time to replace th 17" oem tires HELP!

Assuming you have the Michelin Pilots, in 215/45R17:

Our's came with the same tire, and so far no complaints. Right after purchase (last fall) sub'd Michelin X-Ice 195/65R15, on separate steel rims. Those were on for about 5 months, then back to the Pilots in spring.

Both have run about 6000 km now, and both show very little treadware, so far. The Pilots are not highly regarded, say at TireRack, but I've found them ok so far, running at 38/36 psi front/rear.

Currently our local Costco only has Michelin Pilots in that size. Michelin's new Primacy comes in that size as well, and highly regarded at TireRack. Seems to come in two speed ratings, I think the lower one would be fine. Both Pilot and Primacy are LRR, at least in 215/45R17.

 

See http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...esistance-replacement-tires-current-list.html A couple members have the primacy. I recommend selecting only the brands/models that have the raised rim protectors.

 

I have Bridgestone Turanza EL400-02 tires on my car as the OE tire offering. Almost 11k miles on them and they seem do be doing okay.
Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels is a good place to look and compare tires online. I have gotten tires from them in the past and I feel they are a good company, but they only sell you the tires you still need to get them mounted and installed. I would recommend you get a LLR tire.

 

TireRack allows you to exclude all but LRR choices for your vehicle.

 

I just went on to Tire Rack when I had about 3 or 4,000 miles on my car and got Michelin replacements for the OEM tires, but I can't say I paid too much attention to what, I just didn't like the Toyo or whatever the original tires were. The Michelins have been great. I still have my OEM tires in the garage but I am probably going to can them as they take up too much room.

 

Yes, 215/45-17 primary has the raised rim protector.

 

Here is my choice for that particular size and here is my review of the tire:

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

 

Thanks. I hope it helped.

 

There is quite a difference between the Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 and the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus tires that I bought. If you are interested do a comparison of the 5 Michelin all season tires and see what you think: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?width=215%2F&ratio=45&diameter=17

Click "compare" by each one then click "compare selected tires".

I posted in another topic that I thought they were noisy and didn't ride to well but I may have been a little to pessimistic. From this survey it looks to me as if the Pilot Sport A/S Plus may be the best choice of the bunch except for fuel mileage which is not rated, they are not LRR.. They are sold at Costco.

 

Make sure you don't confuse the Pilot MXM4 with the Primacy MXM4. Totally different tires. The Primacy MXM4 is only $136/ea compared to $175+.

 

^ Just rechecked Costco.ca and see both the above are now offered, used to be just the Pilot. The Pilot is $265 each, and the Primacy $220 each.

Costco.ca: Shop for Tires

Costco Canada's search by vehicle function doesn't work with the Canadian Touring model (has 17" wheels per US V), so you have to choose the specific size.

 

There is an old version of the Primacy so make sure they quote you on the new one. At the Costco near me they tried to sell me the older version which was $175 whereas tne newer one was $139.

 

It appears the difference in the two versions of the Primacy is the speed rating. The more expensive one is W rated whereas the less expensive one is V rated. The V rated tire is, of course, fine for the Prius. In fact the spec for the Prius with 17 inch wheels is speed rating V.

 

I noticed that the H-/V-rated ones have a 55,000 mile warranty whereas the W-rated tires have a 45,000 mile warranty.

 

slightly off-topic (not sure if I should have made a new thread), so how many miles should I be getting out of my tires? I'm at 52k mi already on the OEM Toyo 17", mostly highway, and tread still seems to be above the 2/32 in. My current plan is to replace at the 60k mark with the primacy mxm4 tires.