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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. TsKarma

    TsKarma Junior Member

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    FYI-For those in southern CA, Tustin Toyota is offering buy 3 get 1 free for certain tires such as the Michelin Primacy MxM4 (P215/45R17 87V ), which makes it $610 + tax. This can be stacked with the $70 Michelin rebate to further sweeten the deal.
    Tustin Toyota | New Toyota dealership in Tustin, CA 92782
     
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  2. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    F8L I do not know if this Dunlop tyre is available in the US but worth checking. Just added to UK list.

    Dunlop Sport Blue Response. In sizes 195/65/15, 195/55/16, 205/55/16.
    All rated B for RR and A for wet grip and very quiet at 68db.

    John (Britprius)
     
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  3. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Dunlop doesn't offer anything good here. The only thing Goodyear offers is the Fuel Max tire and those are pretty poor overall.
     
  4. Agape

    Agape Member

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    Few things I may need to consider. In Ireland we have few strict insurance companies and I worry that so may or may not have issue with downgrading speed rating of the tire from v to h. Sticker on my vehicle shows 195/55/16V. If I keep my driving style as previously then I may not need to worry about it. So I'm considering other sizes and speed ratings of tires.

    Next concern is that weight of v rated tire or w rated tire may increase my fuel consumption, I dont know if this is true theory.

    I also considered sourcing 15" rims from imported US type of prius (I have seen one or two in Ireland) & if the bolts have the same sizes as European version which may be the case, the difference in the price of the tire would allow me to buy the llr tires at lower price than 16" as well as the fuel consumption could improve with 15" if lrr tyres attached, does it seem like a bad idea?

    John, can you tell me more about the wear of these tires yours prius has and if they perform well in strange situations?

    I have some things in my boot plus lpg tank with lpg so added about 50kg into the rear.
    Somehow I have the feeling the higher speed rating the higher safety. In some situations especially on Irish motorways while in wet you may need good tires. But overall fuel efficiency is also a playing factor.
     
  5. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    I am am at over 18,000 miles (29000 Km) having just changed fronts to rears. At this ware rare I expect them to last at least 40,000 miles (65,000 Km). My driving is mostly (90%) on English country lanes at the speed limit so lots of bends, braking, and accelerating.

    The car feels much more planted on the road wet grip is excellent even when hitting deep puddles at speed, in snow they are as good as any other summer tire I have used, and went through the last two winters without getting stuck, but they are obviously not snow tyres.

    The tyres are much quieter than the OEM Bridgestone Turanzas ER300 that they replaced, and my MPG went up even before the tyres bedded in. The V rated tyre is the same weight as the H rated tyre and only a little more money about £1.50 UK. All other ratings are the same so no increase in fuel consumption is to be expected, if it were the rating would be down for rolling resistance to C

    In all honesty I would buy these tyres again until something with AA rating comes out in the 205/55/16 size. I can also state I will not go back to 195/55/16 tyres on the Prius. At the moment there is no tyre for 16 inch wheels that has an A rating for rolling resistance, and nothing that I have seen that comes near for value for money even if they wore out at 25/30,000 miles.

    Just one small point this should be posted in "Low rolling resistance replacement tyres (Europe)" so that people in Europe can better utilise and access the information rather than searching through the US threads.

    John (Britprius)
     
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  6. Agape

    Agape Member

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    This answers most of my questions. I may need to unload and then I will be ok with ratings. I think I will give them a try once I manage this expense as I just forked some €'s for the lpg conversion.

    I agree we should post in European part of the topic. I just realized that, perhaps moderator can move these posts or merge with European part of the thread.
     
  7. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Member "Dexter 1979" from Mallow Ireland fitted a set of these back in April. Why not send him a PM and ask his impressions if he is back from his road trip across Europe.

    John (Britprius)
     
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  8. Agape

    Agape Member

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    Nice suggestion, I will ask this member for his impressions. Thank you
     
  9. ilovemymac

    ilovemymac Member

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    Anyone ever try some non LRR tire for the Prius?

    Reason i ask is these are all 40-60 cheaper then the EP422 or the Pure Contacts and i was curious if over the life of tires you would save anything or not?
    Im not sure how much of a gas mileage drop you would see on a cheaper tire still rated at 60K miles or 50K miles compared to the 2 LRR ones i have listed here.
    Thanks
     
  10. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Most of the time we observe a loss of 2-4mpg depending on the tires being compared.

    The math looks like this.

    Treadwear warranty / mpg = gallons of fuel used * gas price/gallon = money spent on fuel + price of tires / tread wear warranty = cost per mile

    Let's use the Michelin Energy Saver A/S and Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max as an example:

    Energy Saver A/S
    65,000miles / 53.8mpg= 1208 * $3.6/ga = $4,349 + $432 / 65,000miles = $.0735/mile

    Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max
    65,000miles / 51.6mpg= 1259 * $3.6/ga = $4,534 + $396 / 65,000miles = $.0758/mile

    The hard part is knowing what the fuel economy will be with the tires you listed since they have not been tested.
     
  11. ilovemymac

    ilovemymac Member

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    Thank you F8L and some of the tires get some bad reviews as though they do not last anywhere close to 60K miles. SO i am thinking the Continental pure contact or the bridgestone ep422. I am concerned that in the end it will just be worth it.
    At least now i can do some math with what you posted and go from there
     
  12. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Buying tires doesn't have to be complicated but there are some of us who feel like we need to do research to make the best decision. :)
     
  13. ilovemymac

    ilovemymac Member

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    I'm the type who likes to research.
     
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  14. edwardob

    edwardob Member

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    i am in ireland too...i just bought 4 alloy wheels on done deal for my prius size 15....with 195/65/15 tyres on .....immediate improvement in mpg....and i have'nt put new tyres on yet

    bolt pattern is 5x100 so it pretty standard......
    i have set for sale if your interested
     
  15. Agape

    Agape Member

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    did you buy two set's and one you are not using?

    Or selling the set od 16'' that came off and were replaced with the 15's you purchased on done deal?
     
  16. edwardob

    edwardob Member

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    mmm long story......i keep ones i bought done deal...too many advantages
    i had 17inch on 2010 prius which i sold
    bought another set 15 to put winter tires on.....for the couple months we have 3 degree or maybe snow...and buy some second winter tyres....now selling

    then i was given another set which needs repair...so i will use them eventually

    heres done deal link i selling 15 inch alloy wheels x4 For Sale in Dublin : €155 - DoneDeal.ie

    may i should pm you....which part you live
     
  17. Agape

    Agape Member

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    I'm not sure if these will fit to my 2005 prius? Yes you can pm me

    But I'm not sure if this is right idea to use non stock wheels on Prii.
     
  18. edwardob

    edwardob Member

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    there is a thread here somewhere...with a mindbobbling amount of different wheels on....the important thing is the bolt patteren 5x100 and the offset of 45.....although offset 35 works fine.

    see mine in picture
    all versions prius wheels will fit all prius.....plus many other toyota wheels from auris....avensis etc

    check this out Gen III aftermarket wheel thread...post your pictures | PriusChat

    if your interested in fitting 15 tyre there are many benefits.....but you will need 15 wheels and your not limited simply to prius only wheels

    there are fine eco lrr 15 tyre available in ireland such as
    ECOPIA EP001S
    195/65 R15 91 H ....these are the one i fancy A A RATED TYRE FROM BRIGESTONE
    dunlop blue response. also good rating.....and others

    i just advertised mine to you because you seemed interested in 15 wheels tyre combo

    i was amazed at comfort of 195/65 15r tyres that i have but they need changing soon
     

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  19. Agape

    Agape Member

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    Thank you for your kind offer.
    I think I will not go for aftermarket wheels for Prii, I will stay with stock wheels.

    Looks like kinergy's are sold out at the place where I was looking at.

    This model is still in stock (I like the pattern)

    Hankook Ventus Prime2 K115 banden


    http://mosautoshina.ru/catalog/tyre/hankook/ventus-prime-2-k115/

    I was bit concerned about the weight of these tyres but considering reviews and spec's it seems to be some tyre for the money...
     
  20. edwardob

    edwardob Member

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    you buy them from russia?
     
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