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Replacement Tires

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Sue_CT, Apr 10, 2015.

  1. Sue_CT

    Sue_CT Junior Member

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    Can anyone recommend good all weather replacement tires for 2008 base model? The originals were terrible here in CT, so I did get snow tires, but the original tires now need to be replaced. I would like something better in snow and rain than the originals. I may always need separate snow tires for heavy winter snow, but with the original tires, any snow at all on the road meant I couldn't get up hills. Lived my whole life in CT and this is the first time I HAD to get snow tires. In the past any car I had did well with just a really good set of all weather tires. But I guess I would settle for just not having to use snow tires from Oct through the end of April. I love the good gas mileage, but I am looking for the best safety and handling rather than the ultimate gas mileage.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    michelin energy saver a/s.
     
  3. se-riously

    se-riously Active Member

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    Since, you're looking for better wet/snow traction and are willing to sacrifice a bit of fuel economy in exchange for handling/safety, I'd suggest the Michelin Premier A/S. It has superior grip over the Michelin Energy Saver A/S, especially in light snow and rain.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  4. Sue_CT

    Sue_CT Junior Member

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    Thank you. The Premier a/s get good user reviews on Tire Rack. The energy saver, no as much. Has anyone ever used the Continental True Contact?
     
  5. se-riously

    se-riously Active Member

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    It's a new tire, so reviews are more limited, but user wjtracy has them. You should PM him.
     
  6. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    I was told, that the best for what you are looking for is the Michelin Defender, the Michelin Premier A/S and the Goodyear TripleTred.

    I have the TripleTred on a Camry and love them. I have the Goodyear FuelMax on the Prius, but since I never drive it in snow....
     
  7. iflutist

    iflutist New Member

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    I am trying to decide between the Premier and TrueContacts, too. No Defender size for the v I am told.
     
  8. tanglefoot

    tanglefoot Whee!

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    If I were to purchase new tires now, I would choose the Continental TrueContact. They have incredible survey results in all categories, are supposed to roll well and are made in the stock size.

    I am using the Hankook Optimo H727 and love their all-weather performance, but I had to go with a wider size, and the TrueContact has even better survey results.
     
  9. iflutist

    iflutist New Member

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    Where I am, I am getting quoted cheaper for the Premiers than the TrueContacts by $50. Now it's gonna be tougher to decide
     
  10. tanglefoot

    tanglefoot Whee!

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    It looks like the Premier A/S even edges out the TrueContact in survey results. Those sipes look great for snow. I'd go for it!
     
  11. iflutist

    iflutist New Member

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    Interesting turn of events. The Prius v came with Michelin Energy Savers AS 91V but they are already down to 4/32 or below and we've only had them for 3 years and no more than 40K actual mileage on them. Pretty disappointing. Called Michelin and will take the tires in for assessment. First time doing warrantee. Would love to see if they'd let us swap out for Premiers instead!
     
  12. Anthro

    Anthro old member

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    Just took another look at Tire Rack for survey results on the Premier A/S vs. Truecontact, and it looks as though Truecontact wins--all "superiors" but for one "excellent," including a "definitely" on the question of whether the reviewer would buy again, whereas the Premier A/S had four "excellents" and a "probably" on buying again.
     
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  13. Sue_CT

    Sue_CT Junior Member

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    Thank you for all your input. Looks like the TrueContact will win, but was hoping someone here had used them. The survey results are impressive, however.
     
  14. ktyler2

    ktyler2 Junior Member

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    I bought a used 2009 Prius a few months ago. The OEM Integrities were pretty worn even though the car only had 27,000 miles on it when I bought it. After doing my own research, I decided to replace them with Continental TrueContacts. I live in Utah and drive 85 miles a day for work, mostly on the highway. The most important things for me in a tire are tread life, fuel economy, and all-season traction. So far, I have been extremely happy with my choice.

    Compared to the Integrities, I notice MUCH better traction on wet roads with the TrueContacts. We even got a pretty bad snow storm here last week, and these tires held up great. I am confident they will do well through all the winter conditions I see here.

    In regards to fuel economy, I would put them on par with the OEM's. I believe the Integrities are pretty good as far as gas mileage, so I was not expecting an improvement here. I do run my tire pressure at 42/40, so ride quality isn't the smoothest. After 3,500 miles on these tires, I am averaging about 52MPG.

    I don't have much to say about longevity of the tires at this point, but considering I was able to work them for free into my agreement at the dealership, I'm not too worried about it.

    PROS: Excellent traction (wet and dry), good fuel economy, warranty, price
    CONS: Not the smoothest or the quietest (at 42/40, i'm not really aiming for these things)


    Feel free to ask my anything you'd like about them! I'm also about to replace the tires on my wife's 2007 Highlander and I am considering getting another set of these...
     
  15. Jim T

    Jim T Junior Member

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    I can recommend the Michelin Premier A/S. I've had the Goodyear TripleTred on our VW Passat (same 195/65R15 size as my Prius) and it wore to about 3/32" in 50k miles out of an 80k warranty. Got a second set using the pro-rated discount and had the same experience. Did an exhaustive research last fall and decided on the Michelins and they have been the best tires I've tried, definitely better in winter than the TripleTreds. We have some flexibility to stay off the roads during the worst of the snow but they were excellent in everything we encountered - the beginnings and ends of storms, partially plowed, light snow, a bit of ice, slush. This was the first winter I didn't have to make multiple attempts to get up our steep driveway when it had some snow on it. If we had to go out in the midst of storms I'd get dedicated snow tires.

    The Michelins have also been great in every other way - comfortable, quiet, handle well. The only thing I can't say is how they'll hold up but a key feature they promote and that has been tested in shaved tires simulating wear is they should retain their wet performance as the tread wears down.

    I bought my Prius Certified used with new Goodyear Fuel Max tires on it and have about 10k miles on them. Those tires are pretty scary in the little bit of snow I've gotten caught in. I will definitely replace them with the Michelins, probably well before they're very worn.
     
  16. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    If you can use any of the tires they sell -- and if ordering tires "through the mail" does not scare you (it does me, I would never do it), you might be interested in the deal below.

    I HAVE purchased tires directly from the Discount Tire brick and mortar stores and have been highly satisfied....but I just am uncomfortable with the whole shipping thing...
    tires, wheels items in Discount Tire Direct store on eBay!

    $100 off purchase over $400, free ship and stackable with other rebates
     
  17. Gandolf989

    Gandolf989 Junior Member

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    I just bought four Yokohama Avid Ascends from Tirerack. They work well on wet roads so far. They seem like they have an aggressive tread that may work for snow. But I use Blizzaks for winter which work really well. I did not have any issue getting the tires delivered. It took about 4 days for me.
     
  18. Intimate

    Intimate New Member

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    Any recommendations for someone in Florida? I just get a lot of rain this time of year.
     
  19. Sue_CT

    Sue_CT Junior Member

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  20. Sue_CT

    Sue_CT Junior Member

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    GREAT, Thank you!
     
    #20 Sue_CT, Apr 23, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2015