Consumer Reports recommended Hankook H727 tires and I am ready to order them. However the stock Prius tire size is 185/65/15. I can get the Hankooks in 195/60/15 or 185/60/15. Which would be better and why? All replies will be appreciated.
Using the Miata Tire Size Calculator -- with 185/60R15 tires, the speedometer will read 3% faster -- with 195/60R15 tires, the speedometer will read 1% faster So I would go with the 195/60R15 because speedometer and odometer readings will be more accurate. Also, the wider treadwidth of the 195s should produce better handling and shorter braking distances -- two things the Gen II Standard Prius needs. Note however that if you do go with the Hankook Optimo H727s in the 195/60R15 size, I think you can expect to get as much as 2 fewer miles per gallon than the OEM 185/65R15 Integrities. But I think that's a tiny price to pay for a much better and safer tire.
Thanks so much -- great answer. One more question -- I just noticed they also come in 195/65/15 How would that compare to 195/60/15? Wayne
With the 195/65R15, the speedometer will read 2.1% slower than the OEM 185/65R15 Tire size calculator Just in terms of RPMs (revolutions per mile) -- which affect speedometer and odometer readings -- the 195/60R15 is the closest tire size to the OEM 185/65R15.
