choosing new tires for 2010 prius

Have you considered buying a set of extra wheels and dedicated snow tires? If you can afford to do so then that is the best and safest choice. All-season tires do not come close to the performance of a real studless snow tire like the Blizzak, Ice Xi2, or one from Nokian.

 

The Primacy MXV4 is supposed to do well in snow for an a/s. Very cushy ride, low noise and good traction. However, the mpg hit can be as high as 8% in low speed hilly driving.

MB860 ?

 

Check Walmart and the Good Year Viva Fuel Max. Great price and great all season tire. I find them better on snow and ice than my winter tires. Hal

 

I'm at 23,000 miles and will soon need new tires. Not pleased with the low milage. I think I will go with the Michelin Primacy™ MXM4. They get great reviews.

 

There is a suprising lack of choice. You might consider Insignia SE200:

Costco.com - Shop for Tires

 

I avoid directional tires since you cannot cross rotate.

 

I purchased the Michelin X tire because I drive so many miles in a year. I got 37,000 miles on the Avids and now consider myself lucky. My MPGs dropped just slightly and they do need to break in but they ride good and are 80,000 mile tires. I paid $103 each at Costco. They are good quality and I saw in the forums people were pretty satisfied with their choice. With the tires I have, and the winter gas, plus driving the car like I do all my other cars the MDF says I am about 51-52. That means calculated I am in the 40s. I keep the tire pressure at 40lbs. So, good luck. I hope this will help in your decision.

 

Unfortunately they don't come in the size required by the OP. I love the MXM4s.

If you're going to spend that much money on a 15" tire you might as well go big and get the Nokian enTYRE or Michelin MXV4. At least those are LRR tires.

Nokian eNTYR (All Season)
UTQG=700 A A, 18.7lbs, 11/32, 831, $116 (Tiresbyweb.com)

Michelin Energy MXV4 S8 w/GreenX (All Season)
UTQG=440 A A, 51PSI, 9/32, 830, $117

Lower cost tires that would work well are the:

Continental ProContact with eco Plus (All Season)
UQTG=600 A B, 44PSI, 11/32, 17LBS, 831, $75

Hankook Optimo H727 (All Season) reported to be great in snow
UTQG=700 A B, 44PSI, 11/32, 20LBS, 831, $76

Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max (All Season)
UTQG=580 A A, 51PSI, 10/32, 18LBS, 836, $90

 

Read more on LRR tires here:

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...esistance-replacement-tires-current-list.html

 

When my Blizzak winter tires need replaced after this winter, I am debating looking for an all season that's supposed to do well in snow. That Hankook Optimo might be on my list. The last 2 winters have been bad here, but it really is hit-or-miss in this area, and we tend to get several days in the 50s-60s during winter and those temps wear out the snow tires a bit quicker.

I'd probably continue to do the seasonal swap with the Michelin Energy Saver A/S tires until they wear out, though, since I just got them this year.

 

The MXM4 get better reviews than the MXV4 and I need 17 inch tires, not 15 inch.

 

I was referring to the OP who has a model III which comes with 15" wheels.

I know the MXM4 gets better reviews. I have them on my car.

 

Sorry for the misunderstanding. How are your MXM4 wearing and how many miles do you expect them to last?

 

If you don't wanna go with winter tires Nokain eNTYRE is probably your best bet. They are LRR so MPG should not go down comp to Avids, 70,000mi warranty and if anyone knows about building good winter tires it has to be Nokian. No personal experience but they have good reviews good luck

 

The Potenza Pole Position all-season tire is pretty unremarkable unless you are trying to autocross or something. It's not a LRR tire so MPG will suffer. It is not a high warranty tire either nor is it remarkably cheap. You would do better with something like the Continental ContiContactPro with EcoPlus. $80/ea and an 80,000 mile warranty plus they are LRR. If you like dealing with Costco then the Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 is a better choice than the Potenza.