Best tires for the Prius?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(maggieddd @ Aug 8 2007, 08:14 PM) [snapback]492726[/snapback]</div>

no comments?

 

The cost of a tire tracks its wear rating. What are the wear ratings of these tires you are considering?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FL_Prius_Driver @ Aug 10 2007, 05:55 PM) [snapback]493717[/snapback]</div>

I am tring to find their wear rating but can't find it

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bobdavisnpf @ Jul 20 2007, 09:47 PM) [snapback]482617[/snapback]</div>

Not really much a a handling hit, according to Goodyear's website. The Integrity ranks a 7 out of 10, CT a 9 and TT a 10. I believe I'm going to go CT as well when I upgrade. How do you like them so far?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(maggieddd @ Aug 10 2007, 07:36 PM) [snapback]493763[/snapback]</div>

The Michelin X-Radial has a treadwear rating of 740. This is very, very good.

The Continential ContiProContact has a treadwear rating of 400. This is poor. This tells me it is a cheaper tire that will not last near as long as the Michelin X-Radial. In fact it is a lower rating than the original Goodyear Integrity.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ystasino @ Jun 16 2007, 09:10 AM) [snapback]463003[/snapback]</div>

This is what came on my car. Are you saying this is one of the best choices for Prius tires? I have the 16" rims. I am about to replace them with some custom 16" rims from TireRack, but I was planning on keeping my factory tires unless there was a really compelling reason to get anything else. Should I stick with the Turanza's or is ther a better-gripping and/or quieter option out there for aftermarket?

 

Low Rolling Resistance is a key to great mpg.

Check the Greenseal website below, I got the Goodyear Viv2 and like them, as you can see they are half the price of some others.

http://www.greenseal.org/resources/reports...gresistance.pdf

BRAND MODEL SIZE AVERAGE PRICE COMPOSITE AGAIN WEAR SCORE
Bridgestone B381 185/70R14 0.0062$62 .00 8.00 5.96 6.98
Nokian NRT21 85/70R14 0.0085 $67.00 8.00 5.72 6.86
Sumitomo HTR 200 185/70R14 0.0092 $36.00 8.15 8.30 7.05 7.83
Dunlop Graspic DS-1 185/70R14 0.0092$46.00 7.50 7.90 6.60 7.33
Dunlop SP40 A/S 185/70R14 0.0103 $41.00 8.00 7.18 7.59
Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 185/70R14 0.0103 $68.00 7.91 8.70 6.04 7.55
Goodyear VIVA 2185/70R14 0.0104 $47.96 7.00 6.52 6.80
Continental ContiTouring Contact CH95 205/55R16 0.0083 $64.00 7.46 6.10 7.29 6.95
Michelin Pilot Alpine 205/55R16 0.0090 $125.00 7.56 8.60 8.00 8.05
Michelin EnergyMXV4 Plus 205/55R16 0.0090 $118.00 7.64 6.00 6.87 6.84
Dunlop SP Winter Spor t M2205/55R16 0.0102 $98.00 8.55 7.80 8.17
Michelin Arctic AlpineXL 235/75R15 0.0081 $79.00 8.10 8.50 7.10 7.90
Dunlop Axiom Plus WS 235/75R15 0.0088 $43.00 8.00 5.88 6.94
BF Goodrich Long Trail T/A 245/75R16 0.0092 $76.00 7.94 6.20 7.11 7.08
Michelin XPS Rib LT245/75R16 0.0101 $167.90 6.70 8.10 8.00 7.60
Michelin LTX M/S 245/75R16 0.0103 $139.00 7.97 8.30 7.37 7.88
Bridgestone Dueler A/T D693 245/75R16 0.0103 $104.00 8.00 7.20 7.60

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(maggieddd @ Aug 8 2007, 06:14 PM) [snapback]492726[/snapback]</div>

I had a 2006 Ford Five Hundred that came with Conti tires. They seems ok but were a little noisy.
I traded the car for a 2007 Camry Hybrid. The Camry came with michelin energy S8 tires. The S8 means there slightly improved over the Energy tires they have used for a few years.

My understanding is that the mxv4 was replaced or changed into this Energy tire. It has mxv4 in small letters near where it says Energy in large letters. I found guys in the Camry Hybrid group running 40 psi and they say they rode smooth and rather quiet. I tried 40 psi cold in mine and they were right. The Camry is rather heavy. These tires are also a low rolling resistant tire.

I found the tirerack page for the Energy S8 tire. Its a grand touring all-season tire. Weight is 20 lbs and has a max tire pressure of 51 psi cold. The size I see that may fit the Prius is, 195/65HR15

This would be considered a oem tire as it comes on the Camry's. Also it's in the grand touring all-season tire list. This Energy tire rates a medium or '5' on the 'would buy again'. This tire shows low in snow traction and etc. Be sure to read all tire racks customer reviews before buying any new tires.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...=Energy+MXV4+S8

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FL_Prius_Driver @ Aug 11 2007, 10:13 PM) [snapback]494163[/snapback]</div>

what is the rating of Goodyear Integrity?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(maggieddd @ Aug 13 2007, 08:31 AM) [snapback]494624[/snapback]</div>

460

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FL_Prius_Driver @ Aug 13 2007, 08:47 PM) [snapback]495086[/snapback]</div>

thanks. that's good to know.
Kind of puzzles me why someone would say they did a lot of research about new tires and would recommend these tires as one of the best options.

 

FWIW, although the following Michelin tires have different tread patterns, they all have the exact same construction and treadwear rating:

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

It's a marketing trick tire companies use to make comparison shopping difficult.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(maggieddd @ Aug 13 2007, 10:49 PM) [snapback]495157[/snapback]</div>

The fastest way to learn to play poker is to start loosing money by playing. I learned about wear ratings by paying attention to the tires on our other car (Michelin Harmonys) were lasting much longer than anything on the Prius. By the third (yes, third) set I woke up and discovered the difference was this small number that is hard to find, but is suprisingily accurate about tire life and quality. Since then the third set (Goodyear Regatta's) has lasted longer than the first two sets combined. That has saved me a lot more money than buying cheap tires over and over.

 

I emailed Costco tire asking if they would install 205 / 60 R15 on a 2004 plus Prius, they said they would.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gqscientist @ Jun 12 2007, 04:10 PM) [snapback]460364[/snapback]</div>

Hi Jason,

Notwithstanding that you live in sunny southern california, I would still recommend that you get all season tires that perform well in the rain --- you must get or encounter rain some of the time (at least that's what I heard on the news). I personally recommend and went with the Goodyear Assurance Triple-Treds size 195/60/15, which should run you about $450 total. The TTs are great all around tires. I had them on my prior car, and liked them so much that I installed them on my Prius even though I had only 1000 miles on it and its stock Integrities.

 

I just put Michelin Hydroedge, 195/60/15 on my 2007 base Prius.
After filling the tires the rest of the way up (they went by the door jamb) to 40/38, my car rides very well.
They do have a sale right now -- $60 off a set of four Michelin tires installed, at Costco.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bshef @ Aug 9 2007, 02:31 AM) [snapback]492463[/snapback]</div>

How much bigger are they?
If 10% you may be getting better real mileage.
I'd stay stock diameter to maintain acceleration. I love winning at the lights in the economy car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dsharp88 @ Aug 10 2007, 04:44 PM) [snapback]493771[/snapback]</div>

Very happy with a couple thousand miles to date. Running at full PSI with no complaints re: handling, road noise or ride comfort. Feels much more stable than the stock 185/15" Integrity's.
For the '06 I expect to go with a 17" wheel and run-flat tires. Either the GY Eagle 215/45's for (gulp) $285 each or wait for the ContiPro Contact SSR 215/45's to come back in at $171 each... but they have gone from "backorder/October" to Backorder/Indefinite" at TR... and without any tests or survey listings it's hard to feel comfortable picking them.

I asked My dealer's parts guy whether he thought I should get the tires & rims separate and have his guys move the TPMS over, or buy them pre-mounted at TR... he suggested I go with TR's mounting. Maybe the dealer has had some trouble getting TPMS to match up on different-size wheel setups... or maybe they've busted a few.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FL_Prius_Driver @ Aug 11 2007, 10:13 PM) [snapback]494163[/snapback]</div>

There are people who choose whichever tires last the longest or have the lowest cost per mile.

I'm not one of these people. Neither are most of the engineers who choose the original equipment tires. Tires give you the only contact with the road your car has. They are crucial to traction and safety in dry, wet, and possibly winter conditions. They are also make some of the greatest contributions to road noise, a smooth or harsh ride, and steering response. Finally, of interest to Prius owners, they can easily change your fuel consumption by 2% through different rolling resistance.

If all you care about is how long the tires last, you'll only want to consider standard all season tires like the Goodyear Assurance, Michelin Hydroedge, or X-Radial. As a general rule, touring, performance, and especially winter tires use softer rubber compounds that grip better but also wear faster.

As for the idea that tires with low treadwear are cheap, look at the most expensive tires sold (across many sizes, not just the 185/65R15 size). You'll observe that they usually have very low treadwear ratings, often in the 200's.

 

Everything in life is a compromise. I look for a balance of cost, wear and grip. I think the new silica compounds are promising, at least the manufacturers are promising better grip and better miles. I keep to the stock width, 195/60h - 15s for now and when replacement time rolls around I might get 17 inch wheels as long as I can find 195 tyres with the right aspect ratio to keep the speedo accurate.