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Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max vs. Hankook Optimo 727

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by fintonissimo, Aug 13, 2010.

  1. fintonissimo

    fintonissimo Member

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    I have 43,300 miles on my OEM Integrity tires and the tread is almost worn down to the wear bar. After scouring Prius chat for tire recommendations, I was convinced that I should get the Hankook Optimo 727 195/60R15 for my next tires. The determining factors for me are better handling in rain, snow, ice, and wind, as well as comfort. Also, I don't want to take too much of a hit on MPG, plus I don't want to pay too much.

    I have a good deal lined up for the Hankook, but the store really tried to talk me out of buying it. They said they didn't put much stock in the Consumers Reports ratings; and also that it wasn't a good idea to change the size from the OEM tire. They highly recommended the Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max in the same size as my OEM and are willing to sell it to me for almost the same price as the Hankook, only $36 more for the 4 tires.

    According to them, The Goodyear Fuel Max would give me better gas mileage and would perform as well as the Hankook in all of the areas that I care about.

    2 questions:
    1) Anybody agree? Should I go for the Goodyear instead?
    2) If I do go with the Goodyear, should I get the Goodyear Fuel Max in the 195/60R15 size, or should I follow their recommendation and stick with 185/65R15?

    Thanks for your insights.

    Chuck
     
  2. terry2336

    terry2336 Junior Member

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    I drove my 2005 Prius package #4 thru the winter in Maine last year with Goodyear Fuel max standard size tires. Had no problems getting around. they seem to work great. I bought the car with them on it
    Terry
     
  3. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    My vote ... Goodyear.
     
  4. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    Given where you live, my vote is the Hankook Optimo H727 in the 195/60R15 size.

    Hard to ignore the fact that in the Consumer Reports tests, it performs as well or better on snow and ice than most of the winter tires tested.

    I would trust Consumer Reports over a tire salesman.

    I mean, really, what was the tire salesman's testing protocol?

    Also, I bet the Hankooks would look better with our shiny chrome wheel covers and door handles. ;)
     
  5. fintonissimo

    fintonissimo Member

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    Thanks for your opinions. The salesman (salesman#1) said that he doesn't think that the ratings found in consumers reports are completely unbiased and can be trusted. He told me that in his experience with customers, many purchase a tire based on those ratings; and then are not happy with their choice. He doesn't believe CR's testing methods are thorough enough, because they don't test the tire beyond a certain mileage amount. I think he knows about tires because he is dealing with them and his customers every day. I'm not sure how many customers he has that drive a Prius, however.

    Altogether I went to 3 different stores. Of the other 2 salesmen, one pushed the Pirelli over the Hankook; but also liked the Goodyear. The other really knew nothing about the Hankook and was recommending the Goodyear. All 3 were reluctant to consider the 195/60R15 size instead of the original size.

    I value the opinions of people on Prius Chat who can provide real world experience on what works well for the Prius. It seems there are a lot of smart people that I can learn from on this forum. I'm still not sure what I will decide, but I agree with Boo that it might just be possible that I need the Hankook tires to go with my shiny trim rings and door handles!:D

    Chuck
     
  6. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Kumho eco Solus is a competitor for Optimo 727 and it comes in OEM size. eco Solus is rated with LRR. Something to consider as well.

    Kumho eco Solus HM KR22
     
  7. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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  8. fintonissimo

    fintonissimo Member

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    Ok, a couple of you mentioned you have the Goodyear tires. What size? OEM, or 195/60R15?

    Is there any reason to stick with the original size? All 3 salesmen seemed to think so. The Goodyear was recommended by all 3, whereas only 1 salesman thought the Hankook was a good option.
     
  9. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Remember that salesman recommendations are rarely unbiased. They will usually have a preference for what they want to sell you (for reasons of margins or stock quantity etc).

    As for OEM size, 195/60R15 is the Toyoto recommended OEM size in many countries (exact same car). So make what you will of that.
     
  10. fintonissimo

    fintonissimo Member

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    Good point about dealers being biased. Because I'm honest, I tend to think others are like me, but it's not always true.

    What would be the benefit of going with 195/60R15 as opposed to 185/65R15?
     
  11. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    I don't want to imply that sales people are dishonest. Sure, recommending something totally inappropriate to a customer would be dishonest, but it's not like either of those tires is in any way a bad or inappropriate choice. Both are top quality tires and either of the two will probably serve you well. So it's just my belief that under these circumstances many sales people would simply recommend the one for which the deal is most favourable to them.

    Not sure but many people quote better handling and stability as a reason to go for slightly wider tires. Also, all other things being equal then I suppose a wider tire should wear a bit better.

    On the down side there could be a very slight MPG hit with wider tires. I'm running 195/60/R15's however and am very satisfied with the 53 to 55 MPG that I'm consistently getting.
     
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  12. Paul58

    Paul58 Mileage Miser

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    The wider tread and shorter sidewall of the 195/60-15 will handle better than the narrower 185/65-15, but as previously mentioned it could cost you a mpg or two. Also check the overall diameter of both tires, if the 195/60-15 has a larger or smaller diameter than the 185/65-15 it will throw off your speedometer by a couple mph either way.
     
  13. fintonissimo

    fintonissimo Member

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    Assuming the same size tire size for both the Fuel Max and Optimo, which tire do you think would give me better MPG?

    Currently my speedometer reads about 1 mph hour faster than actual speed with the 185 width OEM Integrity. Will the bigger size tire make the speedometer read slower?
     
  14. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Fuelmax will give you better MPG as it is LRR tire. OEM tire has 855 rev per mile. As long as the one you are plus sizing has close to it, you are good. If you want your speedometer to match GPS speed, get something 840-850 rev per mile.
     
  15. fintonissimo

    fintonissimo Member

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    All right, it is time to make a decision! (my rump is sore from sitting at the computer too long!!)After reading reviews of both tires on Prius Chat as well as elsewhere, it seems to me that the Hankook is the tire to get. I will get it in the 195/60R15 size. It is cheaper, and is supposed to last longer; and just about every review I read raved about the handling and comfort as well as the quiet ride.

    There is no way of knowing for sure if the Hankook will last as long as it is supposed to, but that seems to be the only knock against it. Because it is less expensive I am willing to take the risk. From what I can tell from reviews it might be more comfortable to drive, and may perform slightly better than the Fuel Max. I am willing to lose a couple of MPG's for the tradeoff in the handling and better performance.

    Thanks to all of you for your opinions, and for answering my questions!

    Chuck
     
  16. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    It's going to be my next tire as well.

    BTW, although you will risk insulting your tire installer's intelligence, I think it's a good idea to remind your tire installer NOT to put balancing weights on the outside of the wheels.
     
  17. fintonissimo

    fintonissimo Member

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    Ok, because I know nothing about balancing tires, what's wrong with the weights? Is it possible to balance the tire without them?
     
  18. Paul58

    Paul58 Mileage Miser

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    No, it's for appearance, if the weights are on the inside of the wheel you don't see them. Not sure about the OEM Wheels, they may take the stick on weights.
     
  19. fintonissimo

    fintonissimo Member

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    Thanks for alerting me to the small weight issue. I thought the small weights on the outside were my only alternative, since every time I've had tires balanced that's the way they did it. In light of this, I'm not as worried about insulting the intelligence of the installer!

    Chuck
     
  20. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    The OEM wheels for the Gen II Prius use the stick-on weights on the inside of the wheel. If you use weights on the outside, they interfere with the plastic trim rings (if you have them on your car).