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Michelin Energy Saver A/S handling

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by fiftympg, Jun 5, 2014.

  1. fiftympg

    fiftympg Junior Member

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    For those of you with the Energy Saver A/S tires on your Prius, how do you like them? Are you happy with the handling of them?

    Two weeks ago I bought a set of Michelin Energy Saver A/S in 195/65 15" for my Gen 3 Prius. On highways with grooved concrete, I'm finding the car bouncing left and right constantly. It's the same feeling as if the car is being blown by strong winds from the side. This effect is quite annoying since most of the highways in my area are built this way. Does the handling of these tires improve as they break in?
    I spoke to the tire dealer and they said I have 30 days to take them back. I'm all for getting good MPG but not as the expense of handling like this.

    They Energy Savers replaced a set of OEM Yoko Avid S33D that lasted me close to 60k miles. The Yoko were a bit noisy but liked them way better than these Michelins.
     
    #1 fiftympg, Jun 5, 2014
  2. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    What pressure are you running?
     
    #2 MikeDee, Jun 5, 2014
  3. Fore

    Fore Don't look back!

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    I have the Michelin Energy Saver A/S, soooooo much better than the OEM Yoko Avid's I had on my vehicle. YES! it does take about a month for them to settle in. Your call but Yoko is junk in my humble opinion!
     
    #3 Fore, Jun 5, 2014
  4. fiftympg

    fiftympg Junior Member

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    For the first few days they were at the factory 35/33 PSI. I was getting dismal gas mileage so I increased them to 40/38 PSI. The tires handled worse at the higher PSI. Now I'm back to 35/33.
     
    #4 fiftympg, Jun 5, 2014
  5. fiftympg

    fiftympg Junior Member

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    Good to hear that the tires need to break in. I'll give them another week to see if the handling improves. I won't be keeping them if they continue to handle this way.

    Thanks.
     
    #5 fiftympg, Jun 5, 2014
  6. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    I ran my set of Energy Saver A/S for 40,000 miles before upgrading to the 17" wheels.

    After break-in, they get slightly better. But if you are not happy with them now, I would highly recommend that you exchange them -- because all of the characteristics you mentioned will still be present.
     
    #6 The Critic, Jun 5, 2014
  7. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    My EP20s were doing that when the car was new. Either I got used to it or something changed but I don't notice it any more.
     
    #7 MikeDee, Jun 5, 2014
  8. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

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    Maybe you need a front end alinement?:oops:
    Was your tires balanced?:eek:
     
    #8 engerysaver, Jun 6, 2014
  9. Sierra Mark

    Sierra Mark Junior Member

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    I have the same handling issue with my new Michelin Energy Saver A/S's. The good news is that after I have put 500 miles on the car, the road wander is gradually going away. I had the same issue when the car was new with Yokohama AVIDs. My MPG is running 59 on the new Michelins vs 58 with the Yokos.
     
    #9 Sierra Mark, Jun 6, 2014
  10. fiftympg

    fiftympg Junior Member

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    No kidding. The way the car drives, you would think the alignment was off. However before the time replacement, the stock Yokos were handling and tracking pretty well. So think my alignment is good.
     
    #10 fiftympg, Jun 13, 2014
  11. fiftympg

    fiftympg Junior Member

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    So after another week with these tires at varying tire pressure, I did exactly that. I just can't accept the way these Energy Savers handle. With tire pressure at 35 Psi, they do handle better but still not that great.

    I went back to Costco and had the tires changed out under the 30 day satisfaction guarantee. I'm a Michelin fan so had a choice between the Defender and Premier. Ended up mounting a set of the Premiers. I'm a week into them now and I'm happy to report the handling is fantastic! The vehicle now tracks tight and straight. I'm aware the Premiers are not LRR tires so I will take a hit in MPG. So far I'm seeing about 4 MPG less than what I was getting with the stock Yokos. I'm hoping as these tires break-in, I do better than that.

    Thanks for all your replies.
     
    #11 fiftympg, Jun 13, 2014
    going red baby! and The Critic like this.
  12. going red baby!

    going red baby! still a n00b

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    Is there a mileage limit on returns? I'm buying from Costco as well and have to drive a 200-300 miles next weekend. If I don't like these I want to get the Defenders. I'm already thinking of changing my order now.

    Also, did you have to pay labor both times then?
     
    #12 going red baby!, Jun 14, 2014
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Going from Energy Savers to Defenders I think you'll see a real mpg hit. There's a fair number of people here who've got comfortable with the Energy Savers, and considering the comments above regarding the tires smoothing out (Sierra Mark for example): I'd say just hang in there.

    The Energy Savers would be top of my list, if our OEM's weren't the 215/45R17. ;(
     
    #13 Mendel Leisk, Jun 15, 2014
  14. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Yes, you are usually responsible for the labor cost of the swap.
     
    #14 The Critic, Jun 16, 2014
  15. subjective

    subjective Member

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    I agree!
     
    #15 subjective, Jun 19, 2014
  16. going red baby!

    going red baby! still a n00b

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    So I got these Energy Savers and they feel great! I don't notice any weirdness. The ride felt much better than on my worn Yoko's and it was much easier to turn the wheels... I'm happy! Glad I went with these over the Defenders since I don't put enough mileage on the car to make the 90,000 mile warranty worth it.
     
    #16 going red baby!, Jun 24, 2014
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