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Bridgestone ECOPIA EP422 PLUS: Very Squirrely

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by tomfcb, Apr 19, 2019.

  1. tomfcb

    tomfcb Junior Member

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    These tires replaced Michelin Defenders. They are much smoother/quieter. MPG seems about the same, but it's only been a week. Around town they are great, but at freeway speeds they are all over the place and do not want to track a straight line. Car serviced two weeks ago and I was told the alignment looks fine. Tire guy at Costco said the same.

    Any chance this will get better? Purchased at Costco, so I assume they're returnable for the first 30 days.
     
    #1 tomfcb, Apr 19, 2019
  2. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    They might get better once they break in, but then it's too late to turn them back in if they don't.

    I've noticed that, if I had more than 40 psi in my Yokohamas, the steering felt extra light. Not quite twitchy, but not dialed in either.
     
    #2 jerrymildred, Apr 21, 2019
  3. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Unfortunately, there are at least 3 very different tires with that same model. The Japanese ones are OEM on some Gen 4 Prii.

    I would tent to return them & get a different tire if they are acting that badly.
     
    #3 Prodigyplace, Apr 21, 2019
  4. Yea Right

    Yea Right Active Member

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    Costco is usually very good on returns, so I would start there.
     
    #4 Yea Right, Apr 21, 2019
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  5. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    How many miles on the chassis ?


    Rob43
     
    #5 Rob43, Apr 23, 2019
  6. tomfcb

    tomfcb Junior Member

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    About 62,000
     
    #6 tomfcb, Apr 23, 2019
  7. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    OK.

    This "probably" is a tire issue, But:

    The reason I asked about your overall mileage was this, at ~62K you're nearing the end of the useful life of your dampers. Under performing dampers, or worse, bad dampers can cause similar issues. Food for thought....


    Rob43
     
    #7 Rob43, Apr 23, 2019
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2019
  8. tomfcb

    tomfcb Junior Member

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    Thanks for the insight!
     
    #8 tomfcb, Apr 23, 2019
  9. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    That's pretty soon for swapping out dampers. My son has a Gen 2 Prius and we swapped front struts at 100K. There was no noticeable difference in the ride or handling and the old ones were still solid.
     
    #9 jb in NE, Apr 23, 2019
  10. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    I disagree. You are not accounting for all the different variables, sometimes dampers are spent at ~40K to ~50K.

    I build BMW street & race suspensions for my customers...I've seen and dealt with a lot of suspensions from all over the USA.


    Rob43
     
    #10 Rob43, Apr 23, 2019
  11. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    In this case, the car got squirrely immediately after new tires. Tires would be the first place I would look, then suspension. At minimum, try the tires in different positions and ensure they are mounted properly and not defective to rule out the obvious.
     
    #11 jb in NE, Apr 24, 2019
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  12. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    What don't you understand about this statement:

    "OK. This "probably" is a tire issue" .... from post #7 ?


    Rob43
     
    #12 Rob43, Apr 24, 2019
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  13. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    Nothing - I understood the entire line.
     
    #13 jb in NE, Apr 24, 2019
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  14. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Good, we're making progress...


    Rob43
     
    #14 Rob43, Apr 24, 2019
  15. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    I may be a high school dropout, but I reed goode.
     
    #15 jb in NE, Apr 24, 2019
    Merkey, Yea Right and padroo like this.
  16. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Again, we are making progress... ;)


    Rob43
     
    #16 Rob43, Apr 24, 2019
  17. tomfcb

    tomfcb Junior Member

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    Super impressed with Costco tire people! They could not have been nicer or more helpful. They didn't have Michelin Energy Saver AS in stock when I went today, but will get a set by tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be in them by the weekend. I'll report back.
     
    #17 tomfcb, Apr 24, 2019
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  18. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Excellent !

    Hopefully they completely solve your issue, try to put 50 to 100 miles on them for a good assessment.


    Rob43
     
    #18 Rob43, Apr 24, 2019
  19. Yea Right

    Yea Right Active Member

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    So why go back to the Michelin instead of your original choice?
     
    #19 Yea Right, Apr 24, 2019
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