Tires for Southeastern MA/Southern New England

I'm not from your area, but too needed to replace my OEM tires and didn't want/need snow tires. After reading many, many tire discussions I have decided to use the suggestion from F8L and go with the Bridgestone Ecopia EP422. Not sure if you think $89/tire (TireRack.com) is reasonably priced, but I thought it was a good deal. I'm having them shipped to my local car mechanic who will install them, rotate/balance, etc. for $80.

 

I am from CT and I recently installed the Michelin Energy Saver A/S - they have worked great so far and we had snow a couple of weeks ago and I really don't have any complains. If you want the Ecopias I would suggest to take advantage of Costco's current promotion.

 

Michelin Energy Saver A/S are discontinued for the Prius size. They hard hands-down the best tire for the Prius if you can find them.

Snow traction depends on two factors:
1. Grip / tread pattern
2. Tread depth

Some say factor #2 means a lot more than factor #1. You should always have 5 or 6/32" going into winter for traction.

I've been researching this topic for a while since the Yokos are wearing out. It really comes down to two tires on the market for snow traction right now:

Continental ProContact with EcoPlus:
-Consumer Reports gives it 4/5 for snow traction, and a 5/5 for wet, which is better than any other tires on the market short of a dedicated winter tire. For handling, short of going with the Michelin Primacy MXV4 sport / speed tire, it is a very good handling tire for the Prius.
-Word is mixed on what gas mileage this tire gets, but it seems the census is 2-3 MPG BELOW the stock Yoko tires.
-As far as lifespan, I've read reports of the Continental tires lasting nowhere near their rated 80,000 miles. Census is expect more like 50,000 or so miles. This is a factor, because this is the 2/32 wear life. Once you go below that 5-6/32 mark, snow traction tanks.


Michelin Defender:
-Consumer reports gives it 3/5 for snow traction, and a 4/5 in virtually every other category.
-Reports on this forum seems to indicate it is equal in gas mileage to the stock Yoko tires (keep in mind you'll take an initial hit with any new tire until it is "broken in"), while offering better traction and ride quality.
-Wear life seems superb. It's rated for 90,000 miles, and initial reports are positive (though this tire has only been out for 1 year).


Of course, there's the other tires:
Energy Saver A/S is rated 3/5 in a lot of categories, including snow like the Defender, 4/5 in some. It gets 2/5 in ice braking.

Ecopia 422 is rather poorly rated by consumer reports. Tire Rack gives it a glowing review in snow traction, but they're using a 205/16 tire, which a larger size increases handling. The Ecopia is a very good gas mileage tire, as good as the Energy Savers, which generally increase gas mileage by 5-8%.

 

Hey, we live in the same town, Ron!

I go with snow tires in winter, since there are times I have to drive in snow, and not wait-out a storm. I have a second set of rims, with Michelin X-Ice (xi2) tires, which I really like. They make my Prius drive like a tank through snow! (No slipping upon initial acceleration from stops, for instance). Having two sets of tires requires a place to store them, and time and ability to switch them over, of course...

 

Aye, EP422 is not a bad choice as long as you are not looking for performance handling. Fuel economy is pretty good as is tread wear and stopping distance.
Tire Test Results : Eco-Focused All-Season Tires: Do They Deliver on the Promise?

 

That is incorrect. They are sometimes hard to find but they are not discontinued per email and personal communication with Michelin.

The last part is entirely true IMO. As long as one is not looking for a great handling tire.

 

Saw you were from Glastonbury - my truck broke the u-joint on the front drive shaft trying to get back to NY after a horrible interview... insult to injury in this case and I made it as far as Glastonbury (firing off some colorful language at my truck). Belltown Motors took care of fixing the truck quickly and getting it on the road in 24 hours... was grateful they were around.

I am about to bite the bullet on the snows myself... an insurance policy that if I purchase them, I will never need to use them.