1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Time for new tires

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by H00s13r, Aug 14, 2018.

  1. H00s13r

    H00s13r Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2016
    87
    27
    0
    Location:
    Indiana-NWI area, US
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Hello everyone;
    I am going to need new tires soon for my 2010 prius. Back in April of 2013 I replaced the factory tires (44, 256 miles) with new Pirelli P4 four seasons-Discount Tire recommendation. At my last rotation at Discount Tire this past April, they were at 4/32 and the guy said to start thinking about getting new tires soon. Seeing as I am at almost 136K I am sure when I go in for my next rotation I will be at 3/32 and they will say it's time to change them out. I was reading all the new tires threads here, but I am a little confused on what to get. So I was thinking of just getting the P4's again seeing as how I got more out of them then their actual warranty (they are 85K, I have gotten over 90K doing the math at my current mileage). But then I noticed there is a P4 plus which Discount tire shows them to have a slightly higher mileage warranty (90k versus 85K on the regular P4), and right now they are $5 cheaper/tire. What I don't know is if they are LRR tires. It doesn't say on their website. Should I go with these or something else?

    I also went to Costco, and they only carry michelin and Bridgestone. The guy there recommended either

    1) Michelin X-Tour and T+H (they don't have the defenders in my size)-he said they are pretty much the same tire. Price was $513 OTD.

    2) Bridgestone Ecopia 422 Plus-$357 OTD after a current sale of $130 off.

    I asked about the EP20 and the Michelin Energy saver a/s-he said they no longer carry them.

    I've never dealt with Costco tires-they say they offer the same warranties as DT-lifetime balance/rotations/flat repair/replacement, etc.

    Thanks for your time and help.

    PS- I am in Indiana so the tires will be in all seasons with a good deal of snow in the winter.
     
    #1 H00s13r, Aug 14, 2018
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,658
    38,202
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I think he's trying to hustle you into buying what they have in stock, vs ordering in. When I go to costco.com, and spec location as Indianapolis:

    https://tires.costco.com/SearchResultsByVehicle?SearchID=2010%7C%7C%7CToyota%7C%7C%7CPrius%7C%7C%7CBase%7C%7C%7C1%7C%7C%7Cen-us

    Both the EP20 and Energy Saver A/S are listed. That doesn't necessarily mean they're the best option, but they're on offer.

    If you don't have separate snow tires, I'd be reluctant to get the EP20, they're a menace in snow when worn. But, they're cheap, decent rolling tire with low rolling resistance. The one thing I've noticed: they get fairly noisy when worn.

    Not sure about the Energy Saver A/S. Obviously good for rolling resistance. I think @bisco really likes them, they're quiet and smooth running, no complaints?

    If you want a decent all-round tire, traction a little better than the pack in winter, their X-Tour is a good pic; it's a rebadged Defender, as far as I know.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Aug 14, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2018
    Starship16 likes this.
  3. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,109
    4,038
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    In your shoes I’d stick to what you already have, that’s a good run. I’m on Michelin defenders as and half tread is already gone after 20000 mi, 6 / 32 all around. One blew out suffered a razor cut and not safe to patch. They also said the same to me, defenders are discontinued t h are the equivalent replacement.

    1 hundred freakin 50 for one wheel order and installed.
     
    #3 Grit, Aug 14, 2018
  4. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2017
    809
    504
    0
    Location:
    Las Vegas
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I haven't replaced my Prius tires, yet, but I get my tires at Costco because of the cost and service.

    As far as the cost, it appears that this month the Bridgestones are on sale- usually, buy 3 tires, get the 4th one free. And the Michelins are full price. However, next month, the Michelins will be on sale and the Bridgestones will be full price. It alternates each month.
     
    #4 MelonPrius, Aug 14, 2018
    Starship16 likes this.
  5. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2009
    1,389
    948
    4
    Location:
    Foot of Pikes Peak
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    Costco seems to alternate $70 off a set of four between Michelin and Bridgestone. They also periodically have 1 cent installation deals. Often they will tell you when these are coming up if you ask. I paid around $380 otd for those exact tires at Costco and they seem to be doing well. The X-Tours are exactly the same as the defenders, just renamed for warehouse clubs to sell for about $10 per tire less.

    grid: you might think about getting your alignment checked.
     
    #5 royrose, Aug 14, 2018
  6. H00s13r

    H00s13r Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2016
    87
    27
    0
    Location:
    Indiana-NWI area, US
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Thanks for the replies everyone. I am going to DT today to see what they can offer me. Like Grid said, I am thinking of sticking with the same tires like I previously mentioned, or maybe get the plus version. I will see what tires they recommend and for what prices. I will post up again later what I decide to go with.
     
    #6 H00s13r, Aug 16, 2018
    RMB likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)