C4 does not have LRR tires?

In theory it should get less mpg due to extra weight and possibly the non-LRR tires but driving style can make up for this minor loss. IMO get the car you like.

 

The wider low-profile tires on the c IV are optional, are they not? I thought the 15"s were standard. In any case, the 16" tires are probably low-rolling-resistance tires--just slightly wider LRRs than the 15". The overall weight of the wheel may be the same or lower since aluminum weighs less than rubber.

 

They are not listed as LRR but since they are built to Toyota's specifications they likely exhibit LRR characteristics.

Even if the 16" wheel is the same weight as the 15" wheel, the 16" tires are usually heavier and the whole combination pushes mass away from the hub which requires more energy to turn. Usually the mpg hit from a Plus 1 upsize is minor so I wouldn't worry about it. More worrisome is the lack of aftermarket LRR tires available in the 16" size.

 

Wow I just checked the Tirerack and there is no LRR tire in that size. Is Toyota banking on someone coming out with a LRR tire in that size? The difference on a 3rd Gen Liftback from LRR to non-LRR is a very serious mpg hit. Many Hertz rental Prii with higher mileage don't have LRR replacement tires and I can't get those cars over 50 mpg no matter what I do. They usually run in the low 40 mpg numbers compared to the lower mileage rental Prii with factory LRR tires running high 40's to low 50 mpg without trying hard.

Mike

 

FWIW, the tires that come on the 15" wheels are not LRR either.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...Year=2012&autoModel=Prius c&autoModClar=Three

 

They do.

Testing and experience has born this out. That is why manufactures are using LRR tires on a lot of new cars in an effort to increase their CAFE ratings.

This is a good example of how much LRR tires affect a Prius.

When Round and Black Becomes Lean and Green

As I stated in my first post. The tires that come as OE equipment on the Prius c are built to Toyota's specs, not those of the tire manufacture. As such they can make changes to the tire to fit their desires. In this case I bet they lowered the RR on the OE tires enough to increase MPG to fit their needs. The aftermarket version of the tire may not be designed to fit the LRR characteristics set forth by that particular tire company.

 

When I get my c, I'm gonna fill my 16" tires with helium or maybe even hydrogen! That'll fix that tire weight problem!

 

Now I have the 16" upgrade mainly for the handling which LRR tires will not give you. I really love to corner hard and keep my momentum up. I take typical right hand 90 degree turns at 30mph then pulse and glide as much as possible without going to slow. If I can't see everything on the corner with no people or obstructions then I won't fly through haha so only if its all clear. On the way to Star Bucks were I am now, I showed 93.4mpg on a 3.3 mile drive haha. My last tank overall mpg was 58.1 and went 510.4 miles on 8.7834g. If your like me then your going to want the 16" tires with no LLR tires but if you don't care about handling as much as me then like others said trim 4 comes with 15" with the 16" optional.

So basically im not only enjoying driving experience very much with a lite car that has good balance that can take corners HARD but also trying to keeping up the good MPG in other ways.

 

The problem with this line of thinking is you spend more money on a tire that doesn't last as long, gets lower mpg and you wear them down faster by driving harsher. I'm not sure which LRR tires you have actually tried but many can corner and handle very well. If you want a race tire then of course LRR is not the way to go but don't fool yourself into thinking you are saving money by buying a low tread wear tire that gets worse fuel economy the driving it hard to hypermile. It just doesn't pencil out.

 

LRR tires like the Michelin Energy Saver tires
will give you a 2-3 mpg increase over the
factory equipped tires like that were on
our car, Yoko Avid.

2-3 mpg may not be impressive but it adds
up over 70,000 miles and more than off sets
the original premimum over non LRR tires.

 

Toyota does not list the C4 getting lower mileage with the optional tires. There's no note on the website specifications when choosing that option that it reduced mileage or changes the car's specifications in any way.

Website might not have all the information. Ask the dealer if there are any performance or specification notes that accompany the optional tires.

 

The standard tire and wheel package on the 4 is 15 inch alloys...

 

I just did another calculated mpg and got 56.7 with the 16" wheels. I have done 58-59 mpg with them on a tank. Now that im running 43-40 PSI on the tires its even easier.

 

I have the OEM tires and really like them so far. If you guarantee the LRR will handle just as good then Ill get them. If they don't then it only fair you refund me the cost

If handling goes down but I get 3mpg more then its not worth it to me at all for that. Im having fun with this car and getting 55+mpg easy.

 

Toyota doesn't list a difference for the 17" wheel on the GenIII either but we all know there is a definite loss. Manufactures are not required to list every trim model with the EPA.

Like I posted earlier in the thread, OE tires are built to the car manufacture's specifications so even though they are not listed as LRR on the tire manufacture's website doesn't mean they are not LRR. The Goodyear Integrity tire was OE on the GenII Prius and it wasnt listed as LRR for a long time but it obviously was. Web someone would switch t a non-LRR they lost a good chunk of mpg and never gained it back after tire break in.

A quality LRR tire like the Continental ProContact with EcoPlus offers great traction and steering response but it is not going to provide quite the mpg that some other LRR tires offer. I agree with you that there are trade offs.

I'm not taking you up on your challenge though.

 

I'd be surprised if Toyota (or any manufacturer) could get away with selling you an option that seriously impacted the vehicles stated specifications without an obvious and clear disclaimer.

That's why I suggested the person contact the dealer for that specific information. If there is no disclaimer, Toyota would join Honda in the legal settlement for bogus mileage claims if the option seriously impacted the cars performance.

Especially true since it is clear that anyone purchasing a Prius is doing so for the mileage, any option that impacts it would have to have clear notification.

 

Go slap a set of OE 17s on and drive around for a few a tanks then get back to us on your results. Everyone else who has done so losses mpg.

There is a world of difference between losing a few mpg due to trim level options and the Honda Civic Hybrid lawsuit.