Prius V considering swapping wheels for 15" or different 17" tires - Advice Appreciated

Within a week of purchasing our 2010 Canadian Touring model (similar to the US V model in regards to tire/wheel size) I swapped out our 215/45R17 OEM Michelin Pilots for 195/65R15 Michelin X-Ice Xi2 J, on 15" Corolla steel rims. No adverse effects, the ride feels good. The gearing is a bit taller, and the ODO will be slightly off, due to the 15" combo's slightly greater outside diameter.

Regarding the spare tire: I suspect all 2010 Prius come with the same one.

 

Have to disagree a bit here. I have an abnormal howling or growling coming from what appears to be the rear. I took the local Toyota specialist for a drive with me and he agreed and felt it was the Toyo tires. He and I then took another Prius v model V for a drive with the same tires and it has the same characteristics. I am, however, not getting much help from Toyota resolving the issue as they are hesitant to switch the tires although the vehicle is brand new. Looks like Customer Care here I come. The noise varies widely depending on the roadway surface - smells like Toyo issue to me.

 

Have you actually done a control, which requires taking the same model but with different tires and observing that the howling/growling wasn't there?

 

If you drove 5 other identical cars, with the Toyo tires, and they all had a funny smell inside, would you also conclude it was caused by the Toyo tires?

 

IMO Low profile tires w/larger wheels & shorter sidewalls are much louder on rough roads whether on gravel, frozen ice or heavily worn interstate (I80 via the Columbia River Gorge). Higher profile sidewalls significantly reduced road noise and are more durable in dealing with hidden winter road hazards. Compared to recommended stock tire (sized narrow for fuel efficiency), best tracking, lowest tramlining and low driver fatigue is found with one (or more) steps wider than stock in summer (195’s or 205’s). I chose one step wider than stock size for a winter snow tire. Fuel efficiency drop is outweighed by comfort, noise reduction and reduced driver fatigue.

I once ran 50 series Nokian Hakkapeliitta studs on 16 wheels. The short side walls were sporty and agile but way too stiff (silly harsh ride) crazy noisy not from the tread design but from normal expansion cracks or gravel or poor highway conditions while feeling it was inevitable, I would wreck a wheel rim from normal winter ice chunks, pot holes or the odd medium rock road hazard. For one day only (before returning them) I ran the recommended 185/65/15 Michelin ice X. This narrow profile had terrible tramlining from both the narrow contact patch and flexible side walls.

Between two Gen II Prius, I have over 700k accumulated in Oregon.
My preferred tires sizes for summer=195 65 (or 60)/R15” or 205/60(or 55)/R16 & Winter is a 195 width.

Favorite tires:

Summer General Altimax RT43 (medium or firm sidewall),

Winter Spring ski shoulder seasons = Toyo GSI-5 studless winter tires (next tire Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3)

Mid-winter= Nokian Hakkapeliitta’s studs