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Need to order new tires

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by milestoempty, Sep 25, 2015.

  1. milestoempty

    milestoempty Junior Member

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    Hey everyone, new Prius "owner" here. I've been borrowing my father's Prius for the past 11 months and finally got around to purchasing it. Took a new job twice as far as my old one and the Tacoma wasn't great on gas.

    Anyway, Ive been averaging 48- 52mpg on a tank per fulley on the Michelin Energy Savers AS. But They're getting old enough they're dry rotting and I'm engaging the traction control on a normal day pulling into the road.

    I'm reading that a lot of the tires aren't to LRR's that are listed on TireRack.

    I'm interested in the Michelin Defenders, Premier AS (just got them for my wife's car), or the Continental TruContact.
     
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I would have purchased a new set of the Michelin Energy Savers AS, but I want good MPGs.
     
  3. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Defenders...have put them on two cars now, with the third in waiting.
     
  4. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    I have about 2000 miles on the Continental True Contacts 185R6515 size. Much better handling than the previous Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 tires. Have seen a 3 mpg drop with the True Contacts. Not sure if it's the LRR or just because they're new.

    I really don't mind the mpg decrease because they are much better than the Ecopias. Waiting to see how the TCs handle in the cold and snow. Hopefully they'll be as good or better than the Ecopias.
     
  5. milestoempty

    milestoempty Junior Member

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    We had Defender's on my wife's Corolla and actually went through 2 sets of tires in 80k miles. Both times they were warranty replaced due to not meeting the 90k miles. She's on the Premiere's now and they seem like a nicer tire, they for sure handle better then her mother's Defenders on her Legacy
     
  6. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    I would go with another set of Michelin Energy Saver AS. Hard to beat on the Prius.
     
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  7. milestoempty

    milestoempty Junior Member

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    Ordered a set of Premier AS. The Energy Saver has been discontinued and is now advertised as the Defender.
     
  8. kinglew

    kinglew Member

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    I second the defenders just purchse a set for my wifes prius.ride as nice if not nicer as the harmony on my prius.
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Oh I don't think that's true. Who said that, someone at the tire store? I'm pretty sure you'll see a significant dip in mpg with the Defenders.

    If you're having troubles finding the Energy Saver and are concerned about rolling resistance, you might try Bridgestone Ecopia EP422.

    What size is it you need, btw? It'll help responders.
     
  10. kinglew

    kinglew Member

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    You want a good traction good energy saving long wear execlent ride. Go with the defender great all around
     
    #10 kinglew, Sep 29, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2015
  11. johnnyb588

    johnnyb588 Member

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    I have Energy Savers on my 2005, switched from Pirelli P4's, I think. I have about 15k miles on the Energy Savers, I feel like I can definitively say they do not offer better fuel economy than the Pirellis. I had no problem getting 48-52 with the Pirellis, and I STRUGGLE to get 47 with the Michelins.

    I just got a 2007 with Firestone Affinity Tourings (they appear to be brand new), which have generally poor reviews on sites like tirerack and tirebuyer, but I'm getting 51 easy with a ride that is just as quiet and smooth as the Michelins.

    Take this for what it's worth, but I've used a lot of tires in my days, and I'm convinced that the primary reason people think expensive tires are better is because the owners spent more coin to get them and they WANT to believe they're better.

    As for the options you listed, I think the Premiers were a good choice.
     
  12. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    This discussion about ES and Defenders has been played out well on PC. Bottom line...they are both excellent and Michelin's. Some folks prefer to see their mpg numbers higher with the sacrifice to tire longevity, others take the 2-3 mpg drop with the benefit of higher mileage. One's environmentals, miles per year, type of commute, driving style and other factors must be considered when deciding which would show the best cost per mile per time. Then there is what each tire is better at what and degradation effect as the tire wears and ages with the variables of care and environment. I found that the cost was about the same per mile..with the Defenders taking the edge on safety, ride quality and performance. I too have purchased more tires than I can remember (bargain and premium) and currently find Michelins the best as it applies here. YMMV so do your own math to determine for your needs.
     
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  13. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Active Member

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    I've got Ecopia 422 Pluses on my Prius and am getting great numbers. Where I used to be able to get 50-52 on the old worn out tires, the Ecopias are getting me 53-55. Even though they are only a 65k mile tire, they were on sale at Costco, which lowered the price of owning the tire over the lifetime of the tire.
     
  14. lar.smith42

    lar.smith42 Active Member

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    I had the Defenders on my Honda CRV. Worst tire I ever had. Noisy and wet traction left a lot to be desired. I have the 195/65-15 Yokohama AVID Ascend tires on the Prius now. Better traction and handling but still a little noisy. Probably try the Premier AS next time.
     
  15. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Got good mpgs on my factory AVIDs too, but the tires just barely made 40,000 miles and direct replacements cost more than the alternatives offering better quality and longevity when it was time to re-shoe. Most distributors give a few days grace to rethink, although as we all know it takes longer than that to cut in new rubber. The biggest problem with the Energy Savers is availability.
     
  16. milestoempty

    milestoempty Junior Member

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    I'm starting to realize tires are like a personal taste of the best steak. Lol.

    Anyway, the OEM tires we replaced at around 35k miles. They were all over the place and noisy. Couldn't drive in the snow with them. We replaced them with Michelin Energy Saver. Now with 77k miles they're dry rotting, I'm activating traction control when accelerating to make a turn, and two are leaking.

    Costco gave me a warranty credit and offered me the newer Energy Saver AS which was what I was going to do. Only had 1 in stock for the oem size so they called Michelin and did confirm they are EOL and the new Defender is now the Defender Energy Saver. I went to Michelins website to confirm this.

    We have had 1 set of Harmony, and 2 sets of Defenders on my wife's Corolla and I was never blown away with them. Having just installed the Premier's on her car and liking them, hence my choice. Michelin does have a 30 day so if I can't stand the mileage (avg 52 tank currently) then I'll exchange them for something else.
     
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Maybe divergent opinion is due, at least in part, to deteriorating quality control?
     
  18. N.J.PRIUS

    N.J.PRIUS Member

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    I just went through the exercise of "what tire to put on my Prius." Have a new set of Ecopia 422 Plus. Quiet ride and handling seems to be just fine. Too early to tell about gas mileage results as tires have not been broken in. Will receive a $70 prepaid Visa card in the mail from Bridgestone

    Dealer originally put on Firestone Affinity Touring tires (non LRR). After three weeks went back and had the Ecopia's put on. Vehicle felt "heavy" with the Firestone tires. Dealer gave a 30 day "test drive."
     
  19. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    I am surprised at people complain about Energy Saver A/S longevity. We have our Gen3 at 180k, and besides OEM ep20 which wore out fronts at 40k I put 3 pairs of ES. 140k on front, 100k on rear and still have another 20k left. 80k per tire isn't enough for you?
     
  20. milestoempty

    milestoempty Junior Member

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    Mine were done after just 40k miles, and primarily because they dry rotted. I didn't get them again because they've been discontinued or else I would have gone with the ES AS again.
     
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