Winter tire and wheels 16 or 17 inch set?

Our Canadian Touring model came with the 215/45R17 tire/rim setup, similar to the US V. For snow tires I went with Michelin X-Ice in 195/65R15 (per US level II through IV), mounted on 15" black steel Corolla rims, with utilitarian, open ended wheel nuts.

Corolla steel rim, part no: 42611-02471)-SW
steel rim lug nuts: 90942-01007

The OD of the 15" tire is slightly greater than the stock 17". The rim fits fine. The look is well, like a Prius with snow tires. The extra rims and nuts protects your alloys and their nuts from salty winter conditions.

Addendum:

I found no noticeable change in mileage, going from our OEM's, Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 215/45R17 on OEM alloys, to Michelin X-Ice 195/65R15 on the steel rims. I think if the OEM's were also 195/65R15 there likely would be a difference, but going from the wider 17 all seasons to narrower 15" snows works out about even.

 

Your winter tire wants to be tall and thin, wide will only track more snow and possibly glide better on water.
Definitely the 16 over the 17 but you might consider a 15" set, tire wrack gives you over size and under size options for wheels, keeping the outer diameter the same you can fit a tall thin 15" snow tire wheel combo to your car, it will be assembled and ready to install.
Thirty years ago cars were two tons on average and they ran on tiny 13" tires, the 15" tires will be adequate for the prius you have and thinner snow tires are safer in snow.

 

Have you actually bought it yet? Taken delivery?

If so what are the OEM tires (brand, model, submodel, all the sidewall markings)?

According to the Toyota web site you've got the sizes a little different

16-in. 10-spoke alloy wheels with full wheel covers and P205/60R16 tires
17-in. 10-spoke alloy wheels with P215/50R17 tires

Assuming a revs per mile of 815 (the 17" seems closer to 820 and the 16" is closer to 810) you have a 15" option of 205/65R15 as well.

I'm sure other sizes will work as well but it'd be good to know what the two or more OEM tire options are before you buy additional tires.

 

Ok. Confusing: Toyota's naming this the Prius V.

When I was looking for snow tires I got totally stonewalled at our purchase dealership: they described the Prius (orig Prius) as their "flagship" vehicle, said steel rims were not available, my only options were the pricey OEM alloy rims, either 15" or 17".

I emailed every dealership in town, and one came through with the Corolla rim solution. They cautioned that they should do the install, just to make sure there was no interference with brakes, etc.

Maybe there's a steel rim in Toyota inventory that will work for you with your Prius V wagon? If not original equipement, maybe Camry steel rim? Is there a Camry level with steel rims and wheel covers? Again, if something turns up, I'd suggest to let a dealership do the install, to verify fit is ok.

 

Hankook Optimo H727 205/60/16 will fit rims up to 7.5" width and they don't make a 215/55/16 in that tire.

Michelin X-Ice Xi2 205/60/16 will fit rims up to 7.5" width and they do make them in 215/55/16 but they fit the same width rims.

And of course you still have the option of using 15" rims as well. It'd save money and would be just as safe to drive.

Also don't you want to use cheaper steel rims in winter? Seems like that is the preference around here for dual set drivers.

 

Do post when you sort it out. I've got a hunch a dealership will be able to sort you out with some sort of steel rims. Because it's a new vehicle there will likely be a learning curve for them too, as far as what's compatible.

 

205 millimeters = 8.07086614 inches

Who said anything about buying a tire narrower than the 7" rim?

Heck even 195 tires will fit a 7" rim.

Every 15" above 185, every 16" and every 17" tire in the attached screenshot would fit on a 7" wide rim. I put a red box around those sizes.

 

I would pick the smoother ride over looks. I'm looking at buying a Prius v wagon and am leaning towards the top package for the DRCC and audio upgrades but actually wish it came with the smaller tires of the base model. Hopefully the ride will still be reasonably smooth with the 17" wheels ...

 

Mike,

Let us know what you decide. I am in the same space as you (expecting to have a new Prius v (wagon) this Fall and will be looking for a set of Winter tires and wheels) and would be interested in the product specific details you select (tires and wheels).

Also, are you going to bother with the TPMS on your Winter set or just ignore the warning indicator?

--Rob

 

I'd just try living with the warning for a week or two: it's a bitty light (at least on a reg Prius), very easy to ignore.

 

Sorry to hear about your PC, there have been a few threads about that issue with the assumption that it's a bad ad (I don't know as my AV blocks the entire page load and makes me refresh thus getting different non offending content). Doesn't happen on a regular basis I'm here a lot and I've seen maybe two or three blocked visits in the last few months.

Hope all goes well with the Prius so you can be a little less stressed by the PC.