Hey guys, I did a search and cant find any threads answering my question so here I am. The Prius C comes stock with 15" Rims, I want to purchase snow tires with a separate set of steel rims. There is a big price gap between 15" steel Rim and 14", would it be ok to use 14" Rims on this vehicle without any negative effects to the engine, tranny, etc?
I see no hint that 14 inch wheels would fit around the brakes. If they did fit, I see no other impediment to their use. Tirerack.com does not sell a steel wheel for a c.
Tirerack is where I would be getting the 14" steel rims, after selecting winter packages for prius c it pull up 14" steel rims. I guess I should place a call to the dealership and see what they say, thanks!
I have 14" steel wheels with snow tires from Tire Rack, and they fit great. The only important part is to get the right tire size so that the overall diameter of the tire is the same. I got 175/70R14 Michelin X-Ice tires because of the good ratings. In braking they did SLIGHTLY better than Blizzaks. Skinny tires are better for Winter - 175 on the tire size is the width of the tire tread in mm. A 185 tire is 10mm wider, and a 195 is 20mm wider. Skinny tires cut though snow and put more weight in one spot. Rally cars running in snow have absurdly skinny tires. The 13" wheels from my volkswagen fit the rear on the Prius C, but they JUST BARELY don't fit the front - the calipers interfere with the wheel on the inside. I noticed that I get measurably better MPG on the snow tires, and I don't have any idea why.
The narrower profile's one likely factor. Plus X-Ice seem to roll easily. I have a similar situation on a third gen Prius, going from Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 215/45R17 (on the stock 17" 3rd gen Toyota alloy rims, pretty heavy), to Michelin X-Ice2 195/65R15 (on Corolla steel rims): the mpg stays about the same.
What's nuts to me: the TPMS is more than the rim. And buying extra TPMS is just the start, of an expensive relationship. Well unless you get more electronics. Glad I live in Canada where it's still optional.
I also opted out of the TPMS sensors on the steelies. I've always been in the habit of checking my tire pressure when I get gas.
I've got nothing against the concept of TPMS; it has alerted us to low pressure before. But, and especially with extra rims you're swapping seasonally, Toyota's system is too difficult and costly.
