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Tire recommendations for 2004 Gen II

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by ggarb, Dec 2, 2010.

  1. ggarb

    ggarb Member

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    I have a 2004 Prius.
    At around 30,000 miles I replaced the awful Goodyear Integrity with Michelin Hydroedge tires. I've liked them, but now at 105,000 miles
    I need to replace them.

    I've written Michelin several times over the past year to ask about availability of the Hydroedge in the stock size. They've been out of production most of the year. I wrote again yesterday, and today they responded:

    December 02, 2010

    Unfortunately the P185/65r15 Hydroedge tires are not scheduled for production for the next 4-6 weeks, at a minimum.

    We know that an apologize is not going to get these tires for you, but truly do apologize that we can not supply at this time.​

    Costco has Bridgestone Turenza and a couple of other tires in the stock size.

    What do folks recommend? What do people suggest I avoid?
    I'm in the SF Bay Area, so snow is not something I have to deal with.

    /Gordon
     
    #1 ggarb, Dec 2, 2010
  2. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    I have Bridgestone Turanzas and they work well. If I corner at 50 mph I could barely hear them peel.

    I bought my tires from Firestone Sunnyvale. When you buy only just 1 tire from Firestone or most tire places, you get free tire rotations. So check out several shops and see what their policies are towards free future services. If they have price match garuntees thats even better.
     
    #2 macmaster05, Dec 2, 2010
  3. Hal W

    Hal W New Member

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    Gordon- Try the Michelin Energy Savers. They have very low roll resistance. Better than Hydro Edge. H
     
    #3 Hal W, Dec 2, 2010
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    +1 on the hydroedges. they have the best all around ratings on tire rack for mpg, handling, quietness and ride comfort for an all season tire.
     
    #4 bisco, Dec 2, 2010
  5. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    Gordon,

    If I were you and wanted to stick with and get HydroEdges (from what I hear and read, it's one of the best choices for a "three-season" tire) right now, I would get the HydroEdges in the 195/60R15 size instead. TireRack.com has HydroEdges in that size in stock right now in its Reno, Nevada warehouse. Also, a lot of us prefer the 195/60R15 size anyway for the better overall handling that the wider treadwidth provides.
     
    #5 Boo, Dec 3, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  6. ggarb

    ggarb Member

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    What are any downsides of going from the stock 185/65R15 size to the 195/60R15?

    What are the upsides?

    This sounds like a very interesting option.
     
    #6 ggarb, Dec 7, 2010
  7. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    • The tires are heavier and more tread material so a small MPG penalty
    • More tread surface contact with the road so hydroplaning can occur sooner (and a little less snow traction)
    • More tire models are available
    • Better handling
    It is for some people.

    JeffD
     
    #7 jdenenberg, Dec 7, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  8. Aaron

    Aaron Member

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    Nokian WR G2. Winter rated all season.
     
    #8 Aaron, Dec 8, 2010
  9. project_tl

    project_tl Junior Member

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    I am running Yokohama yk520 a bit wider than most, 205/60/15. The tech at america's tire recommended this tire and size combo.

    They are a bit louder, but they keep my car on the road when it rains (I had issues in the past with the stock tires). It seems like a pretty good tread combination for mixed weather.

    The downside is, because of the size, I did drop in mileage.
     
    #9 project_tl, Dec 12, 2010
  10. McKeeius

    McKeeius New Member

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    I got a set of Kumho Solus KR21's in P185/65/15. Mainly because they were cheaper then most and I had read some pretty decent reviews about them. I got a set of 4 installed for $360 which is a pretty fair price, everyone else in town want 500 bucks to put the no Integrity's back on. I got the car brand new and after 2 years and 33,000 miles the integrities were pretty well bald. The Kumhos are supposed to be harder, so hopefully they will last longer, and have a low rolling resistance.

    I have put on 1,000 miles and my mpgs dropped about 3 mpg so far, and it is winter now too soo... They seem to handle wet road conditions great, I feel confident in the rain.

    I would have like to get Kumho EcoSolus (I trhink KR22), because I think they are partially recycled and give better fuel efficiency
     
    #10 McKeeius, Dec 12, 2010
  11. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Since you live in a similar climate I think you will do fine with a summer tire or grand touring tire. I am running the Yokohama dB Super E-Spec for the excellent handling and low rolling resistance and the fact they use less petroleum to construct. They are similar in price to the Michelin Energy Savers so they are not cheap. If cost is your biggest concern then look into the Bridgestone Ecopia EP100. A great tire for a cheap price.

    When in doubt just read this article.

    When Round and Black Becomes Lean and Green
     
    #11 F8L, Dec 12, 2010
    2 people like this.
  12. ggarb

    ggarb Member

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    I ended up getting the Michelin Primacy in the P195/60R15 size at CostCo.
    My choices were limited by stock on hand - I wasn't thrilled at the Michelin T-Radial,
    and the Bridgestone Potenza didn't rate well.

    Consumer Reports ranked the Primacy 84, the same grade as HydroEdge.

    By the way, CostCo will have a $70 discount for four Michelin Tires starting in the new year. If you want Michelins and can wait a few days, it'll be worth the wait.
     
    #12 ggarb, Dec 26, 2010
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