Tire Upgrade

[NuShrike]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Three60guy @ Jun 28 2006, 11:19 AM) [snapback]278138[/snapback]</div>

Here is what I used to make up my mind about what tires to use. I finally concluded to use the Goodyear Comfortred Tires.[/b]

This is the exact example of comparing tires across classes using subjective opinions when the variety and number of tires the reviewer has actually experienced and tested is unknown.

Our example: conservative drivers would rate the Prius handling a 7-8 versus a performance driver's 4-5 due to the difference in experience and demand. A conservative driver's harsh and noisy, is a performance driver's responsive and quiet feedback.

The only accurate rating system is head-to-head testing by the same person (with instrumentation if possible), although TireRack's "surveys" could be still used to hint of what overall the tire performance is.

[grasshopper]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Three60guy @ Jun 28 2006, 02:19 PM) [snapback]278138[/snapback]</div>

I had also concluded that the OEM tires were not safe in rain nor snow. And the attachment I share with you was created by someone on PriusChat a year ago but was really a wonderful piece of work. So here it is again.

Here is what I used to make up my mind about what tires to use. I finally concluded to use the Goodyear Comfortred Tires. Best compromise between all the variables. And they work really great in snow and rain.

(You may have to modify the font sizes for best viewing of this Excel spreadsheet.)
[/b]

Thanks! This is what i've been looking for.

[Three60guy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NuShrike @ Jun 28 2006, 02:06 PM) [snapback]278159[/snapback]</div>

This is the exact example of comparing tires across classes using subjective opinions when the variety and number of tires the reviewer has actually experienced and tested is unknown.
[/b]

I am not in disagreement with you. However, good luck finding what you are looking for. I offered this spreadsheet as the best I could find. Nothing else. Given that ANY opinions on this subject are subjective even if it is only one person doing the ratings one could argue that such a system would also be imperfect. Alas we all live in an inperfect world. At least someone here on PriusChat went to the trouble of gathering all of the data and put it in one place. I thought that was awesome.

If you find what you are looking for I will be the first to congratulate you. I hope you do. Until then I hope the spreadsheet narrows down some of the variables.

Cheers

[Rogust]

[When I looked on PC for tire recommendations, many tires were suggested, but three seemed to be recommended the most – Michelin Hydroedge (HE), Goodyear Comfortred (CT) and Goodyear Tripletred (TT). The TT was rated the best all season passenger car tire by Consumer Reports and Tirerack.

Just a note:
On my former car, I put about 65,000 miles on a set of HE, and I loved them. Rain/Snow/Dry: all were handled exceptionally...never hydroplaned once even on rutted flooded highways. They still looked good when I traded it. I'll probably buy a set when my Prius comes in.

[ken1784]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nyprius @ Jun 28 2006, 10:02 PM) [snapback]277983[/snapback]</div>

In Japan, does the base model prius (ie: no options or lowest option package) come with a 185 or 195 tire?[/b]

We have four packages in Japan.

package              tire size  10-15 mode test
===================  =========  ===============
S                    185/65R15      35.5 km/L
G                    185/65R15      33.0 km/L
S Touring Selection  195/55R16      30.0 km/L
G Touring Selection  195/55R16      30.0 km/L

What do you mean the better tires?

My Prius is "G Touring Selection" and I replaced tires with 185/65R15.
They are comfortable, silent, smooth, light, better mileage and etc.
For me, the 185 tires are better than 195.

Also, what do you mean the rear disc brakes are better?
My feeling is the rear drum brake is light, inexpensive, simple, enough brake power and etc.
For me, the rear drum brake is better than disc for Prius.

Ken@Japan

[ken1784]

In Japan, Prius comes with Goodyear GT3 comfort type of 185 tires.
http://eu.goodyear.com/uk_en/tires/r.../GT3/index.jsp

I know Prius in the US comes with Goodyear Integrity all-season tires.
Is it mandatory to have the all-saeson tires for new vehicle in the US?

Ken@Japan

[nyprius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Three60guy @ Jun 28 2006, 02:19 PM) [snapback]278138[/snapback]</div>

I had also concluded that the OEM tires were not safe in rain nor snow. And the attachment I share with you was created by someone on PriusChat a year ago but was really a wonderful piece of work. So here it is again.

Here is what I used to make up my mind about what tires to use. I finally concluded to use the Goodyear Comfortred Tires. Best compromise between all the variables. And they work really great in snow and rain.

(You may have to modify the font sizes for best viewing of this Excel spreadsheet.)
[/b]

This analysis looks great but it doesn't include the TT, probably because it was only looking at 185/65R15 tires. A good 185/65 works well on the Prius, as many have said. All else being equal, 195s look and perform better though.

[nyprius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NuShrike @ Jun 28 2006, 03:06 PM) [snapback]278159[/snapback]</div>

This is the exact example of comparing tires across classes using subjective opinions when the variety and number of tires the reviewer has actually experienced and tested is unknown.

Our example: conservative drivers would rate the Prius handling a 7-8 versus a performance driver's 4-5 due to the difference in experience and demand. A conservative driver's harsh and noisy, is a performance driver's responsive and quiet feedback.

The only accurate rating system is head-to-head testing by the same person (with instrumentation if possible), although TireRack's "surveys" could be still used to hint of what overall the tire performance is.
[/b]

That's why I give the most weight to the Consumer Report's ratings. While the CR tests may not be perfect, they come the closest that I'm aware of to the testing conditions you suggest.

Also, I think it means a lot when the overwhelming majority of reviews give a tire an excellent rating. While these may be biased and flawed as you suggest, a bad tire would not get consistently good reviews. I am not aware of any tire that gets reviews that are as consistently good at the TT. If someone knows of one, please point it out.

[theorist]

Tests are rarely done between classes of tires. Heres the closest I could find to a test comparing a highly rated all-season passenger tire with all-season performance tires.

Here's a test comparing a Hydroedge with an Goodyear Eagle RS-A:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ires_wet_c.jsp

Here's a similar test comparing performance tires available in our size (including the BF Goodring Tration TA (H series), Bridgestone RE950 (discontinued - being replacend by the RE960AS), and the Dunlop SP Sport A2 (discontinued - replaced by the A2 Plus)) with the same Goodyear RS-A:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...dvantage_c.jsp

In the past, Consumer Reports tested some tires against multiple classes facilitating cross class comparisons. For instance, they tested the Michelin Energy MXV4 against performance tires and touring tires. I wonder what tire class they'll test this November.

[nyprius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ken1784 @ Jun 28 2006, 08:17 PM) [snapback]278318[/snapback]</div>

In Japan, Prius comes with Goodyear GT3 comfort type of 185 tires.
http://eu.goodyear.com/uk_en/tires/r.../GT3/index.jsp

I know Prius in the US comes with Goodyear Integrity all-season tires.
Is it mandatory to have the all-saeson tires for new vehicle in the US?

Ken@Japan
[/b]

Ken, I don't know if all season tires are required in the US. But I do know if you live in a place like New England, you'd be well advised to have them, or have separate winter tires. Cheers, Frank