Will a 205/70/15 tire fit on my 2012 Prius?

I got new tires which are Yokohoma AVID Ascend size 215/70/15 yesterday:

Tire Details - Discount Tire Direct

Giving a whopping about an entire one inch increase in ground clearance.

Which are new long lasting & (LRR) low rolling resistance tires. A rare combo since LRR tires almost always don't last long so you normally until now made that sacrifice. This model tire just came out in first quarter of 2012. It's about the same width (5.9" vs 6.2") as stock 195/65/15 just taller with more sidewall which improves ride quality. Side benefit is you're less likely to scrape the front end parking or when there's any dips in a road since these are slightly higher off the ground. Hence, bettter ground clearance.

I know with my previous 2007 Prius. I went from stock 185/65/15 to 195/65/15 just fine.

I went from a OEM tire size of

195/65/15:

Overall Diameter: 25.1"

Overall Width: 8.0"

Tread Width: 5.9"

Weight: 20.9 lbs

Rim Width allowed: 5.5"-7.0"

Max load: 1279 lbs

Revs per mile: 828

TO:

215/70/15:

Overall Diameter: 27.0"

Overall Width: 8.6"

Tread Width: 6.2"

Weight: 24.8 lbs

Rim Width Allowed: 5.5"-7.0"

Max Load: 1653 lbs

Revs per mile: 770

 

I prefer more ground clearance which is without any doubt a benefit. Plus, the tires will last longer with less revolutions per mile being taller.

The 2012 Prius has quite a bit of empty space available for a taller tire when looking at the stock tires.

 

AVID ASCEND Tire Details

states:

Gets 20% easier rolling vs conventional tires and 11% easier than Michelin HydroEdge.

Saving $382 annually over conventional tires and saving $204 annually over Michelin HydroEdge.

 

The 3 lbs per wheel in weight increase won't do anything to the brakes that last forever anyways due to the regenerative braking.

Increasing tire size isn't illegal. By law, you're not even required to have a speedometer at all. It's not "legally" required equipment like a horn, bumper, etc. My knowledge of California traffic laws are better than most California lawyers. I've even beat my last four CHP speeding tickets in California. California is generally the strictest state for everything including traffic laws.

Obviously, taller tires lower gear ratios beneficially increasing speed and top speed. Speedometer might be about 2mph off which is typical in many cars stock.

The 2010-2012 Prius would still get much better mileage with these tires than a 2004-2009 Prius. The 2004-2009 Prius gets terrible mileage driving 80-90 MPH due to the weaker smaller 1.5L engine requiring higher revs. After owning a 2007 Prius, I wouldn't even recommend someone by unless its a 3rd generation Prius having owned both now.

 

True never said it would being the same tire brand and both being low rolling resistance tires.

Two big differences:

1. Tread rating on OEM tire has only a 320 tread rating. Ascend model has a 800 tread rating. Double the life.

2. The OEM tires are more expensive even though less than half the life.

Best deal I could find online for both is below.

205/70/15 is $400.00 FREE SHIPPING:

Tire Details - Discount Tire Direct

195/65/15 OEM: $432.00 PLUS SHIPPING:

Tire Search Results

 

The more affordable Discount Tire Direct website that sells the Yokohama AVID Ascend doesn't sell the cheesy OEM tires (like most OEM tires) so not cherry picking. Going by most affordable to most affordable available. The more expensive site TireRack.com wants $61.50 for shipping not the $40-$43 you said. So, for OEM S33D is $432 plus $61.50. Almost $500 for the OEM tire with a 320 tread rating is pathetic.

How can I take my car back to the dealer like you did and try getting at least 195/65/15 AVID Ascend? My car has just under a 1,000 miles and have had less than 2 weeks.

 

I was only talking about the S33D tires when saying OEM.

There's a Discount Tire (Same co. as America's Tire an Discount Direct) within 5 miles of me. I might ask just to see what they say. Otherwise, I'll just wait a few months with these being 320 tread rated tires I know I'll need new tires soon.

I see that you have the same exact car as me. Good taste

What month did you do that Yokohama claim?

Noticed the Sacto location. I was born & raised in Roseville within 2-3 miles of the Roseville Galleria mall. Now, the largest mall in Northern California they say since their additions. Lived there until June 2008.

 

Fuel-efficient tire test: Michelin Energy Saver A/S and Cooper GFE

states:

Only up to 2% increase. So, people are wasting their money buying a Michelin Energy Saver. 40.8 MPG vs 40MPH or 51 MPG vs 50MPG. That's all a 2% increase is. Plus, that tire doesn't even have a tread wear warranty. Any money you save you're just paying in buying the tires more often. Just choosing who to give your cash to is all. But, you have to get gas always anyways. Nobody wants to have to buy tires every 1.5-2 years like I did in my 2007 Prius with Goodyear Fuel Saver tires. Never again.

 

I like the winters. Which is why the Phoenix area is the fastest growing area in the US.

But, I'm thinking of buying a 2-3 bedroom condo in Anaheim soon. It's rated #1 in 2009 CNN Money Magazine best places for healthy retirement. But, in 2011 CNN Money magazine says it's the #3 most eexpesive housing market higher than San Diego. That way the weather is great year round. Maxing out at 85 degrees instead of 115:

Best places for a healthy retirement - Anaheim, CA (1) - Money Magazine

10 most expensive housing markets - Anaheim, Calif. (3) - CNNMoney

A big lession I learned was having my 2007 Prius so long. So, I had to pay a decent difference (About $16K) to buy my new 2012 Prius. I'm going to buy a new Prius every 2-3 years for now on. That way I only need to pay $6K-$10K max more for a new one. Plus, an extended warranty is never even needed if you don't go over the 3 years/36K miles.

I was thinking of getting the plug-in model but I'm glad I didn't. Cause the rumor is the 4th Gen. Prius will all be plug-in's and will go about 37 miles without any gas vs the current 12 miles. Plus, will be about $26K total no $32K ($6K premium) that you pay now for the plug in.