Low profile tires destroyed my front end

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by IwasBirchyFirst, Sep 3, 2025.

Tags:
  1. IwasBirchyFirst

    IwasBirchyFirst Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2023
    25
    6
    0
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    So one of my 2010s had the low profile tire and I live in N TX, where the cement roads develop multi-inch deep potholes in a matter of days (bad soil, every house has huge cracks, curbside utility boxes look like the leaning tower of Pisa) and it takes months for the cities to repair. Normal wheels/tires survive these sharp edged monsters well enough, but those low profile tires absorb almost none of the impact and my front end is rattling greatly in just a short year. (I drive for a living).I will add, that I replace worn tires with used rubber. I get about 6 months from a $40 used tire, even driving about 30 hrs/wk, but they are always on the last 6 months of the tread.

    Just looking for validation, that others have experienced the same issue.
     
    #1 IwasBirchyFirst, Sep 3, 2025
    bisco likes this.
  2. Hayslayer

    Hayslayer Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2024
    298
    169
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    If you have those driving conditions, why not install tires/rims that are more forgiving in those conditions and/or lower your tire pressures?

    I have 195/65/15 tires on my car. If I put 42/38 psi in the fronts/backs to get max MPG I feel every stone in the road. If I put 30 psi in the tires, it's like the smoothest ride ever made.

    Low profile/high pressure is a recipe for destruction.
     
    #2 Hayslayer, Sep 3, 2025
    Grit likes this.
  3. 462disco

    462disco Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2023
    32
    16
    2
    Location:
    Socal
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Get some stock 15's and run 205/70R15.
     
    #3 462disco, Sep 3, 2025
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    113,053
    51,478
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    yeah, those bad boys have always been on my no-no list
     
    #4 bisco, Sep 3, 2025
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2025
    Grit likes this.
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    59,467
    40,918
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    You're on 215/45R17, with the stock 17" rims? What's the speed limit? Alternate route?
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Sep 3, 2025
  6. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,559
    4,222
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    If you drive for a living, why would you go with low profile tires on jacked up roads? Low profile offers no obsorbions and least reliable style of tires.
     
    #6 Grit, Sep 3, 2025
    ASRDogman likes this.
  7. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    7,390
    3,854
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    And how much do you spend for mounting and balancing?
     
    #7 ASRDogman, Sep 4, 2025
    Grit likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)