Low Rolling Resistance replacement tires: Current List

That's for the recommendation... I don't know whether I really want to switch my new tires a second time though. I think if I'm going to have to drive in snow in the Winter, I'll fork out for snow tires -- or stay home!

 

I see the same exact reports and worse for the Michelin Energy Saver. And, the source is Consumer Reports. Further, Consumer Reports rates the Energy Saver as total crap in snow.

Safety is important.

I've not posted on this site all that much as yet. So, I'll leave it to the moderators to say. But, it seems to me that your posts are spam. All of them seem to be advertising. You quote prices and one specific tire store again and again. Is it my imagination? Do you not work for American Tire?

 

That makes sense to me. I wouldn't replace brand new tires so quickly either.

 

PriusRos , congrats on your find of the E/S A.S. . Does pay off at times .

 

Well, I wouldn't be replacing them (as in paying for a new set) - just exchanging them again .... but that would be assuming that Costco had them and that they would accept another exchange....

I think I'll keep my Energy Savers and come back later for advice on snow tires!

 

F8L we do not get the Continental Pro Contact in the UK. The tyres we do get are:-

Sport contact 2
Premium contact SSR
Premium contact 2
Premium contact 5
Eco contact 3
Eco contact 5

The lowest RR tires are the Eco contact 5 mostly rated (B) for RR and (B) for wet grip, noise 70db
The Premium contact 5 are rated lower for RR at (C) but wet grip goes up to (A) noise 70db
The Sport and Premium SSR are poorly rated for RR at (G/F) ratings and wet grip (C) noise 71db
The Premium Contact 2 and Eco Contact 3 are rated between the Sport and Contact 5 tyres

Do any of these tyres appear on the US market?

John (Britprius)

 

Thank F8L, seems a crazy way to sell tyres by not offering perhaps the biggest market your best tyre, bearing in mind the UK/EU gen2 does not use the 15 inch tyre size, and only on the lower spec gen3.

It is also a fact that most people in ordinary cars go for the cheapest tyres they can buy not the most fuel efficient. It is cars that are fuel efficient that make people more aware of the tyres they are fitting.

Sorry to say it does not look like you will be getting this tyre.

John (Britprius)

 

Hi F8L, and others

I am in market for the set of LLR tyres, I will be buying these in UK from the following site:

Car Tyres - MPV Tyres - People Carrier Tyres - 16"

I'm doing about 25000km's per year and I'm looking for good fuel efficiency.

Links from this site or model of the tires would be appreciated.

Current size: 195/55/16

I don't mind to upsize to 205/55/16's

however there are many other sizes...

What's important: LLR, wet grip, noise

I just read this post,

John, if you can recommend LLR tyres in our region, I'm doing quite a lot of km's, so LLR is probably a must...

Can't seem to find the one's with 100,000mile warranty

I was just looking at this model/size/price, would you have thoughts about this one's:

£54.40pce V rated​

£53.10pc H rated​

​

Hankook Tyres / Car / Hankook K425 Kinergy Eco Hankook K 425 - Car Tyres - MPV Tyres - People Carrier Tyres - 16" R16" - 205/55/16, 205/55R16
(Fuel Eff.: B Wet Grip: B NoiseClass: 2 Noise: 70dB)
or

£49.95pc (currently on offer down from

£53.80)​

​

Kumho Tyres / Car / Kumho KU31 Ecsta Sport Kumho KU 31 - Car Tyres - MPV Tyres - People Carrier Tyres - 16" R16" - 205/55/16, 205/55R16
Ecsta SPT KU31
DimensionLoad indexSpeed indexTyre label
205/55 R 16 91 V C B 73 dB

or:

£58.50pc​

Kumho Tyres / Car / Kumho KU39 Ecsta Le Sport Kumho KU 39 - Car Tyres - MPV Tyres - People Carrier Tyres - 16" R16" - 205/55/16, 205/55R16
Ecsta LE Sport KU39
DimensionLoad indexSpeed indexTyre label
205/55 R 16 91 Y C B 72 dB

 

One thing to understand is a tire with good wet and snow traction will wear faster. A tire with poor wet reports will wear better over time, it is just the compound of the tire makeup.

 

I have attempted to list the LRR resistance tyres in the link below. I really recommend you go to 205/55/16 size as not only as there is more choice, they are also cheaper, and the RR goes down at this size against the equivalent tyre of the same make at 195/55/16. There are other advantages listed in the link. You must change all 4 tyres when you change tyre size.

I run Hankook tyres myself, at 205/55/16 size. They are Hankook Eco kinergy K425 rated B for LRR and B for wet grip Noise 70db. In my opinion a very good tyre at a very good price.
Another Hankook tyre to look at if you often carry full load is the K115 Ventis Prime 2 this is an XL tyre (extra load) rated B for LRR B wet grip noise 69db

Others to consider are the Goodyear Efficient Grip:- Rated B for LRR and A for wet grip and very quite at noise 68db. Of course the price is higher than the Hankook.

Going up in price further is the Michelin Energy Saver+ (must be the +) rated B for LRR and A for wet grip noise 70db

In the link the 195/55/16 tyres are on post number 8 the 205/55/16's are in post number 19, but suggest you read the first few posts for more information. I am going to add more tyres to the post below but feel the above tyres give you the best options. As far as tyre ware goes my Hankooks are holding up very well as should the Michelins, I have no experience of the Goodyear but on paper they look excellent.

Low Rolling Resistance replacement tyres (Europe)

John (Britprius)

 

I like the price of hankook's, did you go for H or V rated?

 

I went for H rated but there is little difference in the price.

John (Britprius)

 

can V rated last bit longer than H rated and would fuel efficiency decrease with V rated?
It seems that 205/55/16's are the ones I'm going to choose this time.
thank you for making me aware of other options.

 

My limited understanding is that for the same tire line, higher speed rating will decrease gas mileage. I could be mistaken. It is also my impression that even H rated is more than a Prius is likely to need. Most of us want good gas mileage. Driving in excess of the 118 MPH of a T rated tire or even the 112 MPH of an S rated tire will likely be very bad for fuel efficiency. Even driving on roads with higher speed limits out west (e.g. 75 MPH limit) is very bad for mileage, assuming you drive at or a tad above the limit.

 

According to the test there is no difference between them and since H rating is more than the Prius requires that is what I went for.

As I pointed out in my previous post The Hankook K115 Ventis Prime 2 could also be worth looking at. Same rating as the Eco Kinergy but slightly quieter. Down side is it will weigh more being XL rated, but if you are going to carry loads most of the time could be worth it.

John (Britprius)