Can anyone who has added 17 inch wheels to their 2010 have any negative effects to ABS warning lights or other problems with the factory warranty ? I am anxious to go from 15 inch factory to the 17 inch, and I would appreciate any input from those who have. Thanks in advance.
If you increase the wheel diameter you also decrease the tire thickness, to keep the same overall diameter. This means no speedo error. You won't have any trouble with ABS etc. even if you change the overall diameter. If your new wheel/tire combo is much heavier than stock you will have a harsh ride. Do note that the models with 17" wheels also have a different steering rack (more powerful) to deal with the handling effects. You will also loose MPG, due to the larger contact patch and heavier wheel/tire combo.
I remember reading about this in other threads on the subject. The consensus was it shouldn't hurt anything. I'd like to eventually put 17's on my IV and use the 15's for winter duty. But still wonder if it would cause premature wear on the rack. I don't plan on doing it till the OEM's wear out so maybe we'll hear other reports on this next year.
I don't think it was for wear, but rather for ease of steering (larger diameter wheels feel "heavy" in steering). Look for Volk Racing "eco" series wheels. I know they were available in 15" and 16" sizes, I'm sure they have added 17" by now. They are very light yet still strong. They were originally made for the GII Prius.
To bad it's not an option to buy more pimped out wheels in the first place. Easier than paying later / storing wheels or selling 15's at a loss. Your car will lose value if you were to try to sell it with aftermarket wheels. 16" alloy with 205/55-16 LRR tires (or 195's like 2nd gen Touring) IMO the better fit / look for those wanting to kick style up a notch. Weird that Nissan went with 16" wheels on the Leaf. If any car needed more efficient wheels / tires, it's that car. Does 15" have more potential for efficiency? Why didn't Nissan go with 15's? Why didn't Toyota go with 16's on Prius whose body clearly grew from 2nd to 3rd gen?? I'm tellin' ya, 16's would look best IMO. Sure, 17's could still be for the top model. Ever notice the 2005+ Tacoma Access cab whose body grew in the redesign .. a lot but the wheels stayed the same? Not too attractive. People want good looking cars. Seen that new Hyundai Elantra?? That car is going to sell like wildfire - it's looks great. You watch.
The V with 17's has a quicker steering ratio (fewer turns, lock to lock). That's the main reason for the increase in electric assist...it's also a big factor in why it feels sportier. If you want the appearance, go for it. Know that you'll lose ride quality, mileage, tire wear (rear's have relatively high negative camber), and higher tire cost. Also, make sure your wheel has the same offset otherwise handling can be seriously negatively affected.
In general (a dangerous statement), a smaller diameter wheel will give the lightest overall wheel/tire combination. Aluminum is still heavier than rubber. The "plies" in a tire are lighter than the rubber. I suspect the "sweet spot" is 15" for a light combination. Smaller would not be strong enough. Larger is heavier. The Volk Racing eco series wheels are incredibly light. When I purchased my Nokian WR tires they had to send the "gopher" to get the last tire (one was missing from stock). While we waited I asked if I could go in and look at the 15" wheel without tire, laying on the floor. As I picked it up I almost threw it in the air, expecting it to be much heavier. Here are the weights of Prius wheels I know of: weight comparison ce28 ecodrives 15 inch: 10.1 lbs 16 inch: 10.8 lbs Prius factory wheels (GII) 15 inch 14.3 lbs 16 inch 15.2 lbs 5X100 mm holes 45 mm offset 6jj rim size 2004-2009 Prius 15X6JJ: 5X100mm PCD, 45mm offset 16X6JJ: 5X100mm PCD, 45mm offset 2010 Prius 15X6J: 5X100mm PCD, 45mm offset 17X7J: 5X100mm PCD, 50mm offset 17inch:11.0kg 15inch: 7.4kg 1 kg is 2.2 lbs.
Volk Racing RE30 and RE30 Eco Drive wheels from Upgrade Motoring Scroll down to bottom for small chart of Insight and Prius wheels ... Looks like eco 17's are well over $600 ... each!
Yeah, I searched these wheels out and saw their price. They gotta be real nice but are way way more than I want to spend on my IV. I was looking at the Tirerack wheels they offer for sale, picked out 4 I liked. Three of those 4 are made in China. Glad I'm not in a rush to make my purchase.
