Tire Decision Quandary

1) The 195/60 tire is wider, hence the tread patch in contact with the pavement will be slightly larger which results in better traction and increased rolling resistance.

2) It depends upon the section width of the tire, i.e., 185, 195, etc. The larger number has a bigger contact patch.

3) No, the 195/65 tire, all things being equal, should result in worsened mpg. Toyota probably went to a wider tire to improve handling and road feel.

5) I don't really care where the tire is made; I care about the brand and model.

6) My personal preference is to stay with the original equipment tire size because I don't have any problems with the car's handling (given a decent set of tires) and I prefer not to impair mpg.

 

1) The 195/60 tire is wider, so will be less aerodynamic. The contact patch will be wider and shorter than 185/65, so it should turn better and brake in a straight line worse.

2) Pounds per Square inch. The car weighs the same, so the contact patch will be the same number of square inches. Wider tires will have shorter patches.

3) The 2010 weighs 150 more pounds and I bet it needed a larger load carrying tire.

4) I have not.

5) No, I chose Goodyear Viva Authority Fuel Max tires at Walmart. I was close to a Walmart when I ran over the nail.

6) 185/65R15 was Toyota's best opinion, I do not know more than Toyota did.

 

For best mileage 185 65 15", for best ride 195 60 15"

Tirewrack or Discount tire (free shipping) will put em in your hands.

 

I just installed 205/60R15 Michelin Primacy tires. It has nearly the same circumference as the stock tire. I will take my first long trip with them tomorrow & report back on mileage.

 

Actually, they will not have the same revs per mile, although the difference is small.

According to the Miata Tire Size Calculator, the average 185/65R15 tire has 824 revs/mile and the average 195/60R15 tire has 833 revs/mile (note however that actual revs/mile for different tires of the same size will vary).

This means that if you put 195/60R15 tires on your car, the speedometer (and odometer) will over-read by 1%. So when the speedometer shows that you're going 60 mph with the new tires, you will actually be traveling at 59.4 mph (or the speedometer would have shown 59.4 mph with the original size tires).

 

Another Toyota knows best response. If the best tire is the 185/60 size then why did Toyota but 195/60's on the European models? Could it be the fact that they use "tyres" and be use the better "tires"?

 

1) Not knowing more than Toyota did, is not the same as Toyota knowing best. It is just a sign I know less.

2) I did not find anyone (other than you) is discussing 185/60 tires/tyres.

3) American highway speeds and European highway speeds may differ, making different tires/tyres better choices. I know the US Integrity tires are rated 1 MPH more than the Gen II US Prius is governed to go.

 

I had a set of 185/65R15 Continental ProContact with EcoPlus Technology tires installed last week. I bought them from TireRack for $72 apiece. With shipping, the total came to $332. Mounting and balancing by one of TireRack's local associates, including tax and tire disposal fees, was about $75.

I've used the tires driving around town for about 100 miles and for a 75-mile trip this morning that included winding, mountain roads at 55 to 60 mph, and about 25 miles at 75 mph on I-15. These tires are a great improvement in responsiveness over the original Goodyear Integrities. Based on indicated mpg on the MFD display, I can't see any significant change in mileage.

I inflated them to 39/37, the same as I used on the original tires. It's hard to be sure, but I think the new tires are a little quieter on the road and give a shade more comfortable ride. The most noticeable change is in the handling.

 

No, that claim had no influence over my choice. In fact, I've never seen that particular claim. If I had, it would have meant nothing to me since the test conditions are not defined. Are they claiming a 52-foot advantage when stopping from 50, 60, 70 or ?? mph? Was the test track simply wet with water or with a friction-reducing agent? Was the test conducted with exactly the same car?

I'm glad you're happy with your choice. I'm still quite satisfied with mine.

 

I have been using the Eco Plus tires on my '08 Prius standare, for almost 2k miles. They are superior tires to the OEM Goodyears (which i had to replace at 37k) in all ways. They are VERY quiet, smooth riding and show no signs of hydroplaning at all-even in heavy rains. They corner extremely well, with no leaning, and over bumps they hold the road so well, the traction control system engages much less frequently than with the OEM's. After about 800 miles the car regained the 2-3 mpg it lost with the new tires, and now, my city/hiway commute averages 50-53 in temperatures now ranging in the 50's-60's. Hiway driving with hills and AC, at 70mph, reduces the mph to 48. I was looking for Hydro Edge with Green x, but they were not available due to manufacturing problems, and I am really glad. These tires make the car feel better than new. I look forward to seeing how they do in the snow.