Just installed a new set of Michlein Ice X-12 tires on my prius. My first response is they are quiet and seem to roll smoothly. I can't wait to drive my car over the mountain pass. In the first 50 miles of driving the mpg has not been affected. I have a business trip in the next week over to the coast and back. Approximately 300 miles. The last trip I did driving this route I averaged 53mpg. The weather was dry and mild though. We will see on this trip with the colder weather, rain and the new stiicky tires. AJ
I have the same tires, and, last spring, I was sad to take them off (quiet and "soft" ride, but good fuel economy, great traction)!
Had a set on my 2005 Prius. Put them on around Dec. each year and took them off in Mar. Good tires. My gas mileage dropped about a half mpg but they were very quiet. I now have a 2010 and plan on putting the Michlein X ice tires on it this winter. I ran them at 40 psi front and 38 rear. Plan to use the same pressure on the 2010.
I had our OEM 215/45R17 Michelin Pilot's swapped for 195/65R15 Michelin X-Ice (on Corolla steel rims) this morning. Literally first snow of the year was flying as I drove down to the dealership. I didn't bother them with tire pressure requests, just pulled into Chevron on my way home and raised them to 42 all around. They seem a very smooth rolling snow tire, absorbed bumps nicely even with the raised pressure. Didn't notice any detriment to rolling resistance. Maybe going from the lower profile, wider 17" OEM tires it balances out somewhat? Anyway, very pleased with them.
I've got a few hundred miles on them and they handle a little soft. I'm going to try the higher pressure you guys are talking about. AJ
I don't know about the latest X-ice but I had a set of those a fews years ago on my Caravan. They were very quiet untill it rains, then they sent out high-pitched noise screaming constantly. Can anybody tell me if the new X-ice are still quiet in the rain? Thanks.
I wouldn't: they are a softer compound, that stays more pliant in the cold. Between that and the aggressive tread/siping, I think they would wear pretty fast. Plus, dry road traction and feel are step down, comparing to a regular all-season. Also, they have got to be higher Rolling Resistance than most. That said, we're getting very good mileage with ours. Nothing to compare it to though, our new OEM tires came off within a week of our recent purchase.
