Low Rolling Resistance replacement tires: Current List

The 195/65-15 Continental Pro Contact with Eco Plus could be $66.84 ( before local tax ) with this route . Have these on the '08 Yaris sedan ( 185/60-15 ) . Better ride , handling ( wet especially ) and less road noise . Fuel economy remains the same as with the Bridgestone Potenza RE 92s' . Overall m.p.g. average close to 38 for nearly 4 years when purchased new in May , 2008 . It's the base model with a 4 speed auto . Tires kept at 35 ( warmer months ) > 37 p.s.i. ( cold mos. ) . Pics of Eco Plus on '08 sedan .

Pics of a 422 at local tire dealer . Not same tire as ordered through local GM parts department . Different size .

No complaints, so all must be well!

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

I was riding around in my friend's '06 Corolla last weekend and he commented on how much he liked the ProContact with EcoPlus tires compared to his previous tire, Ecopia EP100, despite a mpg loss. He mentioned that the ProContacts were much more stable and traction was much better in dry and wet conditions. It was more difficult to get the car to understeer as well. So you lose some mpg with these tires but you get a safer and longer lived tire as a tradeoff. He used to race high HP Camaros and Corvettes at the drag strip, autocross and open track events so I trust his opinion on traction.

The RE 92s on the Yaris were very hair on your head raising in a hard rain . The Eco Plus act like the pavement is practically dry .

Added the Yokohama YK580. It is a performance oriented LRR tire. Better performance than the TRZ and Ascend but less mpg than the Ascend. This could be a good subsititute for the Primacy MXM4 because it is offered in 17" and 18" sizes.




"The latest innovations in the YK580 assure the driver exceptional treadlife while offering the remarkable wet and dry handling and low rolling resistance one would expect from Yokohama."



YK580 Performance Tires | Yokohama Tire Corp.

F8L just thought Id ask, ive been searching all day at work for the past week. Know of any brand that sells a LRR in 215/40/18? I found 225 But I figure If im going big thinner tires would be best if I wanted to try to minimize my mileage hit.

Unfortunately I have not seen any real LRR tires in that size. I agree with your assumption but since we don't have a LRR tire in that size to compare to we cannot really say anything. So that leaves you with a LRR wider tire or a non- LRR narrower tire. *shrug*

If you decide on the 215/40/18 then check out the Continental DW or DWS. I'll try to find alternatives.

Thanks for all the great information. A ton of options throughout this thread. I am leaning toward the Defender, but wanted to throw out my particulars just to see if any better choices come to mind.
I have a 2011 and put roughly 30k miles a year on the car. I commute 55 miles a day here in metro Atlanta and then also drive to various cities around the SE for work. I am by NO MEANs a hypermiler, I average about 75-80 mph on trips and because of that my Prius gets around 44 mpg (This is my second Prius and I really love 'em). Any other thoughts on tires? BTW I got 34000 out of my stock Yokies.
Thanks in advance!

Your situation doesn't sound demanding except that you, like me, drive many miles per year so you want a long-lived tire. The Defender may be a great choice but it is hard to say until we get some kind of user data. They are simply too new. The main LRR high mileage tires we do have data on are the ProContact with EcoPlus, AVID Ascend, and to a lesser extent the Energy Saver A/S and Ecopia EP422. If you want max mileage then the ProContact and Ascend are they way to go. If you want max mpg but less mileage then go with the Energy Saver A/S. We know the ProContact produces slightly lower mpg than the OE tires by 1-2mpg. The Acend seems to be about even with the OE tires and the Energy Saver is about 2-3mpg better than OE. All of the tires offer better perchance than OE and last longer. The Ascends and ProContacts offer better performance than the other two.

Or you can try out the Defender and let us know how it compares.

The problem with comparing these 3 super high mileage tires with the Energy Saver A/S is even though the Energy Saver offers better gas mileage, the other tires can last 15,000-25,000 miles longer and are in the same price range. Anyone care to do the math? Assuming the Energy Saver A/Soffers 3mpg more than the others even if that is a bit of a stretch.

Justin

Thanks for the feedback. The Avids sound interesting...they are close to the same price as the Defenders from Discount Tire. Also DT has a $70 rebate card on the Defenders for the next 10 days.
I'll let you know what I go with.
Scott

I look forward to hearing your experience with your purchase. Maybe you can be the first to write up a review on the Defender for us. Good luck, Scott.

Latest gas mileage with the Continental Eco Plus at 35 p.s.i.. Did fill on Saturday and resulted in 39.2 ( 377.8 / 9.63 gals. @ 1 cilck ) . Eco -Meter showed 38.6 ( set @ 94 ) . This is the current gas mileage . May be closer to 41 since the Eco reads about .6 below the calculated m.p.g.. The Eco Plus are available through GM with a $100 discount . Send you a Visa card .

Well looks like the Defenders are a little hard to come by here in Atlanta. Any thoughts on the Yokos YK580s? They are pushing those over the Avids, but it may just be a sales push.
For no good reason, I lean toward Michelin. Not to sound like a jerk, but price is not really the issue, I am just looking for the best tire with, as you pointed out, good MPG, Mileage, and Ride. Any additional thoughts on your original recommendations? If it matters, I am a loyal Discount Tire customer, so 95% chance I buy a tire they offer.

Tire Products By Vehicle - Discount Tire

Thanks
scott

I'm glad to report that in February of this year, I installed Kumho Ecowing tires in the front to replace the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max stock tires with 35K miles. I kept the Hercules Raptis in the rear with 5K miles that were put on by the seller when I bought my 2010 Prius in late November of last year at 30K miles. I immediately noticed a quieter and smoother ride and better rolling resistance with the Kumho Ecowing tires. And my calculated MPG has improved 4.012% for the subsequent 5K miles with the Kumhos compared to the previous 5K miles of similar driving conditions with the Goodyears. These particular Kumhos are apparently exclusive at America's/Discount Tire Stores. Price was $83 each ($15 off $98 each tire). The Ecowings appear to be Kumho's answer to the Michelin Energy Savers A/S, which never seem to be available in my area. (I re-posted this to G3 2010+ from G2 forum.)

hi scott, just had the yk580's installed on my car last monday and drove 90 miles yesterday and so far its like night and day difference with my old sumitomo htr-z3. these tires are so quiet! and handles just as great as the sumi's, gas mileage was about the same as the sumi's though (50 mpg) hopefully it will get better as the tires break in. Very very happy with these tires, got it installed for $500 OTD (was quoted 600, but they gave me 100 for the old tires as trade in) 205/50/17 yk580's. So far everyone i have asked about these tires (quite a bit) have nothing but praise for them. GL with the tire search!

Thanks!!
The manager of the tire store I use really liked the 580s. He walked me out to his car to show me that he put them on his own vehicle. He said they get great reviews. Nice to hear Prius owners like them. They may get the nod after I finish listening all the input.
Thanks again!
Scott

The YK580 always receive praise. The Ascend is the way to go for longevity and mpg. The YK580 is the way to go for performance and less upfront cost at time of purchase. You'll save money with the Ascend though. Remember, even Yokohama recommends the Ascend if mpg and longevity is your goal. I like them. *shrug*

So let's dive into this Yokohama discussion. So it looks like there is a newer tire out there called the Avid Touring, not to be confused with the Avid Ascend T. I think the Touring is a lesser tire and not LRR. Discount Tire's website says they become available on May 18th so that may be a real option.

I see the AVID Touring - S. Do you see a different version?

AVID Ascend vs. AVID Touring - S

Assuming a 3mpg difference between the tires, 65,000 mile lifespan and fuel at $3.80/ga.

Touring - S
4 tires = $284
65,000miles / 50mpg * $3.80/ga = $4,940
Total Cost: $5,224

Ascend
4 tires = $376
65,000miles /53mpg * $3.80/ga. = $4,660
Total Cost: $5,036

Difference in cost = $188 in favor of the Ascend

This assumes a 3mpg difference between the tires which may be a slight overestimate BUT the Ascend is rated at 85,000 miles and the Touring - S is rated at 65,000 miles. The numbers clearly favor the Ascend in every category from economy, fuel efficiency, traction and longevity. Comfort is up in the air since both are rated high.

If you rode these numbers out to 85,000 miles then you would have to spend an additional $87 ($284 / 65,000miles * 20,000miles) for new tires to continue the additional 20,000 miles. Again this is all in theory and tire wear is variable so your tires may last 20,000 miles or or less than what they are warrantied for.

Touring - S
4 tires = $284
65,000miles / 50mpg * $3.80/ga = $4,940
4 tires = $284 / 65,000 miles * 20,000miles = $87.38
20,000miles / 50mpg * $3.80ga. = $1,520
Total Cost: $6,831.38

Ascend
4 tires = $376
85,000miles /53mpg * $3.80/ga. = $6,094
Total Cost: $6,470

Difference in cost = $361.38 in favor of the Ascend

Is my math correct?