Bridgestone Ecopia EP20 or EP422 plus for 2010 Prius?

Awesome documentation toyolover!

Here's my opinion on the EP422 Plus. Most reputable manufactures don't downgrade a new tire, especially when it's a premium product like the Ecopia. While I don't know the exact details, I will put another call in to tech support and see if there is any other info I can get. I would think it's a safe bet that it's an improvement, even if it's slight.

That being said, I NEVER get the mileage that they guarantee. I rotate every oil change and keep the alignment in check. They are never worn irregularly. One word in their defense, I replace early. I know that tires get more efficient as they wear, but I can't run tires down to the end. I'm just way more confident driving on good tires. I drive to far and to much on the interstate to risk anything else.

 

Wliangy,
I've always done every 5k with full synthetic oil, and I rotate the tires at the same time. I always do it myself, so I watch the tires for wear and if I see any I go and have the alignment done. You can get the lifetime done at most places, and I get it done where I buy my tires. I also try and cross rotate instead of just going front to back. I think changing the rotational direction helps to keep irregular wear from starting, and once wear is there you can't get rid of it.

 

I've adopted to 7.5K rule - change oil + rotate tires.

 

I've been thinking about that as well. If new regular oil is good for 7500, I have been toying with 7500-10000. I'm going to watch the oil and see how "dark" it gets.

 

OK wliangy, I called the technical support line yesterday. The official response is that the EP422 Plus is a new compound that extends tread wear while maintaining approximately the same LRR. I pressed and was told about 5k longer life, and could get no exact response on the LRR part, just "about the same".

 

Let us know what you put on how the results are, OK?

 

Wliangy, I purchased my prius with 60K miles and it had newer Goodyear Assurance tires on it. They were a good tire for me and lasted until 114K miles. At that point I purchased some takeoff tires and rims with the Ecopia 422 tires. Those also wore well and I replaced them at 176K miles at Costco with the Ep422 Plus. They are doing well, I am at 215K now. I usually rotate them somewhere between 10-15K miles. I have the Goodyear defender tires on my wife's Honda Accord, I have not been impressed with them. They seem loud and the first set did not last 90K miles as promised. Costco was great and pro-rated them for me. I think you will be happy with the Ecopia's.

 

Same here. I don't know if we just have rougher roads up here or what but I never see close to the "expected" miles. I rotate regularly, never have uneven wear, but once those grooves start getting low, I play it safe and get new ones.

It's one reason I'm going back to more value-priced (though not bargain basement) tires next time after going $$$ Michelins this round. I still only get 3 "years" out of them. (I run dedicated snow tires Halloween-Easter).

Things I value most in my non-winter Prius tire are quietness, and hyrdroplane resistance... thoughts?

 

Then don't go back to "value" tires, watch the sales and get a good tire when it's on sale. I watch the local Firestone Complete Auto Care. They seem to rotate each month to a different tire being buy three get the forth one free. I watch and buy when the ones I want are on that sale. Then they almost always have another incentive if you use your in house card. Last time in was $100 visa gift card if you used it to buy a set of tires. That buys a lot of gas or grocery. It does take a bit more planning to look ahead and watch the sales, but it saves you money. Put 4 tires on my daughters car last month. Firestone champion fuel fighters for around $250 and got $100 visa gift card as well. I don't remember the size offhand, but they were 16's. The fuel fighter is new firestone fuel efficient tire.

 

Just checked...the Ecopia 422 plus tires are on sale with the $100 off of four if you use your Firestone card. $70 off with out...

 

I got a new set of Ecopia 422 Plus from Costco Christmas of 2016. They are very quiet and gives very good MPG after 15,000 miles of mostly highway driving, however, I do take turns faster than most people would in the city though. I have a dB meter app on my phone and it usual reads 64dB at 60MPH on asphalt roads. 70dB at 70 on asphalt and 74dB on concrete roads.

Costco is running $70 off of four tires and 4 cents to install so a total of close to $130 off. Not a bad deal at all.

 

The installers work cheap, lol.

 

Trump getting to you?