GoodYear Integrities! Bad Tire?

[stanleyjohn]

I have never really noticed to many problems with stock tires in my cars.When i did replace them! it was with a lower cost brand because of cost linits.Maybe im just used to driving the cheaper ones!If i did get higher quality ones like others suggested here on pc! would i notice a big change?? .This winter i will get my first test of using a good snow tire (michelin x-ice) ill see what kind of difference that will make in my winter driving.I may replace my GoodYear Integrities in the near future if i can be convinced that it would be worth it.Have i been driving in the dark all these years or will better tires really make a differance in driving performance and comfort?

[qbee42]

A quick search will show numerous posts addressing just this question. The stock tires are poor, and almost anything else is better. Like with you, the stock tires didn't seem that bad to me. I suppose it's from driving Jeep CJs, trucks, and other squirrelly vehicles. The place where the Integrities show their weakness is with rain or snow. It can be scary. Once you switch to better tires you will realize that they weren't all that good even for normal driving. I just switched to Michelin Energy MXV4 plus and they are quieter and much more sure-footed.

Tom

[Lake Superior]

Tom:
What size Michelins did you go with and what did you pay for them in Michigan?
Do you switch to snow and ice tires in the winter?
Thanks,
John

[Syclone]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lake Superior @ Nov 11 2006, 08:23 AM) [snapback]347399[/snapback]</div>

Tom:
What size Michelins did you go with and what did you pay for them in Michigan?
Do you switch to snow and ice tires in the winter?
Thanks,
John
[/b]

I just switched to 195/60/15 MXV4's. Behavior in the rain is much improved. I'm still getting the problem of one of the rear wheels losing contact with the road when going over even mild bumps. But, since the new tires I'm not seeing VSC engaging at all. If you have one close, Costco has great deals in Michelin - around 400.00 for 4 tires before tax, including a 60.00 instant rebate.

[SW03ES]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stanlwyjohn @ Nov 11 2006, 08:00 AM) [snapback]347392[/snapback]</div>

If i did get higher quality ones like others suggested here on pc! would i notice a big change?? :[/b]

Absolutely, there aren't many tires that won't be an upgrade to the Integritys.

Tires are no place to skimp or save money. Think about it, the tires are the only place your car actually touches the roadway, they are the only thing keeping you on the road and out of a ditch. VSC is great, but it is no substitute for good quality tires.

[qbee42]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Lake Superior @ Nov 11 2006, 09:23 AM) [snapback]347399[/snapback]</div>

Tom:
What size Michelins did you go with and what did you pay for them in Michigan?
Do you switch to snow and ice tires in the winter?
Thanks,
John
[/b]

I used the stock size: 185/65R15. I got them from Sam's Club and paid $106.38 per tire, mounting included. This is my first winter with them, and so far I intend to run them through the whole winter, but time will tell. We have had some snow, and the early results look promising - much better than the Integrities.

Tom

[hobbit]

I just switched to Hydroedges; see my other post about it.
They seem less ... uh ... "bouncy" is the word I probably want...
than the Integrities, and so far I think the tendency to kick OUT
of regen over bumps is much less. But that could simply be because
they're a slightly heavier tire and that weight is probably out
where it counts, around the exterior tread ... more rubber in
general, which should also better resist puncture by small objects.
.
_H*

[Charles Suitt]

Before commiting to the Touring Edition 2007, I checked out the 'stock' tires: Bridgestone Turanza 195/55R16 86V mounted on 16" alloy wheels. On the Firestone/Bridgestone web site I found that the warranty was 3-years 'Platinum' plus 70,000 miles tread wear, and the speed rating was 149 MPH [Now who could get a Prius to 149 MPH without loading it onto an aircraft?].

I had run the Integrities on my 2004 for 22K miles and they appeared to have another ~10K left in tread. I ran them at 40/38 PSI and tolerated the noisier ride in favor of MPGs. I have found on the Turanzas, that 2# above the Toyota-recommended pressures seems somewhat better than going to 40/38 as I had on the Integrities, so they're set at 37/35 and I like the feel and ride. It's too soon [200 miles] to evaluate MPGs, but the handling and ride are better than my 2004.

[dvdirv]

I, too, switched to the Michelin HydroEdge tires.

I get better traction as well as longer tire life from these tires.

If you want to upgrade, there are only 2 good tires that Prius owners recommend (in the original tire size): (1) Michelin HydoEdge and (2) Goodyear ComforTred tires. The Michelin tires are just over $100 while the Goodyear ComforTreds are about $85.

Check on tirerack.com's site for a customer survey of all the tires out there!

[barbaram]

! had put hydroedges on my saturn and became hooked! what a difference in handling!

The first thing I noticed when I picked up the spaceship was the noise from the integrities! and the handling was poor. I guess they are OK out in the CA desert, but here in the NE with weather and the bumpy roads......

I could not wait to get rid of them! You should notice a BIG difference on all of those twisty CT roads! the hydroedges are Michelins highest rated tires!