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Toyota Prius Tire/Wheel Questions

153 messages,  Last post on Jan 27, 2013 at 5:01 PM

You are in the Toyota Prius Forum.

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

Messages Page 11 of 16

#94 of 153 Wheel Covers by mbros2k

Aug 12, 2010 (6:28 pm)

I don't get! I have a Prius with 17 in. alloys so this doesn't apply to me, but... Yesterday I saw a 2010 Prius with great looking 15 in wheels and complimented the owner and asked where he got them. I was floored when he said they were under the plastic wheel covers. I drove away thinking he was nuts until I did some research myself. How can this be? Why would Toyota cover up such hot looking rims and waste the money on plastic crap that looks like it was purchased from the Target auto accessories dept? If aerodynamics was the issue, it could be incorporated into wheel design. If protection from damage was intended, then no one would buy custom wheels in the first place. Toyota could have spent the money on DRLs or dual zone a.c. or any number of cheap upgrades. What am I missing?

#95 of 153 Re: Wheel Covers [mbros2k] by sthoge

Aug 13, 2010 (12:33 pm)

Replying to: mbros2k (Aug 12, 2010 6:28 pm)
I was told the plastic wheel covers are supposed to reduce wind drag on the wheels, giving better fuel economy. I doubt it's ever been proven by anybody though.

#96 of 153 Re: Wheel Covers [mbros2k] by 63pro

Aug 15, 2010 (6:39 am)

Replying to: mbros2k (Aug 12, 2010 6:28 pm)
Yes, this is the real deal. I bought a 2010 in October and had even questioned the salesperson about how confusing the sales brochure was concerning alloy wheels and wheel covers. He said he didn't know but would check it out--he didn't and I failed to follow up until I took my car throught a carwash and accidentally hit one of the carwash rails and ended up popping off the wheel cover. I was angry at myself for doing this, but very pleasantly surprised to find the alloy wheel underneath. Needless to say, I popped off the others and now have a great looking set of wheels. The only "fly in the ointment" was that very small center caps for the wheels were needed, but were not there, so I had to buy them from the dealer for close to $70. No gas mileage issue for me. Changed to synthetic oil and averaged 55mpg on my latest 1800 mile trip.

#97 of 153 Poor Gas Mileage after replacing tires by jana26

Nov 29, 2010 (11:39 pm)

I have 45,000 miles on my 2007 Prius Touring and needed to replace the tires. There seemed to be plenty of tread left but, because I live in Las Vegas with the extreme heat, the tread started to split. Because I had experienced the high cost of wheel cover replacement before, I decided to get new rims as well. I know, dumb, but I didn't think it would make a difference. The car looks great but my gas mileage has dropped tremendously. I used to get between 46 and 49 mpg (per the car's computer--my calculations are always a little less) and now the high is 43. My current tank is showing 36 mpg. I have NEVER seen it that low before! I also notice that I can't coast as well and I can't "float" the gas pedal to get better gas mileage while still going the same speed.
 
All that said, what do I do? I might be able to get different tires and go back to my old rims since I got the tires and rims from Discount Tire but what tire do I ask for? I'm very depressed at the drop in mpg. HELP! :

#98 of 153 Re: Poor Gas Mileage after replacing tires [jana26] by capriracer

Nov 30, 2010 (4:42 am)

Replying to: jana26 (Nov 29, 2010 11:39 pm)
First, all other things being equal, new tires should get worse fuel economy than old tires.
 
Second, if you changed from an OE tire to a replacement market tire, expect a further drop in fuel economy.
 
Third, if you went after a tire with god treadwear ratings, expect another hit in fuel economy.
 
Be aware that there is a 3 way relationship between rolling resistance, traction, and treadwear. Rep[eat after me: "There is no free lunch!"
 
So I'm thinking the problem isn't the rims.
 
If you want more detail:
 
http://www.barrystiretech.com/rrandfe.html

#99 of 153 Re: Poor Gas Mileage after replacing tires [capriracer] by railroadjames

Nov 30, 2010 (8:58 am)

Replying to: capriracer (Nov 30, 2010 4:42 am)
TAKE NOTE: The variables that effect milage are many...tires, weather, temperatures, seasonal gas blends, wear & tear, and finally, change in driving habits. I suggest, after 8 yrs with an 04 Prius with 133 plus thousand miles, milage is going to vary. Mid summer I always climb back into the upper 40's and expect much less come the harsh winters. Truthfully I find keeping tire pressure up to suggested specs a key point. I once saw what a massive head wind can do to milage on a trip from Indiana to western Iowa. I got 31mpg and on the return 51mpg. What a difference that can make. So, what I'm suggesting is simply consider ALL the issues when it comes to MPG's.

#100 of 153 Re: Poor Gas Mileage after replacing tires [capriracer] by jana26

Dec 02, 2010 (3:26 pm)

Replying to: capriracer (Nov 30, 2010 4:42 am)
Thanks for the info. Sorry for not getting back to you before this--work/computer issues. Sounds like I got hit with all three issues. That'll teach me! At least the rims aren't part of the problem. They are alloy too and do make the car look awesome! I stopped back at Discount Tire today and talked to them about the tires. They claimed they had never had anyone complain before but were "appreciative" of my comments. They checked their computer but couldn't find any tire that listed anything about tire and gas mileage for the Prius. They actually asked me to let them know what tires would be good for the Prius. Toyota had told me that Goodyear makes a tire they use for the Prius but I can't remember what the name was. See what happens when you get non-young! (I prefer not to use the "O" word any more!
 
Again, thanks and if you know of a good tire, I'd appreciate the info.

#101 of 153 Re: Poor Gas Mileage after replacing tires [railroadjames] by jana26

Dec 03, 2010 (11:32 am)

Replying to: railroadjames (Nov 30, 2010 8:58 am)
I've had my car since March of 2007 and have kept track of my gas mileage every fill up so I understand the varying situations and am considering the issues. The gas mileage I am now experiencing is 5 mpg lower than the lowest mpg I've ever experienced so that is a major drop. The one issue I wasn't aware of before was the whole new tire, rolling resistance factor thing which was mentioned by another. After reading what he said and checking out the website he included, it all makes sense to me. I'm going to try inflating to a higher psi and see if that helps. I'm also hoping it will get better as the tire wears. thanks for your reply.

#102 of 153 Re: Changing Seasons and tire pressure lights [kdhspyder] by mikelcac

Dec 26, 2010 (11:44 am)

Replying to: kdhspyder (Oct 13, 2006 3:36 pm)
the atmosphere is 78% nitrogen. Nitrogen has an atomic mass number of 7 where as oxygen has a number of 8. The lower the number the smaller the molecule. The smaller the molecule the more likely to leak out. Yes nitrogen is less affected by temp change but the charge for it is ridiculous. Save your money check your Tire pressure every few weeks.

#103 of 153 Prius Speedometer problem by esm2

Jan 04, 2011 (7:52 am)

I replaced a tire on my 2010 Prius with a Bridgestone ECOPIA EP 20 BL P195/65R15 89S, which is the same brand and numbers on the original tires.
 
Now the speedometer is crazy. It reads 80-90 when I know I'm only going 40-50.
 
Did they mess something up when they changed the tire.
 

Messages Page 11 of 16

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