Please help me choose a tire!

After only 21,600 miles on our 2005 Intergities (very scary in the rain in snow) and repeated flats (the final blow being a small leak just barely into the sidewall), we narrowed our choice to two top rated tires: Goodyear Assurance Tripletreds and the General Altimax HP. We decided to save $180 and get the lighter tires with higher air pressure maximum. We just had General Altimax HPs installed this weekend with an allignment (toe in .05). Lengthy discussions here convinced us that 195/60/15 is the optimum size. Cost us $420 (all taxes and fees included). So far the car is noticably quieter. No rain or snow yet.

 

On my '06, I changed tires to the Goodyear TT selecting the 195 oversize version. I live in NJ where we get all kinds of weather. After 25,000 miles (rotating every 5K and doing alignment every 10K), the tires are hardly worn. Most importantly, the snow, rain, & ice traction is superb. Handling is also great but I've alway used +.05 on toe-in which is also a big help.

 

I've been reading most of the threads on tires and it's easy to get to the "paralysis of analysis". Be sure to check out the Nokian i3 and WR tires before you make any final decision. They are supposed to be a LRR tire. Some people have been impressed by them, and they apparently are more economical than some others.

 

Hi Julia,

Welcome to PriusChat.

There are many good all season tires out there.

Personally, I like the Goodyear Assurance TripleTreds a lot. So much so that I've had the TTs on three different cars now. They're the top rated passenger all season tire of Consumer Reports, TireRack.com, and TireRack.com's customers. I think you'll be hard pressed to find a better, all around, passenger, all season tire out there for less than $100.

As to tire size, I recommend going with a wider tread size like 195/60/15. You'll get better and safer handling and braking. For instance, when Consumer Reports tested the Standard Prius with its OEM 185/65/15 tires, it found that its 60-0 mph braking distances were a little subpar -- it ranked only in the 30th percentile of the approximately 270 current model cars tested by Consumer Reports. But when Consumer Reports tested the Touring Prius with its wider OEM 195 width tires, it found the Touring's braking to be very good -- its 60-0 mph braking distances were 10 feet shorter than those of the Standard Prius. I think that the Touring's much shorter braking distances are largely attributable to its wider OEM 195 width tires.

 

I'd cast my vote for the TripleTreds, too. I just bought some a couple of weeks ago, and recently returned from a long highway trip. The Prius feels like a different car - it corners significantly better in all conditions, and feels much safer and more stable, especially in the wind and rain.

Part of the reason for switching sizes is that the TT doesn't come in 185/65, but is available in 195/60. The difference is size actually corrects a slight built-in speedometer error. As my wife confirmed on the way home last week, the calibration is now perfectly matched to police radar.

 

Part of the reason for switching sizes is that the TT doesn't come in 185/65, but is available in 195/60. The difference is size actually corrects a slight built-in speedometer error. As my wife confirmed on the way home last week, the calibration is now perfectly matched to police radar.

I'd like to switch to a wider tread to help with traction this winter and I'm leaning toward the Nokian WR (G2?). Does anyone have the rotations per minute data handy for each size (I know it's in here somewhere...) ? I want to make sure that the size I pick doesn't throw off the speedometer reading. 'hyo silver' says that 195/60 corrects his speedometer. I just am looking for some data on this before taking the plunge. Thanks,

 

Hi Steve,

Here's the rpm (revolutions per mile) info I got. Had to go to three different tire vendors to get them (1 for each tire). I assume, but am not certain, that the info is reliable.

Goodyear Integrity in OEM 185/65/15: 855 rpms

Nokian WR in 195/60/15: 858 rpms

Nokian WR G2 in 195/60/15: 860 rpms

 

Here's the rpm (revolutions per mile) info I got. Had to go to three different tire vendors to get them (1 for each tire). I assume, but am not certain, that the info is reliable.

Goodyear Integrity in OEM 185/65/15: 855 rpms

Nokian WR in 195/60/15: 858 rpms

Nokian WR G2 in 195/60/15: 860 rpms
__________________
Best regards, Tom

Tom, Thanks for the revolutions per mile data. If you don't mind helping me through this for another question - any idea how 860 rpm (for WR G2) would impact my speedometer reading compared to 855 rpm (for OEM)? (I would like to go with the 195/60/15 and I've been running Nokian WR's on other cars for years.)

Does more revs per mile equate with a higher displayed speed?

 

Our best "out the door price" quotes were $420 for the General Altimax HP and $600 for the Goodyear TTs with mounting, balancing, stems, disposal fees, local tax and a computer alignment (he matched the mail order prices). You can decide to mail order the tires from several places and have them installed for about $25 each. An alignment is $65-85.

 

Steve,

Yes, more rpms will mean a higher displayed speed (and higher displayed mileage on the odometer and higher displayed mpg on the MFD).

But assuming the above rpm info is correct, we're talking about a tiny, miniscule amount (the Nokians in 195/60/15 are only 3 & 5 rpms more than the stock Integrities).

In any event, here are my calculations as to the amount of speedometer, odometer and mpg over-read for each Nokian tire:

BASE TIRE: Goodyear Integrity in OEM 185/65/15: 855 rpms

-- Nokian WR in 195/60/15: 858 rpms - This is only 0.35% more. So if your speedometer shows 60 mph, you're actually traveling 59.79 mph. And obviously, if your odometer and mpg show 60 miles, then it's actually 59.79 miles.

-- Nokian WR G2 in 195/60/15: 860 rpms - This is only 0.58% more. So if your speedometer shows 60 mph, you're actually traveling 59.65 mph. And obviously, if your odometer and mpg show 60 miles, then it's actually 59.65 miles.

 

I got my TTs from TireRack.com.

It was $91 per tire = $364.

Shipping varies depending on your proximity to one of their warehouses. For me, shipping = $35.

TireRack will show you a list of recommended installers near you, and you can drop ship the tires to the installer you choose. Installers prices vary. I chose one that charged $15 per tire. So for me, installation = $60.

So the total cost to me for 4 brand new (literally, they were manufactured 2 months before I received them), size 195/60/15 TripleTreds installed = $459.

I don't think that's expensive at all. Works out to less than $100 more than what 4 new Integrities would have cost. And for that small difference, I got wider, much better, and longer lasting (the TTs are warranted for 80,000 miles) tires.

 

I just got the Nokian WR-G2s put on today. My initial impression is good. I have been closely watching the MPG meter and have not seen a change for better or worse. I will check the MPH with my GPS and let you know what the speedo error (if any) is. The stock tire size in the G2 turns 849 revs/mile.

By the way, I bought the tires in the stock 185 width, but "H" rated. They seem to handle much better than the Integritys. I took a couple of fast corners that felt uneasy on the Integritys and I thought the G2s were a big improvement.

I am going to take it out on the freeway to listen for tire noise and try a mock accident avoidance maneuver. I tried to avoid some road debris on the freeway the other day on the Integritys and was surprised how awful they handled. They were "squishy" making the car lean badly as the weight shifted. Hopefully the G2s are better.

More to come.

Mike

 

Not really. TireRack lists the 195/60HR15 TTs at $95 each. $282 (minimum) seems pretty steep for mounting and balancing. Of course they are also doing an alignment and I don't recall what that usually costs, maybe $65? Still, if they charge $35/tire to mount and balance, that is only $140, add in the $65 alignment plus 6% tax on EVERYTHING and you are still at only $620.

What are these places charging for the tires? Sears in Santa Fe has a price of $97.81 (discounted from $102.96 through 8/22). I have to believe that shipping from TireRack would cost more than 2.81 per tire.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605_Automotive_Tires_All+Tires#viewItems=21&pageNum=1&sortOption=ORIGINAL_SORT_ORDER&&filter=Brand|Goodyear&lastFilter=Brand

I got mine at Sears in VT 3.5 years ago.

There is also a $40 Goodyear mail in rebate on 4 TTs, but it expires on the 23rd so if you decide to get them, you better hurry so you can save $40.
Including the Goodyear rebate, the Sears pre tax/mounting/balancing price will be $87.81/tire.

 

JuliaL,

You are making the right choice. Tires are one area you do not want to scrimp on and gamble with your safety. The GY TT's are an excellent choice for the Prii.

 

Two years ago, I bought the TT's (195) from TireRack at a delivered price for four tires at $420. Installation/Balancing was your usual $20-25/tire. 4-wheel alignment was about $80. Would I do it again, you bet and I think they are well worth it.
I just put a new set on my Saab 95 Station Wagon. They are GREAT.

 

Tom, Thanks for doing all of the math for me. Not a big difference at all!

Steve