2008 Prius Base Model Third Set of Replacement Tires

great write up, thanks!

 

Your mpg numbers sound about right. The Defenders are a decent trade-off tire. I'd lean towards a tire with a bit more mpg, maybe, but it's mostly an ego thing. The Defenders are rated well for tread life are they not. Likely you'll pull up the mpg with a bit more wear and getting outa winter.

 

I bought the Defenders in November 2012 but I noticed I lost MPG and the dealer let me trade them back and I got the Energy Saver A/S. Glad I did. My mileage went back up to what it was. I can get 50-55 MPG average driving. With highway driving at 70, I still get 48-50 MPG. The tires are rated for 65K and that is exactly what I am getting out of them. I am ready to buy tires this fall. Dealership recommended Defenders but I probably will see again again about Energy Saver.

 

I do know that I really liked the Michelin Energy Saver A/S that I had mounted on the 2009 Prius. Too bad I did not get a chance to really see how they held up. Sold the car eight months later and bought the Gen III I am driving now.

 

Ecopia 422s have been discontinued. Ecopia 422 Plus is the successor. I have them and they do give me slightly higher MPG. I could really tell the difference in these LRRs vs. the Integritys that were on the Prius. Coasting and gliding further. Although you will have to pump the pressures up to 42/40 because it feels squirrely on lower pressures.

 

Had seriously considered the Ecopia 422 when I was shopping for tires when I got the new Michelins. If I had to buy tires today, I would consider the Ecopia 422 Plus right along with the Energy Saver A/S. Probably more so since availability is a little easier. It seems now a days if you want LRR type tires you always have to order them. But come to think of it, tires are like any thing else, a commodity. They come, and they go.

I also agree that the Gen II Prius seems to be well planted when the tires are aired up to 42 F and 40 R.

Ron (dorunron)

 

I am finding that the Michelin Energy Saver and the Bridgestone Ecopia are being discontinued. You can get them now, but if you have a mishap with one tire, you may not be able to get another tire to have all tires matching. Are they getting rid of LRR tires or will they be replaced with a new version. Michelin is recommending the Defender and Premier A/S. I don't want the defender because I lost mileage with them.

 

It looks like the Michelin Energy savers are being replaced by Michelin Premier A/S; and the Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 are being replaced with Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 PLUS. These are both LRR, so no, LRR tires are not being dropped.

You have to weigh up cost, tread wear, grip and handling, and not just MPG.

When weighing all these factors, I'd be inclined to give Continental TrueContact a go as it seems to tick all the boxes.

 

Those two are not in the same league, for rolling resistance. Michelin acknowledges this on their website: they have a rudimentary (score out of 10) for "fuel efficiceincy". The Energy Saver A/S they rate 10, and Premier A/S are 9 I believe.