfergusson2 (Apr 22, 2008 5:22 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 8:04 am) railroadjames (Dec 16, 2008 12:24 pm)
#54 of 86 Re: Snow Tire Experience Requested [tomm] by snowboarder4 Dec 07, 2008 (8:04 am)
Replying to: tomm (Dec 07, 2008 5:54 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 12:24 pm)
#55 of 86 Re: Snow Tire Experience Requested [snowboarder4] by railroadjames Dec 16, 2008 (12:24 pm)
Replying to: snowboarder4 (Dec 07, 2008 8:04 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 86 Snow tires for 2004 Prius? What brand and model? by stevegold Dec 21, 2008 (9:12 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 86 Re: Changing Seasons and tire pressure lights [mtufts] by mbw1902 Jan 07, 2009 (6:51 pm)
Replying to: mtufts (Oct 13, 2006 2:27 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 86 Need Tires by oldcoach Jan 10, 2009 (7:42 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 8:15 am) railroadjames (Jan 10, 2009 9:26 am)
#59 of 86 Winter Tires by snowboarder4 Jan 10, 2009 (7:59 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 86 Re: Need Tires [oldcoach] by snowboarder4 Jan 10, 2009 (8:15 am)
Replying to: oldcoach (Jan 10, 2009 7:42 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 9:26 am)
#61 of 86 Re: Need Tires [snowboarder4] by railroadjames Jan 10, 2009 (9:26 am)
Replying to: snowboarder4 (Jan 10, 2009 8:15 am) I would also suggest that the ..".you get what you pay for applies here." When my o.e. tires were 53 K I decided to buy an economy set of tires (in the $40 dollar bracket) ...Big mistake! Next time around I bought a set of Michlins that have delivered a much improved ride, wear, and roadability. Lesson learned. Oh! Don't forget to do much needed "Wheel Alignment." (about every 40K)
#62 of 86 Re: New Tires on 04 [stevedebi] by mommag Jan 10, 2009 (9:34 am)
Replying to: stevedebi (Feb 07, 2007 12:04 pm) Is it true -- did they make a way for you to turn the Traction Control System off on the newer models?   We own a 2007 and live in Michigan and agree completely with our fellow New Yorkers that on ice and snow many a time we feel like "sitting" ducks just waiting for an accident to happen because of the TCS kicking in.   Anyone know?

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