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New tire and bad mpg

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by yoyoman, Feb 20, 2009.

  1. yoyoman

    yoyoman Active Member

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    I have 2005 package 6 Prius. I have replaced all 4 tires recently with Michelin Primacy. With the new tire, my MPG has dropped from 52 to 45. Is this common with the new tire? I have always maintain 42psi in all tires, oil level is at the middle level from Low to High, and air filer is new as well. Any idea?
     
  2. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    All new tires will have an intial break-in period. That's normal.

    After a few thousand miles, they will wear down enough to lose that sticky quality from the tiny firm edges on all the tread surfaces. Then you'll find out what the rest of the life of the tire will yield for MPG.

    The first rotation will bring back a minor MPG down too. But that wear down takes less time to overcome.
    .
     
  3. yoyoman

    yoyoman Active Member

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    Thanks for the respond. Will premium gas help the mpg?
     
  4. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Nope, not recommended.
     
  5. lytthans

    lytthans Junior Member

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    I recently put Pirelli P3s on my Prius and the mileage actually improved 3-4 MPG. My average is now 44-45MPG.
     
  6. dipper

    dipper Senior Member

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    They still selling P3? I thought P4 is the replacement. They have the 44 PSI max.

    I got a set of P4 for my wife's Prius. It gets maybe 1-2 mpg lost (new). But handling and crosswind issues I had are now gone.
     
  7. icarus

    icarus Senior Member

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    FYI Premium gas will not only NOT increase your mileage,, but it will decrease it!

    There is actually fewer BTUs available in a gallon of higher Octane gasoline than a lower octane.

    Icarus
     
  8. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Also note tire diameter when replacing tires. Different tires, even of the same size, will have differing circumferences, which introduces error in mileage measurements. You may think you are getting better mileage, or worse mileage, but it may be an illusion.

    Tom
     
  9. violinguy

    violinguy Junior Member

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    I put Pirelli p4 four season plus tires on my wife's 05 and her mileage dropped from 45 to 38 mpg. Had Bridgestone Ecopia on there. Not impressed with the Pirelli.
     
  10. CrazyLee

    CrazyLee Member

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    I just have put on new Bridgestone Ecopia 185/65R15 tires on my '04 Prius. Original equipment size. I had 195/60R15 's on it before.

    Mileage slightly better. The noise level is unbelievably LOW! The ride is smooth even with 44 PSI in front.

    I Love 'im
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    EP422 Plus I assume?
     
  12. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    I've been really happy with my old Ecopia EP100s. I'm on my second set now and although their longevity is nothing spectacular (though still quite ok at about 75000km / 45000 miles), their proven low rolling resistance performance makes them a winner for me. I've been consistently getting tank averages in the 52 to 58 mpg range for the past 3 or 4 years with these guys. :)