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Yet another tire t(h)read... Need advice...

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by minnyprius, Mar 15, 2016.

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  1. minnyprius

    minnyprius Member

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    So... a few months ago, I bought a used Prius Plug-In. It came with Firestone Affinity Touring tires. I immediately looked up their ratings and thought... "oh good, there goes more money.."

    I replaced them with Bridgestone Blizzaks for the winter. I noticed IMMEDIATELY how much smoother and quieter the car rode on these marshmallows... Was very happy with them, as they performed flawlessly in the cold Twin Cities winter weather.

    Now that we're enjoying an early spring, and I'm about to embark on a 6000 mile road trip, I needed to get the regular tires put back on, or replace them. I decided I'd go ahead and put these crappy F.A.T. (heheh) tires back on and burn them on the road trip, then consider replacing them when I get back.

    Unfortunately, the ride is SO ROUGH and there is TOO much vibration... Costco balanced them twice... Can they seriously be THAT bad??!

    Should I bite the bullet and replace them now? Or deal with it for the road trip (being frustrated the whole time) and do it later when there is a rebate available?

    Considering:
    Michelin Energy Savers (but what about rain traction?)
    Michelin Defenders (but what about fuel economy, tread life, rain traction?)
    Michelin Premier (but what about fuel economy?)
    Continental TrueContact w/Eco Plus (though not a Conti fan, seems like a good compromise for a decent price?)

    I leave in TWO days... I need to decide fast...
    Help me?

    Thanks!!
     
    #1 minnyprius, Mar 15, 2016
  2. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    I have Bridgestone Blizzaks on steel rims (set to 40F/38R) for the winter (they're on at the moment), and Michelin Energy Savers (46F/44R) on the original rims for the summer, they'll go on at the beginning of April.
     
    #2 WilDavis, Mar 15, 2016
  3. minnyprius

    minnyprius Member

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    How are the energy savers in the rain?
     
    #3 minnyprius, Mar 15, 2016
  4. minnyprius

    minnyprius Member

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    Sounds like the Energy Saver A/S is discontinued?
     
    #4 minnyprius, Mar 15, 2016
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    In 15" I'd go for Bridgestone Ecopia EP20.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Mar 15, 2016
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  6. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    I've had the Energy Savers for 2 winters plus one summer. The Blizzaks are far superior in the snow (obviously) but they're also pretty damned good in the rain also. I get better gas-milage in the summer with the Michelins (also the summer gas-mix is different to that used in the colder months). I've never had a problem with the Michelins in the rain, but they're at about 60% worn now, so when I change them in about 2 months, I'm hoping to find a deal on Michelin Energy Savers (I always check the reviews on TireRack.com) - Good luck!

    PS: I think A/S is always a compromise, a good snow tyre will always be better than a good all-season. I hate scrimping on tyres, after all they're the only thing between you and the road when it comes down to it! ;)
     
    #6 WilDavis, Mar 15, 2016
  7. minnyprius

    minnyprius Member

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    I'm not giving up my Blizzaks for winters.. I don't need "all season." I just need good fuel economy, smooth/quiet, last a while... Wasn't planning to do this right now, so I don't have all my ducks in a row...
     
    #7 minnyprius, Mar 15, 2016
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    And you shouldn't. "All seasons" is a misnomer.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Mar 15, 2016
  9. SAronian

    SAronian Active Member

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    I highly recommend the Michelin Premier A/S P195/65R15 91H. I got them at Costco during the Michelin special ($70 off four + $30 off installation for Executive members). They are outstanding in the rain compared to the original Bridgestone EP20's, a real confidence booster. Mileage has not dropped.

    I would suffer through the trip with the FAT's and renew when the Michelin's are on sale. Alternately TireRack.com would get you close to the Costco sale price.
     
    #9 SAronian, Mar 15, 2016
  10. minnyprius

    minnyprius Member

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    I'm so glad you just spoke up!

    I just got off the phone with Discount Tire... I could get the Premier A/S mounted for $530 out the door, since they have the $70 Michelin rebate going on right now. I think I might go this route. You have the same car I have, so if you haven't seen a mileage hit, that's the one I think I'll go with.

    Thanks!
     
    #10 minnyprius, Mar 15, 2016
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  11. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    If you're unhappy with the current F.A.T. ride, think about how you'll feel after 6000 miles. :rolleyes:
     
    #11 RRxing, Mar 15, 2016
    mrlebop and minnyprius like this.
  12. minnyprius

    minnyprius Member

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    Exactly! I have an appointment at 3p to have the Premier A/S tires put on. I can't wait now... so excited to feel the difference. I love nice tires...

    Thanks again, SAronian!
     
    #12 minnyprius, Mar 15, 2016
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  13. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Enjoy your trip...
     
    #13 RRxing, Mar 15, 2016
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  14. minnyprius

    minnyprius Member

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    Thanks!

    Say... SAronian, what do you have your tire pressures set at? These seem very draggy. I started out the day at 63 mpg, but by the time I got home after having these installed, I was at 56. I have a feeling these are going to be rough on the mileage.. but they handled a well-timed rain storm beautifully! and they're FAR quieter/smoother than those damned F.A.T.s I had on there... Uffda!!

    So, I upped the pressures to 40/39. I'll see how I do tomorrow.
     
    #14 minnyprius, Mar 15, 2016
  15. SAronian

    SAronian Active Member

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    I'm currently running at 39/34 which helped the steering response.

    The new tires were added the last week of January. My originals were the stock Bridgestone EP20

    Date MPG City%
    3/11/16 65.56 85%
    2/21/16 69.52 85%
    2/4/16 64.32 85%
    1/16/16 63.10 85%
    12/30/15 53.73 20%
    12/28/15 45.01 20%
    12/26/15 51.90 85%
    12/22/15 58.10 40%
    12/12/15 62.46 85%
     
    #15 SAronian, Mar 16, 2016
  16. minnyprius

    minnyprius Member

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    Mostly city... gotchya. I'm almost all freeway.
    Well, they do feel SIGNIFICANTLY better, so I'm happy with that. But I'm nervous to see what I'll get on my road trip starting tomorrow. I'm guessing 38-42... (many of the roads have speed limits of 70-80 mph).
     
    #16 minnyprius, Mar 16, 2016
  17. bfd

    bfd Plug-In Perpetuator

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    I put a new set of Premier A/S on back in October. While handling is better than the original equipment tires, mpg took a bit more than a 15% hit over the past 6 months. While some of this drop in mileage may be attributed to variables such as ambient temp, battery aging, etc., the majority is probably tied to the non LRR Premier A/S tires.

    I was looking for more robust wet weather handling, but with el Niño turning out to be a complete non-event for SoCal, I could've probably gone with a set of LRR tires, and it wouldn't have made a difference in wet road handling - at least here this winter. LOL

    YMMV…
     
    #17 bfd, Mar 28, 2016
  18. m3ryder55

    m3ryder55 Junior Member

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    get Michelin and never look back
     
    #18 m3ryder55, Mar 30, 2016
  19. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    One of the benefits of being a Costco member, CHEAP tires. There is always an alternating $70 off 4 tires, promotion between Bridgestone and Michelin. Right now, the promotion is with Bridgestone. But you can figure out what the promo price would be for the Michelin's you got. Find a Costco warehouse- Costco
    $119.99/ea Michelin Premier A/S x 4tires = $479.96
    $15/tire install fee (includes life of tire rotation, balance, and road hazzard warranty) = $60
    $2.99/wheel TPMS rebuild w/ seal kit = $11.96
    $551.92 - $70 coupon promotion (when it occurs for Michelin)
    $481.92 + TAX for a set of 4 Michelin Premier A/S tires, w/ life of tire: road hazzard warranty/rotation/balance.

    All the times I've price shopped tires, no tire store was willing to match Costco, b/c too cheap. Usually, the tire stores mark-up and charge for each aspect of a tire installation [tire mounting, valve stem or TPMS (depending on vehicle that has/doesn't have TPMS), sometimes balancing, and tire disposal]. And their price of road hazzard warranty usually exceeds the $15/tire Costco charges, which also includes install and tire disposal.

    EDIT bad math.
     
    #19 exstudent, Mar 30, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2016
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  20. SAronian

    SAronian Active Member

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    I noticed the prices for Costco's tires listed online can change frequently.

    Michelin Premier A/S
    I paid $128.99 in February 2016
    Today I see $122.99 for Oakland CA area

    BTW - $119.99 x 4 = $479.96

    Still one of the best prices around.
     
    #20 SAronian, Mar 30, 2016
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