What type of snow tires did you buy?

I purchased 205/60R-16 Michelin X-Ice Xi2 snow tires mounted on 16x6.5 Rial Milano Silver wheels from Tirerack. Now that I'm assigned to Italy, I need a good set of snow tires for the winter months. Also, rotating the snow tires with the OEM tires/wheels every 6 months will extend the life of my OEM tires and subsequently I shouldn't need to replace these tires during my assignment. Tire/wheel combo cost $910 (including shipping to Texas). I haven't used the snow tires yet, plan to put them on in Oct.

 

Do a Search for "Snow Tires" lots of good previous discussions on it.

I had Nokian WG's on my Escape Hybrid AWD. They are the only super snow tire rated 40,000 miles. They were killer snow tires so I'm going with them on the Prius. I ski a lot and commute to ski each weekend so the Prius/Snows have to work. Some Prius owners used them also and had good performance from them.

 

We had Nokian WRG2's on our previous Honda Civic Hybrid. They're somewhere between an all-season and a dedicated snow tire for grip, do have the montain/snowflake symbol. They were ok, well mannered, a little noiser than all seasons, but not bad. They did impact mileage, comparing to our OEM Bridgestone Insignia SE200_02 (and replacement Ecopia EP20). This was in 195/65R15 size. They were mounted on steel rims.

For our current Prius, which came with the low profile 215/45R17 (Michelin Pilot), I got Michelin X-ICE, in 195/65R15, again mounted on steel rims.

One testament to their behaviour: last fall I put them on, and asked my wife about a week later how they were doing. She said she'd forgotten they were on there, didn't notice. They run very smooth. We've got next to no snow for the two winters using them, so can't really comment on snow performance. I believe they're middle-of-the-pack for traction, giving up a bit for tire life and road noise/feel.

Our mileage doesn't seem to vary measurably during the transition between the OEM and snows, so I'm thinking the mileage penalty is comparable to going from 15" to 17".

 

The Michelin X-Ice are considered a LRR tire. This may explain why you're not seeing much of a difference in mileage.

 

Did you get the TPMS sensors from tirerack?

 

I just bought 205/60R-16 Michelin X-Ice Xi3 s for my v along with the TPMS sensors from Tirerack. Waiting till early November to get them mounted. Will report back how they handle, as well as any milage hit from being snows.

 

No, I choose to go without TPMS sensors for my winter tires.

 

This is my first regular car - always had 4 wheel drive. And you guys are talking a foreign language to me! If I bring my Prius v to a big chain tire store, will they know what to do? What is TPMS????

 

Tire Pressure Monitor System. If you're considering snow tires on separate rims, I'd suggest to not get extra sensors (each rim has a sensor mounted inside, at the back of the valve), unless you have bags of money, and the patience to have the system recalibrated every time you swap wheels.

 

Thank you, Mendel. I went to the local tire discount store today, and asked for Michelin x-ice ci3. And I was quoted $197/tire and with installation, it was more than $1000. Now bear with me because I did not have to change tires for winters ever, so I am confused. I read this forum for hours. Should I get the rims as well?? The tire store told me that they would just take the current tires off and install the new ones. But some one here said that it would be better to purchase the rims as well.

But I can use the existing rims, can't I? If I use the existing rims, then I would not need to worry about the TPMS?

Thanks!!

 

The tire store told me that I should get Michelin X-ice Xi3 215/50R17 for Prius v. But you said 205/60R-16. Why the difference?? I am just so confused!!

 

You can do better than that!

I have always lived in a climate where you switch to winter tires for the winter season and summer tires for the summer season. It would be a PITA to re-use the same rim for both winter and summer tires. Typically you use a steel rim for winter use and a alloy rim for summer use. You can go alloy for the winter tire as well, since they have come down considerably in price. Expect to pay ~$50-60 for a steel rim and ~$90-100 for a alloy rim.

A simple search on tirerack.com gives you the 205/60R16 Michelin x-ice XI3 set for $460. They are also running a $70 rebate, but this pretty much equals the shipping cost.

Add the ~$360 for alloy rims and the complete set can be had for $820 or.. at the most $900 shipped to your house.

$1000 and having to switch tires from rim to rim is WAY too much.

 

I run the ha kook icepike on all my vehicles now. They are incredible tires and very reasonable. I think I spent 350 on the set of 4.

 

Just to add to what moedjo's already covered pretty much:

If you opt for steel rims for you snows, I believe Toyota has a rim that will work with your Prius v. Is your stock 16"? I believe someone here found there's a steel rim for the Camry that's compatable.

FYI, with our reg Prius I got a steel Corolla rim. Also got plain open ended lug nuts, the utilitarian ones that typically go on Toyota steel rims. You could also get the plastic wheel cover, but they're kinda pricey, and why ruin the utilitarian look?

The most unsightly part of going the steel rim route is the centre hubs: they're open and uncapped, and look an unfinished and rusty mess after a few years. Meh...

 

Yes you can use existing rims and the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (an essential safety feature especially in winter) requires an inexpensive adjustment to work with the new tires.

That is the route I'm going, likely with the Michelin Xi3's going with 205/65/15 which will fit on the rims, is slightly less tread width, .10" but larger diameter .5" which seems a perfect modification for snow tires providing more ground clearance.

You should pay about $600 for tires, mounting, TPMS mods.

This conversation is useful.

185s rather than 195s for snows...? | Page 2 | PriusChat

 

I disagree that the TPMS is an essential safety item. Check your tire pressure on a regular basis and when temperatures change drastically and you don't need the sensors. If they were cheap I would suggest getting them on both sets of wheels but they are not. So keep them on the set of wheels you drive on most often and simply ignore the light for the rest of the time you drive on the other wheels.

 

That will not tell you about UNEXPECTED TIRE PROBLEM on a snowy, cold, icy dark single lane highway with snow filling the shoulder when you can find a spot to pull vs. end up in middle of the road with a flat.

TPMS is a very essential safety feature. Institute for Highway Safety is lobbying that it be standard safety equipment.

You are disagreeing with the experts on highway safety.

 

LOL

 

Is there are reason why you posted in this in the Prius v (wagon) area when your info says you have a c?