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Time for new tires. What says PriusChat?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by brentmeister, Jul 30, 2010.

  1. brentmeister

    brentmeister New Member

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    My '08 is ready for new shoes. Please forgive me, I did several searches and was unable to find a comprehensive thread on the Prius Base tire replacement suggestions.


    My main goal is to preserve the MpG of that I have obtained with the integrity's, but improvement in noise/handeling would be nice also. I've been partial to Michelin's over the years, but would be open to any name brand tire with good ratings.

    If there is a good post that I've overlooked, a link would be appreciated.

    Thanks in advance,
    Brent
     
  2. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    This subject has been discussed many times on PC and the other hybrid Droups. There are now several good options (as well as a lot of misinformation) for your Prius. My favorite is the Nokian WRg2 for those in cold climates (Quiet, good handling and MPG, and great wet/snow/ice traction) See my attached spreadsheet for comparisons with the "Lack of Integrity", Michelin Energy Saving MVX4+ (no longer available) and the older Nokian WR in my 177,000 miles of driving my 2004 Prius.

    The other good options are reviewed on the Tirerack web site (Nokian tires are not sold or reviewed at TireRack).

    JeffD
     

    Attached Files:

  3. brentmeister

    brentmeister New Member

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    Thank you very much for the links and the information. I had seen some of this roll past over the last two years but was unable to find it this morning...

    I saw many good reviews about the Michelin MXV4+ but people said it was no longer available. Tire Rack is advertising the Primacy MXV4... I suppose this is a different tire..???

    I am leaning toward the Michelin Energy saver A/S unless someone wants to talk me in off the ledge...
     
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I have the Bridgestone Ecopia EP100 installed on both the 2004 and 2007. I would say this is a great tire if you do not drive in light snow, since this is considered to be a summer tire.

    Just bought the 2007 tires last week at Costco where they are offering a $70 discount for a set of 4 (if you have the current coupon book.) Out-the-door price slightly more than $400 net of discount, including new TPMS stems and gaskets.
     
  5. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

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    I like the low rolling resistance of the Michelin Energy Saver A/S, but I noticed they don't claim any treadwear warrantee miles.
     
  6. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Like Patrick, I agree the Ecopia EP100 with the Costco discount is tough to beat. I got my roomate to buy them for his 2007 Corolla and he is very happy with them and he drives like a maniac!
     
  7. Colonel Ronson

    Colonel Ronson New Member

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    costco tire rotations are also free for the life of the tires. but personally i hate the customer service i get at the tire department when i go to costco. this is 3 different costcos ive been to. they ignore that you're even there until they decide they're done doing whatever they're doing.

    i once went in to pick up my car, and the clerk was on the phone with somebody else and looked at me, and then kept talking on the phone for about 40 minutes. when he hung up, he looked at me, and handed me my keys...i was like Wth? u couldn't hand me my keys while you were waiting on hold on the phone.

    but to the OP: yes Michelins will be the best.
     
  8. brentmeister

    brentmeister New Member

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    That is troubling... If you go to the Michelin site, they offer 80K warranty on all their other tires. The energy saver just says 'mileage warranty' but doesn't specify a number of miles....

    With a lower rolling resistance, I would assume they are harder and would last longer. Perhaps I'm off on this... I also noticed the tred depth is a couple of 32nds shallower than similar Michelin tires...
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i like the look of the energy saver a/s on the tirerack comparison. best mpg and reasonable sound quality and handling. i 'll take that over tire life, but i would expect decent longevity from mich.:)
     
  10. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Keep in mind that lower tire life AND the extra cost associated with the Energy Saver A/S will negate any money saved in MPG difference when compared to some of the other tires on that list. :)

    If you want to save the most fossil fuel then go with the dB Super E-Spec, if you want to save the most money go with the Ecopia IMO.
     
  11. neon tetra

    neon tetra Member

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    I racked my brain for hours on end reading reviews & threads, & ultimately settled on the Nokian WRG2's.

    I hope they're as good as everyone says!
     
  12. derkraut

    derkraut Member

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    I just bought a set of 4 P185/65R/15 Michelin Energy Savers from Discount Tire for $505 delivered by UPS to my door; no sales tax. I don't need them for another 5000mi or so; but the price was just too good to pass up. I can have them installed/balanced locally for about $60. That's significantly cheaper than the installed Costco price.
     
  13. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    They have a $70 Mail-in rebate on Michelin right now. :) $505 is a great deal on those tires.

    Conversely you can get the Ecopia EP100 for approx. $368 shipped from Tire Rack.
     
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    those of us with snow who don't want snow tires have a limited selection.:(
     
  15. himmatwala

    himmatwala Junior Member

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    Ok, help me decide, which tire is good for Chicago snow? How is the Goodyear Comforttread?
     
  16. bufffy21798

    bufffy21798 Junior Member

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    I live about 2 hours south of Chicago and love my Hankook 727 tires, you can get them for pretty cheap from gripston.com
     
  17. unixrocks

    unixrocks New Member

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    I dont know much about tires or Prius (still learning) but after doing similar searches and comparisons I settled on a set of GoodYear Assurance Fuel Max tires - I heard a lot of good things about the Assurance line and figured the price was right ($547 installed at Goodyear service center) which includes road hazard etc...

    So far so good - they handle well and ride smooth so no complaints there.

    Too soon to tell for MPG - calculated is showing up by 2mpg but its been hot off and on so it could just be Im using my AC less over the past few days since having them installed.

    2008 Prius Base Model 28K miles
     
  18. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Not the ComfortTread as it is not strong in snow/ice. If you don't want to use real snow tires, I would get the Nokian WRg2's.

    JeffD
     
  19. pattom

    pattom Junior Member

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    I was looking at the energy saver a/s also. Went to a Belle Tire store to check them out and get price. Asked about mileage on the tire. At first the clerk couldn't find anything. Then one of the young salesman came over and said he had been at some kind of seminar. He was told the energy saver got about the same as the Goodyear that came on the Prius or somewhere around 25000 to 35000 miles. This for over $600 for the set out the door. I am looking at something else -- would like to get more miles for the buck.