Michelin Hydroedge at Costco

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jennjay @ Jun 5 2006, 06:29 PM) [snapback]266374[/snapback]</div>

Ha, this is funny, as I just got back home from Costco inquiring about tires. I've been buying tires exclusively from there for the past few years, because they include all the mounting and spin balancing costs, free rotations for the tire's life, AND a road hazard warranty. No BS -- if the tire picks up a nail, they fix it or give you a prorated refund if it's non-repairable (sidewall puncture, etc.)

I'm also thinking about Hydroedges, but also might get BFG Traction T/As. I had good experience with the Traction T/A's on the car I just sold. Probably going 205/60R15 instead of the factory 185/65R15s.

 

Consumer Reports recommends Costco for selection, price and service. We purchase our tires at Costco and have had good service.

Costco offered to fill your tires with nitrogen gas for a while. This is marketing as earth's atmosphere is already 79% nitrogen.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(skruse @ Jun 5 2006, 09:41 PM) [snapback]266495[/snapback]</div>

Just because you didn't understand the reasons for filling tires with nitrogen doesn't mean that it's just "marketing".

The main advantage of using pure N2 to fill your tires isn't what's in the fill air, it's what's NOT in it. And what's not in it is water or water vapor.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ Jun 6 2006, 03:16 AM) [snapback]266548[/snapback]</div>

True. I worked aircraft maintenance for years and we used nitrogen to service both landing gear struts and tire inflation.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jennjay @ Jun 5 2006, 06:29 PM) [snapback]266374[/snapback]</div>

A better all around choice is Costco's T-rated propietary Michelin tire; it finished much higher in CU's tire tests than the Hydro, and isn't unidirectional, which aids in your choices of how to rotate them. Price is about the same. These are what we put on our '06, and they make the car better in just about every way.

 

If you do get it done at Costco, be sure to let us all know how they handle the tire pressure monitor sensors. I know I'll go broke if I go to the dealer for everything, so I just keep checking for people with good prius service experiences so that I'll be ready when I need a tire upgrade or replacement.

 

I bought a set of Hydroedge's from Costco with Nitrogen fillup a few months ago. So far, so good.

I have aftermarket TPMS (www.smartire.com) and I asked the tech if he was able to work around them. He said no problem.

When I went to pick up the car, he had broken one of the sensors. I really didn't mind, because he was so unbelieveably good about it. I ordered up another one, they installed it and gave me a credit for it, and apologized again. A+ for handling the mistake.

Factory TPMS should be less of a problem because these guys should know to avoid the valve stem.

Anyway, Costco has $60 off a set of Michelins right now in my area. Hopefully you get this as well.

As for the "Costco Proprietary T-Rated" tire, just be sure it has a treadwear warranty. The Hydroedge is good for 90,000 miles.

Nate

 

I can't speak for Costco service, but I had HydroEdges put on mine about 40k miles ago. Excellent tire all around, but outstanding in the rain. Gas mileage did drop a few MPG, but it's worth it to walk versus skate through rain storms.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(naterprius @ Jun 6 2006, 10:50 AM) [snapback]266744[/snapback]</div>

The Costco Michelins have an 80000 mile warranty, and are included in the current $60-discount offer. They are quieter and stick better than the Hydros.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jrct9454 @ Jun 6 2006, 02:04 PM) [snapback]266876[/snapback]</div>

Interestingly, CU rated them "very good" in resistance to hydroplaning, while the Hydroedge was only rated "good". With a name like "Hydroedge", you'd expect it to do much better.

There are other anomalies too. The Goodyear TripleTred rated "Excellent" in dry braking and handling, but only "Good" in emergency handling. I'm not sure what to make of that. Based on the description of their tests, that would be a tire that did well on a road course but sucked at autocross. I suppose it's possible.

 

I've been buying tires from Costco for a few years now and I have to say that their service is very good. The road hazard warranty is amazing... I had a tire pick up a nail on a part of the tire that was not fixable - I think it was on the inner part of the tire - and they replaced the tire for me. They aren't necessarily the fastest but if you are going there to buy groceries or what not they will be done by the time you are out of their warehouse.