Prius Gen III 2010 Needs New Tires

Based on my research from the Consumer Reports, the best tires to purchase at a reasonable cost, long-tread life, low rolling resistance (meaning higher MPG), ice breaking, avoiding hydroplaning on water surfaces, and good dry breaking performance are the Michelin Defender ($117.12) and the Michelin Primacy MXV4 ($123.38).

An older model of tires, the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S ($108.58) is less expensive than the Primacy MXV4. However, I would strongly recommend against purchasing the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S model due to the poor tread life and ice braking performance.

The same can be said for the Michelin Energy Saver A/S ($112.68) in terms of ice breaking performance.

The Dunlop tires available at $76 perform poorly in noise, ride comfort, hydroplaning, rolling resistance, snow traction, treadlife, braking tests. Stay away from those!

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Michelin Defender:

• About $117 each
• Excellent tread life. With an 80,000 miles treadwear warranty.
• An impressive balance of very good dry and wet braking, handling, and resistance to hydroplaning.
• Advantage: Compare to the Primacy MXV4, it has better performance in the hydroplaning test (to prevent skidding in rains), costs about $6 less per tire, and has 20k miles more in treadlife.
• Disadvantage: Compare to the Primacy MXV4, it has worse noise, ride comfort, snow traction, and higher rolling resistance (worse MPG).

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Michelin Primacy MXV4:

• About $123 each
• Very good tread life. With a 60,000 miles treadwear warranty.
• Low rolling resistance for good fuel economy.
• Impressive all-season performance in dry braking, wet braking, handling, and snow traction.
• Advantage: Compare to the Defender, it has better performance in producing less noise, better ride comfort, lower rolling resistance for better fuel economy, better snow traction.
• Disadvantage: Compare to the Defender, it costs about $6 more per tire, has slightly worse performance in the hydroplaning test, and has a worse tread life.

Both the Michelin Primacy MXV4 and the Michelin Defender are excellent tires. The Michelin Primacy MXV4 is a good option if better ride comfort, reducing road noise, better fuel economy are important factors, though it is slightly more expensive. The Michelin Defender is a great choice if tread life and resistance to hydroplaning are the priorities; though at the expense of worse noise, ride comfort, snow traction, and higher rolling resistance (worse MPG).

 

If you want to maintain your fuel economy then the Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 is the best value tire that has good snow/ice traction. It is not a great handling tire but it is quiet and comfortable. The price with the rebate plus the great fuel economy makes it a winner. I prefer the Energy Saver A/S but it is not good in snowy conditions. For your conditions I believe it is the best tire from a cost/mile standpoint. If you want a more sporty tire then the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus is a great tire but fuel economy is average like the Primacy MXV4 mentioned above.

Tire Test Results : Eco-Focused All-Season Tires: Do They Deliver on the Promise?

Tire Test Results : Testing Grand Touring All-Season Tires

 

Thanks, F8L for the Bridgestone recommendations. The local Sam's Club that performs the complimentary tire rotations throughout the tires' lifetime doesn't offer any Bridgestone tires. As a result, the Michelin tires are my only options if I wish to have the free tire rotations from Sam's Club and have decent tires.

Raleigh, NC usually has about 1-5 snow days per year, and I drive the Prius for the occasional ski trip in WV. Compared to the Energy Saver A/S, the Defender has better tread life and the Primacy MXV4 has better handling. Do you think the Michelin Energy Saver A/S constitute an acceptable alternative to the Defender and Primacy MXV4 for driving around Raleigh, NC and the 3-5 times ski trips per year?

 

F8L is spot on. I wanted the Michelin Energy Savers and they're suitable where I live, but none available until early 2013. The Bridgestone Ecopia EP422's are a great value; 4 installed, including tax for $413! Alignment at the dealer was $67.50 so total cost was about $480. 65k mile warranty should carry me for another 3 years.

 

I think they will be fine. You should use chains in the snow anyway.

The Energy Saver A/S is much better for fuel economy than either of the other tires. The MXV4 is no very fuel efficient and the Defender is only a little better. I would expect to see a 3-4mpg difference between the Energy Saver A/S and the Defender. The difference is even higher when comparing the Energy Saver and the MXV4.

 

Thanks, F8L and JH for the inputs on the Energy Saver A/S.

I would like to have some second opinions on the tire needs of the other car in the house, the Civic's 205/55R16 tires are in need of replacement. The previous Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S tires already ran for more than 50k miles and are running on 3/16 inch. I've been waiting for the Michelin discounts at Sam's Club and is now considering my options.

• $142.02 Michelin Primacy MXV4 H-rated
• $143.04 Michelin Primacy MXV4 V-rated

Unfortunately, the local Sam's Club does not offer the Michelin Defender, Continental, or Bridgestone tires. Despite these limitations, I would like to continue to purchase new tires at Sam's Club due to the complimentary free tire rotations. I would like to have second opinions on the H-rated or V-rated Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires for the Civic. Thanks.

 

Do you have a Costco or America's Tire near you? Pretty much everyone offers free tire rotation nowadays. America's Tire will do them for any car in the family and they will match prices. I see no reason to be loyal to Sams Club if you can't get what you want and save money.

 

Good advice, and America's Tire goes by the name Discount tire in most of the country.
Discount Tire or America's Tire

 

Thanks for the advice on the Discount Tire store. There are significantly more choices from Discount Tire compared to Sam's Club for the set of 205/55R16.

The Discount Tire quote:
•The OTD price for a set of the Michelin Primacy MXV4 Performance All-Season V-rated tires is $697.87 with a complimentary $70 debit card from Michelin obtained through a mail-in rebate.
•The OTD price for a set of the Michelin Primacy MXV4 Performance All-Season H-rated tires is $693.52 with a complimentary $70 debit card from Michelin obtained through a mail-in rebate.
•The OTD price for a set of the Michelin Defender T-rated All-Season tires is $610.87 with a complimentary $70 debit card from Michelin obtained through a mail-in rebate.
•Discount Tire includes free rotations.

The Sam's Club's quote:
•The OTD price for a set of the Michelin Primacy MXV4 Performance All-Season V-rated tires is $612.22 due to the $70 discount from the Michelin promotion.
•Sam's Club includes free rotations and free tire repairs for curbside damage or flat tires from nails, in addition to the convenience of 30-min tire rotations while I shop at Sam's Club and the nearby Wal-Mart.

Unfortunately, the closest Costco is 20 miles from my home. And it seems like Sam's Club offers the best deal for my situation.

 

Like I said, they match prices. All you have to do is ask.

 

Actually, in the 205/55-16 size, the Primacy MXM4 will be a much better performer than the Primacy MXV4.

 

I agree but the mpg will still suffered compared to the other options. It's also very expensive! I like those tires as you well know but the price is getting out of control. They have gone up by over $30 per tire since I bought my first set,

 

The price difference is peanuts when spread out over several years. My monthly eating out budget far exceeds it.


iPhone ?

 

Stop eating at those nice restaurants and hit the dollar menu!