Low Rolling Resistance replacement tires: Current List

After an hour of searching on PC to figure out if tires w/the dimensions of 175/65/15 is compatible for 15" Gen 3, I may have found my answer. But just to double check, will 175 width be fine on the 15" stock wheels? On many tire websites, after narrowing down tires to prius gen 3s, there's no 175 listed or recommended probably due to grip. My drives are country drives and drive like my avatar picture.

Has anyone put in 175 width tires on theirs?

 

Is this to save a buck-and-a-half on gas per tank?
Or maybe $50 on the tire set?

While having less braking and cornering capabilities?

Geez, and I thought I was cheap......

I wonder what the insurance company would think if you get in a collision? (We don't call them accidents anymore...)

 

No offense but tire installers are MUCH more concerned about oversized tires than undersized

Being one size small may require a higher pressure in the tire but braking and snow performance may actually improve, less likely to hydroplane and handling wise there are too many variables to comment intelligently.

I ran a size smaller on my Cobalt because it saved over $100 on the treads,
revs per mile was around 1% different, now 80,000 miles later would do it again if the economics worked but generally I find smaller tires are normally not on “sale”
I would do it on a case by case basis, solely on the cost of the tire, economy was not significantly impacted either way.

 

Hi....just got 4 new quality tires ..CHEAP. so thought I'd share. First I went to 'consumer reports'. A library near me has an online subscription. Looked at tire ratings. ONE tire jumped out. It was rated with quality tires in the $100-$150/ per tire range ...yet only cost $50 . The "Atlas Force" made in Thailand. I ordered it through walmart online- they deliver to nearest walmart with an automotive dept.....you go when they are in, and pay $16 per tire to have them installed, balanced, etc. To top it off, tires were an sale for $44 each. So....I got curious and checked out a Toyota dealership. Their cheapest tire installed was $456 for all 4. I paid $240 for all 4 installed and received an arguably better quality tire (accdng to consumer reports) I saved $216. Tire is "Atlas Force" HP 185/65 R15 88H (I have a 2004 Prius)

 

Queston for those used OEM tire vs LLR tires. Are they really increase approx 5-10% of your based MPG?

My 2013 Prius came with 2 Ecopia EP422 on the rare and Lionhard tiress on front. I was getting 52mpg Max full tank. I swapped those 2 Ecopia to the front getting 51mpg Max on full tank of gas.. That 2 Ecopia make alot noise due to tread wear out.

Those 2 Lionhard still have good tread 40 psi w/costco nitrogen ( getting 52mpg)
2 Ecopia have bad tread (51mpg) 40 psi w/costco nitrogen

In-order to increase approx 5-10% of my current mpg, A set of 4 LLR tires need or can be 2 LLR tires in the front?

 

Too many variables to predict what mpg you will get LLR or not. Usually, any new set of tires will give you less mpg in beginning. Your mileage may vary.

And if you are replacing only two tires, it is recommended to be installed on the rear. However, with somewhat worn-out older tires on the front, you will not be able to rotate the tire to even out the treads, needing to purchase two new tires again in future when front tires are worn out.

 

I just replaced my stock EP20's with EP422+
In was running at 40psi, but the new ones are at 35psi. Seen fine for now and instill need to run them for a few weeks before comparing MPG

 

I saw a gen4 prius with 17s. Checked the tires and it had Pantera Sports A/S 215/45R17. Google search and found their website.
Sport A/S – Pantera Tire
Their website claims LRR. It has rim protector but barely sit flush with the rim, unlike the Bridgestone Turanza EL400-02 which sticks out a good 1/4 inch. Has anyone gotten them can comment?
It's available at Wal-Mart for $51.14 but out of stock.

 

Is the Falken Ziex ZE950 All-Season Radial Tire - 175/65R15 84H a good tire and recommended a LRR tire?

 

Stock is 195/65r15. One size down is 185/65r15. Tire size of 175/65r15 is a new one to me. I suspect that would tend to fall into the realm of a 14" wheel and tire size.

It is almost certain that many claims of higher mpg with smaller tires is simply due to odometer/speedometer error when swapping out tire sizes. Though a lighter tire is surely to help a little.

Changing the subject now. I found that my Blizzak snow tires almost certainly delivered worse mpg when the temps exceeded 90F - by a significant amount. Plus snow tires are reputed to wear out quickly in hot weather.

 

The website didn’t list tire weight so they can call it low rolling resistance tire if they want

 

1" shorter than stock.

Weighs 17.2 pounds -
Manufacturer Falken
Brand Falken
Model Ziex ZE950
Item Weight 17.2 pounds
Product Dimensions 24 x 24 x 6.9 inches
Item model number 28951563
Manufacturer Part Number 28951563
Special Features Tread_wear_indicator
Section Width 17.5 centimeters
Construction Radial
Rim Diameter 15 inches
Load Index Rating 84
Speed Rating H
Tread Depth 10.1 millimeters

 

Is tire weight related in any way to the LRR spec?

Is there an official test and approved rating system for a manufacturer to be able to claim the LRR rating?

I suspect there is.

I could look this up,, but it's easier for you !

 

just wanna chime in real quick on those Goodyear tires. They don't make 'em anymore. I called Goodyear around the corner and they now have the Assurance MaxLife with a 85k mile treadwear. They currently have as of today 6/26/2020 a $50 mail-in rebate. Pickin' 'em up today for $545 before rebate.

 

New tires have higher resistance than the old tires?

Set of 4 Kumho new tires installed and resistance increase and MPG drop. Alignment done right after new tires installed.

 

Yes, new tires can lower mpg. For the same brand of tires usually, new tires will decrease mpg. But in your case, you are comparing apples and oranges. You can't compare two different brands of tires.

 

Approx 8-10 MPG drop on set of New tires.. who said LRR tires increase MPG. The old tires set of 2 Lion Hart tire still got 56.2 MPG

 

I purchased R15/185 Michelin defender XT from Costco back at end of 2017. The normal price would have been $450 but with a discount was around $300. These had a 90k warranty. I have since driven 110k miles and they have been by far the longest-lasting tire I have owned and even the best performing while worn down. I stopped having them rotated about the 10th time. So kept them in the same rotation pattern for around 20k between rotations. With all the other tires I had previously I had to rotate at 5k or suffer irregular wear.

I felt like I had gotten my money's worth from them at around 60k and they were still in very good shape. I would buy again as the fuel economy was better than the Goodyears I had previously which were R15/175's. The GY were noisy road rough and worn unevenly. I replaced them at 30k and I had paid $360 with a discount for those.

I was planning on retiring the car in January at 300k, but I am thinking about putting another set on and using it as a backup vehicle. Tempted to get another set, just don't know if the car will last another 100k without needing a new paint job.

 

You got your money's worth out of the tires and the car.

 

Hmm so we have to guess average MPG of lifetime set of tires? 45 MPG.