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Low Rolling Resistance replacement tires: Current List

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by F8L, Apr 17, 2011.

  1. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I got it now. :) honestly I'm not sure how the Ecopias compare to your Toyos. I would like to think they are better in every way but I am not sure.

    I mentioned the MXV4 only because I was reading a test review that compared it with the Serenity Plus. So far I have not seen a test with the Serenity Plus and the MXM4.
     
  2. prius4driver

    prius4driver Junior Member

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    Have read this entire thread tonight--needing replacements for my OEM Yoko's soon and will probably get them by the November rains. Have 30K miles on the Yoko's and the are wearing--evenly--but not a lot of tread left. The Serenity Plus is EXPENSIVE--Tire Rack has a set of 4 Bridgestone EP 422's for $286--not much more than one Serenity! The new Yoko's looked like the way to go until I read the last review that F8L said he found a little disappointing. I want quiet and fairly good wet traction. Is the Michelin defender as good as the Energy Saver A/S? I know the OEM Yoko's didn't rank well in most categories, but I never felt the handling in the kind of driving I do unsafe. Hated the noise! It's late--will have to research the Defenders tomorrow tomorrow unless someone has a good recommendation. Haven't been on the forum in ages--the great members here taught me how to drive my Prius and I haven't had any questions--love this car. 42 mpg the worst mileage--in winter 40's temps with quartering rain and wind and standing road water. An honest, calculated 50-52 mpg most of the summer. Lots of short trips with stops--not the best for mileage but I feel it does very well!
     
  3. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The Turanza Serenity Plus is $306 for four after the rebate. So not much more than the EP422.

    The Energy Saver A/S is the best for mpg and is fairly quiet but the Defender is better all around except for mpg. If you drive safely most of the time then I doubt you would have a problem with the Energy Saver A/S.

    For the best wet traction and handling the ProContact with EcoPlus is tough to beat. It may drop your mpg by 1-2, however.
     
  4. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    As for MPG's the Michelin Energy Saver AS is rated a "10" by Michelin for fuel efficiency.
    The Defender Michelin tires is I believe rated a "8" by Michelin.
    I believe for pure mpg's the Energy Saver AS is the most fuel
    efficient tire in the world.

    I changed out the Energy Saver AS after 68,000 miles as the were close
    to the wear bars and purchased Bridgestone Ecopia EP422. I took at least a
    2-3 mpg hit in mpg's.
     
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  5. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

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    How about other performance factors and road noise?
     
  6. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    My wife and I have both noticed at higher speed 65-70 mph the
    tires have somewhat of a drift. In fact my wife ask me if the
    wind was blowing, and it wasn't. The tires do not appear or feel to be quite
    as stable as the Michelin Tires.

    The Ecopia tires are much better than the original Yokhama Avid tires
    that came factory equipped with the car when new.

    The Michelin tires were great in all respects and there was no noticeable
    high speed drift or sway. The tires wore perfectly and the alignment is
    100% on our Prius.
     
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  7. SuperchargedMR2

    SuperchargedMR2 Diehard Rams Fan

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    I was just looking at the current tire list on the first post. Why are there no 205/55R16 options? Going +1 is an option over the OEM 15" size, there is nothing that says you have to go to 17" wheels. I have a set of Michelin Energy Saver tires in a 205/55R16 size & others may also be interested in a +1 option for a good compromise with looks & mpg.
     
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  8. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

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    That sounds like a fine idea. I believe the reason for noting R17 tires is that some cars come with OEM 17" wheels.
     
  9. KCobby

    KCobby Member

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    Hi all,

    Hope you don't mind if I join in the conversation even as a Gen II driver! ;)

    I need new tires and after looking through all the posts, I've come to a very familiar spot that many of you have already been to: would like to buy the Michelin Energy Savers, but they are not available in my size (185/65R15)

    So my question to you - I can find them in 195/65R15, but is going up a size defeating the purpose of the LRR tire?? Or am I better off to simply go with my two next alternatives that do come in my size, namely the Ecopia 422, or the Conti ProContact EcoPlus??

    Any advice is greatly appreciated. Cheers!
     
  10. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    Michelin Energy Saver AS tires are available in 185x65x15. Remember there is also
    a Michelin Energy Saver tire that is not AS. The "AS" is the most fuel efficient.
     
  11. KCobby

    KCobby Member

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    Sorry for the confusion - yes, looking at the Energy Saver A/S model, but they are currently not available at any stores in the area...or seemingly online...for the 185/65R15. So, yes, Michelin makes them, but I can't find them! Only the 195/65R15 size.
     
  12. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Well, one way to look at this is to assume the 185/65/15 tire is too small for the GenII which many of us feel is the case. We know the Energy Saver A/S is likely 2+mpg better than other tires. You could probably upsize to a 195/65/15 for better performance and safety yet retain the mpg you would have with a smaller non-energy saver a/s tire. Your speedo will likely read close to accurate with the larger tire but the car will look a little taller too. I don't know of anyone who has done this but I don't see why it wouldn't work as long as you are not lowered.

    If you want to play it safe you can wait for the 185/65/15 Energy Saver A/S. TireRack says they will have more on 9/10/2012. Or get the Defender or Ecopia EP422 while they are on sale!
     
  13. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    I have about 3 weeks with the Ecopia EP 422. I plan on returning them
    per their 30 day money back guarantee and getting the Michelin Energy
    Saver AS tires which I had 68,000 miles before buying the Ecopias.

    The Ecopia's drift at high speed, which I really found out during our vacation last week,
    and deliver less, 2-3 mpg, for fuel efficiency.

    The Energy Saver is a far superior tire and worth the extra money in my opinion.
     
  14. NC_Prius

    NC_Prius Member

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    Isn't it typical for a new tire to have lower mpgs until break-in? I'm considering getting Ecopia 422s to replace my GY Fuel-Max tires [never again].

    Question: my current tires are 205/60-R16s, but that doesn't sound like the right size for the Prius (3rd Gen). I'm unclear what the best size is for a 16" rim.
     
  15. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    205/55/16 would be the correct up size. You have a ton of choices in that size. :) No energy saver A/S though.

    The Energy Saver A/S does come in the 205/60/15, however. It's a bit taller than the OE size by 3/4" or so. Really all that it changes is the way your speedo reads. They are quite a bit more expensive than some of the other good choices though.
     
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  16. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    I thought they were done with the A/S.
     
  17. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Nope. Not according to Michelin.
     
  18. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Cool, that's a good thing!
     
  19. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Continental has released a new Grand Touring All-Season tire called the PureContact with EcoPlus. The size of particular interest is the 205/50/17 which is a great choice for those upsizing to 17" wheels or those who want a more comfortable replacement tire for the Prius Five (V). The followinf is information from TireRack.com and Continental. They have a fitment for the Prius v Five as well (215/50/17)

    [​IMG]

    Continental USA Car / Light Truck / SUV -ContiPureContact™

    Continental PureContact with EcoPlus Technology

    Consumer Reports tested this tire and gave it a "Very Good" rating in all categories except snow traction and ice braking. In those categories it received a "Good" rating. It scored 70 points out of 100. This is a better than the Primacy MXV4 rating of 66 points.

    View attachment 41997

     
  20. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

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    Very interesting. I followed the link to the Continental site. They have a "see how much you can save" calculator to let you know how many dollars you'll save over the lifetime of the tires (compared to some unnamed competitor). I did this for both the PureContact with EcoPlus and the ProContact with EcoPlus. The newer PureContact supposedly saves more money (though not a whole lot more) that the ProContact.

    They are priced better than the Michelins to begin with. If they really can save me $263 over the lifetime of the tires, and I can get better mileage to begin with, AND they cost less than the Primacy tires, I'm going to have to give these a good looking over. So far, I haven't found them available elsewhere.