Huge loss in fuel economy with wheels

No, widespread head gasket issues started much earlier, mine is the Phase 1 problem. You are thinking of at least Phase 2, or did they go into Phase 3? And 'torque bind' is another common problem with their aging AWD systems, with very different mechanisms in the auto and stick trannies. Mine is the later.

OK, I did impulsively trade in my first Prius at three years when an unexpectedly high tradein offer allowed an upgrade at lower than expected cost. Otherwise, no car that I or the spouse has ever bought has been kept less than a decade. My first Prius replaced a car I kept for 23 years. I bought the Subaru 16 years ago, and the spouse's daily driver 24 years ago. While I want to replace the later with something from the airbag era, she loves it too much to part with it.

Yes, lets do a little math here. Mine Suby already has 170,000 miles, the last non-hybrid disposed from this household had 235,000 miles. Over the later distance, at your mpgs and with gas being more expensive here, ($3.90 today, not the $3.50 regular you used), the fuel cost penalty climbs north of $25k. That makes my Prius (just the car itself, not fuel and maintenance and insurance) free!

 

A car purchase is a very personal decision. The problem here is you are placing your worldviews (mental frame) on others and devaluing their decisions based on your views. Then you compound the problem by making assumptions and using bad math. Furthermore, you insult the intelligence of other forum members by making grand statements that are inaccurate.

Like I said before, I suggest you do more reading and less typing.

 

I can dig that. Although you must understand that not everyone makes a purchase based on economics only. I can afford gas as can most everyone in this thread. I bought my car to reduce air pollution. The economic savings was a bonus as was the fact I enjoyed it more than the race cars I sold.

When I have a moment I'll show you how to do the math to determine the economics of a tire purchase. There is in fact a big savings when you compare a good non-LRR tire to a good LRR tire. Using the cheapest tire available is not an apples to apples comparison and even then you may still save with the LRR tire.

 

Truth in numbers applied to OP's driving habits with Non OEM Tires and Wheels versus OEM Tires and Wheels.

Formula used: Miles driven per year (50,000) divided by Estimated MPG multiplied by cost of fuel (3.50)
Once calculations are made for both Non OEM versus OEM find the difference by subtracting the two figures.
After that allow for non usage of NON OEM during winter months
Finally looking at the difference over a five year time frame.

50,000/44=1136.36x3.50=3977.27 (Calculation for NON OEM Tires and Wheels)
50,000/48=1041.67x3.50=3645.83 (Calculation for OEM Tires and Wheels)
3977.27-3645.83=331.14 (Cost Difference for 50,000 mile period)
331.14x.75=248.58 (Allowance for not running NON OEM Tires and Wheels during winter)
248.58x5=1242.90 Actual money LOST due to NON OEM Tires and Wheels over a 5 year period adjusted for non usage of NON OEM Tires and Wheels during the Winter.

The above figures do NOT include the additional cost of the replacement tires and wheels which would have to be factored in to properly calculate the loss involved here for the sake of looks.

Now if we carry it a little further and calculate how many more miles the OP could have driven if he would not have made the change the formula would look like this.

Cost Difference divided by cost of fuel which would give you gallons of fuel that could be purchased multiplied by the normal MPG of the Prius which would equal the amount of miles the Prius could have been driven further during that one year period.

248.58/3.50=71.02x48=3409.1

So, to sum it up the OP is wasting $248.58 per year or $1242.90 over a five year period whereas the OP could have driven the Prius an additional 3409.1 miles per year for the cost difference of the modification.

That is truth in numbers and it agrees with the formula used by the OP.

To me $248.58 is not squat. It represents a large amount of money that could be well spent for other things besides how a car looks.

Ron

 

The formula was fine. I disagreed with the assumptions used to come up with numbers. Additionally the idea that LRR tires do not equal savings.

Here is the math one could use to find the cost per mile for a particular tire. Warranty / mpg = gallons * price per gallon = cost of fuel + cost of tires / warranty = cost per mile

Energy Saver A/S
65,000miles / 53.8mpg= 1208 * $3.6/ga = $4,349 + $432 / 65,000miles = $.0735/mile

Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max
65,000miles / 51.6mpg= 1259 * $3.6/ga = $4,534 + $396 / 65,000miles = $.0758/mile

Read more: Total lifetime cost for fuel and tires over 150,000 miles | Page 2 | PriusChat

 

After thinking about this a long time, this thought entered my mind. The OP is in essence throwing six bits ($.75) out the window every 105.6 miles he drives with his modification. Oh yeah, I have to remember that the OP says all of this is squat... But facts are facts and numbers don't lie. Its all in the numbers.

Ron

 

As I said before, the Prius I drive is 100% stock with NO modification. It came with the package I wanted including the backup camera. IMO, it is a fact that quite a few aftermarket products will NOT ALWAYS work as expected and nine times out of ten don't last the life of the vehicle.

I don't buy a car that does not fit my need or have the options I desire. There are too many choices out there to waste money on add ons that at times can be detrimental such as you have done.

FWIW, I have yet to hear anyone say our Prius looks ugly. Anyone that has said anything concerning the look said "that car looks sharp", or "I like the way that car looks".

Oh, considering your assumption that every one has a smart phone, I humbly admit I don't. I am perfectly content with my old flip phone and pay as you go plan. When you consider the cost's of the data plan for that smart phone, it is one of those things that are not justified in my budget. And yes, I live on a budget. When you are old, retired, disabled and living on Social Security you learn real quick how to live on a budget. That's another reason why the Prius is in our household. It allows us to still travel when we want to and not have to worry so much about the high price of fuel. And speaking of fuel costs, if you think it is expensive consider what it cost's in Europe and elsewhere.

Enjoy your youth, cause it won't last long. As F8L stated a few posts back, when you get older and wiser you will understand what we are trying to convey to you.

Finally as far as smart nice person answers you give, well I will consider the source.

Ron

 

Don't get me wrong dude, everyone has a choice in life. I just hate to see folks waste money cause they will need it later on. I am speaking from lessons learned over the years. But I do agree that the Prius is a rough ride especially if you keep the tires pumped up for best MPG. In the old days I was the one in the big SUV or driving a Lincoln Grand Marquis. Heck, one of the first cars I ever had was a Pontiac Grand Ville, now that car was a boat!



The only difference was the color, it was white. Same year model as above '72 had a 455 CID V8 that drank the gas. That sucker topped out around 130 and rode like a dream. Believe it or not on the quarter mile it would turn 14.2 and that was 100% stock. But those are the old days. Back then cars were cheap, gas was cheap, and it did not cost a lot if you wanted make a trip. Today, you have to watch every penny. And when you get old for some reason the body breaks down. When it does all that extra money that you had seems to go the doctors, hospitals and what have ya. What makes it even worse is if some doctor tells you hey man I hate to say this but you can't work anymore. Once that happens, you get put out to pasture. Life get's pretty boring sitting at home pinching pennies.

FWIW, when I was younger I had a Camaro I poured the money into. And I tore it up more than once racing it. Between rod bearings spinning, clutches being burnt, one tranny, and finally one rear end I decided that I was not going to waste money like that any more.



It is a stage we all go through, but after a while you decide there are more important things in life than fast cars, dope, booze and fast women. It's all part of life, and for the most part I believe that just about all of us have done the same thing at one time or another.

Best of luck to ya.

Ron

 

I finally had a moment where I could take some photo's for the OP to help with the MFD that he complained about going back to the default screen.

There is a adjustment that can be made whereas the MFD will stay on the screen last used. My photo's are not the best as I don't own a really high quality digital camera, but I think it will demonstrate how to get what he wants.



To get to the above screen, hit the INFO button on the MFD or the steering wheel. Then touch the Screen Setting Icon to get to the next screen.



With the above screen, simply touch the "OFF" button where it says "Automatic Transitition..." and then touch Ok. The screen should no longer switch back to the default screen.

Hope this helps ya!

Ron

 

Been interesting watching tunerPRIUS' evolution of thought through this thread. He seems to have ultimately come fairly close to us old coots' positions, albeit a bit vociferously at times. Clearly nothing wrong with his brain and youth is a problem easily solved, regardless of our wishes to the contrary. I picked up something new also. I knew about the reverse beep and unlock options but turning off the seatbelt alarm is new one for me. I have to put a badge on after passing through our company gate and would leave my seat belt off if it did not beep. Private property, 100 yards, 10 MPH, I see minimal risk in the practice. I'll try that tonight.

 

205/50/17 and 215/45/17 tires both have exact over all dimensions, look on the Tire Rack. I actually prefer the 205/50/17 since it rides a bit more comfortably. If you have a gen 2, you are supposed to run 205/45/17 to closely match the stock sized tire, but I ran them with 205/50/17 and the speedometer is spot on. I have the 2007 Subaru WRX stock alloys, they weigh in at 22 lbs each rim, not the lightest but they are cheap and the stock chrome center caps fit right in so they look like stock rims.
Yes, the gas mileage will suffer since the wheel package weighs more over all and the tires are wider. 42 mpg is spot on and it is accurate versus the stock set up which is about 2-3 mph off at 65-75 mph. I use radar and my GPS to verify this. Realistic numbers should be around 45-46 mpg with the stock set up after you factor in the speedometer error.
But, hey running 17's your prius will look 10 x better and will handle that much better. 42 mpg , I am not complaining.

 

That's not correct. The 205/50/17 is taller (larger in outside diameter) than the 215/45/17. The 215/45/17 is smaller than the 2010+OE 195/65/15 and the 205/50/17 is larger than the OE 195/65/15. There is a bit of variance between manufactures and specific tires but you will not find a 215/45/17 that is the exact same diameter as a 205/50/17. I just want to make this clear.

Since the OE 2004-2009 tire (185/65/15) is even smaller than the OE 2010+ tire (195/65/15), putting a 205/50/17 on the car is quite a jump in size. I definitely wouldn't recommend this size if you are lowering the car!!! You WILL rub the fender liner.