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Today I spent time researching the possibility of changing wheels from the factory installed 185/65/R15 inch wheels which come standard on the 2004 Prius to a larger diameter wheel. The choice is either a 16 or 17 inch wheel.
The advantage of installing of a larger diameter wheel is that that your car will handle better. For proper fitment you will necessarily have to install a tire with a sidewall height which is not as tall as the factory tire. The lower profile tire will give you a harsher ride and will also cause you to replace the tire at 20K miles or less.
If you are concerned that the installation will cause your speedometer to misread your speed and that the trip odometer will not record the true mileage which you have driven is not a concern. After you have installed a larger diameter wheel on your car, you can bring your car to the service department at your local Toyota dealer and they will recalibrate the computer in your car to accurately indicate both the speed and distance driven.
Is it worth the bother? Probably not. Most of us did not buy the car to drive it like a Porsche or SLK 32 AMG Benz. If you were to make the change, you necessarily, for the sake of safety, should install a quality tire such as a Michelin Pilot Sport or a Bridgestone. The Michelins will cost about $190.00 each installed, the Bridgestones perhaps $150.00. Add the cost of a set of quality wheels and your will probably be looking at $1000.00 to $1500.00 to make the change.
Arizona Charlie
The advantage of installing of a larger diameter wheel is that that your car will handle better. For proper fitment you will necessarily have to install a tire with a sidewall height which is not as tall as the factory tire. The lower profile tire will give you a harsher ride and will also cause you to replace the tire at 20K miles or less.
If you are concerned that the installation will cause your speedometer to misread your speed and that the trip odometer will not record the true mileage which you have driven is not a concern. After you have installed a larger diameter wheel on your car, you can bring your car to the service department at your local Toyota dealer and they will recalibrate the computer in your car to accurately indicate both the speed and distance driven.
Is it worth the bother? Probably not. Most of us did not buy the car to drive it like a Porsche or SLK 32 AMG Benz. If you were to make the change, you necessarily, for the sake of safety, should install a quality tire such as a Michelin Pilot Sport or a Bridgestone. The Michelins will cost about $190.00 each installed, the Bridgestones perhaps $150.00. Add the cost of a set of quality wheels and your will probably be looking at $1000.00 to $1500.00 to make the change.
Arizona Charlie