New to hybrid land

I would say that those cheap tires are probably costing you about 2-3 MPG. As you may know, the Prius was fitted with LRR tires from the factory. In the design of the Prius these Low Rolling Resistance tires are an intrigal factor in the car's EPA ratings for fuel mileage. If you are racking up a lot of miles in short periods of time, I would say that changing the tires to LRR type would be a good move. That's my two cent.

BTW, welcome the Forum.

 

I would take them off and put Michelin tires on. The toll free number for Michelin is (800) 847-3535. You can call them and they will advise you on the best tires for your car. I don't live too far from Tire Rack in South Bend, IN. I always drive there and buy my tires, but with me it is always Michelins. Tire Rack people are experts. They will provide excellent guidance when selecting tires.

 

Hello... and a word of warning. It never gets old!

You'll enjoy the driving experience for many years to come. As you put on more miles, you notice how clever the system actually is. It adapts to the wide variety of conditions surprisingly well.

I started way back in 2000 and am still having fun. Here in Minnesota, it's the annual cycle that keeps things fresh. The ability for Prius to deal with the crazy winter driving conditions is rewarding to observe. then when spring arrives, MPG shots up. It's great!

Welcome to hybrid land.

 

Change your tires! LRR tires, most here run around 42 PSI front and 40 PSI rear. If your running 35 PSI now, you will probably gain about 3-5 MPG more with LRR tires.
Welcome aboard!
P.S. on my 2005 prius I changed mine when car was new, tire shop gave me $250 towards new LRR tires.

 

When I got my first hybrid, a used Civic, it had cheap tires from the dealership as well. When I switched to Michelin Ecopia EP100s, I shot up about 5 mpg without changing driving style or increasing past factory rated psi. Once I went to 45 psi, I saw a total of 7 mpg difference. LRR makes a difference. Tire Rack has some LRR that fit the Prius for only $58 per tire. I'd say shop around and make that the first upgrade for your car. You will be amazed how quickly the savings can add up if you put a lot of miles on your car.

 

While the tires are brand new, as you say, it would be a good time to sell them. Or you could ask you tire dealer to give you a credit. The sooner you get rid of those tires, the better off you'll be.

 

Some math guy figure how long it would take (miles) to recover approx. a 500$ investment in new Mich. to gain 5 MPG maybe,over the cheap dealer tires?

 

Safety has to be a consideration, not just mileage. The OP stated that the maximum side wall pressure rating was 35 PSI. Those thing can not be too substantial. I would be on edge driving around on those things.

 

Did one of those strings involve walking away? It's amazing what the dealership is willing to do when you let them hold onto a car another couple weeks. They will tell you that the car won't be on the lot for more than a few hours, but that's your opportunity to tell them not to worry, other car lots will have the car you're looking for.

Tires have to meet a minimum safety standard, which is incredibly safe. Even if a tire let loose, there are 3 others on the car... The number of accidents caused by a failed tire is incredibly low; almost all of them due to improper mounting, improper pressure, road hazard, etc. Not related to being "cheaply made".

 

I'd get rid of them and sell them or keep them as emergency spares. It is amazing how different the driving experience is between having a cheap tire and having a great tire mounted on your car. A good tire could give you better braking, better handing, better mpg, a quieter and smoother ride, a more stable ride, etc. That's the difference between loving your car and hating every time you have to get behind the wheel.

 

I could not have said it better. That is why I buy nothing but Michelin tires.