Low Rolling Resistance replacement tires: Current List

Went into Discount Tire today. They can special order the Bridgestones, but wanted to sell the Michelin Defender. They can get it today, and there is a special that puts the price more in line with other choices. Looking at Tire Rack reviews, most like the tire. However some reviewers say the gas mileage is disappointing and I don't see Prius owner reviews. Thoughts about this one?

The reason he gave is customers are disappointed with the Ecopia tread wear, and thinks the Defender will last considerably longer.

 

Hi Terri. Others here have reported a loss of 2 to 3 MPG with the defenders. Apart from that the feedback for this tire has been good.

 

Worse gas mileage with the defender but if you have a Gen II and aren't looking for high MPGs it does have the option of a 205/60R15 to make the speedometer accurate.

 

If you were to compare the "defender" to the "energy saver" on Michelin's website, you will find that the LRR numbers (fuel efficiency) are 8 for the defender and 10 for the energy saver. Reviews I have read on that same site noted that some in Prius did note the MPG seemed to drop some for the defender. Both have the Green X marking, but I think the tread is a little harder on the defender which will cause it to last longer, but have a slightly higher rolling resistance.

Defender | Michelin Tires

Energy Saver A/S | Michelin Tires

Both are good tires in my opinion. I like the set of "energy savers" that I put on our Prius. I don't drive in snow though. Houston and snow is a very rare thing. I was running 38F and 36R, but just bumped it to 42F and 40R. I saw a definite increase in MPG when I changed from the OEM Goodyear Integrity to the Michelin. I am on the second tank of fuel and the numbers are still increasing. So far, so good. For reference, I was running the Goodyear's at 42F, 40R.

Ron

 

Thanks, everyone. I found Prius owner reviews for both tires on the Discount Tire web site, and they were positive for both tires. I think it comes to better mpg but shorter life with Ecopia, higher mpg with longer life with Defenders. A toss-up, really I think. I'm at 150,000 miles and only drive 10,000 miles a year, so may go with the least expensive.

 

I found that my Michelin HydroEdges (90k mile warranty) developed sidewall cracking requiring replacement although I still had ~ 50% tread wear.

 

The Ecopia is a well liked tire here on Prius Chat and has been rated very good for MPG. I think it does fairly well in snow from what I have read, but please don't quote me on that one as I have NEVER driven on those tires in any conditions. I base my opinion on the Ecopia by what I have read here on Prius Chat and elsewhere.

Good luck to you.

Ron

 

I ordered Ecopias this afternoon.

 

I am getting a set Ecopias for my Prius Touring this weekend hopefully. I had a set before and liked them for the brief period I had them before I sold the car. Looking forward to get some more experiences with them in dry and wet conditions (water and snow).

 

Kumho eco Solus HM KR22
UTQG=800 A B, 44psi, 11/32, 19lbs, 855 $68 (100,000mile warranty)

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I'm at 50,000 miles on this set, and they did not do well from the wear standpoint. Inside and outside tread is down to the belts, while just hitting the wear bars yet in the middle. Being just a few weeks away from snow season, they will be coming off shortly. You get what you pay for.​

 

I understand that the non uniformity of the wear was disappointing, but the overall result of 50k miles is still fairly respectable, at least going by what I'm used to. I don't think that my EP100's will make 50k miles. I'm currently at 34k miles and they're looking like they'll probably make about 45k max at this point. Maybe they'll surprise me and last until 50k, I'll be pleased if they do.

 

Ok I get it now, that makes a big difference. Thanks for the info F8L.

 

I have 36k miles on OEM Bridgestone Turanza EL400 tyres placed on the vagon. 5 mm remain and the tyres are wearing evenly.

I'm happy. I have to say that although differences certainly exist between tyres, I think my behavior of keeping the tyres consistently inflated to within ~ 2 psi of sidewall maximum is an important part of tyre long life. I'm also happy with the lifelong ~ 50 mpg*

* Part of that nice fuel economy is from driving at 5000 - 7000 feet altitude.

 

I would say that I averaged high 30s for pressure, 36-38. I did not keep close track. The ride is pretty harsh over 40, but I would say that there is little worry of wearing out the middle first due to high side inflation pressure.

 

2006 with 256K.
First Set - Factory Goodyear, taken off by Toyota at 11K because they were unsafe.
Second Set - Michelin replacements provided by Toyota 90K, good wear, fair handling but EXTREMELY Noisy
Third Set - Toyo Eclipse 85K from Les Schwab much better than any of the previous tires and good handling, good wear and fairly.
Fourth Set - Bridgestone Ecopia, poor uneven wear replaced by Costco at 20K due to wear issues and noisy
Fifth Set - The replacements from Costco 49K poor uneven wear, noisy
Sixth Set - Just purchased Kuhmo Road Hugger GT ECO LRR tires from America's tire shop. WE will see....

 

Better check your alignment! Alot of uneven wear. H

 

What is the latest info on which is the better tire:
Bridgestone Ecopia 422
Yokohama Avid Ascend

These tires are very close in price, and both seem to get mostly positive reviews. Most notably, I've read the Yokohamas performed quite poorly in wet driving (as per the Tire Rack Review). However, they apparently have really excellent tread durability, whereas the Ecopia's have average/mediocre tread durability.

What about other properties? MPG? Noise? Handling?