CR's Top-Rated Falken Ziex ZE 512 tires for the Prius

good Falken deal!

 

This is good information, all in one place not requiring CR/CU membership. Thanks.

Now I'll ask the obvious question, so we can set the comments about wear in the proper perspective later: what tire pressure are you using, front and rear? Was your mileage affected? Okay, that's two questions.

Thanks again.

 

It's the top-rated tire in Consumer Report's November 2003 test of performance all-season tires (top-rated status reaffirmed in October 2004 report).


The November 2005 issue of Consumer Reports evaluates all season tires. Falkein Ziex is not rated.

CraigCSJ 04 Driftwood #9BC

 

Are you sure these tires are LRR? Their website doesn't list that as one of the features. I have read that some people have taken a MPG hit with these tires. Think they will be as good or better than the stock Goodyears for mileage? Do you think they will last as long (or longer) under normal driving conditions?

thanks so much. So many choices.. hard to find the right tire.

-Peter B

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Arroyo @ Nov 8 2005, 07:07 AM) [snapback]152444[/snapback]</div>

I, personally, have found that ~35psi gives a decent ride, but I can feel the side walls squishing down on harder turns. The tires are rated for 51psi and that's what i have them at now. I am quite satisfied with the comfort and handling now at that pressure.

 

I put the Falkens on my 95 Honda Civic. I have about 20k miles on the tires and they have about 65% of the tread left. Overall they aren't bad tires. The only complaint I have is they are a bit noisey on the freeway.

Ken

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Arroyo @ Oct 15 2006, 01:43 AM) [snapback]332933[/snapback]</div>

You mean the best all-season passenger tires (November 2005) might only match a mediocre all-season performance tire?

I always thought of the Triple Tred (H rated) and Hydroedge (good handling) as all-season performance tires aside from their extremely long treadwear, which I doubt any performance tire can touch.

We were delighted with the 45,000 miles (4/32" remaining) on our Falken ZE-512's on our 2001 Civic.

The Nov 2006 CR tire test makes me want to know more about the LRR, long wearing, top ranked Dunlop SP Sport 5000 (symmetric) (in a size 205/60VR15 or 195/65VR15). I really wish they tested the new Dunlop SP Sport A2 Plus which is available in our OEM size, less expensive, and more well rounded according to the Dunlop site. Has anyone used a Dunlop SP Sport on their Prius?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jimofdg @ Oct 25 2005, 09:32 AM) [snapback]145275[/snapback]</div>

 

Is the Falken Ziex ZE-912, now on sale at sears ($69.99) the same tire? upgraded? all previous statements do not apply? do you think I would trust anything a sears tire salesman tells me?

 

From checking the Falken site, these are not the same tires at all. The 912 is an assymetric tire design, among other differences.

Anybody have any experience with these?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(prberg @ Oct 16 2006, 07:51 PM) [snapback]333808[/snapback]</div>

No, perusing CR's testing I'd describe the Falken's LRR as "not even close". For Nov '06 LRR ratings, the Ziex's 195/65R15 is in the middle of the pack; the Ziex's 205/55R16 is in the bottom third.

CR's ratings seem to skew heavily toward dry braking and wet braking. Handling shows some noticeable skew. All other categories, inluding rolling resistance, are pretty much all over the map. I think if what you really care about is stopping power, the CR rankings are relevant, but for any other considerations you'll need to use their info as just one part of your research, and draw your own conclusions. For me personally, braking performance has not been even close to a problem, so any tire that isn't bottom-ranked for stopping will do just fine. My personal priorities, in order, are: noise, rolling resistance, ride, and handling.

I highly recommend getting the CR online subscription. It's only $6 for a month of access. Wouldn't you rather pay them the $6 than go without the info, or get it through someone else's filter? B) (I promise, anything I say is always seen through my filters.) B)

 

Thanks for the post.

So the treadwear rating for the Falken Ziex ZE512 is 420. I am looking for a 185-65-15 tire with an even lower rating. Does anyone have suggestions? Getting specs on treadwear can be difficult. Any help would be appreciated.

~Andrew

 

Getting treadwear specs is easy. Try www.tirerack.com you'll see they include the UTQG on every tire they carry, as do most places.

They also have an excellent description of how the UTQG test is constructed, and how the result is applied by the tire maker to produce an estimated-treadwear rating.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/tec...e.jsp?techid=48

Treadwear rating just tells you how much wear your tire would get in its first 7200 miles, if you got a wheel alignment every 800 miles.

LRR is pretty much the same deal. It only tells you the relative rolling resistance when comparing your tire against others all running at max + 3 psi pressure, in a straight line, on a 5-foot-diameter drum covered with 80-grit sandpaper, at 40 mph with no stops, starts, or temperature variations.

If you're running Falkens at 35 psi for example, you are 31% underinflated; any Integrity, TripleTred or ComforTred at 35 psi is 20% underinflated. Which one really gives you better LRR? My guess is the 31% underinflated tire would come in last every time.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Doc Willie @ Jul 8 2007, 03:11 PM) [snapback]475152[/snapback]</div>

Yes, they are the upgraded replacement to the 512

 

Well we are now in 2008 and Obama won... and I have had my Falken Ziex ZE-512 tires on my care for about six months. I am very happy with them. They are quiet, handle well on hard corners and they don't wander all over the road like the original tires. Discount tire did not offer the $10 per tire installation after buying them online but the 2008 price was $205 including tax and shiping. So I was happy. The installation was $125 including disposal etc. I had to have it done at Evans Tire in San Diego for convenience sake but Discount Tire said they would be about the same. No recycling fee. All in all for $335 it was a good deal and the tires are great.
Best of luck to all. I DO recommend buying the tires online but have the tires shipped to the palce where they will be installed... that's easier for the ladies and certainly for the disabled. It is really no trouble either way. Bill Z. San Diego Californa