First tire change - what to choose

I've got Michelin HydroEdges. Costco put them on with lifetime rotation/balancing for less than your dealer wants to charge for Yokohamas.

Personally, I'd never put Integrities back on my Prius. The HydroEdges did hit my mileage for the first couple of thousand miles, but it's pretty much back to normal now.

 

Just about 2 mpg. This seems to be typical. There are a few other threads floating around (if you want to read them they won't be hard to find with a search) where others said they had a similar mpg loss for a while.

 

First, I don't recommend buying tires from a car dealer. Too much markup typically. I suggest a reputable tire dealer. Do some comparison shopping by phone or on the web after you decide on a tire model. Make sure you ask for the bottom line price; if not, they might quote only the tire price and not include things like balancing, valve stems, taxes, and fees. Don't wait until the last minute. The tire dealer may have to order what you want.

As to model, I agree that the Integritys are not the best for tread life, nor are they for handling. Their biggest advantage is rolling resistance and fuel economy. I have Hydroedges too, and their handling (wet and dry pavement) is considerably better. With 16K miles, I can barely detect any tread wear. I estimated a 5-10% fuel mileage hit when I first put them on, some of which I have regained now that they are well broken in.

 

I personally am going to continue on with the Integrity's when my set wear out.... at least until someone points out a tire with the same, or preferably more fuel economy. I am though in the SouthWest so I don't have to drive in snow (except when I go up north on occasion).

Mike

 

After getting around 35k each on two sets of OEM Intergety’s, I just bought a set of Kumho Solus KR21 195/65/15. Tire Rack rates them #1 Standard Touring All-Season. Only about 200 miles on them with no noticeable reduction in MPG. Vastly improved ride and handling.

 

For your area I would go with Micheline MXV4+ Energy tires in the stock size. I think Micheline may have changed the name to Primacy, but they are still the same LRR all-season tire.

Tom

 

The Michelin Energy MXV4+ and the Primacy MXV4 are not the same. The Energy tires use a silica compound and have low rolling resistance; however they are not as highly rated for handling or winter driving conditions as the Primacy line I believe. As always, check out the reviews and ratings on tirerack.com.

I just purchased a set of Pirelli P4 Four Season tires in 195/60/15 size. They have a silica compound for low rolling resistance and rate very highly in winter conditions. Got them for about $77/each incl. shipping from tirerack. Will cost another $18 each at the local tire shop for mounting and balance, etc. Still considerably less than any other tire shop could offer if I had ordered though them. I'm looking at about $380 total and the best deal I could find locally was $440 installed.

Also be sure to read the Tire Upgrade thread in the Modifications Forum on here if you haven't yet. Believe it's on the second page currently, but it should really be stickied IMO. It's a must read (at least the first post and then skim from there if you don't have time).

 

I've been researching new tires as well and I've seen every thread in here on the subject.

I'm leaning towards the Nokian brand for several reasons but most notably:

#1 They have LRR tires that do well in wet and dry weather.

#2 They seem to be an environmentally (includes human health) conscious company.

#3 The tires are very affordable.

I'm going to contact them soon to determine if the WR series or the I3 series would be better for the Prius. As a bonus they are designed and manufactured in a country that has placed sustainability as an important aspect of it's planning decisions. I need to dig further and see if the are simply green washing though. If anyone has contradictory info I'd be happy to read it.

The Nokian 2006 environmental report.

 

A lot of PC members use the WR series with good results.

Tom