Need recommendations for snow tires for 2013 Prius

I haven't seen snow in 25 years

 

Michelin Ice-X are perhaps the best. Below is my estimate for Prius winter tires with TPMS.

PRIUS WINTER TIRES using Schraeder Bartec
(4) tires $480 (Hankook)
(4) sensors $180 < (4) Bartec
sensor re-program $320 < reset tool
$980 < total

After compiling this estimate, I instead put winter tires on my old Volvo 850 for $380 - vehicle also has traction control that I can switch off.

 

Some TPMS sensor systems re-learn by themselves, but Prius does not. So, if there are sensors installed in both the summer and winter tires, a tool will be needed to communicate with the vehicle and insert the necessary sensor serial numbers each time the tires are changed. Toyota dealers and most tire dealers will have the necessary tools. Cost is perhaps and hour's labor from what I've heard; others here may be able to refine this cost estimate.

 

How about an all season tire?

 

All Season good in Winter and Summer. No need for winter tires.

 

I have used Michelin X-ice and totally swear by them. I live in central Indiana where we can count on a few significant snows each winter, but I visit my mother in Flint, MI where I can pretty much count on significant snow whenever I visit her in the wintertime. I have never had any snow related problems: general driving, traction, slipping/sliding, stopping when using X-ice. I know the best route would be to purchase a set of rims and have them ready to put on in the winter, but I just go to the local tire store where I purchased the snow tires and have them put them on the car for me. Usually they do it for free, or at the most they will charge 10 per tire. Well worth it for my security on the snow.

 

You DO NEED SNOW TIRES! (My personal opinion. I like to feel confident that my car can handle itself in the snow.) With my X-ice tires, I have confidently referred to my Prius as a little Snow Machine. It just moves on through, where others are slipping and sliding. Get the X-ice. You'll be glad you did.

 

I also agree with the above posters, the Michelin Ice-X are awesome!
They're also LLR (Low Rolling Resistance), I found no difference in my mpg between them and the stock "all season" tires that come with the Plug-in Prius.

A few points to consider...
1) Dedicated rims make it much easier to do the winter/summer swapout.
2) By using dedicated winter and summer tires- you increase the life you'll get out of your summer tires.
3) The whole trick to snow driving with the Prius is- it's a low car, don't drive in snow that's higher than the bottom of the car. If you keep that in mind, and use the Michelin Ice-X tires- you'll be in great shape for snow!

 

What about the Nokian WR G2 all season? I don't have it, so you might want to ignore me, but a tire guy said it worked great on his wife's Prius, and he had tried quite a few tires. I'm going to keep on my original Bridgestones this winter and see what happens, but I'm keeping in mind the Nokians.

 

I'm also running Michelin X-Ice on the OEM 15" wheels in the winter. (I have aftermarket 15" wheels and TPMS for my all-season tires.) I've had great success with X-Ice tires, even having a RWD Dakota that was great in the winter. Because the Prius doesn't allow ANY wheelspin without going into granny-mode, I think it's important to have great winter grip to slowly, but surely get moving when turning onto a busy road.

Due to the non-LRR rating of the X-Ice tires, winter temps, and winter blend fuel, I lose about 5 MPG compared to summer.

 

Mine are the older Xi2 tires, which I don't believe were LRR. The current Xi3 may be LRR.

 

Yes, I believe so.

It's very appealing to me to have all season tires. Swapping out tires twice a year does not sound fun.

 

I just bite the bullet if it snows hard enough and drive my Ram 1500 4x4. I know it sucks fuel badly and that's why it is parked 95% of the time where I live but the few times I drive it seems worth while compared to taking the chance of denting my Prius. It's also nice to have around if I need to make a move, dump run, pull a trailer , etc.. Kinda hard to predict, when waking up to snow, how deep or how long it may last. I know it won't be a popular choice on this site but just my 2 cents on the subject.