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Is There ANY good thing about "Touring" 16" Wheels and Tires?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by ebikeman, Nov 7, 2024.

  1. ebikeman

    ebikeman Junior Member

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    When I got my Prius, I liked the idea of the "bigger" 16" tires. I found the 15" tires are almost an inch bigger around because the 16" is a low profile (15" - 65, 16" - 55).

    This means, I get 3 miles per gallon less (some on this forum thought it was because it is heaver but it's because it's smaller), my speedometer is 2-3 MPH fast, I get a rougher ride.

    The few times I've seen 16" Prius wheels for sale, they're usually for sale a long time.

    I can't think of any reason to have 16" wheels. Everything is negative.

    So many other cars (not Prius) have low profile tires and it seems to be desired.

    Is there any benefit to the 16" Prius wheels?

    Thank you,
    ebm
     
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    All Toyotas with standard tire sizes read mph fast by design to ensure the reading is not low. If you read the mph using a scanner or obd2 device it is more accurate.

    The two stock sizes are within 0.1% of each other based on diameter and circumference. Mph accuracy is essentially the same.

    Width increases and sidewall decreases providing a harsher ride.

    IMG_6653.jpeg


    You could get higher profile 16” tires like the P205/60R16 a Prius v uses. Assuming they clear the wheel well. Diameter and circumference increases by 5%. This lowers mph reading. Sidewall increases 2.3% improving ride. IMG_6654.jpeg
    You do have a bigger heavier and wider tire with more rubber on the road. Handling and weight carrying ability improves.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  3. Hayslayer

    Hayslayer New Member

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    On a Gen 2 Touring model, moving from a 195/55 to a 205/55 will make your speedometer dead accurate.
     
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    The 185/65 15 I wasn't paying attention a minute ago I think that's 24.6 or something like that diameter I'm running 225 65 15s on my lifted Prius that's a 26-in diameter that's 2 in larger approximately or 1 point something It looks two on the car and to be honest with you my gas mileage went down for the first few tanks I was pumping 37 mi to the gallon It's crept back up to 40 before the tire change I was getting about 42 on this 07 Prius with 250,000 mi on it so for raised 40 mm height Prius with these big tires on it that's not really bad to me especially being able to get in and out of the car a lot easier The 16s aren't going to cut your gas mileage You might be losing a little sidewall of your tire because of the profile which makes for a stiffer possible ride with some people think that's a good thing but other than that you're maintaining the same outer diameter with the 15 16 and the 17-in wheels on the Persona all of those tires and wheel packages can interchange there within a few tenths of an inch overall diameter so there's no real effect