Need help deciding on a new brand of tires!

^ Having to run the car to defog/defrost really impacts mpg. Anyone with a stuffed garage and car in the driveway take heed.

 

I replaced my factory Goodyears with Continental PureContact with EcoPlus at around 45,000 miles. Very disappointing. I was averaging 51-52 mpg. Now averaging 47-48. I wanted the Michelin Energy Savers, but they were in short supply at the time . . I "settled" for the Continental PureContact with EcoPlus, and am sorry that I did.

 

Maybe you can find solace in the fact you have a much superior tire in every other category beside fuel economy and some ride comfort. It's definite a safer tire. Especially in wet conditions and snow.

 

A lot of highly rated folks, like Luscious Garage in SF, only recommend the Continentals. She has serviced millions of Prius miles.

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Which Conti's does she like?
F8L was our long time tire expert but he swiched to Volt-2014 post you are answering.

 

My mistake if I jumped species on this thread: prius to bolt.

Here is her article. ProContact is the one I believe but it's in here:

Best tires for Gen 2 Prius, continued… - Luscious Garage | Hybrid Specialists

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I have a feeling she might be writing another update soon ... that blog post was about the ProContact EcoPlus, of which the only stock left at TireRack seems to be exactly one size, 225/60R16....

-Chap

 

I haven't dug in on the specifics yet as my son's car came with new but off brand tires that are far below the best brands. We might be shopping soon though. Noted on the eco plus availability.

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I suspect that is older recommendation however. I think we went with that ProContact tire but that was a long time ago. I wish everyone who puts write-up on internet gave a publishing date of the write-up.

 

I'm using her advice more toward a best brand choice. Conti's haven't been my favorite on other vehicles but maybe they excel in the hybrid specific tires?

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Well there is a trade off in high MPG and wet/ice grip.
So being in Northeast I go with compromise.
Basically looking for LRR (low rolling resistance) rated tires

 

Load and speed rating must suffice but brand doesn't matter much to me.

My favorite tire for my third gen Priuses is a size 185/65r15. I've used many brands you probably haven't heard of and have found all of them better than the firestones I have on one Prius right now. Let the bashing begin...

 

Best Tire for Prius is Dunlop Enasave 195 65R 15 as per my experience.

 

that a good one

 

I have used both Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max and Bridgestone Ecopia EP20 but never liked the (noticeable to me) lack of traction.

The car now has General Altimax RT43 and I am pleased with them over the first few thousand miles.

They're not fancy but they have better tread wear, traction, temperature, and speed ratings against both the Goodyear and Bridgestones.

The also cost less, so that offsets (maybe completely) any drop in mileage.

 

One of the best deals I've found is Michelin Defenders for $107 at a local shop. I might sacrifice one or two mpgs over the Energy Savers but I'll never save enough in gas to cover the extra cost of the tire. I'm hoping that Michelin pops back up with their $70 rebate on four in the next month or so which would bring the cost down to $89.50 per tire.

 

The Prius I bought recently came with Yokohama Avid Ascend's. Utter garbage tire. Had a light dusting of snow in Ohio and the traction control went bananas.

Replaced them 3 weeks ago with General Altimax rt43's. No complaints.

 

I've looked at four(4) different tire company stores while reading this thread. I have not seen any listing for this low rolling resistance many of you claim. Is that usually a listed spec or is there some list of lrr tires somewhere? How come I've never realized any mileage (mpg) difference on any other car of mine? I've never had any speedometer differences either. It's really interesting how it's such a BFD w/ Priuses. Please educate me here a little bit.

TIA for the assistance.​

 

Bridgestone has a line called "Ecopia" which are all designed with a low rolling resistance objective.

Michelin assigns the badge "Green-X" to their lower rolling resistance leaders. This has been a bit muddied of late though: now they seem to being stamping everything "Total Performance", including new itterations of tires that previously said "Green-X". Their explanation of "Total Performance" is vague, infers a balance between LRR and grip and "performance", whatever that means.

There's also some "sleepers", tires that make no special claims regarding LRR, but nevertheless seem to do good.

I think in Europe there are are official ratings; in North America it's vague manufacturer claims and customer word-of-mouth. The latter's probably as good as anything.

 

Is there a big difference between Conti ProContact and the ProContact EcoPlus?

I have the ProContact....hate them. They simply HOWL on rough road. Noisiest tire I've ever had. On smooth road they are fine, so it's not a bearing or out of balance or something. Handle dry and wet fine. Squirm a bit on grooved road but not alarmingly.
Got an unusual amount of snow in Seattle a couple weeks ago. Coupled with the [traction control] it was the worst experience in snow I've ever had. Had to learn to turn traction control off. I'm not sure if that 'feature' is of any benefit at all.

Next tire I want it QUIET, and wet handling > Seattle rain. Suggestions?