Tires for better Highway control

I went for the Mich X at COSTCO and I am very pleased. Please see my posts at Mich X topic on this forum for more detail. I originally chose the X because of its very high consumer report test scores, higher than any of the other Mich tires. I bought them at COSTCO because they fill with nitrogen instead of air. That gives you several advantages. 1. The tires lose their fill at a slower rate, thus more consistency. 2. The tires run cooler, thus longer life. 3. Because they run cooler, the pressure stays closer to base. 4.The nitrogen is dry, thus minimal O2 and water vapor = slower internal oxidation of the tire. 5. COSTCO replaces the valve caps with light green ones which look cool on my silver pine mica prius.

 

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Stan,
Any change in mileage with the Mich X tires? I see their wear rating is lower then the MXV4+ so I was guessing they are stickier.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ARiddle @ Apr 4 2006, 02:30 AM) [snapback]234600[/snapback]</div>

Hi ARiddle,

I agree with the vibration dampening. That was my impression when I installed a BT Stiffening plate on my '06 (OEM GY Inegrity tires - not as bad as the Firestones that were OEM on my Saturn). I think where you might be misjudging is the dramatic effect that reducing these vibrations has on the controllability of the car.

Here in Illinois we have tremendous gusting cross winds on the highways on occaision. These winds are somewhat more powerful than any large truck I have ever experienced passing by. Probably by a factor of two. Prior to installing the BT plate, a gust required two or three cycles of counter steering, with as much as 30 degree turning of the wheel, with the result of just barely being able to stay ones lane. With the plate a quick 10 degree single tweak of the wheel kept the car well centered (+/- 6 inches) in the lane. And this BT plate installed experience was on a day with much more powerful winds than had been experienced with the Prius previously ( 35 mph cross gusting versus 20 mph).

The vibration in the back end has a large effect on the needed steering angle to keep the car going down the lane straight. With the plate the vibration is reduced and damped in a half cycle, as best as my rear end can detect it. Without the plate this is a 3 or 4 cycle ringing response to high side loads.

I say try the plate - then think about tires!

 

200volts

I swapped out the Goodyears the day I took delivery so I have no comparison. However, at just over 2500 miles, I am averaging in the high 48 low 49 range at manufacturer recommended pressure for over 1.3K. Best trip was all highway at a bit over 54mpg averaging 65mph. My usual commute is more than 50 miles RT beginning with a 10 minute highway run followed by 1/2 hour of winding hilly back roads followed by 15 minutes in traffic. I can't complain. Not only did Consumer's Union rate the X higher than the other Michelins, but higher than the comfort treads as well. Only the Goodyear Triple Tread rated higher, and they do not come in 185. My dealer offered to swap tires. He offered the Mich Harmony at more than I paid for the X even with a trade in credit or the Yokehama Avid which has a max inflation pressure (according to Tire Rack) of 34 lbs. I had the Yokes on another car. They were good, but the Mich X seems to have better traction all around. They should wear well, particularly with the nitrogen fill. They are comfortable and quiet at the recommended pressure but not when pressure was increased to 39/35. Mileage is just as good at 35/33 so there is nothing to be gained by pumping these tires up.

 

Well this is a topic that has been talked about quite a bit over the last year in this forum. I know because I also have this problem with my 05 Prius and wanted to find a solution, if there was one. I had the front end aligned, bought the Comfortreads, the BT plate and the BT rear spoiler. They all made some sort of difference, though I thought the spoiler made the biggest at the time I installed it. I've read so many posts over the course of the last year that I have come to the conclusion that this is just the nature of the car and with all the mods available at this time you can only make a small impact on the problem.

I have had a lot of experience driving this car on all kinds of highways and in all types of weather in the 9 months I've owned it. I took it across the country in October (round trip from SF Bay Area to NY, Boston, etc) and have since taken it on many 2000 mile round trips, (Vegas, Salt Lake City and back last week - very windy in Vegas, snow over Truckee coming home to the bay area, lots of rain, etc) and will drive it across the country again in July. I know, I'm nuts.

However, despite my dissapointment in the highway performance, and the long drive discomfort of the seat, I am still in love with the car and would buy it again in a heartbeat.

Oh, and about how you noticed it handles better with a passenger, that is exactly what I noticed as well. When this car has weight in the front it just is less squirmy at speeds above 65. So my advise, if you love everything else about the car, is to get the front end aligned, pick up the BT stuff and change the tires. Then sit back and hope some third party, or Toyota, offers a mod that really nails the problem.

And don't forget the 50 lb sand bag (actually thought about that myself). :blink:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ARiddle @ Apr 1 2006, 12:50 AM) [snapback]233334[/snapback]</div>

I had Goodyear Assurance TripleTred 195/65-HR15 tires installed the same day I got my 2005 Prius pkg 4, and it handles much better. Rides better, too.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RonG @ Apr 14 2006, 10:18 PM) [snapback]239983[/snapback]</div>

I too had the tripletreds installed and they're GREAT (Tony the tiger great!!)!!!

These are #1 rated by CR and a bit better than the comforttreds. Handle great, handles rain like it is dry out!!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ARiddle @ Apr 14 2006, 11:27 PM) [snapback]240082[/snapback]</div>

But in fairness to my beloved Comfortreds, I think you discovered the alignment error after you had taken the Comfortreds off you car. So my favorite tires never got a fighting chance to win you over!

 

i have all this on another thread in the main forum, but to summarize, i had falkens, hated 'em, traded to comfortreds, better, still wanders, traded last week for tripletreds. EUREKA! love 'em. all done.
almost no wandering, quiet, drove from san diego to vegas (and back) got same mpg, just wonderful. i'm done.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ARiddle @ Apr 1 2006, 01:50 AM) [snapback]233334[/snapback]</div>

Try the Bridgestone Potenza G009 tire. Put them on my 2005 Prius and was very pleased with the improvement in stability and traction. Tire also performed extremely well in wet weather.

 

Mitch4581,
The Bridgestone G009 was my first choice, but the guys at Bridgestone said the RE950 had better performance (and at about $75 ea installed I couldn't pass them up). They ride very firm and are noisier then the Integrities.
How are the G009 for noise, ride and mileage?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ARiddle @ Apr 15 2006, 01:27 AM) [snapback]240082[/snapback]</div>

Rookie Prius Poster,

I was interested in your comment about Michelin Hydroedge tires, which I also just put on my '04 Prius. I like the grounded feeling I have driving with these tires, but I'm concerned that my miles per gallon has dropped 6-7 miles per gallon since they were put on. I know there are a lot of factors that contribute to good gas mileage, but the tires are the only change that has been made since my purchase. Have you had that experience? And I take it, your car is a later model? Thanks for a reply. RobertaK

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RobertaK @ May 3 2006, 11:23 AM) [snapback]249056[/snapback]</div>

Based on personal experience and that of others I've seen posted, you shouldn't be having more than a 1 to 2 MPG hit. Also, the tires do break in. Check your air pressure. You'd be surprised how few times the minimum wage worker changing the tires actually inflates them according to the car's specs. Also, you may have been only making short trips since the change.