Got new Tires....Michelin Energy Saver....

nice. i'd go 42 front, 40 rear. all the best!

 

What are the dimensions? I think I might go higher with the fatter (lower-profile) tyres (perhaps 48F/46R) and lower with the skinnys (40F/38R) to help dig into the snow (I run 48/46 on my summers (Michelin Energy-Savers (195/55R16), and 40F/38R on the winter steelies shod with Blizzak WS-80s (185/55R15)) hope this helps - Wil

 

I'd go with @bisco (I think I got that right?), or even slightly higher (to help keep the tyre's shape, and also help shed the snow from the treads), and I might go higher (46/44) when the warmer weather returns…

 

I go with side wall rated. When I still had the OEM Bridgestone I use to have 51/49. After one of them got cut on the sidewall I've changed the whole set to the previous version of Ecopia 422 (not Plus) and put 44 all around since.

 

Anything more that 39-37 rattled my old bones too much, prefer driving a car rather than a buckboard.

 

I agree. Maybe it has to do with our age

I tried 42-40 for a while but the ride is just too stiff. 40-38 was a good compromise.

Besides I saw negligible change in mpg from 42-40 and 40-38.

I love my ES A/S tires! In my opinion they are still King of the Hill of LRR tires for the Prius.

Some report that these tires are no longer available. Not true, they are produced in limited quantities so you will probably have to order. I ordered mine from Sam's.

 

I'm inclined to set all tires to the same pressure, just for expedience, an to avoid having to adjust pressures up/down come tire rotation time. Also, I'm getting a little sceptical about the improvement at extremely raised psi, not seeing that much difference. So I tend to raise pressures, but just a little above what the door decal recommends for the fronts. Say plus 3 pounds.

How about, just for a test: leave them as-is for the next tank, and then raise them to 38 for the next tank. Then maybe 42 for the tank after that if you want. Also, be cognisant of ride quality, it does tend to get harsher with higher pressures.

 

I run my tires at what Toyota recommends on the placard inside the door and the owners manual.
I figure how wrong can the designers of the automobile be?

When I first got my Prius I experimented with higher pressures, but honestly felt it jeopardized handling (very bumpy) and given all the tied together complexity of the traction control and the regenerative brakes, it thought it was potentially dangerous. And I also did not see a huge increase in MPG, really arguably the same.

I'll go with the recommendation of the vehicle's maker, over what is a tire manufacturers MAX PSI, not meant as a recommendation for the specific vehicle the tires are being mounted on, but as a Max the tires can be used at.

I'm very attentive to keeping the tires at inflated to the recommendations even through seasonal change.

I know this opinion and advice is unpopular with those that imagine a great benefit from higher pressures. I just don't see it.

 

Your next to last paragraph could maybe use a little editing, confusing. So you've just the done one tire change, from the original Sumitomo HTR A/S P02, to Michelin Energy Saver A/S?

Energy Savers are pretty much THE best tire for low rolling resistance, by all reports. Maybe just leave it for a tank or two, could be your drives are an anomaly?

 

did you take the mpg hit as soon as you switched tyres? are you measuring by the tankful?i agree, (even though i have my tires at 42/40. but i wonder why toyota set the new eco model tyre pressure higher?

 

there are so many variables, i like to measure by the tank, just to be sure.

it may be that the michelin's need breaking in, idk. but if your mpg's dropped before changing tyres, it is most certainly something else.

 

Could they have screwed up the size?

Other'n that, kinda stumped. Again, I'd just not look too close, give it a tank.

 

Mikey the Mailman, I am a big fan of Good Year Assurance Fuel Max tires. They have always given me 3 to 5 mpg improvement, over the years, several sets, different vehicles. My OEM tires are GYAFM (I especially purchased a new vehicle with these tires). 50 psi x 4. ScanGuage II. Mild hypermiling. Ravenol 0W16. I get low to mid 50s mpg, without really trying, consistantly. Sustina 0W20 would give you a nudge over TGMO also. I have obtained 67 mpg on a trip to San Diego. It would have been higher, but for a little AC useage. Hope this helps.