Tire Upgrade

[NOVA-Prius]

After reading all the threads here on PC about tires, I decided to go ahead and replace the stock Integritys after just 200 miles of use with four new 195/60/15 Michelin Primacy MXV4's on my 2008 pkg 6. I think the sales guy at the tire shop thought I was nuts for throwing away new tires, but he confirmed that the Michelin tires are the best and the Primacys are a smart choice. (Maybe that was sales BS, but I made it clear that I was choosing between the GY TTs and the Primacys, both of which he carried, so he knew he had a sale either way, and he wasn't making more money on the Primacys. He voted for the Primacys based on what I was looking for in comfort and performance, and because he believes that the Michelin construction is superior to GY.) I just had them put on yesterday, so have only had one drive in the car since. However, I was amazed by the difference in the ride and am very glad that I made the change. If I take a small hit on MPG, I will still consider it a smart upgrade. The car is quieter, smoother, and feels like it is solid on the road rather than bouncy and jittery. The difference is unmistakable. Thanks, all, for the helpful insight and advice regarding this great little car.

[hergertr]

I have tried to keep the mileage down on my 2004 prius and have only 37K on it. Its about time to replace the OEM tires and I've gone through all the posts in this forum. I agree that 195-60-15's would be the best replacement size so I need to decide the best all around tire. I checked on replacements at Costco and they refused to put anything but 185-65-15's on. I checked Toyota sites in Australia and UK for OEM tire size thinking if I showed them that they would install the larger size. I couldn't find anything referencing tire size. Any suggestions on where I can find specifications for tire size?

The other concern I have is the mileage. The November 2006 issue of Comsumer Reports lists the best rolling resistance for the Michelin MXV4 Plus and the Continental ContiPremier Contact. The Goodyear Triple Treads that many are advocating were rated only average. Is anyone aware of more current rolling resistance numbers or any other source of that information? I have my current Integrities inflated to 40 psi and get 46-48 mpg in the winter and 51-53 in the summer, I drive conservatively and I live in a fringe suburban area where I drive on urban freeways and suburban streets with a little city driving. I'd like to get better performance and I'm willing to take a small hit on mileage. Snow driving is not an issue but rain is. Any further suggestions on an all around tire?

[spf]

Originally Posted by hergertr

I have tried to keep the mileage down on my 2004 prius and have only 37K on it. Its about time to replace the OEM tires and I've gone through all the posts in this forum. I agree that 195-60-15's would be the best replacement size so I need to decide the best all around tire. I checked on replacements at Costco and they refused to put anything but 185-65-15's on. I checked Toyota sites in Australia and UK for OEM tire size thinking if I showed them that they would install the larger size. I couldn't find anything referencing tire size. Any suggestions on where I can find specifications for tire size?

The other concern I have is the mileage. The November 2006 issue of Comsumer Reports lists the best rolling resistance for the Michelin MXV4 Plus and the Continental ContiPremier Contact. The Goodyear Triple Treads that many are advocating were rated only average. Is anyone aware of more current rolling resistance numbers or any other source of that information? I have my current Integrities inflated to 40 psi and get 46-48 mpg in the winter and 51-53 in the summer, I drive conservatively and I live in a fringe suburban area where I drive on urban freeways and suburban streets with a little city driving. I'd like to get better performance and I'm willing to take a small hit on mileage. Snow driving is not an issue but rain is. Any further suggestions on an all around tire?

You might try going to tirerack.com and reading the customer reviews/survey results for a multitude of tires. They are quite revealing as there are many tire variables that are reported and rated by customers and then summarized by tirerack. I like it because the survey results are numeric and are from regular drivers like you and me.

[spf]

-- Turn off reverse and seat belt beepers. Instructions on PC.


How did you find out how to turn off the reverse beep? I'm not sure what "instructions on pc" means.

Thanks!

[Boo]

Originally Posted by spf

-- Turn off reverse and seat belt beepers. Instructions on PC.


How did you find out how to turn off the reverse beep? I'm not sure what "instructions on pc" means.

Thanks!

Hi spf,

"instructions on pc" means use the search function of PriusChat and/or search the list of title threads in the Knowledge Based Articles forum of PriusChat for relevant threads.

Here's one: [ KB ] How to eliminate Reverse Beep & Seatbelt Beep

But if that thread doesn't suffice, you'll have to search PriusChat for others.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

[nyprius]

Originally Posted by hergertr

I have tried to keep the mileage down on my 2004 prius and have only 37K on it. Its about time to replace the OEM tires and I've gone through all the posts in this forum. I agree that 195-60-15's would be the best replacement size so I need to decide the best all around tire. I checked on replacements at Costco and they refused to put anything but 185-65-15's on. I checked Toyota sites in Australia and UK for OEM tire size thinking if I showed them that they would install the larger size. I couldn't find anything referencing tire size. Any suggestions on where I can find specifications for tire size?

The other concern I have is the mileage. The November 2006 issue of Comsumer Reports lists the best rolling resistance for the Michelin MXV4 Plus and the Continental ContiPremier Contact. The Goodyear Triple Treads that many are advocating were rated only average. Is anyone aware of more current rolling resistance numbers or any other source of that information? I have my current Integrities inflated to 40 psi and get 46-48 mpg in the winter and 51-53 in the summer, I drive conservatively and I live in a fringe suburban area where I drive on urban freeways and suburban streets with a little city driving. I'd like to get better performance and I'm willing to take a small hit on mileage. Snow driving is not an issue but rain is. Any further suggestions on an all around tire?

195 is the OEM width in Europe and Australia. It's an option width in Japan and the US. If Costco won't put on 195/60R15's, I'd go somewhere else. Plenty of places sell for nearly the same price.

Both tires you mentioned seem good, thought it doesn't seem they'd do as well in the snow as TT's or some others.

I've had the TT's on my Prius for over 30,000 miles. I get the same mileage as I did with the OEM's. Even if I got a little lower mileage, that's a tradeoff I'd gladly make for greatly improved safety, handling and looks.

[hergertr]

Where is it published what the OEM tire size is for Europe and Australia?

[Boo]

Originally Posted by hergertr

Where is it published what the OEM tire size is for Europe and Australia?

For Australia, it's in the Toyota Prius Australia website -- it has 15" wheels, and the tire size is 195/60/15:

Toyota Australia: Prius - Base specifications

For Europe, I believe the individual countries' Prius websites only say that the wheels are 16". But they're the same wheels as on the US Touring Edition. And the tire size is also the same as on the US Touring Edition -- 195/55/16 (you can find that by googling e.g. "UK Prius Tyre Size").

If you want to show Costco something for your 15" wheels, show them the Prius Australia website's specifications page stating that the standard tire size is 195/60/15. If you want to show them a US example that 195 width tires will fit, show them the US Touring Edition tire specs of 195/55/16.

If Costco still gives you trouble, then as nyprius said, just go somewhere else. There are plenty of places that will put 195/60/15 tires on your rims.

Good luck.

[drewtx]

I have 2008 Touring, with stock Bridgestone Turanza EL400.
About 3000 miles on the clock.
Slow puncture in my left-rear that cannot be repaired.
So I need to buy a new tire.

Based on this thread, I'm considering the Mich MXV4+ or Goodyear TT.

I kinda drive my Prius like I stole it :-) But the Turanzas seem 'ok' - *EXECPT* when lauching and Traction Contol kicks in. *IF* I get new tyres, I'd onlly want to get just 2 and put them on the front for improved traction from the line.

My options seem to be:
a) Buy 1 replacement Turanza (no improvement)
b) Buy 2 TT or MXV4+, and put them on the front.

I do have some questions though:

1) How do y'all rate the Turanzas? Most of the complaints here relate to the Integrities.
2) Is it viable to buy just 2 new tires - or will it upset the balance if I put 2 stickier tyres on the front and leave the orginal Turanzas on the back?

Looking at TireRack and DisccountTire - they don't seem to have either TT of MXV4+ in the stock 195/55/16 (Touring).

Any suggestions?

[cephas]

Anyone ever try the Bridgestone Performance tire?