Tell me about your tires....

Welcome back.

I highly recommend researching some apples to apples tire tests.

The two most recent and best tire tests are Consumer Reports' November 2009 comprehensive tests of a wide variety of tires, and TireRack.com's August 2009 test of several, mostly low rolling resistance tires mounted on a Gen II Prius.

Here's a 2-page scan of Consumer Reports' November 2009 tire test Recommendations and Ratings:

Consumer_Reports_Nov._2009_Tire_Tests-1.doc

And here's a link to TireRack.com's tests of low rolling resistance tires on a Prius:

When Round and Black Becomes Lean and Green

Read the tire tests, consider all the factors (handling, braking, wet performance, snow performance, rolling resistance, etc.) that are important to you and choose your tire. Note that in this regard, many of the tires do not come in your Prius OEM tire size of 185/65R15, but are available in the next closest size of 195/60R15 which I have on my Prius.

Good luck.

 

Remember to check out Nokian tires (WRg2 for northern climes and others for warm climes). They were not included in the referenced reviews and have proven themselves to many Prius owners (including me). The attached zipped spreadsheet shows my experience with 4 tire models on my 2004 Prius to date (6 years and 171,500 miles).

JeffD

 

Jeff,

FYI, the Nokian WRg2 all-season tire and the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R & 5 winter tires, are in fact among the tires tested in the Consumer Reports November 2009 tire tests.

 

I replaced the Integrities with the Michelin Hydroedge with Green X tires this past November. No observed change in miles per gallon. Traction, particularly wet/snow/ice traction improved significantly. Happy with decision.

 

I replaced the Integrity's with Goodyear Fuel Max and have been very happy with them. No change at all in mpg's. They are better in the rain and snow and just make the car seem more sure footed.

 

I've done pockets of research here and there, I really don't have the time (or interest for that matter) to devote to a good analysis, HOWEVER, I've bought a ton of tires over the past 10 years, and have come to an overall conclusion, of staying away from non-big name brands.

I don't think it's pure coincidence tires like "Futura", "Parnell Jones", etc., I've had to change out within 50K miles (and that's after they started making strange road noises due to "flat spots", and other imperfections). Meanwhile, the BFG's on my GF's Prius is still providing a great ride, while I've gone through 2 relatively, to put it bluntly, "Cheap-O" sets.

 

UALdriver, I can't seem to find the GreenX on the Prius basic size (185/65R15)... did you get it in the alternate size (195/60R15)?

 

I got them, standard size, at Discount Tire out here in the Chicago suburbs. Maybe you'll have to order them out where you are. Here's the link:

Tire Products By Vehicle - Discount Tire

 

Michelin Hydroedge all they way. Really happy with them. Hydrogen makes no diference in the car tire.

 

We replaced the original tires on our 08 with Michelin Radial X that we got at Costco. I have been very disappointed with these tires, they track horribly with trying to follow every groove in the road, and our mileage has gone down almost 3 mpg! (The alignment has been checked twice using a good four wheel alignment rig).

At this point I'm sorry they have an 80 thousand mile warranty. I may just bite the bullet and replace them early to get rid of these terrible tires.

 

Any feedback on Ecopia yet?

 

I replaced the original tires with Hydroedge. They have been on for about a year and a half. No complaints, no noticeable change in mileage.

 

I replaced my original Intregrity tires with the GY Assurance FuelMax, in the stock size. I only got 24K on the Intregrity tires and got about a 45% cost reduction from GY on a warranty adjustment. They are an improvement in handling and traction, and no hit on MPG.
There are better tires out there, but the price was right on these. I didn't do anything with valve stem pressure sensors and still run air.

 

I recently replace the OEM Integrity tires with Michelin Energy Saver A/S tires. I highly recommend them! It IS true. Your MPG will go up by 3-4 points. And the traction, road noise and smooth ride is fine. Marvinh

 

Hi Nda3rdCar,

I love my Goodyear Eagle GT HR tires. They have transformed the handling and the tracking of my car. The have actual GRIP on the road. They really inspire confidence in both the wet and dry. You can do a find on the tire name to get the threads I created and lots of details. Basically, I bought my 2005 used with the second set of tires half gone, so I don't know what mileage my car got with the Integrity tires. However, I can get 50 MPG on the highway at outside temps of 50 degrees and above, so I'm pleased.

Goodyear is discontinuing these tires. Tirerack.com has about 12 of them left at the amazing price of $68.00 each. If tires did not have a shelf life, I'd buy more for my car when I need them in the future.

Enjoy, Dan, Salem, OR

 

I have run integritys, hydroeges, falkin 512, blizzak ws60, bridgestone a/s 960 pole positions. just bought 205 60r15 pole positions again from the tire rack the wife said she wants them again too. pole positions are AA traction rated and are grippy in the wet weather. can't say enough about the blizzaks for snow they make snow driving fun.

 

Hi All,

Today I hauled my GoodYear Integrity tires out of the basement, time to take off the studded Hakkapelitas! I have 30K miles on my 2008, and this spring marks the end of second Maine winter with the Hakkapelitas. Point being, the Integrity tires probs have around 20 K miles on them tops. One of the tires, I noticed, has one edge that is badly worn...an alignment issue I'm sure. I am not a car geek and so...though I did notice it last summer I just kept driving it. Duh. Stupid I know.

So now I am stuck with one "bad" Integrity. I've been reading all the good reviews about the Michelin Hydroedge.

What should I do? ( AFTER I make sure the alignment is all good!) Buy one new Integrity? Won't that throw off the way the car handles? Invest in the Hydroedge?

Thanks for any input...not knowing all that much about these things I value this forum for all it's collective wisdom.

Karen

 

I have 3K miles on the Bridgestone Ecopia EP100 tires, mounted on my 2004. I would say that those are good tires, handling is fine, very quiet, and indicated mpg is good, in the low 50s without trying very hard. However these are considered summer tires, so I would not suggest trying to use them on snowy winter roads.

I suggest that you check tread depth of the other three tires. When new, the tread depth is 10/32". Legal minimum is 2/32" (but "legal" does not mean "safe"). If the tread depth is less than 5/32" which means the tires are >60% worn, I'd recommend getting rid of all four tires and buying a new set.

 

i like the stock integrities. on my 04, they lasyed 40,000 miles. my daughter replaced them with nokian i-3's. noisy tires and one has gone bad. i have always been happy with goodrich and micelin in general.