So I was at the dealer yesterday checking out my new Prius. It arrived at the dealership yesterday along with 4 other Prii and my dealer will be getting it tinted and prepped for me and I can pick it up on Friday. I looked at the row of Prii and they were all rather base Twos and Threes. The one thing I noticed was the variety of OEM tires. My car had Yokohama Tires. Two of the 5 had Bridgestone Ecopia tires and the two others had Goodyear Assurance tires. Is there any rhyme or reason to why certain new vehicles get certain tires or is it simply random at the factory based on what is on the shelf that day? iPad ?
My 2011 came with the Yoko's. I'm running 42/40 and though a bit harsh on the bumps, the mileage is terrific. How did your tires handle the snow and ice out your way? I'm hoping to put off buying snow tires for this first year.
Not sure if this link will work. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireS...Rating=S&minLoadRating=S&tab=OE&filterType=oe Essentially all the OEM tires for the '11 Prii. I'm concerned I got the lowest utqg rating. I am in outside sales and will be getting a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks for the Chicago winters so that should help even out the wear. iPad ?
My 2010 came with Yoko tires and I wasn't pleased with them in the snow. I found my 08 was alot better in the snow with goodyear Fuel Max tires. I've since replaced my Yoko tires on my 2010 with Goodyear Fuel Max. I Think they will be much better in the snow.
Out of the three Prius V/Fives I looked at including mine two had Bridgestone Turanza EL400-02 (non LRR) tires and one of them had Michelin Pilot HX MX4 (LRR) tires. You would figure they would put LRR tires on all Prii.
I have the Bridgestone Ecopia's and they handle well, are quiet, and thus far are holding up well. I run 42/40 pressure as well and get better than EPA rated MPG.
All auto manufacturers use multiple tire providers, so if you go to any dealer, you'll see multiple tire brands on otherwise identical new cars.
My 2010 came with Michelin Pilot HX MX4 (LRR) tires. They seem ok at 40 and 38 , my type of driving doesn't lend itself to great milage (short trips ) but it is much better than my Tahoe at 9-11 mpg around town
Mine came with Yoko's, but I had the dealer swap them to the Goodyears, for free. Neither are great tires, but after research on Tirerack I felt the Goodyears fit my needs better.
The quality of all 3 choices of OEM tires for the 2011 Prius are one step up from the cheapest they could buy and still call them LRR. Get the dealer to swap them if you think you won't mind using them as summer tires or if you think it'll help you sell the tires to a friend or stranger. If you want better tires you'll have to sell those OEMs and grab something like: Hankook Optimo H727 (better than average RR, good pricing and better snow/ice ratings, best rated "Standard Touring All-Season" on tirerack) Gen II/III 15" choice $74 831 195/65/15 Hankook Optimo H727 Gen II/III 16" choice $97 834 205/55/16 Hankook Optimo H727 Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring (not LRR, don't confuse it for the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred (one says Touring the other doesn't) the non "touring" version isn't as good in the snow (among other differences). The touring version is the best rated "Grand Touring All-Season" on tirerack. Gen II/III 15" choice $103 836 195/65/15 Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring Gen II/III 16" choice $127 840 205/55/16 Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring For 15" rims a LRR choice is the Michelin Energy Saver A/S (it's only "Passenger All-Season" but it's rated highly in that category) Gen II/III 15" choice $95 832 195/65/15 Michelin Energy Saver A/S with Green X I shortened the list to tires that do well in the snow in addition to wet and dry so you will have less to worry about if a surprise storm catches you before you switch sets. If you need more LRR choices check out http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...esistance-replacement-tires-current-list.html but dollar for dollar you'll be giving up traction for RR. The old 3 choices pick 2 (price, traction, LRR)
