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Low Rolling Resistance replacement tires: Current List

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by F8L, Apr 17, 2011.

  1. alekska

    alekska Active Member

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    Your shocks are probably bad. Have you ever replaced them? I see this a lot on interstate - older cars have one tire bouncing up and down all the time
    Alex
     
  2. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    I have not replaced my shocks, but the Continental True Contact is a new tire, that was getting rave reviews.
    Now there are a few negative comments saying at high speed the tire "bumps" (due to apparently not being perfectly round, according to one commenter). But I have not installed mine yet (next week now). So far the negatives seem to be coming from minivan users (not Priii) but that is of interest to me because we need new tires on our minivan and our Prius.
    But the tires on our 2006 Prius are so much smaller than the minivan, I think it's possible it'll be OK on the Prius...we are doing mostly local driving now as we move into semi-retirement.
     
  3. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The Energy Saver A/S. It is even more efficient than the summer only version. It's the most efficient tire we have in N/A right now.
     
  4. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

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    The energy saver A/S is more efficient than the Ecopias?? What am I missing here. I swear that the Ecopias were always the gold standard.

    I need to know for sure, what is best in the LRR department before I drop 4 bills on tires.
     
  5. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Yes. Only the Ecopia EP100 was close to the ESAS and they were discontinued. The Ecopia EP422 is less efficient and a worse tire overall except in snow. However, the EP422 is cheap and easy to find. The ESAS is not. :)

    Tire Test Results : When Round and Black Becomes Lean and Green
     
  6. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

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    INTERESTING. Ok, I did not know any of that and I thank you for bringing me up to speed. Costco has Michelins on sale this month, and I was going to wait until next month for the Bridgestone sale, for the Ecopias. Looks like I should go back and get the Michelins before the sale ends next week!

    EDIT: I found the ESAS at Sams Club, out of stock everywhere though :oops: But the tire has 5 star review average out of 297 reviews!! and the first review was from a Gen2 Prius owner raving about the mpg's, lol.
     
    #266 PriusGuy32, Oct 24, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2014
  7. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I did a review for them here on PC and I raved about the fuel economy too. LOL
     
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  8. dipper

    dipper Senior Member

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    How can my shocks go bad, just right after changing tires? My van has only 38k miles (3 years old) and the Michelins had no bump issue just right before the tire change.
     
  9. Mike Leyshon

    Mike Leyshon New Member

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    Very appreciated and helpful info on LRR. It is something most people, including myself, would have never considered too relevant...That is, until you drive a vehicle that is so easy to monitor mileage on. I am the Firestone Affinity touring test dummy ('04, 185/65/15). Buying the car used with 2 newer Michelin Defenders on the front and Goodyear Integrity on the rear, I have lost 5 mpg. The affinity tires ride OK. They don't feel to grip as strong in corners. I put the Firestones on knowing that I may sacrifice mileage based on what I have read here, but went ahead as I am driving fewer miles per day than I once did. I will add that I purchased the car with 63K and it now has 79K...no issues or warnings, but perhaps a new 12 volt is in order. Regardless, I would pay more for a better LRR tire in hindsight. Watching MPG is no different than a drag racer looking to cut fractions of seconds of a 1/4 mile time. Choose carefully !
     
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  10. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Well said, Mike. Especially the drag racing reference. Been there.
     
  11. dipper

    dipper Senior Member

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    Update on my van running the Conti. It seems the tires are rounding out now, and less bumpy with more mileage on it.
     
  12. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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  13. Iamjo20

    Iamjo20 Member

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    OK---I read some of this--I live in Florida; I have a 2008 Prius, with 24000 miles. Yes, I needed to replace tires --- two of the tires, not at the same time, were damaged in areas which could not be repaired. I unfortunately got Goodrich Advantage T/A---185/65R 15 . I had specifically asked for lRR tires, and possibly should have simply replaced them with OEM Integrity tires. Now, after only 400 miles on these tires, I have lost 10 MPG--this is NOT satisfactory ! I am going to call the tire dealer to see what I can do to replace these tires--not sure if they will even do it. Recommendations?

    Thanks!

    j
     
  14. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    First thing first, check tire psi. Set them to 42 front 40 rear. If that doesn't help get sassy! I would :) Keep us posted on any updates.
     
  15. Iamjo20

    Iamjo20 Member

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    I did raise the PSI...and the. Thought that maybe the gas mixture had more ethanol.....but tem mpg loss.....nahhhhh.
    Will call the tire place on Monday...not happy! Thanks!!!! Will have ot get Sassy!
     
  16. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    You can get the EC 20s at Walmart.com and Tirerack.com. Best MPG tire so far for me at 42 PSI.. However if you need a tire ASAP consider the Michelin Energy Saver A/S P LRR at SAMS.
     
  17. Iamjo20

    Iamjo20 Member

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    My issue is that the tires I have ONLY have 400 miles on them--going to TRY to see what the tire installer will do to change them out---not looking for too much positive on their part.....but I may be surprised-----

    The Ec 20s are made by? And should I consider going back to the original OEM tires, the Integrity, or switch to another newer tire?
     
  18. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    The Integrities are terrible tyres and by todays standards are not that LRR. Bridgestone EP422's or Michelin Energy Saver AS are generally considered the way to go in the US. There are others.

    John (Britprius)
     
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  19. Iamjo20

    Iamjo20 Member

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    THANKS!
     
  20. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    He's right. The ecopias return good gas mileage and good wet weather traction. The don't have much road feel or handling though
     
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