Replacement Tires for 2007 Touring

Thank goodness my Prius doesn't need tires yet but on other treads (I mean threads - Freudian slip there) I recall others talking about Michelin Hydroedge. I don't know about size availability or rolling resistance, but Michelin can't be beat in my humble opinion, plus I love my Hydroedges on my other (non-Prius) vehicles Just a thought.

 

I like this thread and the other threads on tires for the Touring like http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-modifications/37637-touring-edition-tire-upgrade.html.

With the Touring model debuting in the 2007 model year, it seems that now is the time that the chickens are beginning to come home to roost, sorta speak (Touring owners' OEM tires are beginning to wear out).

So this all seems to be very useful and timely info.

EDIT: And maybe of direct interest to non-Touring owners as well, as it opens up the discussion and sharing of anectdotal experiences to performance tires and RunFlats (the most common types of tire available in the Touring OEM tire size) and to tires with a 205 tread width (the most common bump up in tire size for Touring owners).

 

Been running the Falken Ziex ZE912 195-55-16s on Touring wheels for 5000 miles now. I think they were about $70 each.

Very happy, excellent tires, quiet, confident and nice looking.

 

I posted the online site where I bought these some time ago, I'll see if I can dig it back up. Running 42 front, 40 rear. I can't really speak to loss of MPG as I bought the Prius used with worn stock tires and only put another 1000 miles on them before the switch.

My average is 47 mpg.

 

Staze,

Here was misslexi's previous post about the cost of the 912's:

"I bought the Falken Ziex ze-912's at OnlineTires.com - Buy Tires and Wheels Online. Michelin, Goodyear, Dunlop, Bridgestone Tires. for $73 each. They are in California, shipping cost $42.64 to rural WA."

I guess the thing to do is to run the numbers on OnlineTires.com and DiscountTire.com, look to spend no more than $15 per tire for installation, and then compare those numbers to your Sears dealer's.

 

STAZE - from my understanding, the TURANZA'S ARE OEM, NOT POTENZA'S.

 

Deleted!

 

I believe I may have asked this before but I cannot seem to find it. Could anyone tell me which Brand/Model the Touring's 195/55R16's are, in the Southeastern Toyota region, so that I could check the reviews and specs on them? Or can they be different brands?
BTW the Bridgestone Protegra's seem to have the best treadwear rating, UTQG 460 A A. Our Avalon's MXV4+'s are rated @ 600 A A and we get around ~40K on a set. The price looks right too @ under $100 each. They look more attractive than the $140 Michelin Primacy tires rated @ 240 A A, although the Michelins may well handle better.
Thanks in advance if you know and thanks anyway if you don't.

Thank you Lefat1: Prius, OEM, Bridgestone Turanza's UTQG, 260 A A, treadware rating is slightly better than the Michelins, but only about half of the Protegta's. Just for comparison.

 

Tom,

What can you tell me about run-flats, other than they don't go flat? I have looked for info about them on tire rack but it doesn't really say much. I was basing my choice on their LRR factor. Other than that I don't really have a clue of the advantages/disadvantages of run flats vs other tires in regards to mpg, noise, comfort. On my other cars I never really cared what they replaced them with.

 

bridgestone turanzas

 

Neicy,

I don't know much about them either except (1) they're expensive, and (2) I think they ride harder -- stiff sidewalls that don't collapse when there's a hole or otherwise no air in the tire.

 

I think they're the Bridgestone Turanza EL400-02. TireRack.com sells them in the Touring OEM size for $112:

Currently Available Prices and Sizes

 

Thanks!

 

Consider the weight of the tire as well.