Winter Tire Time - Should I buy 15s or 16s?

I am also shopping for winter tires and currently lean toward Haka R (advanced Haka RSi). I also want dedicated winter tires mostly because I am hauling two babies and don't want to take any chances. From what I understand, with 15s, you'll get slightly taller tires which makes the size of the wheels very close to 16s. So, I think there should be very little difference in tire performance on snow or ice. Not sure if there is any impact on mileage though.

Are you going to buy still rims as well? They have gone in price from $30 to $70 per wheel! And I was told that the KalTile will not install steel rims without pressure sensors due to safety concerns. The dealer said they will install the steel rims but the tire pressure light will be always on. Not sure how annoying that might be.

 

Have you checked out Canadian Tire for a winter tire/wheel package? They have good winter tires, I'm running studded Goodyear Nordic. They also carrry the General Altimax Arctic, which looks like a Nokian copy, and can also be studded

At least here in Manitoba, there is a sale on now at Canadian Tire for the Altimax and Nordic, around $10 a tire off

Make sure to pick up a set of the proper "acorn" style lugnuts for the steel wheels. The Toyota lugs will loosen up on the steel rims, at least they did for me. I got my acorn lugnuts at Napa, paid $20 or $1 each

 

The 15" combination will usually be lighter, and so you may get better mileage. Other than that, no difference other than cost. Either size will fit just fine. If Kal Tire won't mount the things take them to somebody else to mount. Lack of TPMS is not a "safety" issue. It's a convenience. You can still ignore the light and drive on a flat!

As I've posted in other threads, I went with Nokian WRs and don't change them out for summer. I'm happy with that choice. They work just fine in snow and on ice here in Edmonton.

You must be in Saskatchewan eh (a little Canadian for our American friends to snicker at). We didn't get any of that snow. In fact , it's still above freezing, though not much (where's that wood to knock on?).

 

Tirerack.com has a recommended tire/wheels for the Prius for winter driving. None of you mentioned the one they suggest. I can't post the link since I'm a noob. Continental something...

 

The main reason why I switched to the Nokian tires few years ago is because in addition to outstanding winter performance I found somewhere that Nokian winter tires (not all-season) should last for at least 80,000. All North American brands only were good for 40,000 (including Goodyear). I've used my first RSi's for appx 40,000 of winter driving already (70% on dry roads) and they still have more than half of the thread. Maybe I will do another research again to see if the cheaper brands are as good.

 

We just received our 2009 Prius. It has 195/55/16 tires. (Same as 2008 Touring model).. I priced winter tires (Michelin X ice at the dealer and at OK tire. They run about Can $160-180 each. Steel rims are another 80 each. The dealer wants $600 to purchase and register sensors.

Questions. Is it perfectly safe to substitute 15 inch rims with 185/65/15 winter tires the saving is about $180. Is it better to buy rims or switch tires on the existing rims twice a year? I understand that the pressure sensor light will come on in the winter but that doesn't worry me because I've driven without them for the last 50 years.

 

I plan on putting the tires on from the middle of November to the middle of March. I'll have to look into the tires you guys use...and see where I can get some.

 

As long as the tire OD is the same, you can safely use the 15 inch wheels/tires in place of the upgraded 16 inch ones

I don't see the sense in paying extra for TPMS for the winter tires. The Prius can only use one set of TPMS sensors at a time, so you will have to pay the dealer to register the different wheels with the car. That adds up

 

I'm going to try the continental tires at tire rack, we have more dry road days then snow days here in Spokane, but when we do get snow I need more than an all season and these sound pretty good.

 

I was lookin through my new Motor Trend magazine and there was a 2 page ad for Discount Tire Direct. They sell winter/snow tires mounted on steel wheels shipped to your door. 15 and 16 inch. I think their website is www.discounttiredirect.com

 

I just purchased from Tire Rack a wheel and tire combo. I purchased alum. wheels and Bridgestone Blizzak WS60. Very reasonable price, delivered 2 days after order, free mounting and balancing. Great service and very reasonable price, $698 which includes shipping.

 

David, if I lived in Edmonton I'd go with the all season option too. But here in Vermont I prefer full bore aggressive snow tires - its all the hills and steep driveways around here that push me over to the snow tire route.

I just ordered an extra set of used original equipment toyota 15" alloy wheels and a set of the new Nokian R tires. Not cheap. But, they will probably last 4 winters or more and I am hoping the original equip Goodyears will last just as long as summer tires.

Are you folks planning to pump your winter tires up? I've been running 60/58 with the integrities. Any reason not to do the same with the Nokian winter tires?

 

2 Pri's running 16's with snows. New snows have lighter wheels vs. stock since I could not find extra set of 16 touring wheels. Dunlops on 1st set Conti's on 2nd set.
Car works ok in up to 5" of snow then park it. Can't rock it due to governor/wheel spin control. So when your stuck your stuck. It does pull out easy if you carry 30' of rope.
Use black duct tape on TPMS warning light.

 

There is a routine you can use to turn off the Traction Control temporarily. Its spelled out somewhere here - need to do a search. It is a diagnositic tool and a warning is given not to drive the vehicle after turning off TC. But, some people do anyway. There is apparently the potential for significant damage to the vehicle if you over spin the wheels.