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New Tires for 2012 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Pug Mom, Jun 23, 2014.

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  1. Pug Mom

    Pug Mom Junior Member

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    Hello,

    I'm sure this question gets asked a lot, but I also know things change so it's good to get the latest updates. I have a 2012 Prius (4 dr hatchback) that is going to need all new tires very soon. I'm wanting to purchase quality tires. They don't have to be the cheapest, but also not looking to get the most expensive either. My main concerns are gas mileage, safety and a quite ride. I live in Charlotte NC. If we get snow, it is only a few times a yr.
    Does anybody recommend a tire Co. to buy them from AND does anyone ever purchase the extra tire warranty?

    Barbara
     
    #1 Pug Mom, Jun 23, 2014
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    In your shoes, I'd get Bridgestone Ecopia EP20 through Costco. About twice yearly they knock $70 off a set of four, and that's at the till, so the savings are immediately in your pocket, and you save on sales tax
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Jun 23, 2014
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  3. cdh

    cdh New Member

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    I also live in Charlotte. I just got the Michelin Energy Savers, but if I could do it over, I'd get the Michelin Defenders (90,000 mile tires). I purchased mine at Griffin Bros. They will match Costo or Sams, but without the wait (make an appt, your in and out) Also the same service for included tire rotations later. Costco is terrible when I used them before. Get there an hour before they open, stand in line, 2-3 hour wait after they open....

    They are a Michelin preferred dealer and periodically have the $70 rebate as well.
     
    #3 cdh, Jun 23, 2014
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  4. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    If you get Michelin Defenders you will like them. Your car will handle great and you will get a quiet and comfortable ride. You won't be buying anymore tires for about 80 or 90,000 miles.
     
    #4 Okinawa, Jun 23, 2014
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  5. Tandem Rider

    Tandem Rider Junior Member

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    I bought Michelin Defenders in late May. They have twice the wear as the LRR tires. Toyota had a deal to buy 3 tires and get the 4th tire for $1. The total cost was just a few $ more than Costco.
     
    #5 Tandem Rider, Jun 23, 2014
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  6. calirider

    calirider ECOmobile

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    Get the Michelin Energy Savers. It's proper to get a LRR tire for a prius and the energy saver is known to be the best.
     
    #6 calirider, Jun 24, 2014
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  7. calirider

    calirider ECOmobile

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    In my area costco has $70 off a set of Michelin's and Americas Tire will match them.
     
    #7 calirider, Jun 24, 2014
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  8. Pug Mom

    Pug Mom Junior Member

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    Thank you everybody for your feedback! It gives me a few different ones to read about and get prices. I did speak to Toyota a few days ago and they do currently have the buy 3 get one free sale. Didn't know if I should go there since being a dealership they may charge more, even with a sale. Again, I will check prices.
    Does anyone get additional insurance on top of the tire warranty. A coworker mentioned it. I'm not very familiar with this.

    Oh, I'm not a member of Cosco so not sure it would be worth the membership fee.
     
    #8 Pug Mom, Jun 24, 2014
  9. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    You are probably referring to road hazard replacement insurance. I think it is worth the price. I had to have 2 Michelin tires replaced in a short time because one of them had a big screw in it and the other had a nail in it that punctured the sidewall. Cost me nothing to have them replaced. If you have a Discount Tire store where you live that is a good place to buy tires and get a lifetime spin balancing package and free road hazard replacement. You will also get free flat tire repairs and free tire rotations.
     
    #9 Okinawa, Jun 24, 2014
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  10. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    I just googled Discount Tire Company in Charlotte, N.C. There are 3 of them there. You may want to check their tire prices out. They handle Michelin Defenders. I have them on my car. You will like them. Get a price on the tires plus lifetime spin balancing and free road hazard replacement.
     
    #10 Okinawa, Jun 24, 2014
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  11. Pug Mom

    Pug Mom Junior Member

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    Yes, I was referring to the road hazard replacement insurance. I've already had one nail in these (original) tires, while I was out of town. Luckily, I got it patched from the inside. It was inexpensive and has done fine. I am leaning on purchasing the hazard ins., so I don't have to worry about it. I will price the lifetime spin balancing and Defenders too since I plan on keeping this car for a long time.

    ETA...just read some reviews on the Defenders. They are great tires, but I read one Prius owner took a 4 mpg hit w/ the Defenders, so Discount tires switched him free of charge to the Michelin Energy Saver tires. Well, at least I feel I have narrowed it down to one or the other. Thanks again!

    One more question...Do I need to purchase the DPMS Rebuild kit? I see Discount tire has it as an option.
     
    #11 Pug Mom, Jun 25, 2014
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2014
  12. calirider

    calirider ECOmobile

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    Americas Tire aka Discount Tire matched Costcos 70 off at the register rather than mail in and did not ask to see my Costco card.

    Whatever you get make sure they are LRR tires. If not you will loose big in the MPG section.
     
    #12 calirider, Jun 27, 2014
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  13. calirider

    calirider ECOmobile

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    I just got Michelin Energy Savers two days ago and they are much quieter than my stock tires that had 58k on them.
     
    #13 calirider, Jun 27, 2014
  14. princessprius

    princessprius Junior Member

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    #14 princessprius, Jun 27, 2014
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  15. Pug Mom

    Pug Mom Junior Member

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    Wow, you got a lot of miles out of your stock tires. I'm coming up on 40,000. Just happy I got that much out of mine.
     
    #15 Pug Mom, Jun 27, 2014
  16. calirider

    calirider ECOmobile

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    A lot of freeway miles, proper psi, and tire rotations
     
    #16 calirider, Jun 28, 2014
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  17. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),24 Venza Limit,B52-D,G,F,H

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    So far the EP20 and Goodyear assurance OEMs have given me good wear and MPG at 42PSI on Fl roads. I have been burned 3 times on other tires that were claimed to be better than OEMs. 4-6MPG drop. Be sure they are MIJ OEMs and at 42PSI I doubt you will find a tire that gets better MPG. That is why I bought a Prius is to get great MPG.
     
    #17 ETP, Jun 28, 2014
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  18. Pug Mom

    Pug Mom Junior Member

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    One more question...Do I need to purchase the DPMS Rebuild kit? I see Discount Tire Co. has it as an option in their estimate?
     
    #18 Pug Mom, Jun 28, 2014
  19. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    No. Your car is a 2012, a nearly new car. Don't buy it. As long as there is no problem with them at any age car just leave them alone. "IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT".
     
    #19 Okinawa, Jun 28, 2014
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2014
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  20. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    One other thing concerning the tire pressure monitoring system. If, after several years you have any problems with it my advice is to just ignore it and do not spend any money to repair it. That system is a government mandated system that is totally worthless to my opinion. You can look at your tires and determine if any of them are half flat. When you start repairing that stupid system you can spend a lot of money doing so. You can get along just wonderful without it. You may never have any problems with it. I had a 2007 Camry that I bought new. Right from the beginning I had nothing but problems with that system. Fortunately all repairs were covered under the warranty. If I would have had to pay for those repairs it would have cost a fortune. Even the computer that operates that system went out.
     
    #20 Okinawa, Jun 29, 2014
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