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Low Rolling Resistance replacement tires: Current List

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by F8L, Apr 17, 2011.

  1. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    No. If I'd read the Tirerack test, I've probably forgotten about it already. :redface:

    Once I got rid of the remaining stock Integrities and was using these two pairs of Bridgestones that I mentioned, handling improved noticeably.

    I'm not a tire connoisseur but can tell the difference between tires that are significantly better/worse in terms of handling/traction.
     
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Approx. numbers

    195/65/15: diameter 25", tread width 5.9", weight 18lbs

    205/70/15: diameter 26.3", tread width 7.5", weight 21lbs
     
  3. cinder

    cinder Member

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    We have the Pro Contact w/ Eco Plus on the base model '08 Yaris sedan with the 4 speed automatic and the improvement in the ride , noise level , and handling is a big + over the O.E.M. Bridgestone Potenza RE 92s' . Especially on rain soaked roads . The gas mileage remains the same as the 92s' . The Yaris is averaging 38 m.p.g. with the Eco + . Keep them at 35 > 37 p.s.i.. Thus , highly give them a :cheer2: .
     
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  4. SuperchargedMR2

    SuperchargedMR2 Diehard Rams Fan

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    Filled up my Prius today. This is the first full tank that I've had with the tires adjusted properly. So far my 16" size choice seems to be holding it's own in mpg. This last tanks numbers.....

    Miles - 423.6
    Gas Used - 8.12 gallons
    MPG - 52.2
     
  5. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Nice. What were you getting before in these same conditions?
     
  6. rickelchilango

    rickelchilango Junior Member

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  7. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Thanks. Sometimes I forget to add the snow tires. :)
     
  8. SuperchargedMR2

    SuperchargedMR2 Diehard Rams Fan

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    What same conditions? Wait 5 minutes in the NW & things change. :lol: Last year at the same time I was on only my 5th fill-up& I got 47.0 mpg. The car was still new & last year we had even more rain then this year so that could be expected, even with the 15" wheels & tires. You can look at my Fuelly page to see all the details. ;)

    You almost have half of the fill-ups that I do & you just got your Prius!
     
  9. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I know. It already has over 6,500 miles on it. :(

    I'm glad the new wheels/tires didn't kill your mpg. Now you have the best of everything, handling, looks, mpg, etc..
     
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  10. SuperchargedMR2

    SuperchargedMR2 Diehard Rams Fan

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    Just what I was after. This may help others to see that they can upgrade to a nicer 16" wheel/tire package & get the best of all worlds. :D
     
  11. suhlhorn

    suhlhorn New Member

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    Hi-

    I'm getting close to replacing the OEs on my 2010 prius IV (15" wheels). I've had several sets of the Michelin HydroEdge's on other vehicles and really love them. Here in FL, they really do save you during storm season with the frog-choaking downpours!

    Problem is, Michelin doesn't make it in the 195/65R15 size. They do have a 195/60R15. Does anyone here think these would work? What do you think might be affected? Milage? Speedometer?

    Thanks-
    -stephen
     
  12. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    You are better off keeping the OE size and using the Michelin Defender (90,000), Continental ProContact with EcoPlus (80,000) or Yokohama AVID Ascend (85,000). All three should provide excellent wet traction and hydroplane resistance as well as very long tread life. The Defender is supposedly replacing the Hydroedge and Harmony tire.
     
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  13. suhlhorn

    suhlhorn New Member

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    Thanks-

    My main choices from the local Costco are Michelin Energy Saver and Bridgestone Ecopia EP20. Do you think the Michelin's will have decent wet traction? I put MPG below wet traction when trying to pick a tire in these parts.
     
  14. suhlhorn

    suhlhorn New Member

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    One more thing-

    It doesn't look like the Defender comes in a 195/65R15. Does it?
     
  15. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Hmmm they must have changed something upon its release.

    The Energy Saver A/S is a good tire but I would choose the EcoPlus or Ascend over it if wet traction and longevity are your goals. Unfortunately neither company offers a rebate. Fortunately, both tires are cheaper than the Michelin. :)

    Costco doesn't sell them so you may have to order them from an online retailer and have someone like America's Tire install them. Most of us use Tirerack.com and Discount Tire Direct.
     
  16. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    In the 30,000 miles I have driven my Gen III, it has gone through three different sets of tires. Driving conditions during this entire time have been identical, and temperatures have been fairly constant. Therefore, I think my fuel economy data can be a good example of the impact that tire selection can have on your fuel economy.

    I currently have 2400 miles on the Michelin Energy Saver A/S. These are the MPG stats, manually calculated.

    Highest: 53.4
    Average: 48.2
    Lowest: 45.0

    Standard Deviation: 2.4

    In the 14,000 miles I had the Michelin Primacy MXV4, these were the mpg stats:

    Highest: 50.1
    Average: 42.7
    Lowest: 37.0

    Standard Deviation: 2.6

    (I may be missing 2-3 tanks, so this is probably 90% of the fill-ups during the time in which I had the Primacy MXV4.)

    Lastly, in the 14,000 miles that I had the OE Yokohama Avid S33d Tires, these were the MPG stats.

    Highest: 51.7
    Average: 44.4
    Lowest: 37.7

    Standard Deviation: 3.2

    In conclusion, my findings about the Energy Saver A/S so far are as follows:

    They are 8.6% more fuel efficient than the OE tires.
    They are 12.9% more fuel efficient than the Primacy MXV4 tires.

    Also, the Primacy MXV4 tires are 4% less efficient than the OE tires.


    At least from my data, it shows that tire choice can have a significant impact on fuel economy that is easily measurable. Please feel free to discuss and share your personal data. Also, I included the standard deviation because someone asked me to, but I am not sure how useful it is in this case.
     
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  17. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Interesting. That 37mpg tank on the MXV4 really stands out for some reason. :p

    I wonder how the S33D compares to the Integrity tire in terms of mpg. In the Round and Black test they measured a 2.4mpg difference between the two tires.

    Many people have replaced their worn OE tires and noticed an immediate gain in mpg when going to the Energy Saver A/S. normally you would observe a loss if the tires were the same or equivalent. This would lead me to believe the the Energy Saver A/S is better than most tires in terms of mpg.
     
  18. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    Yes, Energy Saver tires work as advertised. 195x65x15

    Over 60,000 miles / I noticed a 2-3 mpg increase
    over the factory Avid Yoko tires even though
    they had 10,000 miles on them and they were
    well broken in.

    All 4 tires are at 44 psi max sidewall pressure. Expect
    tire tread life to be about 70,000 miles.

    I truly believe they are the most fuel
    efficient tire available.
     
  19. cinder

    cinder Member

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    The Critic , how are the Yokohama Avid Ascends doing with your friends FIT ? Good to see the increase in F.E.. Keep us updated . Thanks
     
  20. cinder

    cinder Member

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    Want to let others know that they can possibly get some F.E. tires for under $66 ( pre-tax ) by using the combination of Tirebuyer ( all tires free S+H ) and General Motors rebate of $100 ( Visa prepaid card ) . The sites are Buy Tires and Wheels Online and get Free Shipping | TireBuyer.com and http://www.mycertifiedservicerebates.com/pdf/GMN.pdf . Example , the Bridgestone Ecopia 422 size 195/65-15 ( ECOPIA EP422 Tires by Bridgestone at TireBuyer.com ) may only cost $65.02 through a local GM parts department by matching the Tirebuyer price of $90.02 and then a discount of $25 from GM ( 1/4 of the $100 discount ) . The free shipping / handling is a must to get low cost , otherwise the fee for S/H is tacked on to the matched price and then get the $25 off . We purchased the 422s' for $56.60 each ( before tax ) with this method . Hope to have them installed on the '11 base model Fit ( 175/65-15 ) this weekend by GM service center for under $65 ( includes taxes ) . It's possible that some GM parts / dealers won't match the internet price . If they do , may be able to find a better deal through another online tire dealer that includes free shipping and handling .