I am shopping for new tires and I am considering the Michelin E/S for the fuel economy benefits it seems to have over the other tire options available. As the title suggest I am wondering how they hold the road during a light snow. I feel that it is imprtant that I add that I have another vehicle that, if the roads are snow covered at all, I would plan on driving that for the day. However there may be occasions when we get an unexpected snowfall and I will need to drive a limited distance in the Prius. to make it back home at the end of the day. And since I have the option to drive a different vehicle on the snowier days I really want to avoid having two sets of tires for the Prius. So with that said, how might the Michelin E/S do in a light snow? Or is it so bad that I would not want to get stuck in a light snow with the Prius with the Micheling E/S tires on there. And if that is the case, what would be a better all season tire that will handle light snow ok, without hurting MPG's to any significant degree. Thank you for your input.
I have E/S tires on our 2007 Prius. Rochester, NY (where we live) on average is the 2nd Snowiest City in the country and I've never had a real problem. Sane driving is the key. I have been in situations where I literally was pushing snow down a unplowed street and the car did fine.
I do not live in an area with snow, but I have noticed that the rubber on the Energy Saver A/S performs noticeably worse in temps below 55F. iPhone ?
Thank you for the feedback. Here in Michigan there are several mornings throughout the year where we are below 55 degrees. I realize unless I go to a winter tire that the tire compound may not be best suited for cold temps, but I have no intention to drive the car in the snow so I do not want to have two sets of wheels and tires. However I am sure I will get caught in the snow from time to time hence the reason for my question. I have had very good results with Nokian Entyre's in the past on other vehicles but I'm concerned they may give me a MPG hit even though they are a LRR tire
Thats very promising. How many miles do you have on them? Have you noticed their capabilities in the snow diminish much as you have gotten more miles on them?
39,500 on them 5/32" tread left. Sure, snow capabilities diminish somewhat, but intelligent driving still makes them usable.
Thanks for the feedback. I was shopping for these tires and I cannot find them in stock. It appears the Defender is taking the place of these tires and so I might not be able to purchase them after all anway.
For what it is worth I find my Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max give very good traction on Ice and or snow. I found them better than my winter tires so left them on last winter. FE is great as well. I couldn't be happier. H
According to Michelin this is not true. The Defender is not nearly as fuel efficient although they should last quite a bit longer.
