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2017 prius; okay to tire downsize from r17 to r15?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Shamalamabingbong, Sep 26, 2020.

  1. Shamalamabingbong

    Shamalamabingbong New Member

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    is it okay to downsize from a 17 inch tire to 15 inch? P215/45R17 is what came with the prius and P195/65R15 us what j want to change into for winter tires. I am concerned about the clearance from the the ground though. I live in Atlantic Canada and the pavement is absolutely rough. I was thinking of buying seperate rins and buying the r15 tires. If this is a bad idea , don't be afraid to say so. And any info would be appreciated.

    The trim is a 2017 touring (not four touring)
     
    #1 Shamalamabingbong, Sep 26, 2020
  2. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Are your 17-inch rims OEM? I didn't think they came with 17" rims on Two Eco trim but maybe for higher trims. In any case, 15" wheels are OEM for all Gen4 Prius. You should have no problem with 15" rims with 195/65r15 winter tires. In fact, you will have a better ground clearance with the 15" tires than your current 17" tires. It has a slightly larger diameter than the 215/45r17 you have now. In addition, I think a taller sidewall on 15" tires should make the handling in deeper snow better than 17". And you get better gas mileage with smaller tires with lighter wheels. Larger wheels are mainly for aesthetics only. I don't understand why they even put 17" wheels on Prius.

    195/65r15 diameter 24.98in (634.5mm)
    215/45r17 diameter 24.62in (625.3mm)
     
    #2 Salamander_King, Sep 26, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2020
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    That's exactly what I do with our 2010 Touring. FWIW, the 15" will be slightly larger outside diameter.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Sep 26, 2020
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  4. Shamalamabingbong

    Shamalamabingbong New Member

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    Sorry for such a question; but, what is oem?
     
    #4 Shamalamabingbong, Sep 27, 2020
  5. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    “OEM” is “original equipment manufacturer,” referring here to the parts of the car as Toyota originally built it, as opposed to parts or accessories from other (“aftermarket”) sources that might have been installed later.
     
    #5 Elektroingenieur, Sep 27, 2020
  6. Shamalamabingbong

    Shamalamabingbong New Member

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    In that case, yes it is.
     
    #6 Shamalamabingbong, Sep 27, 2020
  7. Shamalamabingbong

    Shamalamabingbong New Member

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    Would doing this save money on the long run? Would have to change the tpm?
     
    #7 Shamalamabingbong, Sep 27, 2020
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I didn't bother with TPMS on my snows. Might well be more difficult in the States than where I am (Canada).
    Last time I checked you weren't obligated to maintain TPMS in Canada. Whereas in the States tire installers are obligated
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Sep 27, 2020
  9. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    The TPMS light will stay on but it's a very small, insignificant light.
     
    #9 kithmo, Sep 27, 2020
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  10. Shamalamabingbong

    Shamalamabingbong New Member

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    Would that happen even if I switched to winter tires but kept the current size? Is there a way to recalibrate the tpms without replacing the sensors?
     
    #10 Shamalamabingbong, Sep 27, 2020
  11. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Tire size has nothing to do with TPMS. If you buy a new set of wheels and opt not to buy TPMS sensors, then you will have the warning light on. You can purchase a set of TPMS sensors for the new set of wheels and have them programmed to your car. If you keep the same wheel (and TPMS sensors on the wheel) and just change the tires, then you don't have to buy new wheels or sensors and keep functional TPMS. Since 17-inch tires are more expensive than 15-inch tires, the cost difference between 17in tires on your current rim (and TPMS sensors) vs 15 in tires on the separate rim without TPMS may come close. If you are not going to do tire change DIY, either way, it will cost you for a tire change twice a year. If you buy TPMS sensors for a new set of wheels, the cost of programming will be included in the tire change, so only ~$120-$160 USD 4 sensor will be an additional cost at the time of the tire purchase.
     
    #11 Salamander_King, Sep 27, 2020
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