1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Arizona drivers: best replacement tire choice?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by JoInAZ, Feb 11, 2013.

  1. JoInAZ

    JoInAZ Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2010
    19
    9
    0
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Need to replace the tires on my 2010 Prius. Discount Tire is pushing the Michelin Defender. I see that people in other climates took big mpg hits with Defender.

    What's working well in Arizona?

    Thanks.
     
  2. kalome

    kalome Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2011
    411
    72
    0
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2016 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
    I still have my stock tires, but next time I need tires I am going go with the Michelin Energy Saver A/S.
     
  3. Bill Berggren

    Bill Berggren New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2013
    2
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I just bought tires today in Los Angeles. Michelin energy Saver A/S $492.76 out-the-door and I will get a $70.00 rebate I just filled out online. American Tire Depot. These tires should give a 2 mpg boost amounting to $200 savings over 50,000 miles compared to Goodyear FuelMax. From what I see these are the most fuel efficient tires on the market and in regular cars will amount to free tires in fuel savings.
     
  4. JoInAZ

    JoInAZ Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2010
    19
    9
    0
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Did you specifically choose the Energy Savers over the Defender for a reason other than price?
     
  5. JoInAZ

    JoInAZ Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2010
    19
    9
    0
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Talked to Costco tire salesman today. He says to go with the Energy Saver A/S. His experience is that the Defender will ruin my gas mileage.
     
  6. BF1

    BF1 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2013
    1
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    You might look into the Michelin MXM4. Designed for hybrids. First used on my Lexus 200CT. Now on my '13 Prius V. Available at Discount Tires in Phx and Scottsdale. Great ride and balance, low noise, terrific low road resistance. Out the door at $248.
     
  7. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,081
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    The MXM4 doesn't come in a 195/65/15 and it is not a very efficient tire even if it did. It is a fantastic tire in all other respects.
     
  8. GrumpyDave

    GrumpyDave Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2013
    27
    8
    0
    Location:
    Phoenix, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    If you live in the Phoenix area like I do then you know that twisty roads and cornering performance simply aren't much of a concern around here. From what I've read the Defender handles better and performs better than the Energy Saver in virtually every way, except for MPG. And the MPG difference is significant from what I've read. So, given the lack of twisty country roads for 99% of my driving I'm leaning towards the Energy Savers for my next set. But then, my OE Goodyear Assurance tires should be good for years to come.
     
  9. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    3,247
    528
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I have MXM4'S on my Prius and Energy Saver A/S on my SUV. Both are excellent tires. Energy Savers gave me 4 mpg better on my SUV than regular tires.

    Mike

    Mobile on my SGH-i717
     
    F8L likes this.
  10. JoInAZ

    JoInAZ Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2010
    19
    9
    0
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Guess I'll go with the Energy Saver. Thanks for the input.
     
  11. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    3,247
    528
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Good choice ;) You will be very happy with them. I run them at rated sidewall pressure and tire wear is perfect. They also hook up excellent on dry rain snow or ice. Very pleased with them :)

    Mike

    Mobile on my SGH-i717
     
    kalome likes this.
  12. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2012
    3,779
    1,282
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Just curious were you happy with the tires that came on the car originally? If so just get em again.

    My car came with Yokohama Avid. Getting good mileage and they are quiet. So Cal no snow, some rain, mostly dry and warm similar but not identical to AZ. Will most likely get the same tire thus I know what I'm getting albeit that is a good 2 + years away.
     
  13. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2010
    1,157
    290
    66
    Location:
    Phoenix
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Just curious...how many miles did you have on your OEM tires before replacing them?
     
  14. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,081
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    The AVID S33D is a pretty horrid tire compared to the Energy Saver A/S or even the OEM Bridgestone Ecopia EP20. They are loud and rough riding and MPG isn't as good as the Energy Saver nor do they last as long. Add in the fact that they are expensive and it just doesn't make sense to purchase them again.
     
    JMD, kalome and WE0H like this.
  15. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2012
    3,779
    1,282
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
  16. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,081
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
  17. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2012
    3,779
    1,282
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Bridgestone. Never knew they were that good.
     
  18. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2005
    3,193
    2,323
    0
    Location:
    CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Their new Turanza Serenity Plus is class-leading.


    iPhone ?
     
  19. Ridder

    Ridder Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2012
    141
    51
    0
    Location:
    Netherlands
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I now have Pirelli Sotto Zero winter tires on my Prius, but in a couple of weeks I will replace them with Hankook K115 tires.
    I still have the OEM Toyo's with the OEM alloys (with only 6K mi on them) but I keep them for spares.
    I always had premium brands, but the K115's have a B label for fuel economy and wet weather handling.....that's hard to find....and they have a nice price tag.....
     
  20. The Dude

    The Dude Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2013
    197
    32
    0
    Location:
    Phoenix
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    How's that Energy Saver working out for you? I'm also In PHX and will need new tires soon. Thanks