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Tire suggestions

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Acre, Dec 14, 2011.

  1. Acre

    Acre New Member

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    My stock Yokohama's were bald as race tires by 20,000 miles; I should have checked them more frequently. I replaced them with Bridgestone Ecopias which are now showing major wear with only 11,000 miles on them. I've had the alignment checked and no problems; all four tires are wearing evenly.
    Has anyone else with a Gen III experienced complete tire destruction in well under 20k with two different brands, religious rotation every 5k and no alignment issues?
    What are the hardest tires? Forget fuel economy, forget performance, forget ride - which is simply the most durable? I almost wish I'd just bought a Yaris; I'm losing my fuel economy advantage to tires.
     
    #1 Acre, Dec 14, 2011
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    It shouldn't matter, but which Ecopias?

    Also, can you be more precise: what's your remaining tread depth?
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Dec 14, 2011
  3. Acre

    Acre New Member

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    EP 100 BL is the designation. Outer tread has maybe 1/8" in the best places; inner maybe 3/16."
     
    #3 Acre, Dec 14, 2011
  4. NineScorpions

    NineScorpions Economy, Meet Style!!

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    what is the tread warranty on the Exopias tires?
     
    #4 NineScorpions, Dec 14, 2011
  5. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Care to show us a copy of the alignment sheet? I have a feeling that your alignment is acceptable but not ideal for tire wear.

    Also the Ecopia EP100, depending on when you bought it, has a 50k tread wear warranty so be sure to cash out on that.

    Lastly, if you drive mostly in town and on windy roads, high tire wear is normal due to the cornering.
     
    #5 The Critic, Dec 14, 2011
  6. Feri

    Feri Active Member

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    I had the same problem with the OEM Ecopias (38,000 kms). I have run Michelin Primacy LCs now for 70,000 kms may need to change at 80,000 kms. I do a lot of high speed dirving and quite a bit of dirt road as well. They don't make the LC for the US market but there are similar LRR tyres.
     
    #6 Feri, Dec 15, 2011
  7. Acre

    Acre New Member

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    Thanks; I'll check for these. Not sure if my treadwear warranty is only good for another set of Bridgstones; that would be a bummer given installation costs but I'll probably go with one of the Michelin's next.
     
    #7 Acre, Dec 15, 2011
  8. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The Ecopias are not a super high treadwear tire but they should last you at least 30,000 miles. If they are not then you either have an alignment problem or you are a road/track racer. There is no other excuse except for a tire with poor construction (reject). So make sure your alignment is good and not just within spec and try to cash in on your warranty for the tires. The Ecopias are pretty good tires so don't let this case sour your opinion of them. Everyone else seems to love them and the MPG is fantastic.
     
    #8 F8L, Dec 15, 2011
  9. Acre

    Acre New Member

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    "Only good" alignment seems like an odd reason for wear this extreme - on all four tires - twice. If I'm that much of a maniac around the corners it's funny I didn't have this problem on my Tercel - or my Corolla - or my Civic. Maybe small differences in driving conditions add up to big differences in tire wear when you combine the weight and wheel base of the Prius. I'll hope for better luck with Michelins.
     
    #9 Acre, Dec 15, 2011
  10. revhigh

    revhigh MPG Enthusiast

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    Sounds like your tires were grossly underinflated. I have 20K on my Yokos, and I know I'll get at LEAST another 10 ... maybe 15-20K more. I replace tires when they're the least bit questionable.

    Almost impossible to believe you could eat through tires like that. Sorry to hear it.

    What MPG have you been getting ? If you're scrubbing tires away like that for whatever reason, your MPG will reflect it.

    REV
     
    #10 revhigh, Dec 15, 2011
  11. revhigh

    revhigh MPG Enthusiast

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    First ... that's not wearing evenly (1/8 in the best places implies there's WORSE places ... nowhere near 'evenly'), second ... what is the measurement in the center ? If it's deeper in the center ... your tires are underinflated, which will really tear up tires. I run mine at 40 in the rear, 42 in the front, and I check it CONSTANTLY ... at least once a week or if the weather (temperature) changes considerably.

    I think you have an inflation issue, possibly combined with an alignment or bent wheel issue.

    REV
     
    #11 revhigh, Dec 15, 2011
  12. Acre

    Acre New Member

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    My average is about 47. I do live at the top of a hill and so I don't expect to get EPA numbers or full life from tires but I've never experienced anything like this with other vehicles. Don't think underinflation is the problem. If my gauge was that far off the tire sensor would register - even the Prius II has that feature.
     
    #12 Acre, Dec 15, 2011
  13. Den49

    Den49 Member

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    Take a look at the Michelin Harmony. I have them on my Prius. The MPG is about the same as the OEM Yokohamas, excellent ride and handling, and based on the current rate of wear, I expect to get between 80K to 100K miles.
     
    #13 Den49, Dec 15, 2011
  14. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The tires had to have just been rejects. They should not have worn out that fast and other Ecopia owners are not experiencing the same problem. My ex-roomate got nearly 40k out of his.
     
    #14 F8L, Dec 15, 2011
  15. Old Bald Guy

    Old Bald Guy Old Bald Guy

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    My 2010 came with Brigestone Turanzas on the 17 inch wheels. I replaced them at 52,000 miles ... and they were NOT worn out. I put on a set of Continental Extreme Contact DWS tires ... and immediately dropped 10 MPG ... so I took them back and now am running a set of Michelin MXM4 tires. They are great!

    What kind of tire pressures are you running? If you are going by the door sticker, your tires are half flat. Run them up to at least 40 psi.
     
    #15 Old Bald Guy, Dec 22, 2011
  16. Acre

    Acre New Member

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    I've been running at just over 40. I talked to a co-worker with a Prius (Gen II) who also had a bad experience with Bridgestone; they were severely worn before 25,000 miles. She doesn't recall which Bridgestones they were. She recently replaced them with Michelin's; some sort of "all weather" tire (that's what they say on them; they were from Costco). I've procrastinated only because we're having a dry winter; I'm getting Michelins next week; not sure which ones yet. If there's one available that's harder than the Harmony I'll get that; to heck with gas mileage at this point. I'll report back in a few months on how they are wearing.
     
    #16 Acre, Dec 25, 2011
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