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Issues with Factory Tires

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Gasolean, Jun 23, 2014.

  1. Gasolean

    Gasolean Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Is anyone else having issues with the factory tires or is it just me? In a span of a week a few months ago I had to replace two tires - the front left and the back right. Today I go out to find that my back left is flat. The first time I hit a pothole a little hard, the 2nd time I got a bolt in the tire and this time I see a little screw in it. I understand that "picking up" things may compromise the tire - but I have driven for years and years and never had a flat. I have friends' whose tires pick up stuff and aren't as flat (actually, not flat at all) and still are fine.

    It seems to me that the tires that come with the Prius are cheap and POS. When I bought this car the salesman made me sign up for some sort of tire warranty. I do not know if it's still going since it's over a year old. But I remember thinking "what the heck, I never have had a flat tire, why do I need this?" but signed up for it anyway. Sure glad I did!

    My old 2006 Prius had the factory tires and then the Pirelli when I replaced them. Never had an issue.

    And since we are on the subject of tires, what is a good tire to put on the Prius? I am in the northeast, ride on a lot of stone/dirt roads. And after the winter we had - pothole land. I need something good and tough.
     
    #1 Gasolean, Jun 23, 2014
  2. KennyGS

    KennyGS Senior Member

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    Location:
    Keystone State
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    My tires are Toyo Proxes. I forget which one... So far they've been fine for me after about 4000 miles.

    Sounds like you've been unlucky with debris where you drive that is damaging your tires. I guess there might be some brands of tires that are more/less resistant to punctures/damage, but in general most tires will lose air when something penetrates them.
     
    #2 KennyGS, Jun 23, 2014
  3. Gasolean

    Gasolean Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I've driven 23,000 on my car. I've always driven on these type of roads, nothing has changed. My old Prius tires seemed far more resilient.
     
    #3 Gasolean, Jun 23, 2014
  4. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Grass Valley, CA.
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    Other Non-Hybrid
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    Your problem has nothing to do with the quality of the tires on the car. You are simply unlucky with regards to finding screws and bolts on the road. There may be more construction going on in your area or some careless contractor is dropping more objects than usual. Regardless, even high quality tires are equally subject to puncture by road debris such as you describe.

    If you regularly drive on rough roads then you may want to switch to an H rated tire in the grand touring category for a bit more structural strength. Just be aware that you will very likely lose fuel economy in doing do.
     
    #4 F8L, Jun 23, 2014
    PosauneGuy likes this.
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