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Tire Availability--None in Stock Anywhere

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Linda L, Apr 29, 2008.

  1. Linda L

    Linda L Junior Member

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    I posted, over the weekend, about the tire blowout I had on my newly purchased 2002 Prius, asking for help on what replacement tires to get. Well, after two days of frustrating phone calls, I have yet to find anyone who has tires for my Classic Prius (175/65 SR14) in stock. They are all quoting me anywhere from 3-10 days at a minimum to get the tires here, with no guarantee that it will only take three days. I've tried Discount Tire, Sam's, Wal Mart, and lots of local tire shops, all with no luck.

    This is just not working, because I need the car for an out of town trip this weekend. The only tire in that size anyone had in stock was a Kumho Solus at Sears, and it isn't XL rated. I'm frustrated now, but at least I am at home. What happens if you are on a road trip, blow out a tire, or get a flat that isn't fixable, and no one has this size tire in stock?

    Am I just having this problem because I live (relatively) in a rural area, or have others also found this tire size is not stocked?

    Linda
     
    #1 Linda L, Apr 29, 2008
  2. northwest

    northwest New Member

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    Longtime poster and Prius guru "John" makes this comment:

    >>>>>The "warning" is just a standard cover-their-butt disclaimer, since most people follow the standard automaker PSI suggestion rather than acknowledge the tiremaker specifications.

    So if you choose just 35 PSI, that matching non-XL size isn't enough. But if you just pump up the PSI to 42, that's an entirely different matter. Then you are just fine... as countless Classic Prius owners (including myself) have already proven many times over. In fact, I even have photos.<<<<<<

    In this thread:
    http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-technical-discussion/18651-tire-warning-tirerack-what-gives.html
     
    #2 northwest, Apr 29, 2008
  3. Linda L

    Linda L Junior Member

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    Ok, I went and checked out that thread.

    What I think I got out of it is that I can replace the tires on my classic Prius with 185/65 SR14s (rather than the 175/65 SR14s on it now) and be fine? Correct?

    If so, that would be great, as I checked online, and the Discount Tire near me is showing that tire size as being in stock.

    Linda
     
    #3 Linda L, Apr 29, 2008
  4. northwest

    northwest New Member

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    Actually, what I got out of it....and I may have misunderstood John...so hopefully he, or someone who knows of what he speaks will chime in...

    Is that you can use the non-XL 175's if you bump the pressure up to 42 psi in the tires, rather than the 35 psi called for in the owners manual.
     
    #4 northwest, Apr 29, 2008
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Hi Linda,

    I faced the same problem as you several months ago when I bought new tires for my 2001. I ended up getting Continental 195/60SR14 tires for my car which are 85 load rated compared to 84 for the correct XL-rated tire size. I'm surprised that the tire stores that you contacted did not suggest installation of a larger tire size.

    However, as I mentioned in my prior reply to you, the use of a larger tire size is not condoned by Toyota, nor is the use of the correct tire size with SL-rated tires so either choice is at your own risk. If you decide to stick with the correct tire size using SL-rated tires, it would be a good idea to use higher tire inflation pressures, 42/40 psi. If you don't carry a full load of passengers and cargo in 120 degrees F summer heat, traveling at 80 mph over long distances, then you will probably be OK.

    Kumho is not a favorite brand of mine, so I would not recommend that choice.
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, Apr 29, 2008
  6. Linda L

    Linda L Junior Member

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    Patrick -

    I do carry close to a full load at times (I've got two school aged children), and I live in Texas, so the summer temps will be close to 100. Not to mention that freeway speed limits out here are 80 mph (not that I drive that fast).

    So it doesn't sound like going with the lower rated tires would be what I would want to do.

    So I guess maybe my only option is to go with a larger tire size?

    Linda
     
    #6 Linda L, Apr 29, 2008
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Hi Linda,

    Well, I had larger tires installed on my 2001, and I think that is a reasonable option for you as well.

    Others have suggested using the 185/65 size. The reason that I went to 195/60 is because the circumference of that size is closer to the original 175/65 size, hence there will be less speedometer/odometer error.
     
    #7 Patrick Wong, Apr 29, 2008
  8. mrblaise

    mrblaise Go Lakers!!

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    Agree. I bought Kumho one time and they were terrible. I learned my lesson and would NEVER buy them again.

     
    #8 mrblaise, Apr 29, 2008
  9. Ichiro

    Ichiro Member

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    FWIW Kumho's are highly rated on TireRack, at least the ones I've used (Ecsta's) on our non-Prius car (Volvo S40). The Kumho's were at least as good as Bridgestone Potenza's that they replaced.

    Speaking of tirerack, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Prius tires are relatively very cheap. For example, Bridgestone Pole Positions are only $74.
    This is $60 cheaper than they would be for the Volvo (!)
     
    #9 Ichiro, Apr 29, 2008
  10. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Yes, I bought Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position tires for my 2004 a few months ago. In TireRack's ultra high performance all-season category, this tire was rated #1 out of 19 models by the user survey.

    Further, the other competing models are not available in the 185/65R15 size.

    I bought the tires from Americas Tire; the net price was about the same as TireRack after considering shipping and installation costs.
     
    #10 Patrick Wong, Apr 30, 2008
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