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Low Rolling Resistance replacement tires: Current List

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

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  1. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I prefer the 205/50/17 to the 215/45/17 in terms of fuel economy and appearance. The 215/45/17 is just to short for my taste. Unfortunately, any gain in comfort from sidewall height is lost with an upgrade to an Extra Load tire rating from the Standard Load rating on the 215/45/17s. However, keep the air pressure below 40psi and choose a comfy tire and you'll be fine. In the 205/50/17 size I like the Ecopia EP422. The PureContact is great too but it rides rougher. If you like your Primacy MXM4 (not MXV4) then you may like the new Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus. It's not the most fuel efficient tire but it rates very well with TireRack, is affordable and is much better than the EP422 in almost every respect except FE and maybe snow traction. :)

    Unfortunately the Primacy MXM4 is not available in a 205/50/17.
     
    #541 F8L, Apr 1, 2013
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  2. graphikzking

    graphikzking Junior Member

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    I have the Ecopia (I believe 422) from Costco on my 2010 prius and I don't think they are nearly as good as my Wife's 2006 Prius with the Michelin Hydroedge. My tires have hire load rating and higher speed rating than hers and I still liked hers much more.

    The Hydroedge were rated at 800 treadwear but they didn't last nearly that I had a lot of shoulder wear and dry rotting but the middle wear indicators were still in tact. Weird because I keep them in my garage over the winter.

    I just replaced them with the Goodyear Assurance Fuelmax tires ($288 for 4 tires delivered from Discount Tire Direct) so I figured I'd take a shot and test them. They are higher rated 88w so I'm intrigued.

    I'll report in a few weeks on what I think (mostly the wife).
     
    #542 graphikzking, Apr 1, 2013
  3. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    If they are the OE tires on your 2010 then they are the Ecopia EP20.

    The Hydroedge is a totally different tire. It's less efficient and made to be very long lasting. It's rougher riding and is not good for snow. It's sorta apples to oranges. :)

    The Fuel Max tires are decent for snow and for efficiency but they are a little less efficient than the Ecopia EP422 and ride rougher. Still a good tire though. :)

    Tire Test Results : Eco-Focused All-Season Tires: Do They Deliver on the Promise?
     
    #543 F8L, Apr 1, 2013
  4. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    I just want to thank F8l for this thread, it sure is going to make tire buying easier for me! Thanks again.
     
    #544 Munpot42, Apr 1, 2013
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  5. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    When I get time I am going to make the first page a little more definitive so it's easier for people to choose. :)
     
    #545 F8L, Apr 1, 2013
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  6. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    The best permanent way to thank F8L for his endless work with tyres is to click on the "blue like" at the righthand bottom of his post.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #546 Britprius, Apr 1, 2013
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  7. graphikzking

    graphikzking Junior Member

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    That's why I have the snow tires for both Prius' :)

    The 2010 has Ecopia from Costco that I just put on there about 2 months ago. Before that they were stock tires. I don't like either of them to be honest. Too "floaty" for my tastes.

    Coming from a Maxima, 350z, MR2 Spyder, and the 2006 with Hydroedge tires these Ecopia's don't make me feel "secure" with the float.

    I've tried running at 34psi and also at 40psi. I don't like them that much. The fuel economy is fine but just not 100% happy. Liked the Michelin's the best.

    On my MR2 spyder the Toyo T1R tires are amazing but probably not good for a prius. Plus it's a completely different car so I can't really compare those tires with that car to my Prius.

    I'm really hoping that the Assurance feel a little more confident and aren't too much of a downgrade from the Hydroedge ones.
     
    #547 graphikzking, Apr 1, 2013
  8. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Or send a check/money order or PayPal to support his addiction to tires. :p Then maybe I can get John to send me a set of those Ecopia EP001s tires when they become available. I want to test them against the North American champ (Energy Saver A/S). lol
     
    #548 F8L, Apr 1, 2013
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  9. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    No way, I'm gonna get them first. LOL;).

    John (Britprius)
     
    #549 Britprius, Apr 1, 2013
  10. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Yes. The EP422 is a marshmallow-like tire. Even in my review I made sure to let people know it is NOT the tire to get if you like taking fast corners. :) The Continental PureContact is closer to the Hydroedge in that it has a long treadlife, crazy wet traction and much more responsive handling and it rides rougher than the EP422. I liked that tire but it was too rough in the 205/50/17 XL size I had.
     
    #550 F8L, Apr 1, 2013
  11. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Damn you! Hahaha
     
    #551 F8L, Apr 1, 2013
  12. 2fastplus

    2fastplus Junior Member

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    F8L, Thankyou for the info. I also don't care for the short look of the 45 series. I may try a 215/50/17 to alleviate the short look. Height wise, I'am worried a 55 series may rub with four people in the vehicle.
     
    #552 2fastplus, Apr 1, 2013
  13. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Why? 205/50/17 is the correct size. It is only slightly larger than the OE 195/65/15. The only advantage with the 215/50/17 is tire choice as the Energy Saver A/S is available, ground clearance (good and bad) and possible better efficiency because it is taller.

    The 215/50/17 will be quite large and likely look funny. Think ballon tires. They are .5" taller than the 195/65/15 and almost 1" taller than the 215/45/17.

    If you do it I would love to see pics and hear your thoughts. No one else has been brave enough. LOL
     
    #553 F8L, Apr 1, 2013
  14. WilMent

    WilMent diacritic

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    I am also very curious about the results. Since 15" OE tires have a big enough gap and the 215/45/17 more so. I didn't go with the 205s because I wanted my rims to look bigger and I was going to drop the car anyways. Keep us posted if you decide to go with it:)
     
    #554 WilMent, Apr 1, 2013
  15. SuperchargedMR2

    SuperchargedMR2 Diehard Rams Fan

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    You could go to a 205/50R17 which would be a better size for comfort, speedo being accurate & mpg with the little narrower tire.
     
    #555 SuperchargedMR2, Apr 2, 2013
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  16. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I just spent 30min reading about tires on MyNissanLeaf forum. Some of those guys need to come read this thread. LOL

    The one where the guy swapped out his Ecopia EP422s for a set of Primacy MXV4s and lost 10% efficiency cracked me up. Duh!
     
    #556 F8L, Apr 2, 2013
  17. cinder

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    #557 cinder, Apr 2, 2013
  18. cinder

    cinder Member

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    #558 cinder, Apr 2, 2013
  19. Dexter1979

    Dexter1979 Junior Member

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    Anyone tried the Bridgestone Ecopia EP150? I'm looking at 4 new tires for my summer road trip and thinking of getting these. EU labels have B for Fuel Economy, B for Wet Grip and 69dB for noise.. Only €63 online including delivery.
     
    #559 Dexter1979, Apr 3, 2013
  20. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    They should be good tyres as long as they do not get noisey as they ware like the ER300 Turanzas did.

    Have a look at the same tyre in the 205/55/16 size, as supprisingly they may be even cheaper and the extra width improves the road manners of the Prius enormously. They also stop the kerb scratching the wheel trims when you get to close.

    I run 205/55/16 Hankooks with the same BB rateing.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #560 Britprius, Apr 3, 2013
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