1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

fuel economy with mismatched tires

Discussion in 'Prius v Fuel Economy' started by dk_brookdale, Nov 29, 2012.

  1. dk_brookdale

    dk_brookdale Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2011
    63
    5
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    I have a 2012 prius v (model five) with the factory
    P215/50R17 tires​
    tires. Recently I had a tire blowout and ended up replacing the ruined tire with a Kelly. It was the same size tire with similar (not identical) treads. Since that time I have been getting less MPG. Whereas before I was getting about 43 average MPG now I'm getting about 40 MPG. Has anyone else experienced decreased MPG with mismatched tires?
     
    #1 dk_brookdale, Nov 29, 2012
  2. wb3gxw

    wb3gxw WB3GXW

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2007
    2
    1
    0
    Location:
    Silver Spring, Maryland
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
     
    #2 wb3gxw, Nov 29, 2012
  3. wb3gxw

    wb3gxw WB3GXW

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2007
    2
    1
    0
    Location:
    Silver Spring, Maryland
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    The reason for the fuel mileage drop is the rolling resistance of the replacement. If you did not hit a curb or a large pothole the alignment should be ok. I suggest you replace the tire with the exact replacement, have alignment checked to be sure and make sure the tire pressure is correct. low rolling resistance tires, with proper inflation and alignment are a major factor in fuel consumption. Not all tires are created equal. very nice articles on the Tire rack web site. Good luck.
     
    #3 wb3gxw, Nov 29, 2012
    F8L likes this.
  4. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    3,247
    528
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Prius needs Low Rolling Resistance tires to get the high mpg's. Go buy the right tire when you can :) Keep the Kelly for another time you need a tire fast.

    Mike

    Mobile on my SGH-i717
     
    #4 WE0H, Nov 29, 2012
    F8L likes this.
  5. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,081
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    ^^^ They said it. :)
     
    #5 F8L, Nov 29, 2012
    WE0H likes this.
  6. dk_brookdale

    dk_brookdale Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2011
    63
    5
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Yes, I hit a bumpy area at the entrance to a gas station. The tire would not have blown out with regular tires. I have not had alignment checked yet but the car is driving OK. I'll keep the Kelly on the Prius until I get new tires (soon). Then I'll probably keep the Kelly as a spare in the car because the spare that comes with the Prius is so wimpy.
     
    #6 dk_brookdale, Dec 15, 2012
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)