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Low Rolling Resistance replacement tires: Current List

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

  1. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Thankfully we have people doing actual tests to provide the missing data....

    Tire Test Results : When Round and Black Becomes Lean and Green

    Besides, the only decent LRR tire (in our size) that has higher than 44psi max rating is one version of the Fuel Max tire which is good on FE but poor in all other areas.
     
  2. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Any who! ordered 4 EP 20s from Walmart.com and will have them install as needed.
    The Sam's Michelin's were tempting but the last set I bought were hard as a rock at 42 psi and had to run them at 38 and they were still to harsh. The 20's are just about a perfect compromise IMHO. 61-64 MPG to work everyday.
     
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  3. HaroldW

    HaroldW Active Member

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    Good choice ETP. I will do the same as long as they keep up the quality. I will have to check out Wal-mart site. Hal
     
  4. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    They have two:

    Tire Finder - Find Tires by Size, Vehicle and Brand – Walmart.com

    Model No.:005917

    Bridgestone Ecopia Tire , EP20 P195/65R15 89S BL - Walmart.com


    Model No.:133459
    Bought this because it looked like the same one at Tirerack and supposedly MIJ and said OE. If they are MIJ I will be happy. By trial and error have discovered that rear tires are the best place to put new tires of unproven MPG. The front is very sensitive to tire type and MPG on the Honda's and Priuses. May put two on each car on the back. The Goodyear OEMs wear great and have great MPG but one or two came from the factory probably slightly out of round.

    Bridgestone Ecopia EP20 Tire - Walmart.com
     
    #1104 ETP, Jan 3, 2015
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2015
  5. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    My only concern with the EP20 is traction and longevity. They don't have a treadwear warranty so it's hard to say how long they should last. UTQG only tells you so much. They were my favorite OE Prius tire though.
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    They're ok in snowy climes, if they're sitting in the garage and you're rolling on snows, lol. Brand new not bad, but once down to 6/32" you have NO lateral tread grooves.
     
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  7. vinnie97

    vinnie97 Whatever Works

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    So...I can't find the Energy Saver A/S for my Prius C (175/65R15). What kind of downgrade will I experience with the Energy Savers without that A/S designation? I just bought a couple of pairs due to my dissatisfaction with the Bridgestone OEMs (Turranzas, which are just about threadbare at 29k miles). I noticed the A/S had a much more generous warranty of 65k miles versus only 50k for the Energy Savers proper. I'm hoping I didn't make a mistake.
     
  8. vinnie97

    vinnie97 Whatever Works

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    Oddly, Michelin themselves list the A/S in my size: 175/65R15 Tires | Michelin Tires

    I take it the A/S has better fuel economy (as well as a better warranty). Why it doesn't show up in the databases of Discount Tire and Big O are mysteries to me. Tirerack.com has them in my size supposedly. It's a real head scratcher. I may cancel the order on Monday morning and just have Tirerack ship them to a local tech. It'll be a little more costly but apparently worth it.

    I'm not in a snowy area, but I really don't like the notable lack of superlatives Michelin is using in their own description of the Energy Saver vs. Energy Saver A/S. Are the Goodyear Assurances or Ecopia's a better bet than these pieces of garbage? I wanted to get a long-term choice with the best MPG and least tread wear. Handling and noise is secondary.
     
    #1108 vinnie97, Jan 3, 2015
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2015
  9. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    I like the 20s as they give me great ride and MPG at 42PSI and will last a long time. Mine have a lot of tread left at 44K.
    The Michelins were just too harsh a ride for me but wear great. My MPG took a hit but that was on my 2009 Prius.
     
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  10. vinnie97

    vinnie97 Whatever Works

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    Thanks for the response. What are the 20s? What I'm mostly wondering is if it's worth it to cancel the Energy Savers and pay a little extra for the A/S.
     
  11. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Vinnie, the Energy Saver is a summer tire whereas the Energy Saver A/S is an all season tire. I do not recommend the summer version.

    The Energy Saver A/S is the most fuel efficient tire we have available in the U.S.. It has decent treadwear as well but tires like the Defender which have a much higher treadwear warranty may be almost as economical in the long run despite not being as fuel efficient. The Ecopia EP422 is the next closest in economy and just a bit ahead of the Goodyear FuelMax.

    The Ecopia EP20 is an OE tire for the GenIII Prius. It's not an option for you and is not a great tire compared to other offerings. I find ETP'S personal experience with the Energy Saver A/S puzzling because this tire is much more efficient than the Goodyear Integrity that came on the GenII Prius.

    If you want more info go back to the first page of this thread and look for links to "Tire Tests" by TireRack. I find them to be pretty accurate based on my own experience.
     
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  12. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    If you get the $70 rebate specs then the Energy Saver A/S is your best bet. The 175/65/15 is a new size. If you value comfort more than handling then the Ecopia EP422 is a steal if you get the same $70 rebate. Both Michelin and Bridgestone regularly offer the rebate special. Costco alternates the specials every month.
     
  13. vinnie97

    vinnie97 Whatever Works

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    Thank you very much for the clarity! The newness might explain the lack of available inventory for these stores. I will in all likelihood grab the A/S since handling isn't at the top of my list. I see that the Defender is warranted for 90k so I see the benefit there, but I'm more inclined to go for the more immediate gains (and who knows if I'll keep the C for another 90k!). I did notice that Michelin has rebate specials in the fall and spring according to their website. I probably won't wait around for the next promotion given the state of my Turranzas. Thanks again.
     
  14. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Bridgestone Ecopia EP20 Tire - Walmart.com
     
  15. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    I might regret it later but the order is in. It is like buying a pig in a sack as I like to see the tires I am buying. SAMS has the Mics in stock as I almost put two on the back (me and my wife have very bad memories about two sets we bought in past years). BTW Tirerack has been very accurate in their tire descriptions as I have done at least 5 orders through them over the years.

    Anyway if they are MIJ OEM 20s I will be a happy camper as these OEMs are the best ones we have had through 7 Hybrids.

    Now I bought A/S for two vans my children have and they are very happy.

    Does anyone has a good comparison on MPG for the 422s and 20s? Those are stocked everywhere.

    Also what happened to the link for LRR tests?
     
    #1115 ETP, Jan 4, 2015
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2015
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  16. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Michelin Energy Saver A/S
    Wow, these are made in Germany and 51 PSI. Tread wear should be great and the MPG you will have to tell us what you got and at what PSI. Also verify if these have a harder ride at 42PSI or above. I have zero experience with the 422s and 400s which are in your size.
    Also Walmart will install these if you do the Tirerack route (free road hazard at tirerack).
    Enjoy your new tires!
     
    #1116 ETP, Jan 4, 2015
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2015
  17. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Yep, that is my nightmare "that they ship me tires made in South America". I will refuse the order if that happens.

    I have been very impressed with all the MIJ OEM tires over the years. Just the Goodyear has a couple of out of round on my 2011 but the tire wear is very low 42 PSI and the same MPG as my 20s.
     
  18. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    ETP,

    Unfortunately there have not been any tests on the EP20 because it is a low volume OEM tire. My gut tells me the Prius OE version is very fuel efficient.

    The tire rack test links can be found on the first post of this thread. Just scroll down a little. :)

    Vinnie, The rebate specials go on every month. Different retailers offer the specials on a rotational basis. Check TireRack, Costco, DiscountTire, America's Tire, and TireBuyer.com. You won't need to wait until spring to get the rebate.
     
  19. vinnie97

    vinnie97 Whatever Works

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    ^Interesting, thanks. Not seeing anything about a Michelin promotion at the A/S product page on TireRack at least, and nothing in the navigation menu about rebates. I'll keep looking. Unfortunately, even if Discount offered it, they don't seem to be able to get the tire in my size (I'll ask again on Monday morning, but ordering it wasn't an option according to the rep).

    Yep, found it over at TireRack. Discount Tire is closed, so I will have to cancel my phone order on Monday morning.

    Oddly, the Walmarts in my vicinity don't show up as TireRack installation partners.
     
    #1119 vinnie97, Jan 4, 2015
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2015
  20. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Discount Tire should be able to order it. They just don't like to. They want to sell you what they have in stock. Twice I've made them special order tires for me after I pressured them. Tires shouldn't be this hard to obtain. Grr