I need to have new tires put on the car, and it has turned into more of an ordeal than I planned -- just not sure which to go with. After extensive searches online to see what is "best" for the Prius (in terms of fuel economy) I am even more confused. Any help would be appreciated! 2010 Prius - 61,000 miles. Most of these miles have been put on in the past two years (I now drive 30,000 miles/year). According to the mpg screen, I am averaging 55 - 56 mpg routinely. Have never driven the car in snow, and even though that may be a necessity this winter, it will most likely be a rare occurrence (and probably just as snow would be beginning to fall). From talking with the various tire installers/technicians and my own research online, I think I have it narrowed down to these three: -Yokohama Avid S-33 (the original tires on the car) -Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 (although, one person online said the tread was worn down after 12,000 miles!) -Michelin Defender Any preferences? As you might guess, fuel economy is very important to me! Also, Sears told me that they could give me a good deal on the Michelins, but they suggest having a new tire sensor system installed with them... even though what I have now is working fine! Hmmm... Help! Thanks.
The S33D is good for fuel economy but they are rather loud. Of those three I would do the EP422 for fuel economy. If you don't need new tires immediately then I would place an order for Energy Saver A/S tires. I feel these are the best tires available for the Prius in terms of fuel economy and comfort. They should last 60k miles too. They should be available again near the end of the month.
Yeah, other than price there's virtually 0 reason to get the S33. They're very low rated in traction and they're loud. The Michelin Defender gets the same gas mileage, lasts longer, and rates better in traction. The EP422 and Energy Saver A/S is best for gas mileage.
We also have the S33 that came with the car and live in Wisconsin. They aren't great in wet conditions and luckily we didn't have much snow last year. We're in the same boat here - need new tires very soon - and want to find tires that are good in wet/snow but don't want to get "snow" tires. It sounds like the Michelin Defenders are good, but if anyone has any experience in snow any other suggestions would be appreciated.
At my local Sams Club (and online as well) there is $70 a set of 4 Michelin tires Michelin Energy Saver A/S - P195/65R15 89T - Sam's Club Michelin Defender - 195/65R15 91T - Sam's Club Looks like Sams is out of stock on both.
The thing about the Defenders is that they have a deep tread and are a long-life tire. Generally, tires are only good for winter driving if they have 5 or 6/32" tread depth or more. Tires decrease dramatically once you get below that, no matter what the brand. I'd take the crappiest tire with 7/32" tread than the best tire with 2/32" tread. So, in theory, the Defenders would last you many more winter seasons, being a 90,000 mile tire. That said, the best all-season snow tire is either the Continental ProContact with EcoPlus (Consumer Reports rated it very good), or the Bridgestone EP422 (Tirerack rated it very good). But the Defender is rated pretty well by both outlets. However, both of these are about 60,000 mile tires (Continental is rated 80, but I read it achieves nowhere near that).
After reading all the comments here on Prius Chat as to which tires I should replace my original Yokohama Avid S-33 tires with on my 2010 Prius (I only got 30,000 miles out of them), I decided to order the Michelin Energy Saver A/S. Unfortunately, after six months of trying to order the Energy Saver, from Costco, Sears, and three other retailers, and them not being able to get them from Michelin, I decided to go with the Michelin Defender, staying with the original size which came on my Prius (P195/65R15). I got them using the standard $70.00 off coupon from Costco and the total bill out the door was $430.00. I really wanted to stick with the highest (fuel) mileage tire I could get (Energy Saver) but, since it seemed impossible to get them, I was willing to go with the Defenders. I am pleased to say that I believe I made the right decision. Comparing them with the original Yokohama tires, the Defenders are noticeably quieter despite their more aggressive and deeper tread. The Defenders also handle much better than my Yokohamas ever did (even when they were new). The biggest surprise is that my mileage has not dropped at all. After eight tanks of gas, I am getting the exact same mileage I did with the Yokohamas--and with all the benefits of a quieter and better handling tire. I am not a hyper-miler. I drive my Prius like a normal vehicle, although I do abide by the posted speed limits (no lead footing). So, the way things turned out, I am glad I was not able to get the Energy Savers after all. I am getting the same 54 mpg I got before, but with all the added benefits mentioned above PLUS one of the highest mileage (wear) warranties available. If you have been fretting over what tires to replace your OEM tires with, you should seriously consider the Defenders.
The Defenders offer great tread life which can help offset the difference in mpg between them and the Energy Saver A/S. TireRack.com has both tires in stock.
Wasn't Michelin touting the Defender as replacement for their Energy Saver A/S? Not saying it is a match, just that there was something in their promotional material like that.
No. It was a replacement for their HydroEdge and another tire which escapes me at the moment. The Defender is nowhere near as fuel efficient as the Energy Saver A/S and wet braking is worse but handling is better as is tread wear.
