Has anyone here downgraded their Touring wheels back to standard Prius size?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by jonjonbear, May 17, 2010.

  1. jonjonbear

    jonjonbear New Member

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    Hello all,
    We have a 2008 Touring and at 38K the original Bridgestone tires were worn out. We went to discount tire last April and they put a set of Falken ZE912's, out the door over 600.00. We have taken it every 5K for rotation and had alignment done. Car driven mostly highway commuting from Bastrop Texas to Austin everyday. Took the car in Saturday for rotation and the guy told us the tires are worn out. Car now has 58K. He recommended a Yokohama tire, out the door with a crappy adjustment nearly 600.00. Ridiculous after one year? I sold tires at Pep Boys for ten years and 50% wear would have equated a 50% credit. I am sick of the expensive tires so thought of putting standard sized wheels with better tires. I can get four new custom wheels with 65K mile Yokohama Avid Touring-S tires for 150.00 more.
    So wanted to see if anyone has done this, and how it affected the handling and mileage. This car goes up and down a straight highway so handling isn't really a priority nor is high speed rated tires.

    Thanks,

    John
     
    #1 jonjonbear, May 17, 2010
  2. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    I haven't done that but your mileage would increase. Touring is known to get 2-3 mpg less with the larger tires. Keep in mind you will eat some of your savings by buying the 15" rims. It would certainly work though.

    I would experiment and buy some aftermarket rims while you're at it but that's completely the opposite direction you want to go.
     
    #2 macmaster05, May 18, 2010
  3. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    John,

    If I were you, next time I would just get tires in a slightly different size because there are very few tires in the OEM 195/55R16 size that are not runflats and/or performance tires, which are typically expensive and/or have short tread life.

    If you move to the 205/55R16 size, you'll find a huge variety of tires available.

    If you move to the 205/50R16 size, you'll find a smaller variety of tires available (but still many more than available in the OEM 195/55R16 size).
     
    #3 Boo, May 18, 2010
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  4. jonjonbear

    jonjonbear New Member

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    Thanks guys,
    We went down to Discount tire, and they gave me a 208.00 credit on my Falkens so I ordered a set of Hankook Optimo H727's which others here have used. I ordered the 20555rR16, hope it doesn't affect my speedo too much. Looking at the construction of the tire and it's long tread life it must have a harder composition so maybe the extra width won't cut my gas mileage down. At least now I won't have to buy new wheels. I just kept thinking I may not be happy with the look of the smaller wheels after having the Touring wheels. Tires should be in on Thursday. I have Hankook tires on my Buick Rainier and they have been great tires so I have hopes for these! :)

    Thanks,
    John
     
    #4 jonjonbear, May 18, 2010
  5. alansanmateo

    alansanmateo New Member

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    does anyone know if the 205s will rub???
     
    #5 alansanmateo, Jul 1, 2010
  6. jonjonbear

    jonjonbear New Member

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    We have put several thousand miles on ours already and have not had any rubbing, or any other issue for that matter.

    John
     
    #6 jonjonbear, Jul 1, 2010
  7. rwhoyle

    rwhoyle Member

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    John,

    Boo hit the nail on the head. I agree with your decision. You don't won't to downsize to 15-inch tires, but, move up to the 205/55-R16 tire which is very common. Keeping you tires aired up will pretty much negate any additional friction due to the small increase in tire width. I run mine at 40/38. Other Touring owners here on PC have switched to the 205 width without any interference problems. My wife and I both have around 24,000 miles on our Tourings and I am planning on installing the 205/55-R16 tires when the OEM tires wear out.
     
    #7 rwhoyle, Jul 1, 2010
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