Choice of replacement Tires?

I live in NJ and replaced my OEM's with GY TT in a slightly larger size. They seem great on snow and the wet/dry traction is terrific. I've got about 10,000 miles on them and can decern little or no wear.

 

My vote is for the Michelin Radial X which are available only at Sam's, Costco, BJ's warehouse stores. Consumer reports did a comparison and they came out ahead of the Hydroedge and Comfortreds, I believe for noise and RR. Someone here should know for sure.

Alex

 

The cheapest BF Goodrich set that Costco sells "Premier Touring?" have served me well. I've had them on for 23k miles so far after my stocks wore out around 55k (I did rotate) with no signs of any wear. At $240 for a set (including mounting) plus the free rotation / road hazard warranty (they pull nails, fix flats for free) it's hard to beat from a cost-perspective.

I have never felt any loss of control during our somewhat dry winters here in the N. CA Bay area.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(moolman @ Mar 1 2007, 09:29 PM) [snapback]398826[/snapback]</div>

Plus, the Michelin X-Radials can be considerably cheaper than the HydroEdges and ComforTreds when the warehouses offer $60 off for a set of four.

That's what I'm going with when the $60 off deal comes around again.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Three60guy @ Feb 13 2006, 07:36 PM) [snapback]208960[/snapback]</div>

Can somebody repost this spreadsheet file again? Sounds like a very useful guide to compare the different tires out there? Anybody have any experiences with BF Goodrich tires? They are almost 40 bucks cheaper per tire if you compare the Premier Touring model with the Michelin Radial X.

 

These links from tire rack might be of some use...


Performance All Seasons
Grand Touring All Seasons
Touring All Seasons
Standard All Season

 

I just put on Pirelli Cinturato P3000 in the 195/60TR15 size. 855.6 RPM, quiet, and great handling. The tire store said they are LRR but couldn't prove it. 99,000 mile tread life.

 

Spreadsheet link doesn't appear to be working.

 

I just checked Consumer Reports.org and their top rated tire is the Goodyear Assuarance Triple Tred, closely followed by the Michelin X Radial DT. In fact, the Michelin rates higher on Rolling Resistance, which I presume would lead to better MPG than the Goodyear (the ComforTred rates significantly lower on everything). For me, rolling resistance, noise and handling are most important, and it looks like the Michelins win over all others. Also, CostCo is currently offering a $60 rebate when you buy a set of 4 -- so I think that's what I'm going to replace my OEM Integrity tires with. I find the Integrity to be very noisy and harsh (I keep them at 42/40 psi). Also, I noticed a marked increase in MPG after about 1000 miles "break in" period, but now that I have 24k miles, I've noticed a falloff in MPG of 1-2 mpg lately (I was averaging 44 MPG mostly freeway driving at average speeds of 77 mph here in the SoCal desert, and now I'm averaging 42-43 mpg). Tires still have plenty of tread, but I really don't like the ride, so I'm going to get the Michelin X Radial DT's this week, unless someone out there thinks I might get significantly less MPG with them or if anyone has experience with them and thinks the ride/noise/handling is not significantly better than the Integrity -- please let me know.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Mar 10 2007, 04:18 AM) [snapback]403264[/snapback]</div>

Any change in FE?

 

This past saturday, I replaced the original Integrities with Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S 195/60 R15. Huge difference!!! Even my 8 year old noticed the difference in noise. Handling and shear road grip was way better too.

Tire guy put 34 psi in them though and said that I could drop it to 32 if I felt the ride was too rough. However, I'm seeing posts with 42 and 40 psi.

Should I have higher pressure?

C.

 

What's everyone's oppinion on NEW tires for the Touring model 195/55/16? I know the Michelin Energy isn't made in this size or else I would get those.

 

I just change to 195/65/15 Goodyear TT tires and I am very happy with the results. The traction control doesn't come on as frequently and the car actually has traction in the wet. Plus its quieter than the Integrity and actually makes the car handle better than the OEM tires.

 

Another thumbs up for the TT's.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Mar 10 2007, 01:18 AM) [snapback]403264[/snapback]</div>

I'd be interested to know how your FE is doing with these tires.

Ken

 

I just ordered a set of ComforTreds for my 2005. Went the first winter (WNY) with the OEM's . . . kind of scary. This last winter with about 29000 miles on the OEM's I purchased Michelin X Ice with steel rims for the winter, put about 7000 miles on them. They were much quieter then the OEM's . . . but not so sure about the snow, not a deep tread snow tire, they seemed to be more of a performance tire but good on Ice.
Put my OEM Integrites back on in the spring at 35000 miles but now with my inspection due in June they are pretty worn, but there is some tread left. Looking forward to a nice quiet, good handling ride with the Comfortreads! 37000 miles on the car now in two years.

 

FWIW

Although the following Michelin tires have different tread patterns, they all have the exact same construction:

• Harmony (Michelin)
• X-Radial (Sam's Club; Costco)
• Agility (Sears)
• Destiny (Discount Tire)

It's a marketing trick used to make comparison shopping difficult.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ozymandias @ Mar 10 2007, 12:18 AM) [snapback]403180[/snapback]</div>

That last comparative chart made me question whether I should have ordered the Comfortreds . . . . but them being first in comfortable ride and noise makes me happy with my decision. (an electric car should have quiet tires). Plus being ranked 4th overall is icing on the cake! Been averaging 58 mpg with the spring temperatures on the well worn (33000mi) OEM Integrities. Looking forward to new shoes for the Prius.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TomorrowMatters @ May 15 2007, 10:13 AM) [snapback]442381[/snapback]</div>

The Michelin MXV4 S8 is available one size larger (205/55HR16, 205/55VR16). Other than being a little expensive and a small change in your speedo/odo calibration (they will read a little lower than before), they should do nicely. The V-rated tire is a bit of overkill in a Prius, but they'll look cool (go with the H-rated version).

JeffD