Today, I bought 4 Michelin HydroEdge 195\60\15 tires. Not very satisfied with the comfort of the ride. At 35 MPH they give a smooth ride, but at 65 MPH they give a very vibrating ride and they are very noisy. I was on a newly asphalted highway doing 65 MPH. I have read all of the posts here on tires. The other two suggestions are Goodyear TripleTread and Comfort-Tread, but the tire dealer told me that those tires are no longer available because of a recall. What is the best recommendation for a very good all season, comfortable ride, long life tire?
I would check your tire pressures. If they are a bit over pressured, the ride is harsher. Also, all tires have a 6-800 mile break-in period. Anyway, if you don't want them, what do you want for them?
I like Micheline MXV4+ Energy tires, but they don't make them anymore. Micheline is supposed to have a replacement. Tom
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RobertL @ Jul 23 2007, 09:48 PM) [snapback]483879[/snapback]</div> Nice move getting the 195/60R15 size!! I started a post called "Tire Upgrade" that has lots of info about the benefits of this size over the OEM 185/65R15. The TT's are available in many locations. Try somewhere else if you want them. The HE's are great tires too. Try breaking them in a little more. They should work well. If they're vibrating, they probably weren't balanced correctly. Many people on PC have said the HE's are excellent.
I switched to the 185/65R15 ComforTreads at 15,000 miles: why did I wait so long? Quiet, smooth ride, better handling in the rain and a claimed 80,000 tread life. Only a 2-3 MPG penalty at first, but down to around 1MPG after break-in and 40/38 psi. The OEM tires are such crap, it seems that anything you buy will be a big improvement.
Good thing Michelin replaced the MXV4+s. I had them on my VW Passat and I got only 24K out of them. And their performace totally sucked--though they're probably an okay touring tire (albeit overpriced). I have Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S on now and have loved them. Also had quite good experience in the past with Bridgestone Potenza 950s, too. Nonetheless I wouldn't consider any of these for my Prius. Was out tire shopping yesterday for the Prius and was impressed with the Goodyear Assurance Triple Treds. 205/55R16s. I'm still going to shop around a little more before I settle on a set, though.
Well, after 2 days of working with NTB I finally got the issue resolved. The first set of 4 HydroEdge tires were defective. We now have a different set of 4 HydroEdge Tires and are experiencing a better ride. Very smooth, less noise and very comfortable ride. Thanks to everyone who replied to the post. NYPrius, thanks for all of the very helpful information you have in your "Tire Upgrade" article. That is what I based my decision on to go with the 195/60R15 size of tires and try the HydroEdge Tires. So far, so good.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RobertL @ Jul 25 2007, 10:13 PM) [snapback]485189[/snapback]</div> Robert, Glad to hear that your replacement set of Hydroedges are working out. But it sounds like you shouldn't go back to that same tire dealer anymore. Seems like they lied about a TripleTred recall and a ComforTred recall, and then they sold you "defective" Hydroedges??? (I haven't seen anything on a Hydroedge recall either) .... On the face of things, none of this passes the smell test. Boo
Maybe what the dealer meant was, "The Goodyear TT and CT are no longer available, because I recall seeing a set of Hydro's in your size back there..." :lol:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RobertL @ Jul 25 2007, 10:13 PM) [snapback]485189[/snapback]</div> Hi RobertL, I'm glad the post was helpful. I think the 195/60R15 is the way to go with the Prius, unless someone wanted to try to squeak out 1-2 mpg more and accept worst safety, handling and looks by going with a 185/65R15. I think the 195/60 is better than the 195/65 because the 195/65 is a taller tire which would usually have more balloning, less stability and a narrower tread (ie: less road surface contact). So the 195/60 handles better.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nyprius @ Jul 29 2007, 10:12 PM) [snapback]487314[/snapback]</div> If you want to use the same rims, according to Costco tire shop, you have to stay within a certain percentage of the OEM size... I think he said 3%. Anyway, the 195/65 ISN'T, and the 195/60 IS. So, the 195/60 is a better choice of the two
Any body know if you can get the HydroEdge 195/60R15 at Costco? I could shop around, but the costco is like 5 minutes from my house and tires are reasonably cheap there they do installs and $60 off of 4 I need to get is pretty compelling... <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nyprius @ Jul 23 2007, 11:19 PM) [snapback]484015[/snapback]</div>
Any body know if you can get the HydroEdge 195/60R15 at Costco? I could shop around, but the costco is like 5 minutes from my house and tires are reasonably cheap there they do installs and $60 off of 4 I need to get is pretty compelling... <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nyprius @ Jul 23 2007, 11:19 PM) [snapback]484015[/snapback]</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(whk.wang @ Sep 13 2007, 04:01 PM) [snapback]512196[/snapback]</div> Uh, gee... I think I posted that I bought my 195/60R15s at Costco. Didn't I?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(whk.wang @ Sep 13 2007, 04:01 PM) [snapback]512196[/snapback]</div> Uh, gee... I think I posted that I bought my 195/60R15s at Costco. Didn't I?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RobertL @ Jul 25 2007, 10:13 PM) [snapback]485189[/snapback]</div> Just curious. How did they determine the tires were defective?
