Just purchased Bridgestone EP422 tires

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by alfon, Aug 12, 2012.

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  1. Dmatt

    Dmatt New Member

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    Too funny, why didn't I think of that......you are right!!
     
    #21 Dmatt, Aug 22, 2012
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  2. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    So far about 3,000 miles on the Ecopia's and about about a 2-3 mpg hit over
    the Michelin Energy Saver AS. I just may, during this 30 day money back
    guarantee with Bridgestone, exhange them for the Michelin Energy Saver AS
    tires. I believe Michelin will have another $70.00 rebate begining Sept. 8 with
    Costco where I buy my tires.
     
    #22 alfon, Sep 4, 2012
  3. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    alfon, how does the handling of the EP422 compare to the Energy Saver A/S. I have about 15k on my Energy Saver A/S and am now becoming extremely disappointed with the handling and traction, now that the tires have worn down a bit. The car floats a lot and taking corners fast results in a horrendously loud scream. Thanks.
     
    #23 The Critic, Sep 5, 2012
  4. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

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    I'm wondering about the direct comparison for, as The Critic asks, reasons other than MPGs. Safety and noise are big issues for me, and I'm wondering how the Ecopias (the 422s) compare to the Michelin Energy Savers on those counts. Did you also have issues with handling and traction, as noted in The Critic's post?
     
    #24 a priori, Sep 5, 2012
  5. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    They're probably still OK. Usually tires take 10k or more to really show any deficiencies.


    iPhone ?
     
    #25 The Critic, Sep 5, 2012
  6. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Mine have about 10k on them and so far no noise when cornering.
     
    #26 F8L, Sep 5, 2012
  7. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    The Energy Saver tires seem to corner well and so does the Ecopia's.
    I just noticed at high speed driving 65-70 the tires appear to somewhat make
    the car float a little. Somewhat like the wind is blowing, even though there
    is no wind. The Energy Saver tires were much more stable.
     
    #27 alfon, Sep 6, 2012
  8. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    that sounds about right. In my experience they give ~1/2 of Energy Saver MPG improvement when compared to stock Avids.
     
    #28 cyclopathic, Sep 7, 2012
  9. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    Just got back from Costco. They will install the Michelin Energy Saver AS
    tires for about $74.00 more than the Ecopia's cost me. They would have
    installed them today but they had to be ordered.

    To me the $74.00 is well worth it.....
     
    #29 alfon, Sep 7, 2012
  10. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Not bad. :) I am going to see if the 215/50/17 is available yet. It would be interesting to try it on a GenIII.
     
    #30 F8L, Sep 7, 2012
  11. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

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    How do the RPMs on the 215/50 compare with the stock 215/45s and the stock 15s?
     
    #31 a priori, Sep 7, 2012
  12. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    They are taller than the OE 15s by approx. 1/2" so the car will be sit higher but also fill the wheel well more. The 215/45/17s vary but are approx. 1/2 to 1/4" shorter than the OE 15s. Ideally one should use a 205/50/17 but tire choices are different than in a 215/45/17. My idea for the 215/50/17 is based on using a slightly larger tire to compensate for lowering the vehicle. I would only want to lower the car to reduce wheel well gap. I don't want to lose ground clearance because I take my car off road for work. The 205/50/17 and 215/50/17 would fill the wheel well better than the 215/45/17 and may not require lowering (doubtful). I wouldn't even consider the 215/50/17 but Michelin lists the Energy Saver A/S is this size. It's sorta like a GenII owner switching from 185/65/15s to 195/65/15s. I'm not certain it would work but it never hurts to speculate. :)
     
    #32 F8L, Sep 8, 2012
  13. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    Just make sure you get road hazard protection. Energy Saver sidewalls are toilet paper thin and can be easily damaged
     
    #33 cyclopathic, Sep 11, 2012
  14. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    He already had a set. :)
     
    #34 F8L, Sep 11, 2012
  15. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    On our last set of energy saver tires we put on over 68,000 miles and never had
    as much as a low tire. I believe that Costco has a great service policy.
     
    #35 alfon, Sep 12, 2012
  16. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    Just got back from Costco. Installed Michelin Energy Saver AS tires, 195x65x15.
    Cost only $48.00 more than the EP-422's.

    Soon as I drove off I noticed the smoothness and quiet. After over 7 miles
    from reseting trip A it read 70.5 mpgs( indicated) when I arrived in Astoria.

    With the Ecopia it would have read 63-65 mpg indicated. The Ecopia's also were well
    broken in with about 3,000 + miles, the Michelin's, of course, brand spanking new.....
     
    #36 alfon, Sep 13, 2012
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  17. jlulu

    jlulu Junior Member

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    #37 jlulu, Sep 18, 2012
  18. jlulu

    jlulu Junior Member

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    I purchased the EP422's from costco last month. While I like the tires better than the stock tires, after reading this post I decided today to leverage this "knowledge" and follow the same path by returning them to costco and "upgrading" to the Michelin Energy Saver AS.

    However, per costco (and other posts in this forum) there is a nation wide backorder on these tires. The only Michelin option they offered at the "Michelin Energy Saver" tires (touring summer version, not AS) and these tires will cost a total of apx $200 more. I'm not sure the $200 is worth it as the EP422's were only about $380 to begin with.

    I definately want the better MPG. Any suggestions?
     
    #38 jlulu, Sep 18, 2012
  19. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    If you are Cali local I am selling my slightly used Energy Saver A/Ss. :)
     
    #39 F8L, Sep 18, 2012
  20. jlulu

    jlulu Junior Member

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    I am a CAli local (sac area) and I'd normally be interested in picking up the AS, but given that I've already purchsed my existing set from Cosco I'm kinda stuck going with them.

    any suggestions on my options at this poing staying with the E{422's, moving to the summer Energy Savers, or other optoins?
     
    #40 jlulu, Sep 19, 2012
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