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

It's that time to start looking at new tires.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Akira Takamedo, Sep 6, 2017.

  1. Akira Takamedo

    Akira Takamedo New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2017
    18
    7
    0
    Location:
    Stratford, CT
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    The tires on my 2013 are basic tires, at least that's what I was told when I bought up from the dealer. I live in Connecticut so the winters can be brutal. I'm looking now for all season tires, because I don't want to swap my tires on and off throughout the year. What's a good set of tires that can handle snow on the ground, but won't hurt my gas mileage? Bonus points if they actually IMPROVE my MPG! I'm currently hitting between 40-50 on most drives.
     
  2. CNYhybrid

    CNYhybrid Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2016
    158
    83
    0
    Location:
    Liverpool, New York
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    In my opinion there are no all season tires that can handle a "brutal" winter. I suggest Michelin X-Ice for winter. They are quiet, good ride, excellent gas mileage and 40,000 mile warranty. They are even Green and Eco rated. Be safe.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    WilDavis, Mendel Leisk and StarCaller like this.
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,671
    39,222
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    The miracle tire! Anyway, you've made it this far, maybe just carry on. I do not know, Michelin Defenders?
     
  4. Akira Takamedo

    Akira Takamedo New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2017
    18
    7
    0
    Location:
    Stratford, CT
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Michelin seems to be the brand I see tossed around a lot. I'm definitely going to look into that X-Ice brand. I heard Michelin even has a brand of tire good for the rest of the year with getting good MPG, Eco-something or other?

    I have some quotes from various tire shops around, what am I looking at for the cost of four of those tires plus installation so I don't get hosed?
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,671
    39,222
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    What are your current tires?
     
  6. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2014
    2,492
    2,154
    49
    Location:
    Top RH Corner of RH Coast on L side of The Pond
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Michelins are splendid tyres and have a great reputation! When it came time to replace my last set of Energy Savers, I found that Michelin no longer made them in my size! o_O The set I had were about 60% worn out, and I noticed they'd become just about useless in snow and ice, as well as starting to develop micro-cracks on the sidewalls as well as starting to get rather noisy, so at that point I went with a set of Blizzak snows on steel rims, and squeezed another season out of the Michelins the following summer before replacing them with a set of Antares Ingens at about ½ the price of the equivalent Michelins. As one tyre expert told me, Michelins are very nice, but their tread tends to outlast the rest of the tyre! o_O

    BTW: I agree with @CNYhybrid re. "All Season" tyres being "Jack-of-all-trades", "Master-of-none". Get a spare set of rims shod with some decent snows and change them with the seasons. Good Luck! ;)
     
    #6 WilDavis, Sep 6, 2017
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2017
  7. Akira Takamedo

    Akira Takamedo New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2017
    18
    7
    0
    Location:
    Stratford, CT
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I typed this out at work, I have to check out my car at lunch and get back to you, but I believe they're Bridgestone brand. Not sure the type until I get out there.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  8. mainepriusx2

    mainepriusx2 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2017
    6
    2
    0
    Location:
    Maine, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Akira, I've run on all-seasons on every car except my pick-up for 36 years in Maine. We get snow. And ice. We just drive accordingly.

    I've been running Michelins on my 2007 Prius for a few years and am about to replace the cheap Yokohamas I'm running on my 2014 Prius...probably with Michelin Premier A/S tires, as they are rated as some of the best all-seasons for snow and ice at Tire Rack. If you haven't gone to Tire Rack, I highly recommend it as you can find tires in all configurations that are tailored to your car and see how others rate them. tirerack.com
     
    #8 mainepriusx2, Sep 6, 2017
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2017
  9. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2008
    1,992
    676
    0
    Location:
    Null, NL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    The cheapest tires I can find her from Walmart $34 each and they work great. Redenza 195/45r15
     
  10. Akira Takamedo

    Akira Takamedo New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2017
    18
    7
    0
    Location:
    Stratford, CT
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Sorry that took so long, so it looks like I currently have a set of Starfire RS-C 2.0 tires.
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,671
    39,222
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I've never heard of those, can't see those being OEM, must have been replaced already.
     
    bisco likes this.
  12. Akira Takamedo

    Akira Takamedo New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2017
    18
    7
    0
    Location:
    Stratford, CT
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I did a search and it looks like they're Cooper brand, they actually are all-season and have decent ratings. I might just hang onto them for now because tires are a paycheck and a half for me, I just don't want to be screwed when the snow starts.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  13. WolfpackBill

    WolfpackBill Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2014
    349
    500
    6
    Location:
    Lexington, NC
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I'd say Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus. It's as good as OEM when it comes to MPG. Traction is pretty good too but my current EP422s are only 16k miles old.
     
  14. Joaquim Silva

    Joaquim Silva Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2017
    31
    30
    0
    Location:
    Lake Havasu City AZ
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Put on winter tires, safety should top your mileage concern between December and March. After that go back to low roll resistance tires. Heck, a used set of wheels is cheap, just get one set and keep winter tires on them. Any shop will swap them for you in minutes when seasons chance.
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,671
    39,222
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I'd add Ecopia EP20, if you can still get them: they only come in 195/65R15, and there's ONLY one version AFAIK. the EP422+ have iterations at last count.

    They're good for rolling resistance, decent road feel, get moderately noisy as they age (don't we all) and are a menace in snow when worn.