Winter tires?

Two options I can see right now:

Option #1: Either hope Bridgestone brings the Blizzak VRX3 in 195/50R19 to the North American market by November or import a set yourself from Japan.

Option #2: Buy a set of 6.5Jx17 ET40 wheels with a 5x114 bolt pattern and fit your choice of 205/55R17 tires(I prefer Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 or 10 or Michelin X-Ice Snow).

 

Does Toyota have a compatible 16” steel rim; that “might” improve the snow tire choices with close OD’s. And definitely need to trial-fit one rim first, front and rear; make sure nothing’s hitting.

For tire/size, this seems doable, IF rim is compatible:

Michelin X-Ice Snow 205/65R16 (~26.5”)

 

Costco CANADA rim selector for winter 2023
https://www.c-wheels.ca/en/fitmentsearch/result/index/?code_aaia=&year=2023&make=Toyota&model=Prius+Prime&submodel=SE&options=215%2F45R17

IS WRONG PER POSTS BELOW. Thanks for catching that.

As an aside, did use alloy hub centric rims from these folks for my 2021 Rav4 and was pleased with them.

 

Don't use that list. They used the gen4 specs instead of updating them. All of the bolt patterns are 5x100 when they should be 5x114.3.

 

Tire size mentioned in the link is 215/45R17; don’t think Costco has it sorted yet.

 

Still thinking about carrying a winter as a 'spare' on extended trips. but ideally, that would mean the same rim and tire size as the all seasons... and I usually go down a wheel size or two, and adjust the tire accordingly. what to do, what to do...

 

thanks for the catch!!

 

I’ve been doing some research.
For rim Google search: 17 x 7 +40 5x114.3 60.1

For tires Google search: 205/60R17

Blizzak LM001

OEM OD For 195/50 R19 = 26.677”
OD for 205/60 R17 = 26.685”

Cannot confirm yet. On long wait list for Delivery.

 

Tire rack recommends 215/55/17 on 17x7 40 offset. They told me they guarantee they will fit right and work or money back.

205/65/16 is also an option and closer to diameter of 19 size. 205/60/17 is an exact match to 19 size but hardly any tires in that size and tire rack doesn't recommend. So I'm probably going with 16 inch rims to have 205 size tire. Have found 17 x 6.5 rims with 40 offset in 5x114.3 but backordered. Very hard to find a rim on that size

 

I asked dealer about this set up and mech was mainly concerned about the rim being 7 inches instead of 6.5. then he said tire sag is another issue being a wider tire

 

If you're willing to go to a wider wheel than stock(like the 17x7 instead of the stock 19x6.5 or 17x6.5), then your options will definitely improve. I often get stuck in the mindset of trying to stay as stock as possible even when maybe I should relax a bit.

 

Is 16 inch going to clear the calipers? I have the 17'' and it looks pretty tight as it is

 

It was always my understanding you were better off going NARROWER for winter tires- rather than 195, for example, you wanted 185 and a profile and wheel to maintain the overall diameter.

Is the discussion of 205 or 215 solely driven by availability of these sizes?

 

Correct and correct. Narrower is better, but there are no tires in those sizes that will fit on the 6.5 wheels. From my research, the 6.5 wheel width can handle 185-215 width tires. 195 & 205 are best, 185 & 215 are okay, 175 and 225 are probably too far out. As far as diameter differences, I've heard +/- 3% is about as far as you want to push it when changing tire size.

From there, I've been building a list of possible tires from the manufacturers and product lines I like. As of this moment, I'm leaning towards either Nokian Hakkapeliittas R5 EV (studless) or 10 (studded) in 215/50/R19. They're borderline in both width and diameter, but they're so much cheaper than importing a set of Modellista Wing Dancer XX 17" wheels and still needing to buy an imperfect tire size to fit. But we'll see if I change my mind in two or three months, since this coming season's batch of winter tires isn't available yet.


Here's my current worksheet. So far I'm only looking at Nokian, Michelin, and Blizzak.

Code:

Winter Tires

19"
215/50  Nokian    Hakkapeliitta R5 EV   studless     wide  +3%
215/50  Nokian    Hakkapeliitta 9       studded      wide  +3%
215/50  Nokian    Hakkapeliitta 10 EV   studded      wide  +3%

17"
205/55  Michelin  CrossClimate 2        all-weather
205/55  Nokian    Hakkapeliitta R5      studless
205/55  Michelin  X-Ice Snow            studless
205/55  Blizzak   LM001                 studless
205/60  Blizzak   LM001                 studless
205/55  Nokian    Hakkapeliitta 9       studded
205/55  Nokian    Hakkapeliitta 10      studded

215/55  Nokian    WRG4                  all-weather  wide
215/55  Blizzak   WS90                  studded      wide

There's also the Hakkapeliitta R5 and 10 available in 175/65R17, but I just think they're too narrow for the 6.5" wheels.

 

Thanks for the detailed reply.

I also hope that given a few more months, some options will become available

The Toyota dealers in my area have become a LOT more aggressive about going after the tire+wheel market... so I won't be surprised if they have some offerings.

I guess the Prius probably uses a sensor in each wheel for pressure monitoring, rather than a calculation based on differing wheel diameter as a tire goes flat. So more $$ if i don't want to have the warning light on.

Aside- tried Bridgestone Canada.... their system doesn' even show the 'stock' ecopia for the prime.

 

Nntw if you live close to Steels & Woodbine Ave. (Markham) there is a Tire Shop I’ve been using for 30 years. They actually supply the Dealerships for winter wheel and tire packages.
Try dropping by Steelcase Tires ‘n’ Mags and see what they can do for you.
370 Steelcase Rd E
Markham ON L3R 1G2
Canada
steelcasetires.ca
(905) 479-8884

 

Update for Canadian costco members:

c- wheels dot ca now has correct size wheels for 2023 Prius, 5 x 114.3 bolt pattern.

https://www.c-wheels.ca/en/fitmentsearch/result/index/?code_aaia=&year=2023&make=Toyota&model=Prius+Prime&submodel=XSE&options=195%2F50R19

XSE model shown

 

The 16" black steelie looks pretty close to the 15" Corolla rims I was using on my '10, except for the oversized hub opening.

I say “was”, just got new snows (they were 13 winters old) and mounted them on PIP rims I scored some time back.