Winter wheels/tires

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by WHCSC, Jan 23, 2019.

  1. WHCSC

    WHCSC Member

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2012
    277
    63
    0
    Location:
    Omaha, NE
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I found some cheap steel wheels with snow tires and I'm wondering if they would work on my 2003. They have the 4x100 bolt pattern. They are 175/70/r13. Would going to the smaller wheel matter?
     
  2. Brian in Tucson

    Brian in Tucson Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2016
    981
    453
    0
    Location:
    Tucson AZ
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Probably w on't fit. The wheels have to fit over the drums and calipers. Also, the tire size is quite a bit smaller and might fubar the hybrid electronics. Keep looking for the correct sized wheels and tires is my advice.
     
    Mendel Leisk and WHCSC like this.
  3. 2002_Pri_Rod

    2002_Pri_Rod Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2017
    92
    69
    0
    Location:
    Forestville, CA
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Agreed - I used a local America's Tire outlet to put slightly wider 15" inch tires and rim combination on my 2002 - the technician was careful to match the 15s with the 14 inch OEM tire heights to make sure that the speedometer worked correctly and the computer did not throw any codes - I have had them on for roughly 30000 miles now no problem except that gas mileage dropped a couple mpg due to the wider tire

    As an aside when I took the car to a local private hybrid shop the first question the mechanic asked me was "did the car throw a code with those wheels" "because it is a smart car and knows when it has the wrong tire and wheel combination "
     
    WHCSC likes this.
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Witness Leader

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    57,381
    39,604
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Not that I think it's a good idea, but I think you could put any size tire on the car, any outside diameter, and as long they're all the same size the car wouldn't have a clue. The only thing it detects is wheel speed, and if they're all the same OD it won't detect a problem.
     
    WHCSC likes this.