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New Tire Recommendations

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by i<3theventurafwy, Oct 26, 2018.

  1. i<3theventurafwy

    i<3theventurafwy Junior Member

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    The Toyos on my 2017 Two are finally worn out to the point I need to consider replacing them. I've done some preliminary research and have several replacement options I am looking at, but given the wealth of knowledge about Prii here I thought it would be a good idea to see if anyone had recommendations. In terms of constraints, price is not too much of an issue, and the most important performance consideration beyond the baseline (mpg/general grip) is wet traction. Thanks in advance for the help! :)
     
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  2. esfishdoc

    esfishdoc Junior Member

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    A couple of weeks ago I replaced the original tires on my 2017 Two... I had 50K and probably could have easily squeezed another 5K out of the tires but I was convinced they were getting noisier as well as getting worse in the rain. I went with the Michelin Energy Saver A/S and I can tell you it is like I have a new car. They are quieter and smoother than I recall the originals when new and the ride just seems all around better. My feelings about mileage are they are very close if not the same as the originals. Warning: I am brand loyal to Michelin. Our three vehicles have a variety of their products (2005 Chevy 2500 Duramax with 200K, 2010 Mini with 75K and the Prius with 51K) There isn't much technical info I'm giving you... YMMV. :)
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Is this 15" or 17" tires?
     
  4. i<3theventurafwy

    i<3theventurafwy Junior Member

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    The 15" tires.

    Thank you for this and for the caveat about your brand loyalty. I actually didn't have these on my list so I'll take an indepth look at them.
     
  5. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

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    I have the 15 toyos as well, and needing replacement and I am considering either the defenders but I feel MPG will take a bit of a hit or debating on Trying the Hankook Kinenergy 737's. My brother had the energy savers on his camry hybrid and even though they did do well MPG wise, he and I both felt like they're a bit too slick wet performance wise in the rain. I am a little hesitant on putting some cheap off brand tire on my first brand new car despite the great reviews on walmarts website and tire rack.
     
  6. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    I put a pair of Hankook H724s on the front of my Two. Price is about 20% higher on Amazon now. I have no complaints. I had just over $100 into the purchase, free Prime shipping and mounting/balancing.
     
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  7. tucatz

    tucatz Active Member

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    I have Yokohama blue earth on my 4 touring. I recently brought the car in for 30K service and the technician noted that the tires have 80% of the tread left. Can this be right? That would extrapolate to more than 120K on the OEM. anyway, they are very noisy and can’t wait to replace them. Any suggestions for * quiet* touring tires?
     
  8. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Is that kilometers or miles? (Not sure which bay area.)

    80% might be the current percentage - but you won't be running them down to ZERO, and in the first ½ of wear, it appears to be even, but in the last half of useful tread, you tend to notice uneven wear on sides etc. I suspect he might have rounded the figure up too.
     
  9. pjm877

    pjm877 Member

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    I too am looking at replacement tires: I am looking at the MICHELIN CROSSCLIMATE+ (will take a MPG hit) or the MICHELIN ENERGY SAVER A/S. Over the years I have had great performance from MICHELIN tires.. I put MICHELIN Defenders on my Prius 2004 and did loose 3 to 5 MPG, BUT did that car drive well (and stopped great) . The OEM tires did not make it to 25k miles before they were shot.

    OH forgot to say the MICHELIN CROSSCLIMATE+ have the three peak snow rating.. so should be OK on snow?
     
  10. alanwagen

    alanwagen Member

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    We have had good luck with the Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 + that you can get at Costso. Good wear and gas mileage.
     
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  11. StevefromOhio

    StevefromOhio Member

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    You are asking a very dangerous question here........there are those who will answer and then there are those who will attack the answer as being dangerous or illegal......yeah....I've seen the arguments of even using a certain wax and that it is dangerous! I guess that there are those who have very little to do.
    PS......Michelin Energy Savers.....not the all seasons.....best tires I've used so far. Not dangerous or illegal despite what some will say!
     
  12. Usle

    Usle Active Member

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    Michelin is the way to go, the energy savers are a utog 480aa tire, and the defender are a utog 820ab tire, both in the all season model, the defender is going to get twice the mileage wear, are going to give a more compliantly ride, the energy savers have stiffer sidewalls, hence the better miles per gallon, at the cost of wearing out twice as fast, and the defenders from tirewrack are 106.99, the energy savers are 132.14$.
    So the energy safers are 25% more expensive, and last half as long.
    Are 1-3 mpg's worth it for the energy savers?

    The defenders are outstanding rain tires, are quiet and will last, it's your money.
     
  13. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    The only wax I am aware of that is illegal is Mr. Zoggs. The only reason it is illegal is for the protection of the user. There are few who can deal with the ultimate consequences. Use with caution, especially when with others and not in mixed company.
     
  14. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

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    Are the Michelin defenders fairly quiet?

    But then, we all have different versions of what "quiet" is. :D

    My Michelin Premiers are the loudest tires I've ever owned. Seriously. I've had a lot of different cars, with various brands of tires, and these Premiers take the cake! :LOL:

    (But, the Prius is a noisy car to begin with. Not exactly a lot of sound insulation.)
     
  15. csk47

    csk47 Junior Member

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    My 2016 Prius 2 came with Toyo Nanoenergy A29 tires and I now have 20,500 miles and sadly, they need replacing soon. Had very bad results with Michelin Defenders on a 2010 Prius so I'll never buy another Michelin tire. I live in south Florida so no worry snow or ice but I am looking for a quiet tire, low rolling resistance and hope to get at least 40,000 miles out of the new tires. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
     
  16. priusman09

    priusman09 I used to be a TDI

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    I can probably guess that the Michelin Defenders created a significant hit on your fuel economy as they are not LRR (low rolling resistance tires). I have them on my Sienna and feel they are rather harsh riding. The Michelin Energy Savers would be an excellent choice and I had those on my ‘09 Prius and they probably netted the best fuel economy of all the tires I had on that car in 200,000+ miles. I would suggest you go to http://Www.tirerack.com and select your car and click the box for Eco tires. You’ll see all that they have available along with test results and customer reviews. Very helpful in making a decision for what is the best for you.
     
  17. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

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    I feel like I have enough data on the Michelin Defender tires after having them for roughly 5k Miles now. My MPG definately took a hit but braking performance has definitely improved. I would say I've definately lost 4 solid MPG with the new tires verses my worn out toyo tires. My MPG did drastically improve though towards the end of life on the toyo tires and I think they were just getting very slick. I was getting 60+ MPG every 2 of 3 tanks. My MPG over the past 7 tanks is now 57.3. The data doesn't look all that bad but looking at my MPG indicator and my trip performance, the MPG definitely suffered. I have the tires pumped all the way up to 44 psi to try and get the best bang out of them and think it rides fine, and they are quieter than the toyos for sure. For the money I paid (~390 installed) and the commuting distance, only time will tell if the longer life will make this purchase pay off in the end, with the MPG loss.
     
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  18. pasoto1

    pasoto1 Junior Member

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    I just bought 4 Hancook 50,000 miles warrenty they look and sound good Ca Toyota dealer recommended them my Prius is 2016. 3 Touring 17 inch rims

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  19. stevelawsn

    stevelawsn Junior Member

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    I bought new Michelin Energy Savers for my wife’s 2016 Prius Four for less than $350 a set, delivered, from a seller on ebay. VERY nice riding tires. I previously had a set in a Honda Accord and was well pleased with them. I have Michelin Defenders on my 2012 Prius Two and they have plenty of life left in them after 40000 miles. They are marked as a green tire but I am not sure if that is the same as an LRR tire. They are smooth driving tires also. Can’t beat Michelin tires.
     
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    "Green-X" is Michelin's indication of tires that are especially Low Rolling Resistance. They also use the expression "Total Performance", which maybe infers more of a balance betwee LRR and grip/performance? Defenders used to say Green-X, and now Defender T+H say Total Performance. Is there a difference: who knows.

    I think until there's some centralized, objective testing, it's marketing as much as anything.

    From this page:

    Michelin Tire Glossary | Michelin US

    upload_2019-4-2_14-45-33.png

    And Total Performance? Doesn't appear on the page, lol. I did find this from TireRack:

    upload_2019-4-2_14-48-21.png
     
    #20 Mendel Leisk, Apr 2, 2019
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2019
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