Tire Rack pits Integrity against Energy Saver, Ecopia and Fuel Max

[krousdb]

Holy Cow! I just found this at Tire Rack. Tests run with 2009 Prius.
Michelin Energy Saver 4.74% better FE than Integrity. Ecopia, 4.12% Better.
Sorry if this has already been posted.
When Round and Black Becomes Lean and Green=

[Shawn Clark]

Thanks for posting this. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the replacement Integrity available here different than the true OEM? I seem to remember some threads about how the Japanese Integrity was different (higher mpg.)

It's quite possible that they used the actual OEM tire from a new car (in which the point would be moot), but they might also have used one from stock.

At any rate, that really doesn' alter the conclusions of the replacement tire comparison.

[jayman]

Thank you for posting the report.

I've always purchased tires when 50% worn, as I insist on having safe tires driving down rutted highways in a rainstorm. It's apparent that for a difference of - possibly - 2-3 mpg, one is better off choosing a tire that performs well and is safe

When my 2004 Prius was still new, the Integrities were so awful on rain soaked roads I ditched them - before they ditched ME - for a set of Michelin Harmony. Day and night difference in the rain

[Boo]

Thanks krousdb for letting everyone know.

Apples to apples road tests of tires are rare (Consumer Reports and TireRack seem to do the most). And this test not only tests a lot of tires that Prius owners are considering, but it's done on a Prius. Great stuff.

Below are the MPG results from the test and article (you should read the article for, among other things, braking and handling results):

Tire LineTest MPG*% vs. O.E.

Michelin Energy Saver A/S: 53.8 MPG +4.74%

Bridgestone Ecopia EP100: 53.5 MPG +4.12%

Yokohama dB Super E-Spec: 52.8 MPG +2.81%

Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max: 51.6 MPG +0.37%

Goodyear Integrity (O.E.): 51.4 MPG --

Michelin HydroEdge with Green X: 51.1 MPG -0.59%

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred: 50.0 MPG -2.64%

*Calculated based on GPS distances and ScanGage II recorded consumption (offset 6% for Prius Summer E10 regular grade fuel).

[uart]

Interesting report.

I'm a little bit puzzled with the note they made about E10 summer grade fuel can anyone help me understand this point. Are they saying that they actually inflated their real MPG figures by 6% to compensate for the use of summer E10 (or did they reduced their raw figures by 6% or does this mean something else entirely)?

*Calculated based on GPS distances and ScanGage II recorded consumption (offset 6% for Prius Summer E10 regular grade fuel).

[krousdb]

Originally Posted by uart

Interesting report.

I'm a little bit puzzled with the note they made about E10 summer grade fuel can anyone help me understand this point. Are they saying that they actually inflated their real MPG figures by 6% to compensate for the use of summer E10 (or did they reduced their raw figures by 6% or does this mean something else entirely)?

Something else entirely. The 6% offset refers to the ScanGauge offset for proper calibration. Most Gen II's need a 5-6% offset so that fuel use indicated on the ScanGauge equals fuel used at the pump.

[uart]

Something else entirely

Ok that's good to know. Otherwise I was starting to wonder if their figures were suspect.

[9G-man]

I just put a set of Michelin Energy Saver A/S tires, 185/65/15, on my Gen II Prius. I got 60K out of the original Integretys.
I purchased the Energy Saver A/S tires at Costco, just a few days ago, and got $70.00 off with one of their coupons.

It's a great tire and I already see an increase in MPG. (For the last year my tank averages have been about 58MPG. Down a couple MPG or so since the original tires had become greatly worn.)
Currently, my tank average is 62 MPG over 600 miles traveled.
Michelin advertises as much as an 8% increase in MPG over ordinary tires. 58 x .08 = 4.6 MPG. Which is about what I gained.

There is no doubt these tire have a lower rolling resistence. I can glide further, and maintain higher speeds longer in glides, compared to the OEM Integritys. I drive about 100 miles a day r/t to work. These judgements are made over routinley traveled roads. Another indicator is when on cruise control, the car drops into warp stealth on the down hills sooner and stays there longer, on known stretches of interstate.

The Energy Saver is noticable lighter, and has a more flexible sidewall, than a same size Michelin Primacy. Compared to the original Integretys, my impressions are the Energy Saver rides smoother, steers sharper, corners slightly better, and is a general improvement in handling. Road noise is equal, or maybe slightly quieter, than the Integretys. Road noise seems to be decreasing as they have worn in over the last few days.

I am very happy, and the Energy Savers tire seems to be legitiment.
I'm glad Michelin has finally offered them here in the US. A couple years ago when they came out in Europe, the word was US would not see them.
I had been comtemplating what tire to go with, when the time came, and the timing for me was perfect.

[uart]

Hi 9G-man. Could you please tell us how much you paid for those tyres (without the coupon). I was just wondering how many extra dollars they cost compared to a bog standard set of tyres.


BTW. This was a timely article for me. I just got a 2nd hand Prius II about a week ago and I've been wondering why I was getting a bit less then expected MPG out of it. It came with absolutely brand new tyres (still have some knobbly bits on the tread). Unfortunately though I think they (previous owners) skimped on the quality, presumably because they were about to sell. It's got these relatively cheap "Hankook optimo H415" tyres. I'm pretty sure they're bog standard tyres without any low rolling resistance properties at all. Probably as bad or worse than the worst of those tyres reviewed in the above link.

Hmmm I don't really want to ditch a brand new set of tyres but I'm contemplating seeing what my local tyre place will give me for them as a trade-in on some decent low rolling resistance ones like the Michelin Energy’s.

[9G-man]

Originally Posted by uart

Hi 9G-man. Could you please tell us how much you paid for those tyres (without the coupon). I was just wondering how many extra dollars they cost compared to a bog standard set of tyres.

Costco has them for $121.00/tire. It's the same price as TireRack, but without the shipping. Cheapest price I've seen for the tire, an not widely available . With the coupon I got the tires, balance, mounting & TPM seals for $484 + tax .