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USA - LRR Tires for replacement

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by CdotK, Mar 12, 2015.

  1. CdotK

    CdotK Member

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    Hello,
    I have been reading some threads about the best tries to buy to replace the factory Yoko AVID S33 tires and most everything i see are people from outside the US making suggestions and a lot about some tires that are good for winter but can be used all year around.
    Just wondering what is a good replacement tire or if i should just stick with the Yoko's.
    You see what i am averaging MPG wise in my signature. The Yoko's have been a great tire. Is there something better?

    Thanks for any help on this matter!
     
  2. Codyroo

    Codyroo Senior Member

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    Michelin Energy Saver A/S (All Season) tires have been awesome for my car. No drop in mileage from my worn (51k) yokohamas. I've put 60k on these tires and still have 7/32 - 8/32 tread left (figure another 40k-50k miles). Quieter than the yokohamas as well.
     
    Priusguy78213 and walter Lee like this.
  3. CdotK

    CdotK Member

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    Great info! Thank you!
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Replace with same Avid's is an option. They're not the only tires toyota uses: they also supply some with bridgestone ecopia ep20, also good.
     
  5. CdotK

    CdotK Member

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    I like the price of the Bridgeston's versus the Yoko's.
    Anyone have an opinion on which they think is better? I do read some reviews on the Bridgeston's that say they are great until there is a little water/snow/slush and then they are crap!
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Might have been me. They're ok new, but horrible once down to about 6/32" or less. Still, finding a four season LRR tire is going to result in a lot of compromises, both in traction, RR and tread life. Switch to snow tires?
     
  7. CdotK

    CdotK Member

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    yeah i understand the compromise, i mean i haven't had any problems with the Yoko's here in UT even with snow on the ground. I might just replace with the same tire since i have not had any issues with them, just exploring other options and maybe trying to save some money.
    The Yoko's are about $110 each whereas the Bridgeston's are about $98 each. 48ish dollars savings...
     
  8. CdotK

    CdotK Member

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    Anyone have any experience with the Michelin Energy Saver A/S?

    I bought a set of Michelin's a few years ago for my wifes Ford Edge and they were pretty nice. Minimal road noise, cornering was all that.. But that is no sport CUV. Tread wear was on par and MPG, even though it didnt matter in that was on par with EPA rating.
     
  9. WolfpackBill

    WolfpackBill Senior Member

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    I replaced mine with Continental Pure Contact tires and they're very good. Not as quiet as my dad's Michelin Defender but get just as good MPG and much quieter than my OEM Bridgestones.
     
  10. CdotK

    CdotK Member

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    So its come down to the Michelin Energy Saver's or the Defenders... I guess my main concern between the two is what kind of MPG i will get. I would assume the Energy Savers will get me right back to where I am currently at. Anyone running the Defenders and getting good gas millage?
     
  11. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    You have to tell us where you live from climate considerations.
    The EP20 sounded good to me but for Gen2 I don't think they have the standard Gen2 size.
    I use TireRack.com for rating info and ordering tires also. I recently went with the Conti True Contact which have been getting some rave reviews but for some reason not a ton of folks going with them (seem to be mainly avail on TireRack). I'd probably do Energy Saver A/S if I lived in CA or something warmer like that. I recently got the Defenders on my van and I agree with TireRack that the wet traction is not outstanding...didn't get to try the acid test this winter (snowy Pittsburgh hills). "Yet" I guess I should say.
     
    #11 wjtracy, Mar 16, 2015
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2015
  12. CdotK

    CdotK Member

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    I live in northern UT. Hot summers, cold snowy winters.
    I have not had any issues with the OEM Yoko's, but i like change and trying new things, thus the reason im leaning towards Michelin's.
     
  13. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    It really boils down to cost/usage/availability. Reports here say the A/S gets the same if not slightly better mpg than the factory Yokos and the Defenders get the same or slightly less mpg than the same. In my area the Defenders cost $1 less each than the A/S, but you have to wait an unknown time to get the the A/S. The A/S are rated 65,000 miles and the Defenders are rated at 90,000 miles by the mfg. The defenders rate better in rain and over all handling. Do the math using your annual mileage to mpg savings to replacement cost to type usage to determine the best value for "your" purpose. For me the $ calculation was a wash, so I prioritized towards safety of flight (so to speak) and went with the Defenders having no regrets. Either way, both are great tires and both will show an initial drop in mpg until you cut them in.
     
  14. CdotK

    CdotK Member

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    i drive 30K a year... so MPG is high priority.
    I think i will go with the Defender's as they are in stock and only $2 more per tire. Reviews seem really good, and im like you frodoz737.. im going to go on the safe side since weather here in UT can go to all extremes ... Hot and dry, heavy rain, heavy snow and everything in between.
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    If you're concerned about mpg, have a look at the Michelin site, what they say regarding their tire's rolling resistance. They rate Energy Saver A/S 10 (out of 10), the Premier A/S 9, and the Defender''s 8.

    2013 Toyota Prius Base Tires | Michelin Tires

    Everything's a trade-off. Personally I'm leaning towards the Premier A/S.
     
  16. CdotK

    CdotK Member

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    ok, so i went with the Energy Saver A/S... saw too many comments about the Defenders being crap in rain and snow compared to the Energy Saver A/S. Plus Michelin's website says that ride comfort is a 10 for the Energy Saver's versus a 9 for the Defenders and ride comfort is probably #1 or #2 most important to me.. Safety being the other.

    Thanks everyone for the input and i hope this thread helps other make a decision when it comes time for them to replace their tires!

    For reference:
    Untitled.jpg
     
  17. CheapoYromantico

    CheapoYromantico Junior Member

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    I have found an excellent & cheap replacement tire for my 2011 Prius. At least, it's good for non-snow areas. Judging from the reviews I've read, these aren't good in the snow at all.

    The tire is called Radar RPX 900. I found it at Sears online store - replaced my fronts with these a month ago, and the rears today. Love them. They're very quiet, grip well, and are fine in the rain (well, as much as we get here in California, lately!) . And they're half the price of the Michelins!

    I had replaced the original Yoko's with Primewell tires from Wheelworks at 50k, and the Primewells were horrible -noisy, and they tracked rain grooves in the freeway causing steering shimmy. And, we got only 25k miles with them.

    As for gas mileage, we tend to be getting around 40mpg in mixed, pretty hard driving (I like the Power Mode). We used to average 42 with the original Yokos, but that was when the car was new-ish. Over the life of the Primewells, mileage gradually decreased from 42 to about 40mpg.

    Hint - the Sears store sells the Radars for $20 more each. Instead, buy them at Sears online to be picked up at your local Sears store. Installation, etc. costs the same either way, but you'll get the better price online.
     
  18. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    I am well on my second set of Michelin Energy Saver AS tires, 195x65x15. No tire is available in the U.S. that can deliver the mpg's as this tire can. If there is I have not seen it on these shores...
     
  19. CdotK

    CdotK Member

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    Thanks for the input guys.
    Just wanted to update:
    Got the Energy Saver A/S installed this morning and drove aprox. 100miles today. They are nice a quite but maybe because they are not broke in, they are a little washy on the freeway. Them seem to catch every groove and uneven surface and make the car wonder.
    Ill update in a week or two as i drive at least 100miles a day so they will get broke in real fast :D
     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what pressures are you running them at?