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Low Rolling Resistance replacement tires: Current List

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by F8L, Apr 17, 2011.

  1. 'LectroFuel

    'LectroFuel Senior Member

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    I need to replace my OEM Toyo tires on my gen 4. I narrowed it down to the Michelin Energy Saver A/S and the Continental PureContact with EcoPlus. I have read that the Michelins get better MPG, but what are the actual MPG differences I could expect between these two tires? I drive mostly freeway. I also saw that the Continentals are more grippy. I don't care about snow traction or even wet traction. I care about MPG, comfort, and dry road handling. How do they compare in noise and ride comfort? I'm leaning toward the Michelins just because of the MPG benefit.
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    There's also Energy Saver without the A/S moniker. Just food for thought.
     
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  3. 'LectroFuel

    'LectroFuel Senior Member

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    Thanks, do you know what the "A/S" means? The A/S is cheaper and the non-A/S is not on TireRack.
     
  4. mjoo

    mjoo Senior Member

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    All-Season?

    Pixel XL ?
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Same up here: Costco has both, but the non A/S (not All Season, aka "summer") version is markedly more. Yeah, just food for thought, and likely the A/S version is better bet, easier to find, and replace if you were to have irreparable blow-out.
     
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  6. PriusYin

    PriusYin Junior Member

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    Just wanted to share my experience with the Bridgestone Ecopia 422 Plus from Costco.

    Was really hoping to get into some new custom wheels and nice tires with good rim guards, but the place I bought 'em from (on-line) sent wheels with the wrong bolt pattern. Was disappointed but returned 'em at no cost to me so no big whoop.

    However, was in desperate need of new tires before the wet season, so went down to Costco and got the Ecopia 422 Plus tires.
    Have to say I've been plenty impressed with these tires. Smooth quite ride and absolutely no change in mileage.
    As always, hyper inflated to 40psi-front & 38psi-rear. Wet and dry grip have felt good.
    Have had 'em ~5months so they're definitely keepers. 70K mile tire too..

    Good deal from Costco too.. happy to recommend.
     
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  7. johnamerc

    johnamerc Junior Member

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    FYI I have purchased numerous sets of the Continental PureContact with EcoPlus tires for my 2010 Prius 3. They start out quiet and handle well. They are great in snow for about 25,000 miles or so. When they wear low the noise can become irritating and almost unbearable on rough roads. I drive around 50,000 miles per year so I try to only buy one set a year. I am now shopping for a quieter alternative for the summer months. MPG does not seem as good as the original Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max. I also have my 195/65R-15 Michelin X-Ice Xi3 XL on separate rims. They are great winter tires. Think I will check out the Michelin Energy Saver A/S tires.

    John 2010 Prius III Blue Ribbon Metallic (Tumbleweed) 268,000 plus miles (also had a 2010 Prius II w/ 187k miles and 01 w/ 345,000 + miles) . . . Maybe a Prius lover?
     
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  8. 'LectroFuel

    'LectroFuel Senior Member

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    I have only heard negative comments about the Goodyear AFMs. The MPGs are lower for the Continental PureContacts in your experience? The noise issue after they wear makes me scared to buy them. The Michelins are lookin pretty good now. After all, the Prius isn't a sports car and I don't drive on winding roads.
     
  9. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    My Volt came from the factory with the Goodyear AFM tires. I have over 47,000 miles on the now and they look like I can get another 5-6000 out of them. So far, it looks like I'm going to replace them with the same thing.
     
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  10. uclabruins

    uclabruins Member

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    Hey everyone,

    What's the latest thinking on the low rolling resistance tires for the 2006 prius (gen 2)? I was talking to my tire guy and he suggested the Continental TrueContact. I'm looking for the 185 65 15 size.

    What are the good tires these days? I previously bought the Michelin Primacy, but they don't make that tire in my size any longer.

    Thanks in advance.
     
  11. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    I had Conti Turecontact on my last Gen3 as replacement for Ecopia 422 Plus. They were very comfortable and quiet. The milage on Gen3 was about the same as Ecopia 422 Plus. I traded the car for my current Prime, so I only had them on for one season, thus don't know about treadwear. They are usually less expensive than BG Ecopia or Michelin Energy Saver, so would think good alternative for Gen2 as well.
     
    #1411 Salamander_King, Jun 29, 2018
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2018
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  12. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

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    12 months, and 9,000 miles on my Michelin Premier AS Total Performance. 195-65R-15.
    Seemed like a good performing tire the first 6 months. But fairly loud for Michelin.
    After the first rotation, all hell broke loose and the nightmare started. The tire noise was unbearable.
    Long story short: I've had them rebalanced 3 times, rotated 3 more times, and the alignment checked.
    Tried three different tire pressure levels, and they still don't feel exactly right.
    They are somewhat better, but today I noticed that something is still off.
    It's very strange.
    I hope they wear out fast.
     
    #1412 Starship16, Jun 29, 2018
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2018
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  13. harrysprius

    harrysprius Active Member

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    I just put new tires on my 2010 Prius V. I bought it from Carvana and it came with a new set of Velozza ZXV4 215/50R17's on it. I've never really been one to buy what I thought was an "off" brand or inexpensive tire, but I have to say they did a really good job. They handled great, rode smooth and absolutely stuck to the road. Even in wet weather as the tires got to the wear bars they rode great in the rain. They lasted about 53000 miles, and I drive hard. My commute is 110 miles a day and it's almost all highway. I do take care of them and my cars. I rotated the tires every time I changed the oil which was at 7500 miles. I also checked the air once a week. Overall I was really impressed with them, but I wanted to try something that was made for a hybrid. The Velozzas are not. I opted for the Firestone Champion Fuel Fighter and I went with the 205/50R17 to try and correct the speedometer. According to the GPS I went from about 1.5 MPH more than the speedometer reflected to about 1 MPH less than the speedometer reflected. Not really much of a win. I also went up about 4 MPG so that feels like a win. The Champions ride about the same, and they are a bit quieter as well, but the handling is a little softer. I'll post more later as I put more miles on them, but so far I'm happy with purchase.
     
  14. Pdaddy

    Pdaddy Member

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    I had good luck with the continental procontact ecoplus. Switched to Bridgestone Ecopia hoping for slightly quieter eco tire but got 3 mpg less which makes me think its NOT really a LRR tire. Recently bought continental true contact for the back and waiting to get front changed after I replace the suspension at 195,000 miles.
    SM-G920V ?
     
  15. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Does anyone make a tire that is actually called a summer tire?
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yup, just enter your car on tirerack and specify summer tires only. That said, all-seasons seem to have really taken over.

    Is Bridgestone Ecopia EP100? Also Michelin Energy Saver (without A/S suffix).
     
  17. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Some of the Vettes and Camaros come with them and when they say Summer only, they aren't kidding.
     
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  18. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    You know when I wrote that I was thinking performance tires mostly designed for dry roads and some rain but that's about it.
     
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  19. charcuterie

    charcuterie New Member

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    Just a note on buying tires from Amazon. I got a set of Bridgestone Ecopia 422 Plus and had them installed at Sears Torrance, CA. Great experience overall until I realized the tires come with NO WARRANTY. Amazon was selling the Ecopias 195/65/R15 91H and 196/65/R15 89S. They're about the same price and I bought the 89S because the 91H was out of stock and the 89S is equal to what's on the car now.

    Amazon advertises both as having a "70K mile limited treadwear warranty," but the 89S is an OEM tire not meant to be purchased direct by consumers and does not have a warranty. The 91H does. I should have done my research. Caveat emptor. Amazon is refunding the installation fee and putting a notation in my account that the warranty will be honored by them. Not quite sure how that works but we'll see if it comes to that. It took me 5 years to hit 45K in my car so a 70K warranty will take me and the car into the retirement home.
     
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  20. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    I bought a set of Michelin Defender A/S from Costco one time and there was no tread wear warranty on them. I thought it was kind of strange but I am not a big warranty person anyway.