Low Rolling Resistance replacement tires: Current List

If I could have gotten them at the same price I would have gotten another set of Energy Saver A/S for the Leaf. I still have them on the Prius but got Dunlop Enasave 01 A/S for the other car because they were noticeably cheaper per tire.

I don't have A/B testing data so I can't say how good they are for efficiency down to the last few percent but I've got a few hundred miles on them and they seem very similar to the Michelin Energy Saver A/S

 

I am looking for new tires for my 2010 prius with 85K miles on it. I was all set to get Ecopias and the reputable tire store was recommending Continental PureContact or TrueContact. I am looking for a quiet tire that gets decent mileage and can handle wet roads well. Any thoughts?

 

I am a converted fan of the 422 PLUS since they came on my two new 2016's. The USA model has a deeper tread so not sure if that will effect the RR as compared to the MIJ ones. But excellent tires so far as well as the EP20's.

 

Michelin Premier AS tires !! I have them on my 2010. Several 3,000 mile round trips to Pa.Fl. and Va. Great handling, Quiet, and no problem at all on wet roads. Look up rateings on tire rack .com.

 

Be careful what you buy for a Prius as it will definitely affect your MPG. If you do not care about MPG then it really doesn't mater what you get.
My only great experience with PRIUS tires has been with Bridgestone (factory 422 plus and EP20/although trying the USA made 422 plus on the rear of my 2011 to see how it goes). BTW I have had all the brands except Pirelli and Continental. Larger cars can do better with these other brands since most people don't care about MPG when they drive a BIG SUV. Hybrids are very picky on tires for great MPG. BTW 42 PSI is the answer to everything in life. My last 3 sets of Michelins were a disaster but I am sure I bought the wrong models. Maybe!

General tires last a long time but give poor MPG/just bought a very nice set for a van in the family. Firestone (Bridgestone) make good tires also and I like the looks of Pirelli tires but have had zero experience with that brand.
If you care about MPG and don't live in the great white north I suggest you stick to what OEM at the factory tires Toyota puts on Prius' these days. All MIJ and available from Tire rack .com. Tires on the rear will not normally greatly effect your MPG. Tires on the front will mater the most for MPG. Been there and wore that shirt for 25 new vehicles since 1990.

Put two general tires on the rear of a Honda Civic hybrid and my MPG went up. So I bought the exact same two again and put them on the front and my MPG went down 13 MPG. I was pissed and of course they will never wear out/LOL Traded the car.

2011 was the last solid heavier build of the Prius with real dead cow seats. As much as I love the 2016's, you can feel the difference in the cars when you drive them.

 

I'm fairly new to the forum, and have the gen II Prius and need to get new tires.. many of the posts I read are outdated, and I am SO confused! I just want a set of good tires, that ride/handle exceptionally well, and is quiet. I'm hoping with the Memorial Day sales coming I could pick some up for a decent price. Some of the tires mentioned in some of the posts are no longer carried or made. So I'm hoping someone could direct me to the latest tire postings (and does it matter which gen/year of prius you have for the tiries)?i

Thank YOU!

Pam

 

Hi Pam. Welcome!

My two favorite tires are the Bridgestone Ecopia line, and the Michelin energy savers. Both very quiet and get good fuel economy. The ecopia tires don't last a really long time, but they are more affordable. As a rule of thumb, always stay with a low rolling resistance tire as a hybrid owner if you want good gas mileage! It makes a surprising difference if you go with a normal tire.

 

I just put on a set of Michelin Defender XT in 195/65R15, on our son's Civic which I'm babysitting. They seem very quiet, good feel on the road, and fairly easy rolling. This is a brand new tire, and very limitted driving on them, fwiw.

I've no doubt their rolling reisstance is a little higher than the Energy Saver A/S. OTOH, their tread life rating is very high. FWIW, when I was in Costco tire shop recently, I see they are awash in Defenders, a lot of Premier A/S, and a smattering of EP422 Plus.

My state of mind re tires at present, is kind of "spinning", so many choices, but a lot of frustrating pros and cons. To the point that it's just: "what's something that's decent in all departments, and readilly available".

 

That is EXACTLY what I was thinking after reading 2 days on tires and pros and cons, then thrilled that Aaron just gave a couple that he loves, that is what I want to do so I don't have to have anymore brain freezes over it I have read many posts about costco having good deals, but hoping withe Memorial Day sales surely I can get a decent price on those he mentioned.. Good info too Mendel, thanks

 

Also most places will price match! They'll even price match Costco. So if you don't have a membership at Costco that can help ya out

Also I've had the lower priced Kuhmo soulous tires before. They were actually very good for their price range. Not amazing but than again.. not a premium tire. But it was one of the few cheap tires that got decent gas mileage and still was fairly quiet even when worn down.

 

Someone, maybe @JC91006 , was saying you don't need a Costco membership to buy tires? Maybe that's just in the 'States. Also, Costco purchase vs other tire retailers is somewhat apples/oranges. They convert rebates that are normally mail-in, to at the time of purchase, so less hassle, money in your hands right away, and less sales tax. Also their road hazard warranty is good, though prorated, as I learned recently.

 

The original tyres on my 2009 Gen II were Michelin Energy Savers, which I thought to be great, nice and quiet, but quite expensive. About a year ago, whilst hunting around for a set of new summer tyres for the car, the old tyres were about 60% worn, but the side-walls had started developing micro-cracks, and the guys at TownfairTires mentioned that the biggest problem with Michelins was that their treads outlasted the side-walls, and that's what was happening to mine. I ended up getting a set of Antares Ingens A1 (nope, I'd never heard of them either!). Well, I just swapped them back on for their second year, they are whisper-quiet, and cost less than half of what the Michelins would have cost (had they been available!), and the last fill-up showed nearly 50mpg!
BTW to the OP: Welcome to PriusChat, an amazing place to find all you'll ever need to know about your wonderful Prius!! Just wait until you start looking for winter wheels/tyres!

 

Ho Pam! I have a 2008 Prius! I purchased the michelin Energy Saver A/s--very pleased with them! Welcome! IT IS very confusing!

 

Thank you!!! Everybody is so nice

 

If you put just two new ones on the back, which is the requirement, then your MPG will most likely not be adversely affected. I really like the Bridgestone 422 Plus which are widely available at most tire places and discount clubs. Both of my new 2016's have them as OEMs but the ones at the local store have deeper tread. So far they work fine on my old 2011 Prius I gave my daughter as she had a tire severely damaged and just one needed replaced.
If you are buying 4 then it gets to be a more intense search to get the right tires that do not adversely affect your MPG.
OEMs give perfect MPG but you may be ok with something else. OEMs can be easily ordered at Tire rack and mounted by your favorite mechanical shop. Well, looks like OEMs are not available at Tire rack for the 2004 year. You should get the 422 plus IMHO and does not reflect the views of the management at this TV station.
Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus (H- or V-Speed Rated)

Check Sams, Cosco, Walmart etc.

Have had very bad results with the last sets of Michelins on 4 cars. All wore out too fast and had worse MPG.

In the past that was the only tire I ever bought but now I have converted to a new religion called Bridgestone.

I remember when Bridgestone was considered a bad tire but all of that has changed and you need to have an open mind on brands.
Remember 42 is the ultimate answer to everything in life. 42PSI

If you have a tight budget and don't care about the MPG then these tires are good=

Sumitomo Tire brand

If you have a fat budget then time to trade.

If you were me you would buy a fancier cane.

 

had no idea other places would price match, good one!

 

WilDavis, how much MPG are you getting from Antares Ingens A1, since I don't think they are LLR.

Thanks

 

mid 40s (check my Fuelly records if you really need to know the gory details…)

 

I installed these on my 2010 prius last year. after reviews in tire rack showing they out performed ALL of the LRR tires in that category. These are not LRR tires. But they are great in rain,snow,road noise,

FIRESTONE FIREHAWK AS
195/65R15

COMPARE
6799 ea.

271.96 for 4 tires
taxes and fees not included

• 50k
  Mileage Warranty
  
  
• All-Season Tires
  
  
• Fits your car
  
  
• Usually Available Same Day
  This is not a sale price..I get 45-48 mpg in the summer and 42-45 in the winter. While enjoying excellent performance!

 

LRR designation means absolutely nothing. Nothing, I tell you.

Find a binding description of it somewhere -- can't be done.

I get 44.2 mpg. Winter, spring, summer, fall. It may vary by a mile or so, but not for long.

I get the exact same MPG from all the tires I have had, from the original Goodyear Integrity (LRR), to the Cooper GFE (LRR) to the General RT43 and the super special Goodyear LRR that were supposed to be so great (I forget their name they were so non-memorable.)

I like the RT43s. Good traction, cheap and the exact same MPG as all the others

TireRack likes them also: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=215