Best Michelin tire to replace the OEMs with?

Danny:

I have 205s on my Prius. My MPG took a hit ever since I have them on.
It dropped from 45 down to 42-43. The combination of two factors caused this drop
- different brand of tires (new one is Sumitomo)
- wider tires (205 vs 185).
So, my guess is that you will see a slight hit on the MPG by going up to 195s, but the handling should improve. I was only able to do 32mph at certain turns, now I can easily do 35mph at the same turns before tires complain.

It is all about trade-off.

 

Danny --

I've been quite happy with the Michelin Direct X tires (from CostCo) which replaced my OEM Integrities at about 30k mi. 15k miles on the new tires so far, no problems with wear, and much improved noise and traction IMO.

(I replaced them with same size tires, so I can't speak to going up to 195 from 185...)

 

I think the Michelin Energy MXV4+ is the Low Rolling Resistance tire.

 

I'd go with the 195mm width tire (specifically, size 195/15/60 *) for the better traction, braking and handling it should bring. It's the standard width tire for the Prius in almost all other parts of the world. It's the width of the US Touring Edition tire. And if there's any loss in MPG, it's a de minimus fractional amount --- the EPA mpg ratings are in whole numbers and are identical for the Standard Prius with its 185mm tires and the Touring Prius with its 195mm tires.

Personally, I'd go with the Hydroedges among the tires offered by Michelin. It's their best performing "passenger" all season tire. Although you rarely or infrequently get snow and ice in SC, you do get some. And you do get rain -- and the Hydroedges provide superior wet traction.

While the Hydroedge is not the lowest in rolling resistance, I'd gladly trade LRR (and 1 -2 mpg) for the superior and safer handling provided by the Hydroedge.

* Note - use the miata tire size calculator to see how the change in tire size will affect speedometer (and odometer and mpg) readings:

Tire size calculator

 

Yes, this is correct...this came on our 2007 Camry CE from the dealer in the 215/60/16 size...nice tire, good handling and very nice wear....28,000 miles and being driven from San Diego to Phoenix at 70-80 mph and its held up..might i add, getting 34 mpg on the highway at 75

 

Instead of the Primacy MXV4, for $2 more per tire (at Costco), you can get the X-Radial DT and have tires which last 20,000 miles more than the Primacy MXV4. (80,000 miles compared to 60,000 miles)

The X-Radials I have on my Prius are a vast improvement in noise and all around handling compared to the OEM P.O.S which came with the car. They have over 20,000 miles on them and still look and handle as new.

Two bucks for a tire which lasts one third longer than the Primacy.
Of course you could also pay two bucks more than the X-Radial and get another 5,000 miles with the HydroEdge.

http://www.costco.com/Tires/SearchResult.aspx?IV=true&YW=2005&MA=TOYOTA&MD=Prius+Standard&SP=0&MN=61381&cat=3961&MNo=0〈=en-US

 

My car has genuine fitment Michelin Energy XM1 195 60h - 15
I'm getting about 57 MPG and my tyres are 70,000+km old and I believe will need to be replaced at next service rotation in 10,000km. That's about 50,000 miles. The Energy XM1+ should go 25% longer so 100,000km or 60,000 miles. This is very good for a tyre in Australia.

Michelin have just released the Energy XM1+ here 6 months ago.

The latest evolution in this range is the MICHELIN Energy XM1+. With the launch of this new product in September 2007, Michelin has been able to provide a tyre offering low rolling resistance with reduced fuel consumption. Coupled with this, the added benefit the MICHELIN Energy XM1+ is manufactured to have a 25% mileage improvement from its predecessor (Energy XM1).

While placing a high priority on the ‘green’ technology, the Energy XM1+ range has not sacrificed on performance. This 3rd generation Energy Green X™ compound enhances wet traction, so combining this compound with the XM1+ tread pattern means the tyre also delivers on safety and control.
Michelin Australia

 

I replaced mine with Michelin® X-Radial DT P185/65R15 at Costco. They are alot better than the OEM ones.

 

I am very happy with the X Radials I put on 5,000 miles ago at 35,000 miles. I've not had a mileage hit, they are very quiet, more stable, and have excellent wet traction & are difficult to hydroplane.

 

I just replace my OEM's at 34M+ miles with 195/60R/15 Michelin Harmony's. The local Michelin Dealer who is also a personal friend recommended these as a 1st choice with the Hydro Edge's as a 2nd choice. The Harmony's do run quiet but with only 80 miles on them, I am eagerly waiting to see how well they perform and what kind of mileage I will experience.

 

Best for what?

(1) For handling (stopping, turning, hidroplanning)? I'd go with a summer tire. not sure what comes in this size though. These are better in dry *and* wet weather than most all season/touring tires. I have not researched summer only tires, so no recommendation. Lower profile and wider = better here in general.

(2) More miles of the tire? Look for longer threadwear warranty. This comes almost always at the cost of worse handling, noise, comfort.

(3) Best FE? Not the best handling all else being equal. Not the best comfort, may be good threadwear.

(4) Best comfort? Generally the opposite to the above three choices

(5) Cost? All sorts of things can play here...

My priority was (1) but I do get 4 seasons, so summer only does not work, then (5) and then (4) with very little of (2) and whatever results I get in (3).

And my choice was ... [drum beat here] ... the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S in 2 widths larger and about the same diameter as my OEM 14 tires. That would be 205 for you I think. And a set of these has been on my Camry as well in 17" wider size and they have been great.

I think the MX (???) Michelins may not be far behind in performance and may be more comfortable but they were 50% costlier where I live - and the Exaltos were already pretty much double the cost of the Sumitomo option liked by some here, so they fell out of my price range quite quickly

 

Danny,

I was considering replacing the Bridgestones on my wifes Touring with a local tire dealer. I told him after much research, I had narrowed my search to three possiblities in 205/55/16 sizing and V or H speed rating:

1. Goodyear Triplethread 205/55/16
2. Goodyear Comfortread 205/55/16
3. Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S

He advised very quickly in his opinion he would go with the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S as it provides a very quite ride, excellent wet/dry handling, and good winter characteristics. It also weighs less than the Goodyears (22 lbs vs 25/24 lbs). He stated he thought it was a better tire overall and I would be much happier with it over the Goodyears.

 

IMO the Exalto is a great tire, but not the most quiet. Not terribly noisy by any means for a high performance all season tire, but certainly not as quiet as a good touring tire IMO.

No complaints from me though - they are quieter than many other tires in their class and give a new life to the Prius - it is much more surefooted than it was with the OEM tires. Not only due to larger size, they have much stiffer sidewalls so no wobble left/right or insecure stopping, while somehow still manage a slightly more comfortable ride.

 

I went to Costco today to order the Michelin Primacy (formerly Energy MVX+) tires to take advantage of next week's Costco/Michelin rebate. Unfortunately, I was told that the tire was sold out in the entire Denver area at 185/65/15 and that no replacements were forthcoming. "That usually means they're changing a mold or something..." the salesperson said. They do have a good inventory of Michelin X-Radial DTs. And three Michelin HydroEdges. Neither of these options are considered low-rolling resistance tires. What to do? I don't mind paying a little more for an extended mileage warranty but hate to take the MPG hit. Any real-world input out there?

 

I'm considering the X-radials at Costco as well. There is a $60 gift card rebate right now when you buy 4. Would like to hear more details about mileage impact from those who have them, as this is my primary concern. Not a whole lot of weather to worry about here in Phoenix

Rob

 

None that I have noticed.

 

I bought the Michelin Hydroedges.. took a few MPG hit.. but as far as a high miliage tire.. and excelent wet weather traction.. this one can't be beat!!
I have 108K miles on them now.. and still going strong.. Might even put in for a new world record for miles on passanger car tires.. should get 120K+ very easily with these tires..

Scott

 

Consumer Reports rated the X-Radial as one of the top tires in that size. I have been using these tires for about 70,000 miles so far and have absoluely no complaints.