Prius v replacing tires. 90W tires needed? Tire finder shows no options.

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by wstt, May 27, 2016.

  1. wstt

    wstt Member

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    For my 2012 Prius v 5, when I do a tire finder search at Costco (and Sam's) it says "We're sorry , but we cannot locate any tires in our online inventory to meet your vehicle."
    If I search for a Prius v 2 or 3 it does give options like Michelin Premier and 2 different energy savers.
    However, when I search by size on their site for my v Five, (215/50R17) it gives me many options of which there are 2 different Michelin MXM4's, a Premier and an energy saver.
    Should I just get the ones of the correct size even though their tire finder says no tires they have fit my car?
    Anyone have any feedback or advice on tires?
    Thanks in advance for any responses.
     
    #1 wstt, May 27, 2016
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Maybe something to do with the speed rating? Try TireRack for a check.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, May 27, 2016
  3. DonDNH

    DonDNH Senior Member

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    Pick a tire that is recommended for your Prius. Just picking one that fits and is priced well could result in much worse MPGs. There have been several threads recently about PCers and their tire replacement and how they affected their mileage. You can also research and compare various tire brands from online resources such as TireRack and Tire Warehouse.
     
    #3 DonDNH, May 27, 2016
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I think too with Costco, you can get on the phone with them, say I want such-and-such. They'll verify it's compatible, and as long as that's fine, they'll order it in, even if it's not currently in their store.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, May 27, 2016
  5. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    Its not an easy size to locate.
    P215/50R17 90W
    The Energy Saver A/S is the absolute best choice for MPG. Its the "90W" rating that hangs up the search, so ignore it.
    If the ES-A/S is not available, go with the Premier A/S. Primacy is discontinued.
     
    #5 rdgrimes, May 27, 2016
  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Model:
    Three
    The Costco near me has no tires in stock. My Sam's Club finds 5 tires, none of which I would put on a Prius.

    BFGoodrich G-Force Sport Comp-2 A/S - 215/50ZR17XL 95W
    BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2 - 215/50ZR17X 95W
    Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 - 215/50ZR17/XL 95W
    Pirelli P ZERO NERO GT - 215/50ZR17/XL 95Y
    Pirelli Scorpion ZERO Asimmetrico - 215/50ZR17 91Y

    Tire Rack lists 16 LRR tires. The cheapest are
    Yokohama AVID Ascend (H- or V-Speed Rated)
    Michelin Energy Saver A/S
    Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max
     
    #6 JimboPalmer, May 27, 2016
  7. wstt

    wstt Member

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    So the problem is the Prius v "5" takes 90w tires which I was told is the load and tire compound which many call the speed. W for speed is really a softer rubber than a V speed which Costco told me would increase stopping distance and reduce traction or grip. They said going from W to V tires adds 10 feet onto stopping distances. They won't even put a V tire on my car unless I sign a waiver.
    I can't understand why the Prius v two and three, with size 205/60R16 would take a V rated tire while the five with size 215/50R17 would require a W tire. It's the same car. The guy said it's not really a speed rating which most think it is, but it's softer, grippier rubber.
    Anyone have any suggestions?
    Thanks in advance for any assistance.
     
    #7 wstt, May 27, 2016
  8. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    Yes. Ignore whatever sales people in a tire store tell you and get the tire you want. 90W is just what happens to be the OEM choice for the 17", or rather its what the tire maker provides.
     
    #8 rdgrimes, May 27, 2016
  9. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Which would mean 'add 50 feet for LRR tires'. Buy the tire you want and follow ten feet further in trail... not really. Just buy the tire you want. .
     
    #9 Air_Boss, May 28, 2016
  10. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    By the way, the top speed of a Prius v is 105 MPH so any tire rated R or farther down the alphabet is safe to drive all day at top speed. Some snow tires may be rated lower than R, don't drive at top speed on snow. General sells a Q (99 MPH) rated snow tire for the V Five,all the others were T or faster.

    General Altimax Arctic
     
    #10 JimboPalmer, May 28, 2016
  11. wstt

    wstt Member

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    Why do you say LRR adds 50 feet? My OEM tires are LRR and are 90w tires.
     
    #11 wstt, May 28, 2016
  12. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    The tire shop's argument was a longer-lasting/'less grippy' composition increased stopping distance. LRR are at the far end of that spectrum.
     
    #12 Air_Boss, May 28, 2016
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