LRR Tire Options - Handling vs MPG

I think the Premier A/S is a better performing tire than the Defender and closer to what you are asking for.

 

'Nuther set of Ecopia EP20 (assume that's what you have) in 195/65R15?

If we had 15" that would be my pick. The Energy Saver A/S are superior for RR, but maddeningly hard to find (or replace).

 

I have Defender, I would buy the Premier A/S ....
2011 Toyota Prius Base Tires | Michelin Tires

 

Either buy the Premier A/S or the Primacy MXM4 Either one are great tires. Used to recommend the Energy Saver A/S, but those tires are hard to find in the correct size. Go with Michelin and don't look back.

Regards,
Ron (dorunron)

 

Typically wider means better handling at the cost of mileage. (MPG) Overall it should not be a big deal. The main thing when using different tire sizes is to confirm that the tires will NEVER scrape when suspension is at it's limits. (Full turns, shocks/struts fully compressed.

I don't think you will have a problem if you only go one size up. I myself though prefer to keep the size that is on the placard. One thing I don't do is run the tire pressure on the placard. I runs ours on the top pressure that is marked on the tires. Running the pressure on the placard gives a cushy ride, but cost's MPG. Pump em up and see the difference.

Check out the Michelin Primacy I mentioned. A phenomenal tire. Have them on our 2013 now. Came in 17" size to fit the wheels that are on our car. Should be available in your size. Check your local Michelin Dealer. I believe you will like them better than the Defender.

Ron

 

Nice to see you lurking F8L

Ron

 

Not me. I replaced my Ecopias early after yet another unrepairable puncture and upgraded to Michelin Primacy for better handing in both wet and dry conditions, better ride, lower noise and greater reliability. I feel a whole lot safer.

 

The Ecopia EP20 do get a bit noisy when worn, that's true. Still, I keep buying them for a previous, still in the family vehicle with 195/65R15. I might have to go with something like the Primacy for our 215/45R17, when the time comes. The Premier is very interesting though, top contender for me right now.

With your unrepairable puncture, was that due to it being too close to tread edge, as judged by a tire place? I've plug repaired two "unrepairable" punctures: the first a tiny finishing nail, about an inch from edge of tread. The second a somewhat bigger screw, more or less same location, in one of our snows. No subsequent problems.

 

I'm just waiting for more of the Premiers to get out there and enough feedback on mpg are available. Personally, I think the handling and quiet ride is agreeable to any-- if there really is-- loss of mpg. The mpg actually improved a bit with G/F's ''v'' with a new set of them replacing Turanzas, [ @ 53,700 ] it surely rides/drives/handles better. This thread is about ''Handling vs MPG''-------Premiers for the win for both of us....disclaimer: I cannot speculate about the mpg difference the Premiers made on my car as I went to a 16'', wider tire and car had only a few thou miles on it--with me driving and learning how to drive my first Prius. I am still getting the same 56-59 ''cons'' display as when I bought the car. However-- handling is MUCH improved--but-- I also added other suspension upgrades.

 

You also have to keep in mind that the Turanzas are not the most fuel efficient tires Toyota uses AND you are learning how to drive the car more efficiently. The second part can have a huge impact on FE and can really screw up and perceptions on how efficient a tire is.

 

Yes, I did try to factor in that I am still in a learning curve. It would be only fair and beneficial to members here to be clear about everything. However-- I still think that the Premiers will prove out to be a decent mpg tire. And, factoring in ''Handling vs MPG'' as I did when initially buying. Truthfully though, I suppose what swayed me the most, was the advertising of the evolving tread pattern and excellent traction for the life of the tire------- we'll see.

 

Yes, one unrepairable puncture was near the edge and the other was where the sidewall meets the tread. Both were judged unrepairable by the tire place but when I checked with another tire place and looked on line it seemed to me that they were probably right.

I'd not had that kind of problem before and it seemed likely to me that LRR tires likely compromise robustness to get lower rolling resistance.

 

Just replacing the Yokohama MayPop series on the Prius at 38K miles. The Michelin Premier A/S is the replacement tire for the Michelin Primacy MXV4. It is an upgraded version of the Primacy with grooves that stay there with wear for rain traction, around $9.00 more per tire and a bit higher treadwear rating. The Defender's reviews took it out of the running for my tire choice, the price difference wasn't enough to warrant it's performance for both users and ratings chart folks.

 

205/60/15 is 1/2 inch shorter than stock. Your speedometer will be off even more than it already is. Generally to lower profile by 1 size, you'll need to increase the width by 2 sizes. The size you need is 215/60/15.

 

205/60R15 reduction in diameter is minor, virtually the same as the optional size 215/45R17, that Toyota puts on the US model 5. Still, I'd just stick with stock 195/65R15, that width increase will come with a mpg impact.

 

Back in the late 80s people used to put 195s on 9 inch wide rims. 215 on stock rims is no problem. Toyota is already 2 miles off at 60 putting on smaller tires will make it even slower. Speedometer @ 70, actual speed, 67. Toyota may have adjusted the speedometer to accumidate the 17 inch rims and tires on the Five.