CAR /
LONG TERM REPORT
March 6, 2015
TOYOTA PRIUS | The 3rd Installment: First Tire Change
TOYOTA PRIUS | The 3rd Report
Prius's First Tire Change
This is the second long-term report car for the OPENERS editorial department, a hybrid vehicle, the Toyota Prius. Recently,we drove it at Tsukuba Circuit Course 1000and it seems the tires have become severely worn on one side as a result. If left as is, it could affect driving performance, so we requested a tire change at Tokyo Toyota Motor's Edogawa branch.
Text by OPENERSPhotos by Masaki Kono
The Price of Overenthusiasm on the Circuit?
Our recent circuit driveshowcased the Toyota Prius's surprising handling, allowing us to truly savor the pure joy of driving. We completed four sets of 12 laps each on the 1,000-meter course, with breaks in between. The impact of this exertion has left the front-left tire particularly worn. Leaving it unaddressed could lead to instability in steering, reduced grip, and various other hazards. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, we headed to Tokyo Toyota Motor's Edogawa branch.
We explained the tire wear to Mr. Kazuhiko Kojima at the Edogawa branch, whom we've come to know well. After inspecting the suspension, he remarked, "This level of wear in less than a year is unusual." When we confessed to having driven it on a circuit, he seemed to understand, saying, "That explains it!"
Before replacement: The outermost tread groove is completely gone.
After replacement: The tread edges are beautifully sharp.
According to Mr. Kojima, "The outer edges of both sides are significantly worn. This is likely due to the immense cornering forces generated when pushing the car to its limits on the circuit, forces not encountered in normal road driving. As it's a front-wheel-drive, the outer front tires bear the brunt. The tires have about three grooves, but the deepest one on the very edge has completely disappeared. You must have experienced reduced grip while driving."
Tire Replacement and Addressing the Scratches
When tires become worn unevenly, the only solution is to replace them. Feeling a slight sense of guilt for pushing the Prius on a circuit, we earnestly requested the tire change and departed for the day.
A few days later...
We returned to Tokyo Toyota Motor's Edogawa branch to pick up the Prius, now fitted with new tires. Mr. Kojima informed us that, as a precaution, they had also performed an alignment adjustment. Naturally, no issues were found.
We were explained the results of the alignment adjustment.
While we were there, we also had the bumper on the front left, which had been scuffed in a hit-and-run by a scooter, repaired. The Prius, our report car, is treated with QMI Glass Sealant Type T, which makes it resistant to dirt and easy to clean. After polishing it with a dedicated maintenance agent (or rather, having it polished), we were fortunate that the scratch was shallow and disappeared completely.
Minor scratches can be easily removed with a dedicated maintenance agent.
It has been treated with QMI Glass Sealant Type T.
With its suspension refreshed and scratches healed, the Prius is ready to go. For the time being, we plan to drive it as a practical daily car, prioritizing fuel efficiency as befits a hybrid, and navigating city streets with ease.