Tire Poll

At the first snow that sticks, go to a VERY BIG, empty parking lot. Stop in the snow (any amount will do), then try to move. Do this on a dead flat surface. You'll junk the Integrities in 2 seconds.

 

:lol:

They definitely increase the pucker factor during winter driving. I drove on them all last winter. To this day I can't believe how bad a tire it is during winter driving. Ordered snows (and wheels) for this year. <_<

 

Any snow tire recommendations for the Prius?

 

I live in California so I'm assuming the standard tires won't be an issue for me.

 

The stock Integretys are so-so as a dry weather tire. They don't corner all that well, but are safe in most conditions. I didn't have a huge issue with them last winter, but we had a very mild winter with only a few instances of slushy snow. They weren't great, but they weren't awful either. I suppose I would describe them as tolerable. However, if you go on Tirerack and search for all tires that fit the Prius, you will find they are probably the least expensive tire that is offered for the car. Factory rubber, it doesn't matter if it is foreign or domestic, is rarely good rubber and rarely lasts as long or provides the performance of tires you buy in the market.

I will be switching to anything good from Michelin when the time comes. I hope it isn't too soon, but I will be glad when the factory junk is off the car. I just don't feel like wasting money and tread when I don't really have to.

 

i live in sunny miami....just went thru hurricane wilma ok...... the tires seem ok- since i have started driving in the "safe" mode.... i will probably keep these tires since my dealer offered me free tires & (regular) batteries for the life of the car...... as long as i do my servicing with him.. thats good 4 me!

 

Junk seems a bit strong. Just because they may be terrible in the snow, doesn't mean they wouldn't be good the rest of the year.

I'm going to be swapping mine out for snow tires and will put them back on in the spring. When they wear out, I might opt for something else, but we'll have to wait and see on that. Right now, I've been happy with them.

 

Consumer Reports for 11/05

Lists Michelin X-Ice, Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice, Bridgestone Blizzak ws-50 as best for sever winter areas.

Lists Viking Snow Tech (dist by Continental Tire) as great choice for moderate winter areas (lus price is 1/2 that of other premium brands)

Canadian Article
This was posted by another ... Has sound ratings

 

My Blizzak Revo-1's will be arriving Today. I'm not putting them on until it starts to stay consistently cold or we have some snow. It's my understanding they'll degrade fast in warmer temps.

So, I can't recommend anything yet, but after first snow, I'll post my findings. And I should be able to give some good details - I used to drive a Jeep and have been known to "play" in the snow..

 

I bought the Prius to replace my old 4X4 Jeep that gets 16MPG under best conditions. After reading these msgs I am rethinking selling it. Now I think I'll keep the Jeep for the snow days. The rest of the year it will sit in the garage and I can keep the OEM tires on the Prius.

 

Last winter I got caught by surprise at how awful the Integrity snow/ice traction was. I was already disappointed with the rainy road traction so I put on Michelin Harmony tires. They were a bit better on ice, a lot better on snow, but the standard and too-aggressive Traction control really screwed me on icy intersections.

I was backordered for Dunlop Graspic DS-2 studless snow/ice tires, and they finally arrived Dec. This was just after a major blizzard, so I asked my condo association if it was ok to put them on in the underground parking. They nicely said yes.

Having just drove through drifted snowy icy streets, the transformation was amazing. Snow traction was MUCH improved, and icy intersection traction was better too.

Driving around in the city, fuel economy was about the same. On the highway I lost about 5-7% fuel economy. Rode much softer, which I liked. Turn-in was sloppy, which I didn't like. Tracked good on the highway.

The Dunlops were ruined in a vandalism incident early this fall at my condo. The contractor responsible bought me new winter tires, Yokohama Ice Guard 10 studless snow/ice tires.

The Ice Guard tires are BETTER than the Graspic on snow and especially ice. I was surprised by that. They have a maximum inflation pressure of 35 psi, with a higher load rating than the Harmony, so they ride nice and soft over potholes and frozen slush.

What I dislike the most about the Yokohama Ice Guard tires is their TERRIBLE highway tracking. I have to make constant minor corrections, to the point I may just have to borrow my folks 2003 LeSabre for trips to the hobby farm.

If you regularly have to drive in snowy/icy conditions, especially if you have to deal with steep icy streets or driveways, do yourself a favor and get good studless or studded (If allowed in your area) winter tires on steel wheels. They're quick to change over and make a big difference in traction.

 

Agree. That's one of the reasons I still have my 13 year old Chevy 4X4 pickup. It's also nice when I need to go to the lumber yard.

 

Just replaced the Integrities with Michelin X Radials.

this post is dated Jan 10 '06; Costco is having one of their famous " $ 60.00 " off sales, so I jumped on the deal.

I investigated Hydroedge but, for the money and based on web research, determined that the X seems to do really well in rain and snow, anyway.

The overall feel is a bit "heavier", which I prefer. Ride is much quieter, steering more solid, tracking (especially in rain on the freeway) more positive.

They are warranted for 80kMiles. Also, free rotation and balance at any Costco plus they use Nitrogen instead of compressed air.

I'm happy.

Bob in Seattle

 

Thanks, Bob. If I hadn't already gotten the Hydroedges, I would have taken a strong look at the Michelin Xs. Admit I have less worries about snow and more about rain.

Discounting the Costco sale, how does the Michelin X compare to the Hydroedge in price (in general)?

 

Had to cross the passes several times so gave up and bought a set of Michelin X-ICE tires and had them put on steel wheels (boy they are ugly). They offered to switch the OEM tires with any brand I wanted and give me $30 trade-in per tire for the OEM tires with 15K non them. Tempted, but would like to get Michelin X-radials for the summer.

My experience with the X-Ice tires. They ride well and are a lot quieter than the Goodyear OEMs. This surprised me. There didn't seem to be a mpg hit but I took a hit with the cold weather anyway -- about 2 mpg and changing to the X-Ice tires didn't seem to have any further impact. At interstate speeds, the car seems to track a bet lighter with a cross wind, but going across the state and back, I seem to have gotten used to it and don't think about it much any more.

Plan on taking off the ugly wheels and winter tires in late March (I hope) and will consider swapping the Goodyears then. Just wish COSTCO would give me some tradein. Have to ask them.

As to winter tires, so far I recommend the Michelin X-ICE so far.

 

Evan-I bought Hydroedge tires in December and I think they have great traction, but my mpg dropped by ~ 5 mpg. Are you mostly driving in a warm climate to get the kind of mileage you have?

Cheers,

Elizabeth

 

I just put on the Goodyear ComfortTreads at 750 miles. They are much better for ride comfort at increased pressure (40/38) and quieter. They also seem much "stickier" on wet roads. 80k warranty. So far doesn't seem to be hurting mileage at all. It's actually going up slowly, yey!

 

duplicate post - d'oh!