Also, please excuse me if this posted earlier. I THOUGHT I posted it, then couldn't find it when checking for replies. I think it is in the cloud somewhere! ---------------------------------- Hello All! Our 2013 Advanced needs new 17" tires ASAP. (We just found a bulge in one of the rear tires, and we had been planning on replacing them this summer anyway.) I've searched this site, however the 17" tire threads are older, and the recommended tires appear to be out of stock, at least at Costco. I've read a lot of tire reviews, however I'd strongly prefer to have the opinions/experiences of other Prius drivers who drive in snow (and are happy with how their tires are now quieter!) This is our "highway long distance car" for trips, and we currently find the road noise/lack of comfort grating, so we will spend a bit extra for a quieter, more comfortable ride. Would you all please help us choose tires? Ordered Priorities: 1) All-Season and drives well in snow; 2) Quiet and comfortable; 3) Keeps up the mpg as high as possible. We will consider any tire; these are currently available at Costco: BFGoodrich - g-Force COMP-2 A/S (Mostly positive reviews. Road Noise an issue.) Michelin - Premier A/S (poor tread-wear reviews) Bridgestone - DriveGuard (poor noise reviews) Bridgestone - Turanza EL400-02 (poor noise/life reviews) BFGoodrich - Advantage T/A Sport (noisy - not as good in snow as they should be) Michelin - Pilot Sport A/S 3+ (some great reviews - excellent for noise; some like it in snow - ride bordering on "harsh") The following are listed as "out of stock" at Costco* Bridgestone - Potenza RE980AS Michelin - Primacy MXM4 Bridgestone - Ecopia EP422 Plus *Should we just give up on the tires available at Costco, and purchase a different set elsewhere? I also don't understand what the 87V (SL) versus the 91W (XL) means (I understand that it has to do with the load rating, but am confused that tire companies are showing different choices for the same car. I thought that there were specific requirements for specific cars? ) Help here would also be appreciated. Thank you all!
But from any major tire retailer and thrill probably match the price you find online at tirerack.com. and there won't be a wait from Costco
I checked on a few other tire sites, then the Michelin site - there do not appear to be Defenders for the 17" tires on the 2013 5 (Advanced). Does anyone else have a suggestion?
Go to the 215/50-17 tire The 205 is 24.6” in diameter, to small the speedometer will read 2 mph slow. The 215 is 25.5 in diameter, the speedometer will read 2 mph to fast, but... the defender and lrr tires come in that size. The speedometer for the pri is calibrated for 25” tires. The bigger tire gives better mpg’s Get the defender.
Michelin Premier are excellent tires “actual experience”not sure where you “read” bad reviews on these? Best all around tire. Michelin A/S 3 are also excellent tires especially in the dry I have these on my Prius. Not the greatest in snow tho.. but I’d take better dry grip over snow grip anyday.
The OEM tires on the Chevy Volt are some of the lowest rolling resistance 17” tires available Worth a look if your not going to strictly the OEM size
I have use the Premier on both of our Gens 3 fives w/17's -- but switched to the Continental true contacts for better snow and wet weather driving. I liked the OE bridgestone .. but they were crazy expensive. We get snow and rain in the mid-atlantic ... Michelin tries IMO are always poor in the rain and snow -- you can't kill them .. but the traction is poor in bad weather. I love them on my convertible -- quiet ... but, never sees bad weather. I bough the Premier because of the reviews and immediately like the OE Bridgestone better. The premier gave us good service. I own a fleet of cars -- business and personal ..... all my tire purchases the past few years have been Continentals ,, like very much. Tire rack has free road hazard insurance ... have used it twice with instant satisfaction. use a local approved installer for all the cars
Sometime, maybe next spring, I'll have the same issue with our 2010 Canadian Touring. I'm leaning towards Michelin Primacy MXM4. This is worth a read: 215/45/17 my Michelin premier review | PriusChat
The primacy MXM4's are OE on the Lexus ... they are OK. That's what I have on my MB and Jag Convertibles
We have the Pilot A/S 3+ on one of our cars. It's a great tire however I feel it's ill suited for a Prius. Rides very firm, and a very agressive tire. Does okay in snow. Great for our sporty sedan. Note: the older A/S 3 is still out there. The A/S 3+ was developed to have better wet/snow performance. That's the one you want if you plan to drive in snow. We have the Advantage T/A Sport on our Prius. They are a soft-riding tire however they are so loud, my spouse refuses to ride in the car now. Rolling resistance is a tick higher than the stock Bridgestones that came on the car. Deep snow performance is good when at full depth. We'll see how they do for winter number two. Our other car has Goodyear Eagle LS2. They are the worst tires I have ever had when it comes to impact harshness and wet/snow performance. They're on an AWD vehicle and it's terrifying to drive in the snow.
I'm glad this thread exists. I also have 17s on my Prius, and will be in the market for new tires soon. Snow traction is not important since I have a dedicated set of snow tires on steel rims already. Would like to have a protective rim bar however.
My pilot sport a/s 3+ are amazing. The thing I have noticed and kills me is the VERY noticeable drop in MPG! Does anyone else with these tires see a big difference in MPG?
