Snow Tire recommendations

The problem is I am torn between sticking them on my OEM 15 and getting 17 for the summer, or getting balck ugly steelies for winter
Ask everyone here what to do is waste of time, it like asking a kid if they want candy
I would tell anyone GO WITH THE 17'S
I am sooo confused

 

No they will not fit.

 

You can always paint the black uglies.

Go for the steelies (put them on at the last possible minute and take them off as soon as you can) and save the extra $$$ for some serious bling wheels for summer.

 

Sometimes you can get used OEM Prius wheels for about the same price (or less) as new steelies.

Here are the results from searching "Prius Wheels" on eBay United States:

prius wheels, great deals on eBay Motors, Toys Hobbies on eBay!

I'd also check eBay Canada if I were you.

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Also, if you don't need the absolute best snow traction, you should note that in the Consumer Reports November 2009 tire tests, the Hankook Optimo H727 all-season tire scored as well or better in snow traction and ice braking as most of the winter tires tested -- this is a pretty stunning result. Check it out yourself:

Consumer_Reports_Nov._2009_Tire_Tests-1.doc

 

Hey guys, I am a little confused on something. I read something that mentioned that getting new tires put on my 2010 Prius meant I'd have to have the computer reset? Or something like that? I was planning on just taking my car to a place to have snow tires put in. Or is it not that simple?

 

What complicates it is whether you care about the TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) feature or not.

If you don't, and will visually check your snow tires from time to time and/or check the pressure with a gauge at each fillup then it's simple - just remove the old wheels/tires (with the sensors) and put on new ones without sensors. Your 'low tire pressure' light will eventually come on, but you can either ignore it or cover it with black tape.

If you want the TPMS to monitor your snow tires, that entails a trip to the dealer every time you change wheels/tires to have them (re)'register' the sensors in the newly-changed wheels. There's no way for an owner to do this, and both the cost of the additional sensors ($75-$100 ea) and the labor cost for the dealer to do the reprogramming (probably ~$75 each time) will probably discourage you from wanting to go this route.

 

Just to clarify. If you get another set of wheels with your snow tires, then you need to decide whether to get a new set of sensors for them. Since the Prius only accommodates 4 sensors, you will need to reprogram the car to register the new sensors and then to re-register the original sensors when you change back in the summer. You can have the dealer do this or there are $150 stand alone units that do this:

DIY TPMS Programming - Tool to Program your Own TPMS Sensors - Toyota Scion Honda - Toyota Forums :: Toyota Nation

Revolution Supply Co. - ATEQ TPM Quicket Device

Alternatively, you can get a new set of wheels for your snow tires, not get sensors, and just ignore the yellow warning light for the winter.

If you are not getting new wheels and only changing out your tires, then you don't need new sensors or the accompanying TPMS registration.

 

So should I just get new tires and not wheels? Do I really need new wheels?

 

Bhhrrr... Per tonight's forecast tomorrow's going to be the first snowy day here! Do I really need snow tires for maybe 1-3 inches of snow? This is going to be my first winter with Toyota and hybrid so I'm still not sure how it will do on snow.

 

Having the additional wheels makes it easier to change out your tires. You can do it yourself if you are so inclined.

Here's Consumer's Reports take on this:

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• Accept the cost and potential inconvenience of maintaining the operation of your tire pressure monitoring system when making a winter tire change-over, which includes a second set of wheels and sensors.
• Forgo the second set of wheels and sensors and have the winter tires mounted on the original wheels with the original sensors. There's an added cost of mounting and balancing the tires and wheels, but at least that's absorbed in the cost of not having to buy new wheels and sensors. The potential downside is a tire technician may damage a tire or sensor in the mounting process.
• The last option is practical, but not the best use of technology: Buying a second set of wheels for your winter tires without a second set of tire pressure monitoring sensors. The rationale here is winter tires are used for a short period during the year. The tire pressure monitoring system is only there to alert the driver of a leaky tire. The system was never intended to be a substitute for routine tire pressure checks. So with this option you would be driving without the safeguard of the tire pressure monitoring system like most drivers of older cars on the road today.

Personally, I'd go with Door #3.
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Was on Michelin website, they do not make X-ice 2 in 195
But the Toyota dealer quote me 195's mmmmm

 

I ordered a set of 195 65 15 from a local dealer yesterday.

Also found them in that size (and on sale) on Tire Rack, with a $70 rebate as well.

Currently Available Prices and Sizes

Suggest you check again.

 

I'm leaning toward the 185/65/15's instead of the 195/65/15's. I assume the speedometer/odometer on my V is tuned to the stock 17 inch tire, so the 185's would give a truer reading (the tire diameter/circumference of the 185's is closer to that of the 17 inch tire). The 185's would also be slightly narrower than the 195's, which should be an advantage in the snow. The load rating of the X-ice 2 is also between that of the stock 15 and 17 tires, so that shouldn't be a problem. Before I pull the trigger, does anyone see a problem with my reasoning?

 

A few comments on previous posts:

The X-Ice Xi2 does come in a 195/65R15. I was going to order them. I ended up going with a Continenal WinterContact Extreme. (FWIW, Nissan is running a buy 3 get 1 for $1 promotion through the end of this month. Your local Nissan dealer should be happy to source tires for you under this promotion. I know I am happy to do so for any locals!)

The O.D. of the 215/45R17 is 24.7" (circumference of 77.590"). The O.D. of the 195/65R15 is 25" (78.539" circumference). This indicates a diameter delta of 1.2%. So, at 75 mph, the speedometer will read 74.09 mph. Over 1,000 miles, there will be a 12.1 mile discrepancy.

 

I guess I made a mistake

 

According to the calculators I used, a 215/45R17 tire has a circumference of 77.340, whereas the 195/65R15 is 78.477 and the 185/65R15 is 76.872. So the errors would be 1.45% and 0.61%, respectively. Plus the slightly narrower 185's should do a little better job cutting through in the snow. Although The Tire Rack does have a special on the X-ice Xi2's in 195/65R15 ....

 

Does anybody know if any of the cars systems such as VDIM, VSC, TRAC, etc are disabled by having a TPMS warning on constantly? I wouldn't mind the TPMS light on all the time, but I wouldn't like the car disabling any of these other systems because of it.

 

I would hope NOT. For all the car knows, the sensors or receiveing unit could just be bad. Not a reason to disable everything. I suspect the car just reports but does nothing else, such as assuming the tires are all flat.

 

My local Toyota dealer is running a buy 3 get 1 free promotion. I compared this price to 4 of the same at a local tire store. Guess what? The tire store price was less.

Just a word to the wise.