1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

New tires for 16" touring rims...

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by PNorth, Jul 27, 2012.

  1. PNorth

    PNorth Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2008
    45
    7
    0
    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Hey folks,

    I need to get some new tires for my 2008 Prius (Gen 'II', obviously) that has the 16" alloy rims. I've still got the Bridgestone Turanza EL400 tires on it. They are a 195/55R16 tire.

    I was looking at the Michellin Energy Saver A/S, but the dealer told me that it only comes in a 15" rim unless I go up to a 205 width.

    Has anyone put the Michellin Energy Saver A/S on their Prius with 16" rims? If so, which size tire did you buy? Is there anything you don't like about the tire? How much did you pay?

    Many thanks!
     
    #1 PNorth, Jul 27, 2012
  2. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    3,318
    1,103
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    F8L | PriusChat posted this info here on Prius Chat. I copied and pasted what is recommended for your car.

    195/55/16 (2004-2009 Touring OEM tire size)
    Continental ProContact (Grand Touring All-Season)
    UTQG= 540 A A, 51psi, 10.5/32, 18lbs, 851, $103

    Bridgestone Turanza EL470 (All Season)
    UTQG= 260 A A, 51psi, 18lbs, $139

    Bridgestone Turanza EL400-02 (Touring All-Season)
    UTQG= 260 A A, 51psi, 9/32, 19lbs, 854, $118

    Bridgestone Ecopia EP100 (Grand Touring Summer)
    UTQG= 400 A B, 51psi, 10/32, 19lbs, 857, $96

    Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 (All-Season)
    UTQG= 400 A A, 51psi, 10/32, 19lbs, 853, $100

    Yokohama dB Super E-Spec (Grand Touring Summer)
    UTQG= 460 A A, 44psi, 10/32, 19lbs, 850, $155

    I don't have any info on the Michelin A/S for the 16" rims that you are asking about.

    Source of info: Low Rolling Resistance replacement tires: Current List | PriusChat

    Hope this helps you.

    Ron (dorunron)
     
    #2 dorunron, Jul 28, 2012
    F8L likes this.
  3. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,080
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks, Ron. :)

    If you want to keep the same exact size tire then the Ecopia EP422 is a good tire and Costco has a great sale going on for all Bridgestone tires. They offer a $70 instant rebate when buying 4 tires plus $30 off mounting and balancing. The price makes them almost the same cost/mile as the Energy Saver A/S despite the possibility of getting slightly worse gas mileage. The EP422 should be at least as good as the OE tires for MPG.
     
    #3 F8L, Jul 28, 2012
  4. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2010
    5,194
    1,912
    0
    Location:
    Herefordshire England
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I do not know if it is the same in the US but in the UK and Europe going up to 205/55/16 brings up a large range of tyres not available in 195/55/16, and at prices of around 25% cheaper for the wider tyre.

    We only get the gen2 Prius with 16inch wheels over this side of the pond. I have gone to the wider tyre size (Hankook Kinergy Eco) and have actually gained more than 2MPG over the OEM 195/55/16 Bridgestone Turanzas ER300. Other advantages are better more predictable road holding, and better traction. So do not be afraid to go up to 205/55/16 or alternatively 205/50/16.

    I will be posting 10,000 mile results on the Hankook tyre shortly.

    John.
     
    #4 Britprius, Jul 29, 2012
  5. CBarr31

    CBarr31 Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2007
    434
    225
    0
    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    As others have posted, going up to the 205/55/R16 size opens up a lot more tire options. We just replaced my wife's Michelin Harmony 205/55/R16 tires with Michelin Primacy MXV4 205/55/R16 tires.

    The Harmony set had a 113K on them and probably would have lasted a little longer if she hadn't skipped an alignment or two but ohh well. The Primacy tires are rated at 60K so they should last a couple of years at least, which will see her out of a Prius and onto a Lexus of some sort I imagine. Wives are spoiled, LOL.

    Happy driving,
    Chris
     
    #5 CBarr31, Jul 29, 2012
  6. PNorth

    PNorth Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2008
    45
    7
    0
    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Hey folks,

    I've been in contact with Michelin Canada, and they tell me that the Michelin Energy Saver A/S is going to be available in 195/55R16 quite soon. They told me that they have a launch date of September 17, 2012.

    With respect to going up to a wider tire size, is there any concern of the tire rubbing on the interior of the wheel-well at full turning lock?
     
    #6 PNorth, Aug 3, 2012
  7. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2010
    5,194
    1,912
    0
    Location:
    Herefordshire England
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    No problems at all with tyre clearance even going to 215 or 225 section. The big difference with going wider and I cannot stress this enough is the difference it makes to the way the car handles and feels on the road.

    I cannot imagine how a Prius feels on 15 inch rims with those high side walls and only 185 section width, no wonder so many people complain about handling at speed

    John.
     
    #7 Britprius, Aug 3, 2012
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)