I have a 2007 Prius. Recommended tire size (inside driver's door) is 195/55/16. I have Bridgestone Turanza EL 400 tires that need replacing. The options available in that tire size are limited and most do not have good reviews. There are more options and better tires in 205/55/16. I know that size would slightly affect speedometer and odometer and may slightly reduce gas mileage. Are there any other drawbacks?
take a look at tirerack.com and look at the specs of recommended tires looking for the tire that most closely matches 840 RPM on a 16 inch rim. Don't limit yourself to a xxx/55 consider all the sizes that meet the RPMs you need. Don't even hesitate to pick one size vs the other so long as the RPMs are near the target.
F8L posted this information on tires for the touring models. 195/55/16 (2004-2009 Touring OEM tire size) Continental ProContact (Grand Touring All-Season) UTQG= 540 A A, 51psi, 10.5/32, 18lbs, 851, $103 Bridgestone Turanza EL470 (All Season) UTQG= 260 A A, 51psi, 18lbs, $139 Bridgestone Turanza EL400-02 (Touring All-Season) UTQG= 260 A A, 51psi, 9/32, 19lbs, 854, $118 Bridgestone Ecopia EP100 (Grand Touring Summer) UTQG= 400 A B, 51psi, 10/32, 19lbs, 857, $96 Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 (All-Season) UTQG= 400 A A, 51psi, 10/32, 19lbs, 853, $100 Yokohama dB Super E-Spec (Grand Touring Summer) UTQG= 460 A A, 44psi, 10/32, 19lbs, 850, $155 16" Studless Ice & Snow Michelin X-Ice Xi2 (Studeless ice & snow) UTGQ= None, 50psi, 10/32, 21lbs, 852, $133 Nokian WRG2 UTQG=420, 44PSI, 11/32, 18.7LBS, 851, Read more: http://priuschat.com/threads/low-rolling-resistance-replacement-tires-current-list.92778/#ixzz2hp0nTE6s
good thread to read but the list in the first post is pretty outdated, I'd suggest hitting an updated source instead of relying on that.
Going up to the 205/55/16 size offers a much greater choice of tyres at lower prices. The speedo becomes more accurate as does the mpg readout on the MFD "both being optimistic with readings". The car will also feel more planted on the road. In the UK/EU 16 inch wheels are OEM on all gen2 Prius, the same as your touring wheels. I run 205/55/16 tyres and find mpg figures improve. In the UK/EU tyre rolling resistance figures have to be given at the point of sale. Checking through these figures for the two sizes (195/55/16 and 205/55/16) in the great majority of cases the wider tyre has a lower rolling resistance than the narrower tyre "for the same make and type". In no case have I found the reverse to be the effect. John (Britprius)
205 won't affect speedo or odometer. 205 is just a slightly wider tire. Only concern on a 205 would be if it would hit the inner fender well on full steering wheel lock. Most cars it won't. John has no problem it seems.
With an increase of only 5 mm (about than 3/16 inch) towards the inner fender, there is know risk of hitting it. There is one other advantage in that the extra external width helps stop scratching of the wheel plastic trims on the kerb. John (Britprius)
I'm gonna have to get new tires for 2007 touring soon.... My crappy ziex 912 205's are wearing down. These are the worst tires I have ever had. I need recommendations... Should I get the summer touring ecopias? Perhaps....
