Are these tires good or bad? Prius V 2010

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by ilovemymac, May 17, 2013.

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  1. ilovemymac

    ilovemymac Member

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    I just bought a Prius V 2010 and it has the 17in wheels. The tires are a Kumho Ecsta AST tire. They look really different then any tire I have ever had on any car i have owned.
    I dont see them listed in the replacement tire area so i was concerned that these might be bad for the car?

    Thank you guys.
    AND BTW I LOVE MY NEW PRIUS. I have never owned a car i love so much
     
    #1 ilovemymac, May 17, 2013
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    #2 F8L, May 17, 2013
  3. ilovemymac

    ilovemymac Member

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    I don't know how to tell because on these they have huge grooves in the middle bit sure if I'm checking right. I use to always just stick a penny in the tire.
     
    #3 ilovemymac, May 17, 2013
  4. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    You can use a penny. Just stick it in each of the major grooves starting at one edge of the tire then move cross the surface to the other edge. If you can take can take pictures that would be helpful.
     
    #4 F8L, May 17, 2013
  5. ilovemymac

    ilovemymac Member

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    OK here ya go. The last one is the back tire the other 2 are from the front tire.
    Thanks again guys for the help.
     

    Attached Files:

    #5 ilovemymac, May 17, 2013
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  6. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    That is still a decent amount of tread left. You may gain 1-2mpg by switching to a LRR tire but I'm not sure it would be worth it economically. Unless your fuel economy is really low right now or you live in the Pacific Northwest with tons of rain I'd probably just run them down and then replace them with something better. :)
     
    #6 F8L, May 17, 2013
  7. ilovemymac

    ilovemymac Member

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    No we live in Kansas City. And I have only had it a few days but getting about 53 so not to bad. Especially compared to 15mpg on our old car
     
    #7 ilovemymac, May 17, 2013
  8. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    That's great! I'd say keep rolling on them. :)
     
    #8 F8L, May 17, 2013
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  9. ilovemymac

    ilovemymac Member

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    What are the alternative size for the 17in tires on the prius?
    Thanks


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    #9 ilovemymac, Nov 7, 2013
  10. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    205/50/17. I usually recommend this size for those who live in snowy regions for the extra ground clearance and narrower tread.
     
    #10 F8L, Nov 7, 2013
  11. ilovemymac

    ilovemymac Member

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    Ok I have to replace these tires on here they are horrible with rain can't even imagine what it would be like with snow


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    #11 ilovemymac, Nov 7, 2013
  12. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The PureContact would work well for lots of rain and some snow.
     
    #12 F8L, Nov 7, 2013
  13. ilovemymac

    ilovemymac Member

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    It sucks that the A/S tires or the primacy don't come in that size. Looks like I only have a few options.


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    #13 ilovemymac, Nov 7, 2013
  14. ilovemymac

    ilovemymac Member

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    How do these compare to 215/50/17 on the 2012 prius?
    Which tire would provide the beat gas mpg?
    I guess I could go to 15in but then not only if have to buy tires but new wheels and that can't be cheap


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    #14 ilovemymac, Nov 9, 2013
  15. ilovemymac

    ilovemymac Member

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    What kind of gas mileage can be gained by going to 15in. I saw some oem 2013 15in tires and wheels on eBay.


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    #15 ilovemymac, Nov 10, 2013
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    How about: Bridgestone Ecopia EP422, in 205/50R17

    Prius tire comparison.JPG

    The above's just my calc, based on the stated tire sizes. There will be slight variations.

    The Ecopia EP422's a readily available, decent LRR tire. The alternate size, suggested by F8L, will improve things further, with the narrower footprint and larger O.D.

    The larger O.D. (very slightly larger than stock 15") will improve the "gearing", I think. OTOH, the car will slightly underestimate how far you've travelled.

    The EP422's also available in 215/45R17, if you want to keep it completely stock.
     
    #16 Mendel Leisk, Nov 10, 2013
  17. ilovemymac

    ilovemymac Member

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    Ok maybe I'll save some money and just go to the 205/50/17. I am curious what is the diff in the ep422 vs the pure contact?


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    #17 ilovemymac, Nov 10, 2013
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Assuming the Continental PureContact with EcoPlus, TireRack has a survey which ranks the Conti much higher. Downside, they don't appear to be available in stock 215/45R17, just the alternate.

    Consumer Survey Results By Category

    Still, I take surveys with a grain of salt. For me one question is: what can I get at Costco, right now. Besides availability, it's a testament to popular support for any tire.
     
    #18 Mendel Leisk, Nov 10, 2013
  19. ilovemymac

    ilovemymac Member

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    Does costco do installs if your not a member


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    #19 ilovemymac, Nov 10, 2013
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    No, unfortunately.

    On the flipside: they take off any mail-in type rebates at the till, and include generous road hazard.

    I'm not trying to shill for them. It's actually pretty frustrating, while the tires are getting put on you can wander into their main store, and...
     
    #20 Mendel Leisk, Nov 10, 2013
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