Tires, milage and brands

Yokohama Avid S33 - 31,000 miles

Had 4/32" tread but had screw imbedded in tire and beginning to leak.

I just replaced with Michelin Primacy MXV4

 

The choice is very dependent on your needs.

You can start by doing searches on this forum as well as my guide to low rolling resistance tires.

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...esistance-replacement-tires-current-list.html

 

Our Canadian Touring model came with Michelin Pilot in 215/45R17. They came off within a week of purchase: replaced with Michelin X-Ice for winter (in 195/65R15 on steel rims). Went back on last spring at maybe 6000 km. Now closing in on 12000 km, I checked tread depth and see rears are more-or-less pristine, at 9/32" tread depth (as new), but fronts are slightly less than 8/32".

Just extrapolating from the present wear rate: with periodic rotations it looks like they are going to wear at 1/32" (all 4)every 12000 km, and accordingly be down into replacement territory (say 4~5/32" remaining), around 48000 km.

Thanks to our snow tires that time will stretch out, but still: pretty poor wear for a Michelin.

 

I got the ecopia bridgestone and have 42,000 and should get at least 10 more.

 

My car came with Toyo Proxis A20, 215/45-17 size. I replaced them with 3/32 of tread left after 42000 miles. I had rotated them twice and usually run about 45 to 48 psi. The tread was worn flat across the tires and no unusual wear was indicated.

New tires from Costco are Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus. Cost $654 out the door using a $70 coupon. Still to early to tell if there is any effect on mileage. Drivability (tracking, handling, etc) was excellent with the old tires and the new Michelins are at least as good in that respect.

 

Our Prius came with 195x65x15 Avid Yokohama tires. At about 11,000 miles I took them off and placed them on my 2003 Jetta TDI Wagon which takes the same size tires and my Jetta needed tires.

The Yoko tires are still on the Jetta and wearing fine, now with about 17,000 miles on them. Looks like the Yoko's are a 30,000 mile tire by the current wear rate.

We than put on the Prius 195x65x15 Michelin Energy Tires and now have over 40,000 miles on them.

Immediately noticed a 2-3 mpg increase in mpg's.

With the current wear rate the Michelin Energy tires should be at least a 60,000 mile tire.

alfon

 

I just replaced the OE Yoko tires (195/R15 Avid S33) on our 2010 Prius. It was down to 2/32" tread in 30K so I looked for a better quality tire. After reviewing this forum and other review sites I settled on Mich Primacy MXV4.

The calculated mileage before replacing the tires was about 54mpg...actual mileage varies but is usually less than 5% lower, so pretty good. The calculated mileage in the 100 or so miles we've driven since replacing the tires is down to about 44mpg...almost 20% reduction!

I took it back to tire dealer who checked the alignment again to make sure it was done correctly and they called both Toyota and Michelin to compare notes. Michelin is offering to put on different tires but both Michelin and Toyota say the MXV4 is a good tire to use. The Energy Saver is currently back-ordered so the dealer is suggesting a Goodyear Fuel Max but I've always been happy with Michelin tires on other vehicles and inclined to stay with them.

Anyone out there have any experiences that might shed some light? Why did this drop so dramatically? Suggestions?

 

Looking on TireRack:

Michelin Primacy MXV4

The 195/65R15 size of Michelin Primacy MXV4 is not indicated as LRR (some other sizes are).

I'd suggest Bridgestone Ecopia EP20 as one possibility: LRR, all-season, readily available through Costco and others.

 

Did you read this?

Tire Tech Information - Tire Rolling Resistance Part 3: Changes to Expect When Switching from Worn-Out to New Tires

 

So in other words my 5 month old Prius which gets 55 mpg should be getting about 59-60 in a few years. Worth waiting for :cheer2:

 

In theory yes. Keep in mind though, that the reduced rolling diameter will trick you computer into thinking you are traveling more miles than you actually as and thus artificially increase MPG.

 

I log 95% freeway miles here in mild San Diego. My OE Yoko tires (195/R15 Avid S33) on the 2010 Prius lasted 78,000 miles (rotated them religiously every 5K) . The tires were down to 2/32" tread when I popped one while driving over a freeway lane reflector. Over the course of those miles, I would average 50 mpg while driving between 65-80 mph. During the times where I drove 65 mph, I would average 55-57 mph (over the course of 20,000 miles). These tires were fine for my driving purposes and have the advantage of being low rolling resistance.

Based on some recommendations here, I've since switched to Potenza RE960AS tires and have noticed better traction during aggressive cornering and braking. Hasn't rained much here so I can't comment on wet traction yet. My mpg definitely has suffered by a minimum of 5 mpg so I'm now averaging 44-46 mpg under the same driving conditions (thus far have 7000 miles on these new tires).

 

also has the same OE tire, changed all four at 40500, still had tread at the center, slightly balding on the sides but the traction was suffering. change only because I had a small leak on one of the tires and wanted better traction. Also switch to the Potenza RE960AS, have not driven enough on them to get a mileage impact. traction is better. I would give up mileage for better traction any day. MPG is just money, traction is safety. previous MPG was 47-49, mostly freeway.

 

I'm at life's end for my Bridgestone Ecopias... 40K miles, and there's nothing left. FWIW, I run them at 42 PSI, and have perfectly flat even wear.

I do notice slightly better mileage running smooth tires....

 

I hadn't read the piece but sort-of knew these things...not the numbers but the concepts. Still a 20% drop seems a little steep. However, as we've put some miles on the new tires the calculated mileage has gone up a little...maybe down about 10-12% now. Since I don't know the odometer effects I don't really know how much of that is real loss from rolling resistance and how much is calculation error. Anyway, we've decided to keep the tires.

Thanks again.

 

I'm going with the Kumhos - more for the 100K life - but they are also LRR... Wish someone else had bought them (i'd like to hear a live review)...


Kumho eco Solus HM KR22 (All Season)
UTQG= 800 A B, 44PSI, 11/32, 20LBS, 834, $77

 

Me too! I want to hear some real world experience with them. They appear to be a great deal. Please post up your review after you break em in.

 

is the ride better? quieter ?

 

While I respect Tumbleweed's opinions I would suggest you check out the Michelin Primacy MXM4. It is rated higher in fuel economy and wet handling than the Pilot and comes with a better warranty. It is also rated as LRR.

Pilot Sport A/S Plus | Michelin Tires

Primacy MXM4 | Michelin Tires

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-fuel-economy/95554-michelin-primacy-mxm4-review.html