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Gen 3 Tires 195/65-15 for Gen 2 2004-2009

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by HighBreed, Mar 20, 2013.

  1. HighBreed

    HighBreed Member

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    Has anyone tried to install gen 3 tires on gen 2 2004-2009 Prius? The 195/65-15 tires is slightly bigger offering half inch more road contact and slightly less revs per mile. Please chime in your experience if you have done such mod. Thank you.
     
  2. HaroldW

    HaroldW Active Member

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    I have and the car feels fine. Lots of Prius owners use this size tire. H
     
  3. HighBreed

    HighBreed Member

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    Any noticeable speedometer accuracy issue? I would think not much since the Prius speedometer tend to be somewhat a bit faster than true speed. The larger tire will either fix it correctly or become a bit slower. Thank you for your reply.
     
  4. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    205/60r15's work good too. and they look better. speedo is corrected a little as well. about the same mileage as my wife's which has oe size michelins.
     
  5. HighBreed

    HighBreed Member

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    The 205/60-15 is slightly smaller in diameter than 195/65-15-- in fact may be perfectly equal in diameter to 185/65-15, so yes, I think that's an excellent replacement. It's more sporty because you have beefier rubbers. I'd suspect it will affect your MPG as it has more road contact patch. But then again, there's too many variables like radial construction etc. Do you see a hit on MPG?
     
  6. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    205/60's are a little taller than oe. as i said, mileage about the same. guess i should have said mpg... but since they're taller, it may be that the mpg is a hair better cause you go farther per rpm of the tire. i want to buy lrr tires next time i need em.
     
  7. HaroldW

    HaroldW Active Member

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    The speedo will be bang on with the 195/65/R15 tires.H
     
  8. MANZOOM

    MANZOOM Junior Member

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    I changed the tyres to 195/65/15 .
    Is this effect the engine performance
    Or gear box.
     
  9. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Neither. It is really an illusion due to the increased diameter of the wheel.

    If you are changing to 195 mm width tyres, the correct height-to-width ratio (for a Gen 2) is 60. So, you should be fitting 195/60 R15 tyres.

    Using 65 (height-to-width ratio) tyres will mean your odometer and speedometer will be inaccurate. It will underread, if I'm not mistaken, due to the overall increased diameter of the wheel. This inaccuracy will cause the calculated MPG figures to be more optimistic than reality.