1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

2012 Camry Hybrid tires and inflation

Discussion in 'Toyota Hybrids and EVs' started by Stargazerwa, Nov 5, 2015.

  1. Stargazerwa

    Stargazerwa Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2015
    38
    5
    0
    Location:
    WA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    just replaced the factory tires on our Camry with Michellen "Energy" tires from Costco. Our mileage seems to have dropped ever since. What are folks experience with these tires and what inflation pressures are people running? I know that many Prius owners use more pressure then Toyo reccomended.
     
    #1 Stargazerwa, Nov 5, 2015
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,700
    48,946
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    it may take some miles to break them in. we run our oem's at 42.
     
    #2 bisco, Nov 5, 2015
  3. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    21,721
    11,319
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    New tires will always cause a hit in fuel economy. Remember, your previous numbers were on old tires that were likely well worn, and thus had a lower rolling resistance than when they were new.

    Higher pressures will also reduce the rolling resistance, and I have mine set to sidewall max.
     
    #3 Trollbait, Nov 9, 2015
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,674
    38,214
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    "
    Could you post the full, kosher name of the tire? Michelin makes several tires with the word "energy". I'm guessing it's "Energy Saver A/S", is that it?

    Also, how how long is "ever since", a month, a year? If it's just the last tank or two, it could be new tires, seasonal vagaries, trip type.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Nov 9, 2015
  5. Stargazerwa

    Stargazerwa Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2015
    38
    5
    0
    Location:
    WA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    They are the Energy Saver A/S and Costco installed them with 39.5 psi according to my gauge. I kept the original set of tires at Toyota's spec which is 35 psi. Tomorrow I will up the pressure to 41. It has only been a few hundred miles, but the difference in mileage is noticeable on each trip since the car displays it when you shut off the engine. The cars averages was running 40.3 since 1/1/15 and since buying the new tires it's dropped to 40.1. To be fair, we live in the PNW and our temperatures are dropping and that will impact the mileage. The tires are quite and have better traction in the rain.
     
    #5 Stargazerwa, Nov 15, 2015
  6. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2015
    1,014
    485
    0
    Location:
    Nh
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Err, did you go from a 195 tire to a 185 tire, that would effect things, yes, the michelin will get possibly 1 mpg less after break in but the safety and security as you find are worth it.
     
    #6 Lucifer, Nov 15, 2015
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,674
    38,214
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring

    I think you're fine. The difference in mpg is very small, your sample is only a few 100 miles, the tires are very new, and as you said the weather's getting colder/wetter.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Nov 15, 2015
    Trollbait likes this.
  8. Stargazerwa

    Stargazerwa Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2015
    38
    5
    0
    Location:
    WA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    They are the correct size, it's an oddball on the 2012 model. I wI'll increase the pressure to 42. I gues the other thing is that new tires would have slightly larger circumference, which would make the cars computer believe that it is traveling a shorter distance dropping its calculation of speed, mileage and economy. I don't know how small that effect would be. We have spun out on wet roads with the old tires, no evidence of that with these tires. Last year we averaged 39.9 over 12 months, it will interesting to see how we finish this year and the next. Considering its size we are very pleased with the mileage.
     
    #8 Stargazerwa, Nov 15, 2015
    bisco likes this.
  9. Stargazerwa

    Stargazerwa Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2015
    38
    5
    0
    Location:
    WA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I raised the pressure to 42 and I definitely feel bumps in the road more. Reflecting on this I think it was unwise of me to jump to conclusions. Two variables that impact mileage, air temperature and tires, changed at the same time. I will have to reevaluate in Spring! Thanks for all the help.
     
    #9 Stargazerwa, Nov 25, 2015
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,700
    48,946
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    what about winter gas?
     
    #10 bisco, Nov 28, 2015
  11. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    21,721
    11,319
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Plus denser air and thicker oil on startup.
    Among the variables, everything gets worse for fuel efficiency in the winter.
     
    #11 Trollbait, Nov 30, 2015
  12. lar.smith42

    lar.smith42 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2014
    203
    118
    0
    Location:
    Double Oak , Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    That much of a drop in fuel mileage is not worth worrying about. I would bet its the lower temps. i average about 43 with stop and go short trips around town and about 46 at 75 to 85 mph on highway. I keep tire pressure at Toyota specs for smother ride and less wear and tear on suspension. I leave it in normal mode and drive it like i would any other car.
     
    #12 lar.smith42, Nov 30, 2015
  13. roamerr

    roamerr Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2012
    135
    42
    0
    Location:
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    My 2013 Camry Hybrid came with Michelins. Just replaced them after 49k miles avg 39.6 mpg. I replaced them with some Cooper non LRR I got for $180 a set from Discount Tire Direct. My mpg is now around 36 to 37mpg.

    That difference is noticeable...


    iPhone ?
     
    #13 roamerr, Nov 30, 2015
    lar.smith42 and bisco like this.
  14. Stargazerwa

    Stargazerwa Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2015
    38
    5
    0
    Location:
    WA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    My mileage this year dropped to 37.7 with the new tires. 2 mpg lower than the previous two years
     
    #14 Stargazerwa, Jan 2, 2017
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,700
    48,946
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    but starting november 5th, no summers in the average. check back in on october 31, 2017.:cool: and you can lower the pressures if the ride is too harsh.
     
    #15 bisco, Jan 3, 2017
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)